How Hannah Gaffney Weaves her Jewish Heritage
Hannah Gaffney, an emerging artist from Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, is currently enrolled at The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where she is honing her skills in Fiber. Drawing heavily on the textures and tales of found photos, antique trinkets, and family traditions Gaffney sees her art as an extension of herself.
Yoni Gutenmacher is Writing Fiction for our Jewish Time
Yoni Gutenmacher is a student at Brooklyn College, completing his MFA in Creative Writing. Based in New York, Yoni’s work both as a writer and a member of the Jewish community has been informed by his experiences within the city's diverse cultural landscape.
Emmet Cohen’s Jazz Forges Connection
Connecting Cohen and his current contributions to historical precedents underscores the deep reverence the young pianist has for the established masters of this music.
Hanna Veiler Writes Outside the Lines
Hanna Veiler, president of the German Jewish Student Union, writes on topics of complex identity, migration and memory culture. Known largely for her Jewish activism, her poems and short-stories lies side by side with her fight against antisemitism.
Trying to Capture Still Moments of Jewish Time
Moshe Sopher-Harelick is a photographer in his final semester at Parsons. He sees his art as a mechanism to show the world his Judaism through a medium thats accesible to all.
A Blemish on the Arts: A Letter from a Jewish Artist
Graphic Artist and Havurah Advisory Board Member Alex Woz writes on the rise of antisemitism in the creative world, and reflects on Jewish exclusion within the arts.
The Wonder of Paul Simon’s “Seven Psalms”
True to the meaning of the word psalm, Simon’s lyrics are accompanied by a haunting, dreamlike acoustic guitar hook that repeats and transforms in a sonic dance.
Eitan Gutenmacher is Designing a New Jewish Expression
Eitan Gutenmacher, a Jewish student at NYU Gallatin and a co-founder of Havurah, sat down with Hillel International to discuss community design, Jewish life on campus, and why he thinks Photoshop can be a tool for the divine.
Making Music with Sammy Tweedy
Indie musician and songwriter Sammy Tweedy’s recent single, “Complete Picture,” is a mixture of dark moody synths, mesmerizing off-kilter drums, and poignant lyrical vignettes.
Jay Michaelson’s Heretical Tales
The stories in Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson’s new book revolve around themes of Judaism and queerness, concealment and revelation. Havurah Journal’s editor Ellie Klibaner-Schiff sits down with Michaelson to discuss his work.
Eight TV Episodes You Should Watch This Chanukah
From Rugrats to Seinfeld, I’ve narrowed down my essential viewing list of Chanukah episodes, sharing one for each night.
From Light to Light: A Chanukah Drash
The fire of Torah rages when we try to control it through fear. Its words, supposed lessons, and immutability hurt us as we try to confine it for our own perceived sense of safety.
Havurah’s Annual Je-Wish List 5784
The season of hot beverages and thick sweaters is upon us. As Havurah’s self-proclaimed shopping expert, I thought it only right for me to publish our annual Chanukah gift guide. Our list includes some staff picks along with some spins on a few timeless classics. I guarantee these presents are so good, only one will be enough to last all eight nights.
Havurah Community Letter: Addressing Rising Antisemitsm in the Art World
Reimagining Tradition in Hannah Altman’s Photography
Nathan Salsburg on Folk Music and Jewish Inspiration
In this intimate conversation, iconic folk music guitarist and composer Nathan Salsburg intertwines his musical journey with his Jewish heritage, creating a path that transcends time and space.
On Narrative and Futurism: A Rosh Hashanah Reflection
Ellie Klibaner-Schiff, the Havurah Journal’s new editor, reflects on the powers of narrative and futurism as we enter the Jewish new year.
On Mac Miller's Yahrzeit, Remembering His Jewish References
As a fellow Jewish kid born in the 90s, listening to the Jewish references and wordplay in his music influenced me tremendously. I’ve combed through the internet, searching the r/MacMiller subreddit and diving deep into Google, and here I have compiled Mac Miller’s Jewish references that are most meaningful to me.
Eight Films to watch this Tisha b’Av
Films that echo themes of destruction, introspection, and serious contemplation have become fitting vehicles for this observance, helping us engage more deeply with the spirit of the day. Thus, the custom of watching sad, usually shoah-centered, movies on Tisha b’Av was born.
In Their Footsteps: Abby Litman writes Music for her Ashkenazi Heritage
Abby Litman's latest song, "This is Where I Stand," recounts the story of her grandparents during the Holocaust. Having attended a Jewish day school, Litman embarked on a March of Living-style trip to Poland and Israel for her graduation. However, despite being in such an intense place, she struggled with the feeling of not "experiencing it deeply" enough.
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