The Kaleidoscope Project

The Kaleidoscope Project The Kaleidoscope Showcase is a a theatrical storytelling journey designed to explore diverse Jewish identities through monologues, stories and spoken-word.

Kaleidoscope is a narrative-arts based, interactive, video workshop that highlights the personal stories of Jews of Color, and Jews from Sephardic & Mizrachi backgrounds to help communities develop greater receptivity and sensitivity to issues of Jewish diversity. These stories were originally written in workshops with Vanessa and Kendell and performed in front of sold-out audiences at the 14th St

reet Y in New York City. The next two years Kaleidoscope Live traveled to numerous venues and temples in the NYC Tri-State area. All shows were followed by stimulating Q&A sessions with the cast. These post-show conversations confirmed the desire to discuss these complex realities within the Jewish Community and beyond. At Kaleidoscope we believe the personal monologue is the most powerful tool to kick off these discussions. With that in mind, we wondered: How could we transport these powerful stories and discussions to communities all over the country in a portable package without losing the impact of the live, personal stories? Just as importantly, we wondered how could we inspire participants to share their own stories with us to continue this important work? From this desire we created the Kaleidoscope Workshop. Though our stories focus on the experiences of Jewish racial and cultural diversity, we believe that EVERYONE has a story to tell that reflects a time of feeling “othered” within and outside the Jewish Community. Sexual orientation, religious affiliations, economic status, gender, and disabilities, are among some of the many topics participants have touched upon in our sessions. The Jewish community has always been diverse. From Eastern Europe, to North Africa, to India, to Ethiopia and beyond, Jews come in all hues and from many ethnic backgrounds. What is more, our communities continue to grow increasingly diverse with each year. Thus, embracing the full, complex reality of Jewish diversity is essential for any Jewish organization moving into the future. HOW: Through personal stories, and community reflection, ​
The Kaleidoscope Video Workshop workshop includes:
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A 75-minute interactive video workshop featuring Kaleidoscope cast monologues that tackle the issues Jews of color and Jews of Non-Ashkenazi descent deal with within and outside the Jewish Community. One or more in-person, Kaleidoscope Master Teachers to travel to your organization and facilitate the session
Writing exercises to guide participants to a place of connecting with their own identity

01/03/2020

MaNishtana wants to remind people that "there's not one way to be Jewish."

07/26/2019

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07/19/2019

Rachel Gross has tried to claim a Chinese and Jewish identity simultaneously — only to be told that she doesn’t count as either. Can she straddle the divide between cultures without being deemed inauthentic?

06/05/2019

Dear Friends,

I am thrilled to announce the official launch of the KALEIDOSCOPE WORKSHOP.

Kaleidoscope is a facilitated, interactive program that highlights the personal stories of Jews of Color, and Jews from Sephardic & Mizrachi backgrounds.

After receiving such great reception to our live show and post-show conversations, it confirmed our desire to discuss these complex realities within the Jewish Community and beyond.

Our challenge was to transport these powerful stories and discussions to communities all over the country in a portable package without losing the impact of the live, personal stories. Created by myself and Associate Producer Kendell Pinkney we are excited to bring this program to your community. Also a big welcome to our newest Kaleidoscope facilitator Marques Hollie.

Though the stories focus on experiences of Jewish racial and cultural diversity, we believe that EVERYONE has a story to tell that reflects a time of feeling “othered” within and outside of the Jewish community. We want to come to your community to develop greater receptivity and sensitivity to issues of Jewish diversity and help you begin to write and share your own stories.

These workshops are available for teens & adults. Our facilitators are available to travel to your communities both within the U.S. and abroad.

We have recently done this workshop with UJA CoLab fellows, Limmud participants, URJ Youth Staff participants and the Bnai Jeshrun community.

Tomorrow we head out to begin the first of a number of visits to BBYO Teen Chapter Leadership Training Conferences this summer.

Please check out our website for more info and booking options.

WWW.KALEIDOSCOPEJEWS.ORG

01/28/2018

Thank you to everyone who came out to our show last night at JCC Harlem. What an amazing turnout and lively Q & A.
Please Share your thoughts on the evening with us!

01/05/2018

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10/26/2016

According to a 2012 head count, of the 1.1 million Jews living in New York City, around 90 percent would be classified as Ashkenazim; that is, those whose ancestors came from Central and Eastern...

Dear Friends- If you missed The Kaleidoscope Project monologue show a few weeks ago, do not despair! We are coming to th...
10/13/2016

Dear Friends- If you missed The Kaleidoscope Project monologue show a few weeks ago, do not despair! We are coming to the amazing Stoop Series BRIC Arts Center in Brooklyn
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1st, and the show is FREE! Fb invite coming soon. In the meantime please hold the date:
Featuring:
Candice E-m, Simi Toledano, Shais Rishon, Avi A. Amon and more....

Join the Kaleidoscope cast for an evening of finely crafted monologues, and, potentially, unexpected realities, as they explore the deeply personal intersections between racial and ethnic diversity and the Jewish experience. Kaleidoscope is a narrative-arts driven initiative that was sparked by a d...

"Again, I'm a black woman with a Jewish mother, and I live in the United States of America. When I say that I'm used to ...
10/13/2016

"Again, I'm a black woman with a Jewish mother, and I live in the United States of America. When I say that I'm used to being in places where I don't look like I belong, I mean it. Looking out of place is one of the most consistent parts of my life.

But it's different in a synagogue. There's something about feeling like an outsider in the place where you grew up that stings. Like family members who no longer recognize you."

It's one thing when outsiders don't recognize my faith. It's a different kind of sadness when I'm made to feel like a stranger in the synagogue.

10/02/2016

L'shana Tova! Wishing you all a healthy, happy, sweet new year!

08/27/2016

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