CRJ joins 92Y Live partnership with COS and Roth JCC

Back for it's fifth season, the 92Y Live series promises to be bigger and better than ever with the added partnership of Congregation of Reform Judaism. CRJ approached the Roth JCC and Congregation Ohev Shalom about participating as a partner in their collaborative programming, and both were happy to welcome CRJ.

"We feel so good about our collaboration with our neighbor, the Roth JCC, and welcome our new partner CRJ. Together we are truly making this a community program," stated Lisa Schwartz, co-chairwoman of the Ohev Shalom Committee. "With CRJ onboard we know we'll see many new faces and make new friends in this upcoming season of programs."

The series will kick off on Jan. 21, 2015, at 7:45 p.m. at CRJ with Ambassador Martin Indyk: What's Next for Israel. Ambassador Indyk, former U.S. special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, will share his inside diplomatic and scholarly perspective on the latest news in the Israeli-Arab conflict. He will discuss historic efforts and the future of diplomacy in achieving a sustainable peace between Israel, the Palestinians and her Arab neighbors.

Feb. 10, 7:15 p.m. at COS, David Axelrod will be in conversation with David Remnick discussing Believer: My Forty Years in Politics. Axelrod, one of the key players in the historic campaign that made Barack Obama president, has been involved with some of the greatest political changes of the last decade. He has devoted a lifetime to questioning political certainties and bringing fresh thinking to the political landscape. He will discuss his remarkable career from young journalist to political consultant and ultimately senior advisor to the president along with his views on the most pressing issues facing the United States today.

A fun evening with Just Kids from the Bronx: Arlene Alda in Conversation with Regis Philbin and Alan Alda is scheduled March 9, 7:15 p.m. at COS. They will be sharing what it was like to grow up in the place that bred influential people in just about every field of endeavor today. The Bronx is where Al Pacino, Carl Reiner, General Colin Powell and so many other leading artists, athletes, scientists and entrepreneurs spent their formative years. These entertainers will reflect on stories from Arlene Alda's new book, "Just Kids From the Bronx," and will share memories of where it all began. This program will be an indelible portrait of the Bronx, and of America, from back in the day to modern times.

Barney Frank discusses his journey from Bayonne, New Jersey, to the U.S. Congress where he played a vital role in the struggle for personal freedom and economic fairness on April 12, 7:15 p.m. at CRJ. He'll talk about his fight for gay rights and his lifelong struggle against inequality-from his early civil rights advocacy in the Massachusetts State Legislature to his instrumental role as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. From the Clinton impeachment to the economic meltdown of 2008 to the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Frank's words and deeds mattered. He's the author of a new memoir, "Frank."

The final program of the series is a salute to Israel following Yom Ha'atzma'ut on April 27, 7:15 p.m. at CRJ titled, "On David Ben-Gurion: Father of Modern Israel." The enormous legacy of David Ben-Gurion in the Middle East and beyond continues to be hotly debated to this day. There have been many books written about the life and accomplishments of the Zionist icon and founder of modern Israel, but this new biography by eminent Israeli historian Anita Shapira is the first to get to the core of the complex man who would become the face of a new nation. Anita Shapira will be joined by the New Yorker's David Remnick and Steven Zipperstein, a professor of Jewish culture and history at Stanford, to discuss Ben-Gurion's remarkable impact on the world. This program is being rebroadcast from its original date due to scheduling conflicts.

"CRJ is very excited to be partnering with the Roth JCC and Ohev, and invites the entire community to join us for these thought provoking discussions on issues, people, and events that affect our lives," said Lynn Dictor, CRJ past president and committee member. Linda Amon, Adult Program vice president of the Roth JCC expanded on that thought saying, "Community is really about doing things together, and this expanded partnership does that in a big way. The Roth JCC is thrilled to be part of this great programming."

All of the programs are live streamed from New York's 92 Street Y, and are shown on large screens in each synagogue's sanctuary. Social time and refreshments are provided following each program. Tickets will go on sale beginning Jan. 5, and can be purchased at Ohev Shalom or Congregation of Reform Judaism. The series of five programs is $40 per person. Individual program tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 each and they are available at the door for $15. Call the Ohev Shalom office at 407-298-4650 for your series or advance ticket purchases or Congregation of Reform Judaism office at 407-645-0444. Pre-sold tickets will be at the check-in table the night of each program.