Board Member Josh Dinar

There was plenty of good news presented to the community at the Boulder Jewish Community Center’s Cornerstone Capital Campaign event Wednesday night:  first and foremost, that the Boulder JCC has raised $16.2 million or 90% of their $18 million Phase I goal; the architect, the contractor and the owner’s representative have all been selected; and if all goes well, they could break ground in the summer of 2012 and open in early 2014.

But wait, there’s more: Boulder JCC Executive Director Jonathan Lev pointed out the news that the event itself made:  With attendance of 575 people, Exclusive Preview of First Bite Boulder became the largest fundraising event in Boulder’s Jewish community in a decade.  Add to that the fact that the night’s fundraising appeal generated over $195,000 for the project, and it was truly a night to remember.

I couldn’t believe it… people were coming up to me and thanking me for giving them the opportunity to give something for this project that will benefit the entire community. Tonight, you can really feel that together, we are building our present and our legacy for the future.”

Campaign Co-Chairs Kelli Zell and Scott Peppet with ED Jonathan Lev

Scott Peppet, co-chair of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, said:

Now that we’re at 90% of our goal, I hope the people who have been avoiding me will talk to me.  I’m not looking for million dollar gifts anymore, I’m now looking for $50,000, $25,000, $10,000 or $5,000 — whatever people feel comfortable giving.”

The event, held at the Boulder Theater, was a tremendous success.  Members of the community enjoyed food from ten of the First Bite Boulder restaurants.  The Boulder JCC made a short presentation, which included a video showing renderings of the outside and inside of the new building, a fundraising appeal, and then the Hazel Miller Band played to close out the evening.

Board Chair Susan Rona and ED Jonathan Lev

Boulder JCC Board Chair Susan Rona and Lev also thanked the First Bite restaurants that participated and donated their food and services: Absinthe House, Centro Latin Kitchen, Japango, Jill’s, Laudisio, The Rib House, Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, Tahona Tequila Bistro/The Steak Room, West End Tavern, and Zolo Grill. In addition Sweet Pea Cuisine provided a kosher option and Spice of Life Catering served appetizers and dessert. The event was underwritten by the Boulder Jewish Community Foundation and the Boulder JCC Cornerstone Capital Campaign.

ABOUT FIRST BITE BOULDER

First Bite Boulder is an annual event highlighting Boulder’s dining scene. For one full week, more than 40 of Boulder’s top restaurants will offer a special three course $26 prix fixe dinner menu to the community.  The week celebrates Boulder’s exceptional dining community and helps bring our well-deserved reputation into the national spotlight. Celebrate the establishments that make Boulder the culinary destination it is on November 11-19, 2011. For more information visit http://www.firstbiteboulder.com/

Boulder Jewish News will post more pictures and the video presented at the event, but in the meantime,  here is a thank you video from the Boulder JCC:

Ami Dayan

The Denver Center Theatre Company is presenting a free staged reading of Iddo Netanyahu’s new play, “A HAPPY END”, directed by Ami Dayan.  The reading will be held on Thursday, May 5th, 2011 at 7:30 pm at the CU Boulder Theatre Building (on campus on the south side of the Norlin Quad.)

FREE! Reservations: AHEonSTAGE@gmail.com

Berlin 1932, days after the elections which will soon bring Hitler to power. Mark Erdmann is an acclaimed Jewish physicist, the head of the atomic lab at the University of Berlin. His wife Leah, an avid consumer of the city’s rich cultural life, is having an affair with Mark’s young German assistant. The signs of impending danger are increasing, but the power of self-delusion persists as the Jewish couple ponders whether to seek an unknown future outside Germany or to stay put and succumb to a fate known to us in hindsight.

“A Happy End” was first produced in Italy, labeled there by a national critic as “oxygen for the Italian theater.” It has since been produced in Tel Aviv to great success and critical acclaim.  A talkback with the creative team will follow the staged readings. We look forward to your input as we prepare for a US premiere.

The reading is co-sponsored by Maya Productions, Theatre Or, and The Boulder International Fringe Festival

Hosted by the CU Department of Theatre & Dance

Beau Jest

The play has a very sweet Jewish theme – Sarah is a nice Jewish girl with a problem, her parents want her married to a nice Jewish boy. They have never met her boyfriend,a WASP executive names Chris Kringle. She tells them she is dating a Jewish doctor and they insist on meeting him. She plans a dinner party and, over the heated protests of Chris, employs an escort service to send her a Jewish date to be Dr. Steinberg. Instead, they send Bob Schroeder, an aspiring actor who agrees to perform the impersonation. Happily, he is extremely convincing in the role, and Sarah’s parents are enraptured. Soon, even Sarah falls for Bob.

Among the ensemble cast are community members Rich Schad as the Jewish father, Abe, and his wife, Miriam, played by Miriam Paisner.

Show dates start Friday February 25th, and the play runs through Saturday, March 12th. Evening performances start at 7:30 PM and Sunday matinee time is 2:00 PM. Ticket costs range from $10.00 to $15.00. Tickets may be purchased on line at coal creek’s website, ccctheater.org.

I am looking forward to playing Abe, the father. In third grade, I wanted to play the Jewish father in a school play, but my dad wouldn’t let me – he wanted me to have a speaking part.

Wishing you all, break-a-leg.

Rich Schad

Easily the most popular Jewish invention is the weekend. Think about it. Without Moses, we’d all still be working seven days a week. But my own personal favorite Jewish invention is Hollywood. Now there’s something to be proud of.

If you don’t believe Jews invented Hollywood, don’t take my word for it. Join us on Sunday, October 3 at 7 pm at the Boulder JCC for a screening of “An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood,” a documentary based on a book of the same title by Neal Gabler.

The film contemplates the fundamental irony of Hollywood in the early half of the 20th century, when movies that portrayed core American values and ideas were created by Jews who themselves did not fit the American ideal their films so aptly depicted. While Jewish moguls such as Paramount’s Adolph Zucker, MGM’s Louis B. Mayer and Universal’s Carl Laemmle held a virtual monopoly on Hollywood, they themselves felt that they did not fit into the American mainstream. This fascinating documentary about a group of immigrants who reinvented American culture features never-before-seen home movies, extensive clips and interviews with the Jewish studio executives, theater owners, producers, writers, lawyers and talent agents who controlled the American film industry until shortly after WW II.

Tickets are $8 and are available at the door, or by calling Kathryn at 303-998-1021, or emailing kathryn@boulderjcc.org.

Jews also were pioneers of musical theater in this same period, and dominated Broadway to an amazing extent. Andrea Most is author of the book, “Making Americans: Jews and the Broadway Musical, ” which outlined the role Jews played in the creation and popularization of this American art form. Most, a professor at the University of Toronto, will be in Boulder on Saturday, October 2, at 7:30 pm speaking on a related topic: “Theatrical Liberalism: The Backstage Musical as Secular Judaism.” Her talk at is at First Congregational Church, 1128 Pine St; suggested donation $10 at the

Most is the keynote speaker at a three-day conference organized by CU’s American Music Research Center, and co-sponsored by Movers: Do You Speak Jewish? The topic is “Classic Broadway and Those Who Built It: Theatrical Work of American Jews, African Americans, and First Generation Immigrants in the 20th Century.” Leading scholars in a variety of disciplines will present papers and lead discussions.

Because 2010 marks the centenary of Broadway composer Frank Loesser’s birth (1910-1969), special emphasis is being placed on the decade between his two classic shows, Guys and Dolls (1950) and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying (1961). A benefit dinner concert consisting of a medley of Loesser songs performed by the resident professional cast of Boulder’s Dinner Theater takes place Monday, October 4. Jo Sullivan Loesser, Frank’s widow and a celebrated Broadway singer herself, will be on hand to participate in the celebration.

Click here for more information, visit http://music.colorado.edu/departments/amrc/events.

Now you may be wondering if you should trust me on this. You should. I have an MA in theater from Tufts, moved to Boulder in 1976 to pursue a PhD in theater and spent many years reviewing theater for the Boulder Daily Camera. I love good theater, but an overdose of mediocre productions has jaded me.

So when I tell you the sheer professionalism of “Grand Hotel” came as a welcome surprise, its high praise indeed. After all, the cast members are local high school students and recent graduates. The acting was almost universally first-rate and the singing was exceptional. It is a pleasure to see so many young,  talented performers working with discipline and precision.

Fairview grad Chris Douglas stood out as the Baron, a penniless nobleman who can’t resist the urge to be noble. Danny Irwin, an even more recent Fairview grad, was delightful as the Jewish nebbish hoping to live his last days in high style. (Irwin is double cast in the role with current Boulder High student Brian Flores.) Impressive in smaller parts, Avery Sobczak, Jordan Ford and Sam Urdang made the most of their musical numbers.

Angela Gaylor’s musical staging and Peter Davison’s choreography, the sets and costumes, and the live music under the direction of Dan Graeber all work together seamlessly to enhance the theatrical experience.

“Grand Hotel” is a biting, bold piece of theater that owes much in mood and tone to “Cabaret,” a similar story of escapism in 1920′s Germany as storm clouds gather on the horizon. Set in 1928 in the finest hotel in Berlin, “Grand Hotel” is the story of opulence and decadence, of desperation and degradation, of high hopes and dashed dreams.

Director David Ayers, a Broadway veteran himself, understands the emotional punch of the musical, and has created a compelling and cohesive production that hits the play’s dark as well as its bright notes. In fact, this production hits all the right notes.

Come support the Camp Gan Israel’s Children’s Fund and have a good laugh for a great cause!  The event is at the MadCap Theater, 10679 Westminster Boulevard West, Westminster.  Visit www.thechabadhouse.com/fund to RSVP and for more information

These tickets will be available Wednesday at 3pm and can be purchased online: http://www.bouldertheater.com or via phone: 303-786-7030 or in person at the box office.

We saw a lot of local Jews in the audience … but only managed to get pictures of the “Goddess” Susannah Perlman of NJGGB and David Fagan and Rob Tannenbaum of GFTJ.  All in all, we had a good laugh.