Shalom:

Well, we’ve hit Winter Solstice, so it’s only another six months until Summer Solstice in December, just after Sukkot. This time of the year can be a challenge to get through, but we have an answer for you! We’ve selected four great movies to watch here at the Library!

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These films have been screened at past Jewish International Film Festival(JIFF) events, so they are proven to please the crowd!

JIFF comes to our shores every other year or so, and when they do, it’s worth while making the time to see some of the program. I went last year, and the films are great – though provoking, or downright amusing. There is a great range of subject material, always with a Jewish theme – which highlights the breadth of the Jewish experience. JIFF have announced that they will return to Australia screens from 23 Oct – 21 Nov 2018.

I contacted JIFF on Twitter and they confirmed that they won’t be returning to NZ in 2018, sadly. However, they have close contacts with the NZ International Film Festival, and JIFF advises that there is one Jewish Film in NZIFF.

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We’re hosting a whiskey tasting on Sunday 15th July, 7pm, here at the Library. We’ll have a wee selection of whiskeys, a blind tasting to help you pick up on differences between the drops, and a general natter about whiskey and Judaism in general. Numbers are limited; members are free, non-members are $20. The previous event was a sellout, so book here.

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I was a first time LIMMUDnik last year, and boy did I have a great time! The breadth of talks on offer along with the fine home cooked food, the schmoozing, and the opportunity to meet so many great people made for an intense two worthwhile days! I’ll be back for sure this year to be exposed to some great Jewish thought and perspectives – in fact I’ll be presenting! If you haven’t been before, you are missing out on a great weekend at the start of Spring.

LIMMUD Registration is now open for Early Bird pricing, so what are you waiting for?

LIMMUD relies on volunteers, so be prepared to donate an hour of your time to the event – together we make LIMMUD great!

(Disclosure, I’m working for the LIMMUDNZ organisation, but even if I wasn’t I’d still be saying the same as above! Seriously, if you haven’t been before, you are missing out on something great.)

New Books

A grab bag of new books this month, featuring a NZ author, a chemist in the Krakow Ghetto, the story of children rescued by Mr and Mrs Deckston to Wellington from the Shoah in Europe that was underway, and a father – daughter team pondering about Jews, and words.

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We were also pleased to receive the donation of a book about Dorothy Theomin of Olveston – which is the famous house in Dunedin owned by a well known Jewish family. The house has been left to the city, and functions as a museum of an early 20th century home. If you are in Dunedin, make sure to visit the house – a fascinating history capsule.

 

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DVDs

‘A Yiddish World Remembered’ brings to life aspects of pre-war life in the thousands of shetls across eastern Europe, and provides a glimpse into a fascinating way of life.’Woman in Gold’ is based on the true story of the recovery of the famous Gustav Klimt’s famous painting Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer. This is a gripping story, sensitively done.

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So relax and wrap up warm over the next few months – the days will slowly get longer, and before long, it’ll be Spring.

Christopher.

WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPPORT OF THE
RAYE BLUMENTHAL FREEDMAN TRUST.