Scholar-In-Residence with Rahel Musleah 

Award-winning journalist, author, singer, speaker, and educator 

At this Scholar-in-Residence weekend, immerse your mind and all of your senses on a journey through Jewish India. Taste and smell the fragrant foods of India, learn about the Jewry of India, and hear the prayers chanted in Sephardic tradition.

Begin the weekend with a taste of India, served at our Friday Shabbat dinner at 5:45 p.m. followed with a presentation by Rahel on Jewish Calcutta through Music and Memory where Rachel introduces the history, music, and daily life of the Indian Jewish communities, and chronicles her own personal journey from India to America with candor, humor, and poignancy.  A youth program will be available.  Stay for Kabbalat Shabbat services while Rachel leads us with uplifting Sephardic tunes at 8:00 p.m.  

Come back for more Sephardic tunes and traditions during services on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. featuring an intriguing medley of ancient texts and melodies, unusual tropes for Torah and Haftorah, and fascinating rituals, customs and liturgy.  Following a light lunch, our engaging day continues with a brief session entitled From Shipwrecks to Maharajahs: The Jews of Bombay and Cochin - a saga of lost tribes, shipwrecks and remote villages traces India's oldest Jewish communities.

During Shabbat afternoon and Motzi Shabbat, join us for a special program at 4:00 p.m. with Rachel at the home of Cheryl and Herb Gillette  for  a Musical Masala feature a seduah shlishit (third meal), singing, making sachets to use during Havdalah, nibbling on Indian delicacies, and a talk on the Spicy Indian Jewish kitchen.

Through the vivid prism of her family's story, Rahel introduces us to the distinctive heritage of the Jews of India.  Her photographs, memorabilia, personal anecdotes, songs, and stories offer a rare and intimate view of a rich tapestry of heritage and culture little-known to most.

Rahel's articles have appeared in The New York Times, Hadassah magazine, Jewish Woman and numerous other publications. She has written numerous books had has produced a CD. Rahel is a graduate of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. She sings with New York’s Zamir Chorale. She lives in Port Washington, NY and has two children.

The Menu

Naan

Mini Challah Rolls

Fatoush Salad: A traditional Lebanese dish made with lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, black olives, and tossed with fried pita chips

Herb Roasted Chicken Pieces

Zafrani Pulao: An aromatic basmati rice dish with dried fruits and spices

Gobi Kaju: Fresh cauliflower sautéed in a savory tomato sauce

Chanah Masala: A chickpea stew with roasted peppers and green apples

 

Adults (Ages 12+) ($25.00)

Youth (ages 5-11) ($12.00)

Children (ages 4 and under) (Free)

Shelosh Seduah and Saturday afternoon program - adults only ($10.00) 

Register Now!