Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman of Yidlife Crisis Bring Their Angst and Neuroses to Charlotte

By Amy Krakovitz Can you have a mid-life crisis when you are still in your 30s? Well, it happened to Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman, two Montreal comedians who say theirs was a “crisis of Jewish identity.” “We grew up in a very Jewish neighborhood,” says Eli. “We went to a high school that taught us the Yiddish language. In the next 18 years after high school, we ended up doing nothing that had anything to do with that. So at a certain point, we decided we should reconcile our very Jewish upbringing with our very non-Jewish lifestyle and that begat this project.” “This project” is Yidlife Crisis, a web series of short episodes almost entirely in Yiddish where characters Leizer (Batalion) and Chaimie (Elman) discuss food, tradition, rituals, philosophy, their place in the world,… Continue reading →

The 2020 Main Event Featuring Mitch Albom

Co-chairs Holly and Hal Levinson invite you to join them at the Federation’s 2020 Main Event on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 7 PM at Temple Israel featuring Mitch Albom. The Main Event is the Jewish Federation’s most widely attended event of the campaign season.

Mitch Albom is an internationally renowned and best-selling author, sportswriter, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster, and musician. His books have collectively sold more than 39 million copies worldwide, have been published in forty-nine territories and in forty-five languages around the world, and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed television movies.

While nationally recognized for his sports writing, Albom is perhaps best known for the themes of hope and kindness that weave through his books, plays, and films. In his talks and presentations, he brings the same inspiring message of community building, giving, and purpose. Albom… Continue reading →

Engage with Israel Through Literature

Join the Center for Jewish Education and the Levine JCC for a literary trip to Israel with our upcoming author series of books set in Israel. The series will feature three authors of modern novels set in Israel that illustrate Israel’s multifaceted culture and society.

First up: Caroline Goldberg Igra’s “Count to a Thousand,” Friday, January 17, 10 AM

A poignant novel about an American expatriate who insular life in Israel is shattered by unanticipated events.

Books are available for sale at the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library. Book sale and signing to follow each event.

Free and open to the public, though registration is required at LJCC customer service or call 704-366-5007.