The Eastside Jewish Commons warmly invites all families, especially those with young children 2-9, to our Family Programming Fun Day Kickoff Celebration! Puppets! A book launch! Crafts! Music and movement and more. Come get to know us, meet new friends and have a nosh and a drink while previewing upcoming events your family will love. Free (but please register) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/407612087727

Schedule: Doors at 2 PM

2:30-3:15 Alicia Jo Rabins Book Launch Event! Alicia Jo Rabins, writer, musician and Jewish educator, will be reading and from discussing her latest book, Even God Had Bad Parenting Days, a collection of personal essays about parenthood and Jewish spirituality. During this discussion for parents, children are invited to the craft table with puppeteer Ora Fruchter.

3:15-4 PM Music with Kim Schneiderman and movement with Annie Rosen. Teacher, Storyteller, and Musician, Kim Schneiderman has spent the last 18 years singing, creating, and making music and connections with families and communities from all over.. Annie Rosen is a yogi, musician, and graduate of Dell'Arte Clown College.

Free chair-massage for parents with Sofia Vidalis!

This kick-off event is a celebration of upcoming programming by the EJC and some of its community partners including Neveh Shalom, Shir Tikvah, JFCS, Chabad NE and more (Shir Tikvah and JFCS will also be presenting at the event). The event is free. Food and drink sold supports the Commons.

About the artists:

Alicia Jo Rabins is an award-winning performer, musician, poet, and Jewish scholar whose recent film, A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff, is being exhibited at film festivals throughout the US, most recently at the New York Jewish Film Festival. Her writing appears in Kveller, Ecotone Magazine, Tablet Magazine, and American Poetry Review, among others.

Ora Fruchter is a theater-maker, puppeteer, director and educator. Her most recent show, The Amazing Story Machine, uses found object puppets to celebrate imagination and collaboration. She is the recipient of a Jim Henson Foundation Family Grant, a Young Pioneers Award for innovation in Jewish education, and was selected as one of the Jewish Week's 36 Under 36 (2017). www.orafruchter.com

Kim Schneiderman: Storyteller, Service Leader and Musician, Kim Schneiderman has spent the last 18 years singing, creating, and making music and connections with families and communities from all over. Kim is currently the Artist in Residence at Congregation Beth Israel where she joins clergy in service leading and music leading for the synagogue community. Currently, Kim is the Music Specialist at Portland Jewish Academy, where she teaches Music from Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Kim has written and directed eight Purim Shpiel Musicals for the school, one being featured on NPR.

Annie Rosen teaches yoga, aerial yoga and is an artist and musician dedicated to community projects. She and her work have appeared world-wide. In Portland she has directed shows for Night Flight Aerial, Hungry Opera Machine, and has appeared with Vagabond Opera.

Sofia Vidalis is a licensed massage therapist with over 15 years of experience. Her wide range of training includes but is not limited to working with chiropractic physicians and providing massage services during sporting events. In addition to Swedish and treatment focused bodywork, Sofia incorporates Eastern style modalities as well.

About the Eastside Jewish Commons

With regular programs for children, teens, and adults offered by 24 Jewish community organizations community partners as well as individuals and other organizations, the Eastside Jewish Commons (EJC)’s mission is to create and sustain a joyful, inclusive, and inspiring community space on Portland’s east side where people can connect, learn, and grow. Learn more at ejcpdx.org