Jan. 8, 7 PM - Saratoga Jewish Community Arts presents a zoom discussion of The Last Suit, telling the story of an 88-year-old tailor and Holocaust survivor who proposes to leave Buenos Aires and return to Poland to find the friend who saved his life. The actor creates a convincing three-dimensional character who exhibits wisdom, humor, suffering, and shrewdness. Also, one must consider the logic behind the story’s inciting incident. His family, unbeknownst to him, has decided to sell his home and place him in assisted living. Why should a proud, determined man who survived the Holocaust and brought forth four generations, passively accede to the contemporary practice wherein a family disposes of a relative as though he were as outdated as last year’s iPhone? This zoom discussion will be on January 8 at 7 PM. Registration is required at sjca.sjcf@gmail.com

Feb. 5, 7 PM - Saratoga Jewish Community Arts have contracted with The Braid, formerly Jewish Women's Theater, to bring a 3-program sequence to our SJCA series. We present a zoom discussion of Remembrance of Things Present. The Holocaust forever shaped our world, and no one knows this better than the children and grandchildren of survivors. Now their own true stories of growing up in its shadow are given stage in a searing, but ultimately inspirational new work of theater. This program, and each of the others, will be followed by a Q & A session. Gratitude to the generous donation from Barry & Shelley Bader in memory of their daughter Melissa Bader Lewis. This zoom discussion will be on January 8 at 7 PM. Registration is required at sjca.sjcf@gmail.com

Feb. 12, 7 PM - Saratoga Jewish Community Arts presents its ninth annual Matthew M. Neugroschel Jewish Storytelling Program named in memory of Matthew M. Neugroschel, a most creative and remarkable storyteller, whose life was cut short in 2020. Storytelling is not just a reading or recitation of a story. It is an enthusiastic interpretation of a tale so that the listeners are transported through time and to places they have never been. So many are of the opinion that storytelling is for children. But stories of centuries past tell us something different. In fact, almost every culture has storytelling in it from long ago. It was the way, long before books were available, that custom, culture, and morality passed from one generation to the next. Listening to stories connects us to the vast possibilities that life can hold. The love for storytelling is what storytellers have in common and they come to SJCA to share their passion with you. The Storytelling program will be on February 12 at 7 PM at Skidmore College. Registration is required at sjca.sjcf@gmail.com

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Feb. 23, 7 PM - Saratoga Jewish Community Arts presents a social justice zoom discussion of If Beale Street Could Talk, adapted from James Baldwin’s acclaimed novel and surprisingly narrated by a woman, Tish. In 1970s Harlem, a young couple, Tish and Fonny, plan their future when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit. We learn why he is in prison. A belligerent white policeman, whom we have seen threaten him, later arrests him for raping a white woman, although Fonny was nowhere near the attack. The pair and their families must fight for justice. Historically, the accusation resonates with more than a century of such wrongful charges against black men. This zoom discussion will be on February 23 at 7 PM. Registration is required at sjca.sjcf@gmail.com