The rumor is true: The Jewish Arts Collaborative, creators of your favorite Hanukkah party at the MFA Boston, “Be the Change” public art, and the Community Creative Fellowship, has moved into The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture on Beacon Hill.
The Vilna Shul is a beautiful space and great venue for concerts, tastings, Shabbat dinners, and more, offering an unparalleled historic charm as the last remaining immigrant-era synagogue building in the city of Boston, in a spot that in 1919 stood alongside 52 other Jewish communities within a 1-mile radius.
For many years, the CJP x JArts Community Creative Fellows have spent time in and been inspired by The Vilna Shul, so we’re excited for these artists to find a special homebase at The Vilna.
This season, here are four ways you can be inspired by the pairing of these four artists and this beautiful historic space:
1. A unique Passover experience.
Join us for a one-of-a-kind Passover experience with Instagram superstar storyteller Miriam Anzovin at The Vilna’s beloved Havurah on the Hill Shabbat dinner for young professionals. Miriam will create an afikoman scavenger hunt experience that highlights the building, and the little-known female heroine of the Exodus story, Serach Bat Asher—all with a kosher-for-Passover dinner.
Friday, March 28: Havurah on the Hill: Passover with Miriam Anzovin
2. A night of art and music.
“Printed and Stitched in Time: Stories of Undaunted Women“ is a powerful exhibit on display at The Vilna this spring, paying homage to two women who survived the Holocaust to then live through a second major trauma in the Dirty War in Argentina. Sandra Mayo is an Argentinian Israeli artist who has spent many years in Boston teaching and making art with genograms, unpacking family dynamics, relationships, and trauma like these stories through art.
This show, on display March 1 to April 4, is a powerful backdrop to The Vilna’s “The Only Woman in the Room” series, paying homage to great Jewish women this Women’s History Month, in collaboration with CJP’s Miriam Fund. “Desires” is a reading of a recently translated Yiddish book set to live music by the Reisman Klezmer Band.
Thursday, April 3: The Sound of Desires: A Music and Theater Experience with Reisman Klezmer Band
3. A great spot for families.
The Vilna is a great place for downtown families and has regular programs for families with young children. On the docket for Passover is modern-day vaudevillian A.J. Rubin, whose performance and juggling is joyful for all ages.
Sunday, April 6: Passover Party for Families with Young Children
4. Representing Jewish culture.
This one is outside the building, and we’re proud to represent Jewish and Israeli culture at the first WBUR Festival, featuring Ira Glass, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Ophira Eisenberg, and Community Creative Fellow musician Neta Weiner.
Weiner recorded a beautiful video in The Vilna Shul sanctuary in 2024 that led to his fellowship work. Watch his Boston-inspired love song to Jaffa.
Saturday, May 31: WBUR Festival: Featuring Neta Weiner
As we head into spring, we hope you’ll join us for these moments of joy and connection in downtown Boston.
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