MFA Boston Partners with the Jewish Arts Collaborative and Combined Jewish Philanthropies to Celebrate Hanukkah
Free Evening Includes Music, Art Making, Tours of Judaica and Large-Scale Menorah Installation
BOSTON (November 20, 2019)—The sixth annual Hanukkah celebration at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), is presented in partnership with Jewish Arts Collaborative (JArts) and Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) on Wednesday, December 18. The free event begins at 4:30 pm and includes music, tours of the MFA’s Judaica collection, art making, Hanukkah treats and a community gathering—all in the spirit of the Jewish festival of lights. The largest community Hanukkah gathering in Boston, a highlight of the evening is a special menorah installation created by artist Caron Tabb that embodies and tells the tale of Hanukkah; the miracle of light over darkness, good over evil and freedom over servitude. A community gathering will be led by CJP president Marc Baker. Hanukkah at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is sponsored by Chase. Presented in partnership with the Jewish Arts Collaborative (JArts) and Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston (CJP). Additional support provided by an anonymous donor.
Beginning at 4:30 pm, an array of musical performances by artists from around the world features Rosalie Gerut, who sings in her native Yiddish as well as in Hebrew, English, Ladino/Spanish and Russian; and Yaeko Elmaleh Group, a unique klezmer-world music fusion. Families can sing and dance with Vanessa Trein, or enjoy Musical Story Time with authors and songwriters Joni Klein-Higgins and Barbara Scharff. Also offering performances is Moth storytelling champion Rabbi Dan Judson, who will share Hanukkah-inspired tales, and Boston choreographer Jenna Pollack, who premieres her JArts commission on the holiday themes of light and dark.
“Brighter Beyond,” a collaborative, interactive blacklight experience, invites visitors to add their light to a glowing installation led by artist Tova Speter and featuring work from over 100 local students. Additional art-making activities include making two-dimensional menorahs, Stars of David and Hanukkah pins, as well as a commemorative postcard provided by Chase to take home.
Other highlights from the evening include four 15-minute talks on an object from the MFA’s collection of Judaica, an American Sign Language Tour of Judaica in the MFA’s collection and Hanukkah treats including latkes in the New American Cafe and Rugelah and a Sufganiyot bar (non-kosher) in Taste Café. A full schedule of events will be available at mfa.org/event/community-celebrations/hanukkah.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Education, access and community programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), connect visitors from Boston’s neighborhoods, New England and around the world with art. The MFA welcomes more than one million visitors annually, serving many through its learning and community engagement programs. Opportunities for free and discounted admission for students, teachers, children, EBT card holders and military personnel and veterans can be found at mfa.org/visit, including free access for college students through the MFA’s University Membership and Pozen Community College Access program. Visitors can also learn about access programming for visitors with disabilities online, which includes free entry for personal care attendants. Additionally, the MFA Citizens program offers free one-year family memberships to newly naturalized U.S. citizens living in Massachusetts. The Museum is free for all after 4 pm every Wednesday and offers 11 free community celebrations annually. Each year, the Museum welcomes approximately 55,000 students and teachers—kindergarten through high school—for school group visits. Additional educational programming includes gallery talks, lectures, artist demonstrations, studio art classes and art-making workshops for hospital patients. In 2020, the MFA is marking its 150th anniversary with a yearlong celebration of generosity, community and inclusion through a series of special events and initiatives.
The MFA is located on the Avenue of the Arts at 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. For more information, call 617.267.9300, visit mfa.org or follow the MFA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Jewish Arts Collaborative
The Jewish Arts Collaborative explores and presents the rich, diverse, and creative world of Jewish arts and culture—past, present, and future—to the widest possible audience, in venues large and small across Greater Boston. Through a broad range of programming spanning the traditional to the innovative, we present the finest local, national, and international talent creating artistic work with a distinctive Jewish voice. Visit JArtsboston.org for more information or visit JArts on Facebook and Instagram.
CJP
CJP, Greater Boston’s Jewish Federation, brings together the people, partners and resources to fulfill the most important needs and aspirations of our community. Rooted in compassion and justice and driven by innovation, we care for the vulnerable, forge strong connections with Israel and above all, inspire the next generation to embrace Jewish life and learning. For more information please visit www.cjp.org.