Monday, February 9 | 7 - 9 PM
Central downtown location (will be emailed to registrants)
Hosted by FENTSTER & No Silence on Race
In November 2023, FENTSTER began hosting gatherings for Jewish artists, producers, curators and other arts workers to process deep feelings of suffering, anger, fear, confusion, isolation and grief. These gatherings rose up in response to a shared desire to connect with other Jews in the art world who are grappling with a similar set of challenges particular to these artistic communities at a time of great polarization and combativeness. This will be our 7th meeting, newcomers are always welcome.
We offer this gathering as a space to connect, to share our experiences and to explore tools for supporting ourselves in difficult times. Our time together will be centred around deep listening as well as grounding through song and mindfulness practice. It is our goal to counter isolation with connection, and to open towards hopefulness and healing.
This gathering will be highly interactive, facilitated by FENTSTER Curator / Director Evelyn Tauben together with rabbi and composer, Miriam Margles.
We will also be joined this time by a special guest, multidisciplinary artist Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell who will share a bit about his work over the past decade engaging with his Jewish and African American identities. Anthony will be in Toronto this winter from California as the inaugural Mitchell J. Gerstein Distinguished Visiting Artist in Residence at the University of Toronto's Centre for Jewish Studies. He will join us in advance of his public performance this March centred around his original research into the Yiddish poetry, theatre and art created in the 1930s in response to the unjust trial of the Scottsboro Nine in Alabama.
Tea, coffee and light refreshments will also be provided.
For more information, get in touch: info@fentster.org
We do not presuppose any particular political orientations and affiliations. However, this is not a context for political debate or to advocate for specific political solutions.
This is a gathering for professional artists and arts workers who identify as Jewish. If space allows, Jewish lay leaders of arts organizations are also welcome.
ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, SPACE IS LIMITED
Fees help to offset the costs of space rental, refreshments and compensating facilitators. If the registration fees are prohibitive for you, feel free to be in touch for more information on how to register as a guest. It's important to us that everyone be able to join without barriers.
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
Join us with an open mind and open heart. Be prepared to sing a little, sit a little in quiet contemplation and to meet other Jewish artists who may be having similar or very different experiences to you at this moment. Be prepared to hold this contradiction.
Everyone is requested to be on time and stay for the duration of the gathering - as we are creating a container and opening with communal intentions, it is not possible to admit latecomers.
This is not a space to debate or argue. Anyone being combative will be asked to leave.
We kindly ask that all participants refrain from wearing clothing with slogans or bringing posters or flags into the space.
We respectfully ask all participants to read and agree to the community guidelines before registering.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US
Learn more here: http://fentster.org/events/gathering-october2024
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Anthony Russell is a multidisciplinary artist working in the medium of Yiddish language and culture. A past Hadar Rising Song, AJU Public, and Mandel Institute Cultural Leadership Fellow and present Mitchell J. Gerstein Distinguished Visiting Artist in Residence at the University of Toronto, Anthony has expanded his work into cultural activism through collaboration with the Workers Circle and as an essayist in a number of publications including The Forward, Tablet, and Jewish Currents. Anthony lives in San Diego, CA with his husband of ten years, Rabbi Michael Rothbaum.