Hebrew Congregation of Chautauqua

Shirley Lazarus Sunday Evening Speaker Series

Summer 2025 Speakers

Rabbi Elyse Goldstein - “For Heaven’s Sake: Ancient Wisdom - Modern Conflict”

Rabbi Elyse Goldstein - “For Heaven’s Sake: Ancient Wisdom - Modern Conflict”

June 29, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Smith Wilkes Hall
Rabbi Elyse Goldstein is founding Rabbi of City Shul in Toronto and before that was the Rabbinic Director of Kolel: The Adult Centre for Liberal [...]
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Kristan McMahon - "The Supreme Court Today"

Kristan McMahon - "The Supreme Court Today"

July 6, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Smith Wilkes Hall
Kristan McMahon is a non-profit leader who uses her deep curiosity to find the questions not only to satisfy inquiries but to bring information to [...]
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13 Jul

“A Celebration of the History of the Jewish Community at Chautauqua and a celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the Hebrew Congregation of Chautauqua.”

July 13, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Smith Wilkes Hall
Speakers: Arty and Bett Salz, Edith Everett and Gail Siberstein. With an ice cream truck from 5:30-7:00 pm. The Arty and Betty Salz came to [...]
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Gary Hahn from the Comedy Center - "More Than a Laugh: Comedy’s Role in Memory, Meaning, and Joy"

Gary Hahn from the Comedy Center - "More Than a Laugh: Comedy’s Role in Memory, Meaning, and Joy"

July 20, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Smith Wilkes Hall
Gary Hahn is Director of Marketing and Communications at the National Comedy Center. He has helped develop and implement marketing, public relations, and communications plans. [...]
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Documentary : "I Will Build this World with Love”

Documentary : "I Will Build this World with Love”

July 27, 2025    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Smith Wilkes Hall
John Block, producer and Cantor Meredith Greenberg John Block’s I WILL BUILD THIS WORLD FROM LOVE tells the story of several young women and men [...]
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Jodi Sufrin and Roy Einhorn - The Great American Songbook: A Sentimental Journey from Tin Pan Alley and the Yiddish Theatre to Broadway and Beyond”

Jodi Sufrin and Roy Einhorn - The Great American Songbook: A Sentimental Journey from Tin Pan Alley and the Yiddish Theatre to Broadway and Beyond”

August 3, 2025    
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Smith Wilkes Hall
Cantors Jodi Sufrin and Roy Einhorn Cantor Emerita Jodi Sufrin and Cantor Roy Einhorn will sing and talk on the topic of the Jewish origins [...]
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David Levy - “I am Mahler: Leonard Bernstein and Jewish Identity"

David Levy - “I am Mahler: Leonard Bernstein and Jewish Identity"

August 10, 2025    
All Day
Smith Wilkes Hall
David B. Levy is a Professor Emeritus at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. He served as Program Director of Flow House, Wake Forest’s study [...]
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                                        2024 Last Season’s Speakers

Week 2: June 30, 2024

Holocaust and Social Justice Education Program Presentation

The Hebrew Congregation of Chautauqua proudly supports a Holocaust and Social Justice Education program for high school students in the greater Chautauqua area.

Week 3: July 7, 2024

Sabeeha Rehman & Walter Ruby: Rebuilding the Muslim-Jewish Alliance

Authors of We Refuse to be Enemies: How Muslims and Jews Can Make Peace One Friendship at a Time

Week 4: July 14, 2024

Alex Laurant and Nancy Ross (both are cousins of George Gershwin)

“Sundaes” Together: George Gershwin, the Artist

Week 5: July 21, 2024

A Conversation with Erroll Davis

President of the African American Heritage House of Chautauqua Institution

Week 6: July 28, 2024

Cantor Roy Einhorn and Cantor Jodi Sufrin

Songs Make History and History Makes Songs: From Irving Berlin to Leonard Bernstein

Week 7: August 4, 2024

An Anne Frank Legacy: Cultivating Respect and Inclusivity in the Chautauqua Acceptance Garden

Co-sponsored by Chautauqua’s Bird, Tree and Garden Club

Week 8: August 11, 2024

Adam Lehman: President and CEO, Hillel International

Challenges and Pathways: Improving the Campus Climate for Jewish Students and All Students