Scene & Heard's Page

The famed stained glass windows by artist Marc Chagallhave been reinstalled at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The windows, one of 2 major permanent installations by the artist in Chicago, were removed for extensive…

Debbie Friedman, Jewish music luminary, has passed way in California at the age of 59. A prolific songwriter, spiritual leader and Transformational force in contemporary Jewish life, she was a native of Utica, New York raised in MInnesota.  Her formative and early productive years as a composer were spent at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute in Wisconsin.

Her 19 albums and clear Joan Baez style vocal…

This week, representatives from Jewish cultural institutions from around the world convened in New York for the annual 'Schmooze Conference" of the International Jewish Presenters Association. Other commitments prevented my attendance, but I was fortunate to speak at the first one a few years back.

Its a wonderful concept, and it seems to have some…

Tim Monaghan, drummer for our pals GOLEM, is in serious condition after being found unconscious in the stairwell of a Brooklyn loft building.  He underwent emergency surgery to relieve bleeding in the brain.  Like so many musicians, Tim is uninsured. Hell, musicians can barely make a living. And as a musician playing Jewish music? Puh-lease. A relief fund has been set up to help defray Tim's mounting expenses.

Tim Monaghan in Recovery…

Next weekend, the Association for Jewish Theater holds its annual conference in Chicago. As one of America's leading theatrical cities, Chicago is also the home of two AJFT member theaters, The Piven Theatre Workshop and Northwestern University's Jewish Theatre Ensemble. Both of those organizations co-host the conference with AJT President David Chack.

The conference will…