Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and sponsorship of Temple Sinai in Saratoga Springs, together with a generous donation from Barry and Shelley Bader in memory of their daughter Melissa Bader Lewis, have contracted with The Braid, formerly Jewish Women’s Theater, to bring a three-program sequence in 2023 to our SJCA series. Each of The Braid programs will be on Zoom.

The Braid, in its fourteenth season, is the go-to Jewish story company and leading non-profit organization, creating, curating, producing, and preserving stories grounded in Jewish culture and experience. Through its performances and programming, The Braid empowers artists and audiences to feel pride in Jewish culture while building community and connection between people of all backgrounds. Founded in Santa Monica, California, in 2007, The Braid has affiliates in two cities, holds tours across the country, is now accessible globally via Zoom performances, and is available on online platforms. The Braid remains true to its founding commitment of giving voice to Jewish stories that haven’t been heard, whether those are stories by women, Jews of Color, or Jews from other diverse backgrounds. “We are an organization started by a group of women who know what it means to be outsiders, to exist in the margins of culture, and to be stereotyped.”

Our first program on February 5 at 7 PM with The Braid is Remembrance of Things Present, true stories from the descendants of Holocaust survivors. The Holocaust forever shaped our world, and no one knows this better than the children and grandchildren of survivors. Now their own true stories of growing up in its shadow are given stage in a searing, but ultimately inspirational new work of theater. This program, and each of the others, will be followed by a Q & A session.

Discover how the son and grandson of Tuvia Bielski, subject of a recent documentary entitled The Bielski Brothers discussed through Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, contend with the legacy of a hero. Witness a daughter’s struggle as her father’s testimony to the Shoah Project video archive reopens old wounds. Find yourself on the edge of your seat as a grandson enters the German home his family fled 65 years ago. Feel inspired as a daughter of a French Resistance fighter is called to her own life of activism. Plus, many more real experiences, brought to life by professional actors. In a time of rising anti-Semitism, these stories offer the world vital wisdom, resilience, and hope. “We are so very pleased to have the opportunity to offer these programs in the months of February, March, and May as an add-on to our winter/spring offerings,” says Phyllis Wang, Coordinator of Saratoga Jewish Community Arts.

To register and receive Zoom access to The Braid programming Remembrance of Things Present on February 5 at 7 PM, email sjca.sjcf@gmail.com. Registration will be confirmed with an email, and you will be sent the access code two days before the program.