In the summer, when attention turns to Island beaches and visitors come off the ferry in droves, a speaker series offers a chance to think about the world beyond Vineyard shores.
The Summer Institute speaker series at the Hebrew Center, now in its 13th year, aims to provide affordable, thought-provoking discussions, said Summer Institute committee chairman, Geraldine Alpert.
The idea is to enrich the cultural and intellectual life of the Island, Ms. Alpert said. “To enlighten.”
On Sunday, June 24, the Hebrew Center begins its summer film series. Programmed by the Summer Institute, the series is known for thoughtful movies usually relegated to the shadows of big city, independent cinemas.
This Sunday’s film is Restoration, not the 1995 Robert Downey Jr./Meg Ryan feature. No, not at all.
The Summer Institute at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center has traditionally programmed its summer movie series with selections from the Boston Jewish Film Festival. This year, however, they have taken matters into their own hands by programming the festival themselves, becoming, in a sense, an international film festival unto themselves.
This summer’s slate of films includes both documentaries and features from around the world.
The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, in conjunction with the Summer Institute, presents former Vermont Governor and ambassador to Switzerland Madeleine Kunin Monday, July 28, at 7:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission.
Institute Presents Film,
Panel Discussion on Family
The Summer Institute of the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center in the coming week will present a film and a panel discussion on the theme of family, with experts on raising girls and boys.
Betsy Sheerr Leads Hebrew Center Institute
By MIKE SECCOMBE
The summer speaker series put on by the Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center, explained Betsy Sheerr, is not a Jewish thing, although she explained its motivation - and her own - in distinctly Jewish terms.
"There is in Judaism an important concept of repairing the world: Tikun olam," said the new chairman of the center's Summer Institute.