John Kenrick explores how the turbulent life of America’s most controversial founding father, Alexander Hamilton, inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda’s record-breaking hip-hop musical, revealing rare footage and backstage stories. About the speaker: John Kenrick is a musical theatre historian, author, and Broadway insider who has taught at NYU’s Steinhardt School. He is a founding curator for the […]

Jane Eisner traces the professional accomplishments and personal challenges of pop icon Carole King, exploring her unique contribution to American music. About the speaker: Jane Eisner is a widely published journalist who held leadership positions at the Philadelphia Inquirer and The Forward. She is also the author of Taking Back the Vote. Books will be […]

Marcel Duchamp, modern art’s defining iconoclast, constantly reinvented himself, challenging artistic norms and inspiring generations. Discover his innovative, genre-shifting works and the lasting shockwaves they sent through contemporary art. About the speaker: Janet Mandel retired after teaching for 32 years in the New Jersey public schools. She now presents illustrated lectures on art history at […]

The Garden of the Righteous chronicles extraordinary acts amid immense threats and widespread apathy, presenting ten deeply researched, astonishingly moving stories of courage and moral choice during a dark era. About the Speaker: Richard Hurowitz, writer and founder of the Octavian Report, has been published in major outlets including the New York Times and Wall […]

This presentation highlights the influential work of Jewish architects—Frank Gehry, Moshe Safdie, Daniel Libeskind, and Richard Meier—whose designs have shaped modern architecture and cultural identity worldwide. About the speaker: Abbie Gorin is a retired attorney and longtime tenants’ rights advocate in NY and NJ. A dedicated educator, he developed Jewish heritage curricula, and his work […]

Raphael, a master of High Renaissance harmony and beauty, shaped our understanding of artistic perfection. This presentation previews the Met’s 2026 exhibition of over 200 works, illuminating his creative process and vision. About the speaker: Janet Mandel retired after teaching for 32 years in the New Jersey public schools. She now presents illustrated lectures on […]

Rachel Cockerell will discuss her innovative family memoir, which tells the story of a long-lost plan to create a Jewish state in Texas. She weaves together diaries, letters, newspaper articles, and interviews in a highly inventive style. About the speaker: Rachel Cockerell is an author and historian whose debut book, Melting Point, draws on research […]