Literally meaning "come sit," a kumzits is a fun, participatory event for all ages where every person does something for 2-5 minutes: tells a Jewish joke or story, sings (or leads) a Yiddish song, plays a klezmer or Yiddish tune, recites a Yiddish poem, etc. We'll go around several times. Everyone participates! RSVP to be sent the address! Sunday, July 14 2-4pm in Berkeley Free If enough people come and have fun, we will do these events quarterly, rotating around the Bay Area. * * * The Salon for fluent Yiddish speakers is taking a summer break, resuming September 15, 2-4pm, in San Francisco. There is no klezmer workshop in July; see August calendar below for next event.

Yiddish-Related Films at SF Jewish Film Festival

KlezCalifornia co-presents five films Use code KLEZCAL39 for $2 off any regularly priced screening

Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles The documentary tells the story behind Broadway musical Fiddler on The Roof” and its creative roots in early 1960s New York. Opening in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof held the record for the longest running musical for almost 10 years, won nine Tony Awards, and spawned five Broadway revivals. The show is still performed more than any other show, from middle schools in inner cities to high schools in rural America, around the world from grand state theaters in Japan and Vienna to Johannesburg and Mexico City.  Thursday, July 18, 6:30pm, Castro Theatre, SF

The Mamboniks Bagels meet bongos in "The Mamboniks," a feature-length documentary that tells the little-known story of the Jewish love affair with Latin music and dance. Set in New York, Havana, Miami Beach and the Catskill Mountains, this fun, uplifting film features a lovable, somewhat zany collection of dancers from the 1950s. Now retired yet still dancing, they share their passion for the mambo, the hot dance from Cuba that became a world-wide sensation. With an infectious soundtrack including Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and mambo king Pérez Prado, this film explores a mostly unexamined aspect of Jewish life and culture.  Sunday, July 21, 4:05pm, CineArts, Palo Alto Saturday, July 27, 8:55pm, Castro, SF Saturday, August 3, 4:30pm, Piedmont Theatre, Oakland

Refugee Lullaby When a friend sent Ronit a viral YouTube video of an Austrian driver smuggling refugees over the border and singing songs with them in Yiddish, she knew there was a story to be told. Hans Breuer, the driver, is the protagonist of the film "Refugee Lullaby." He spends his free time helping refugees any way he can, while singing to them Yiddish lullabies to comfort them.  Monday, July 22, 3:15pm, Castro, SF Sunday, August 4, 12noon, Piedmont Theatre, Oakland

The Dancing Dogs of Dombrova On a cold winter night, estranged siblings Sarah and Aaron Cotler arrive at an empty train station in Dombrova, Poland. With their only available ride being a silent driver, they embark on a quest to fulfill their dying grandmother’s wish – find, dig up, and bring home the bones of her favorite childhood dog, Peter. While navigating the many obstacles and colorful characters they encounter on their journey, Sarah and Aaron must come to terms with their own demons and the issues they have with each other.  Friday, July 19, 6pm, Castro, SF Tuesday, July 30, 8:30pm, Albany Twin, Albany

My Polish Honeymoon Anna and Adam, a young Parisian couple with Jewish origins, are about to travel to Poland for the first time. They are just married and technically speaking this will be their honeymoon. They will attend a ceremony in memory of the Jewish community in the village of Adam's grandfather, which was destroyed 75 years ago. Adam is not really enthusiastic, but sees it as an occasion to spend some quality time with his wife, away from their baby boy. Anna, on the other hand, is both extremely anxious and overly excited about the trip to her grandmother's country. She is hoping to reconnect with her roots and finally discover more about her own family's history, which was always a mystery. Saturday, July 20, 6:10pm, CineArts, Palo Alto Tuesday, July 23, 8:55pm, Castro, SF Tuesday, July 30, 6:25pm, Albany Twin, Albany Sunday, August 4, Smith Rafael, 11:45am, San Rafael

Farshidns Tidbits of Yiddish culture from around the world

Why Linguists are Fascinated by the American Jewish Accent (Thanks to Jim Rebhan) KlezKamp returns to the Catskills, July 29 - August 2 S’vet Nit Eybik Finster Zayn (It will not be dark forever) . A song in Yiddish, Hebrew, and Hungarian. Jakeleh, Shik a Chekeleh (Jackie, send me a check), a Yiddish "oldie but goodie." (Thanks to Len Rosenberg)

JULY CALENDAR

Kugelplex + Greg Jenkins and Friends Part of Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal Friday, July 12, 9pm The Starry Plough Pub, Berkeley KlezCalifornia Kumzits Sunday, July 14, 2-4pm Private home, Berkeley Presented by KlezCalifornia SF Jewish Film Festival Thursday, July 18 - Sunday, August 4 Five films co-presented by KlezCalifornia in various locations. See box above. Ellis Island Old World Folk Band Wednesday, July 24, 7-9pm Le Bateau Ivre, Berkeley

AUGUST CALENDAR Downtown Klez Kooperative , klezmer workshop with Yoshie Fruchter (visiting from New York) Sunday, August 18, 3:30-6:30pm Kehilla Community Synagogue, Piedmont SF Jewish Film Festival Thursday, July 18 - Sunday, August 4 Various locations

Donate Help us continue our exciting mission to connect people and communities around the Bay Area with Yiddish culture. Donate $18, $36 or $54 here »   If you prefer to mail a check, use the address below. A sheynem dank! (Thank you very much!)

A bisl mer (a little bit more)

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