Two debut programs at Ma’ani Center
This week saw two in-person events at our Ma’ani Center after many months of mostly Zoom programs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first was a tour of our new exhibit on the Kaifeng Jewish community. The tour, which was held in English, included a slide presentation and an explanation by Eran Barzilay, the coordinator for our Kaifeng Jewish community. A Chinese speaker himself, Eran is extremely well-versed in the traditions and history of the Kaifeng Jewish community as well as having been there multiple times and having a personal relationship with many in the community.
The tour was educational and informative, and the attendees greatly enjoyed.
The second event was a program of personal stories of conversion and aliyah, with our own Chaya Castillo, Director of the Bnei Anousim & Hidden Jews of Poland Departments and of the Ma’Ani Center, and Shlomit Chawngthu, a Bnei Menashe woman who made aliyah with the help of Shavei Israel. Both of them told their stories, which were written up in the new book, Layers: Personal Narratives of Struggle, Resilience, and Growth from Jewish Women.
The event was moderated by Shira Lankin Sheps, author of the popular book, and signed copies were available at the event.
