Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life
  • Home
  • About The ISJL
    • Our Mission & History
    • Goldring and Woldenberg
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Our Founder
    • Jobs & Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • Departments
    • Community Engagement >
      • CE Initiatives >
        • Literacy >
          • LAB
          • Our Reading Family >
            • ORF Program Partners
        • ASK
        • TAP >
          • TAP Basic Resources
          • Order TAP Supplies
          • TAP Newsletter
          • TAP Workshops
          • Zadeck TAP Mentors
      • CE Department History
    • Education >
      • 2021 Register for the Conference
      • Curriculum Highlights >
        • Education Newsletter
        • ISJL Education Store
      • Communities
      • Education Fellowship
      • Community Support
      • Lesson Plan Evaluation
    • History >
      • Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities >
        • Alabama Encyclopedia
        • Arkansas Encyclopedia
        • Georgia Encyclopedia
        • Florida Encyclopedia
        • Kentucky Encyclopedia
        • Louisiana Encyclopedia
        • Mississippi Encyclopedia
        • North Carolina Encyclopedia
        • Oklahoma Encyclopedia
        • South Carolina Encyclopedia
        • Tennessee Encyclopedia
        • Texas Encyclopedia
        • Virginia Encyclopedia
        • Encyclopedia Credits
      • Meet the Historian
      • Oral History >
        • Oral History Guide >
          • Oral History Guide - Technology
          • Oral History Guide - Technique
          • Oral History Guide - Recording
          • Oral History Guide - Archiving
          • Oral History Guide - Notes and Appendices
        • Southern Jewish Voices
      • Bibliography
    • Heritage & Interpretation >
      • Virtual Vacation
      • Virtual Road Trip Through the Jewish South
      • Jewish Heritage Tours >
        • Service Learning & Alternative Break Tours
      • Traveling Trunk
      • Temple B'nai Israel - Natchez
    • Cultural Programming >
      • Presenters Roster >
        • Programming Video Samples
    • Rabbinical Services >
      • Passover
      • Meet Our Rabbis
      • Taste of Torah
      • Rabbis on the Road
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Join the Chai Club
    • Planned Giving
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • The Susan & Macy B. Hart Fund
    • Donor's Bill of Rights
  • Shalom Y'all
    • Connection in the time of Coronavirus
  • ISJL In The News
  • E-News
  • Peddler's Cart
  • Southern & Jewish Blog
  • ISJL Travel & Events Calendar
  • FAN - The Fellow Alumni Network
  • Virtual Press Kit
  • HH Resource Overview
  • HH Services & Worship
  • HH Digital Prayerbooks
  • HH Liturgy & Music
  • HH Zoom Resources
  • HH Pandemic Resources
  • HH When is it safe to reopen?
  • High Holidays Helper - Planning
  • High Holidays Streaming Services

Presenters Roster

​Amazing Jewish Talent.
Breathtaking performances. Building community. This is ISJL.

​Ready to bring Jewish performances, songs, stories, and scholarship to your community? Welcome to our current artist roster! To bring any of these talented teachers and artists your way, email Ann Kientz to to learn more. ​You can also preview some of our presenters' work by watching videos here!

ISJL Presenters Roster
Favorites Across The Region

Picture
Rabbi Richard Address
Rabbi Address is Founder and Director of Jewish Sacred Aging. His work covers the changing faces of the contemporary Jewish family, including issues of inclusiveness and openness for people with disabilities, inter-generational caregiving, and medical decision-making. Rabbi Address created and continues to host a weekly radio show heard in the Philadelphia area called: “Boomer Generation Radio.”
Picture
Batsheva​
Singer, songwriter, musician, and comedy writer, Batsheva sings in Ladino, Yiddish, Hebrew, and English. She is an award winning songwriter and has performed worldwide. Based in Nashville, born in Canada, she connects with all audiences and brings laughter, emotion, history, peoplehood, and music all together in engaging, entertaining, and multi-lingual performances for everyone!
Picture
Joe
​Buchanan

A touring Jewish recording artist, Joe has performed in festivals and concerts, led Shabbat services, and taught workshops about joining the tribe. His music is a blend of southern soul and country charm, grounded in the belief that there is always room at the table. Bring Joe out for a service, concert, or weekend of Americana with a Jewish Soul. His debut album, Unbroken, was produced by Saul Kaye and is available everywhere.
Picture
The
​Bible Players

"Improv"-ing Jewish Lives since 2011! From plays to stand-up shows to training workshops, they use improv and comedy to teach Jewish values. Co-Founder Andrew Davies recently received the Young Pioneers Award from the Jewish Education Project; Co-Founder Aaron Friedman has a Master’s in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary and was named “The Funniest Jew in New York” by The Jewish Week. 
Picture
Joel
​Chasnoff

Joel Chasnoff, stand-up comic, author, Internet-TV-Show host, and creator/host of the forthcoming Podcast, “Interesting Jews.” His mission is simple: to bring people together through laughter. Because when we laugh together, we are together — even if we’re not able to be in the same room. He has performed at more than 1,000 Jewish events in 10 countries, and more than 200 clubs and colleges across North America.

Picture
Rabbi Joshua Garroway
 Rabbi Joshua Garroway, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Early Christianity & the Second Commonwealth at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR). He earned his doctorate from the Religious Studies Department at Yale University and was ordained by HUC-JIR. He is available to speak on a variey of topics on Christianity + Judaism, a perfect fit for partnering with your local churches!
Picture
Eric Goldman
Dr. Eric Goldman is one of the world’s foremost scholars of Jewish, Yiddish and Israeli cinema. He is adjunct professor of cinema at Yeshiva University and film critic for New Jersey's “The Jewish Standard.” A noted film educator and historian, he has lectured across North America and around the world. Dr. Goldman uses film as text to explore the changing nature of Jewish life over the last century, using film clips to illustrate how film reflects the Jewish experience.
Picture
Dave Goldstein
You may recognize comedian Dave Goldstein from his many appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien! His stage act is a blend of original intelligent writing and inspired live riffs. He has opened for Dennis Miller,  performed for our troops, and has performed on The Comedy Network, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, and The National Lampoon Radio Network. He'll get your community laughing just as hard when he comes your way. 
Picture
Shelly Goldstein
Shelly Goldstein is a dynamic performer who has been compared to Liza Minelli and Bette Middler! She has multiple performance options, including JEWISH BROADWAY, an ever-evolving one-hour-show where she sings some of the amazing Jewish contributions to the "Great American Songbook,” featuring favorites like Irving Berlin, Gershwins, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Kander & Ebb, Carole King, and more! 
Picture
Joel
​Hoffman

Dr. Joel Hoffman brings the Bible alive with "fresh insights and interpretations about religious life in the 21st century." He has delighted and enriched churches, synagogues, and university audiences across the world. He holds a Ph.D. in linguistics and has served on the faculties of Brandeis University and HUC-JIR. He has authored many books and was chief translator for the 10-volume series, My People's Prayer Book (winner of the National Jewish Book Award). 

Picture
Saul
​Kaye

Saul Kaye is an international touring artist whose music takes the listener on a journey from Torah to the Delta.  Hailed as the "Pioneer of Jewish Blues," Saul is available for concerts, Shabbat and holiday workshops, and Artist in Residence weekends.​ His music is accessible, thought-provoking, originally beautiful and just plain FUN! He is also a champion for other Jewish musicians, producing and assisting with others' albums and endeavors.
Picture
​Jane
​Larkin

Jane Larkin speaks on the subjects of intermarriage, Jewish continuity, building a Jewish home, Jewish parenting and more. Her book From Generation to Generation: A Story of Intermarriage and Jewish Continuity has been praised by Kirkus Reviews as “an enlightening, encouraging take on the complexities of religious intermarriage." ​She has several lectures from which to choose, and she is also happy to create something unique for your congregation.
Picture
Eliana
​Light

An award-winning songwriter and educator, Eliana empowers people to make Judaism their own through experiential education, song, and prayer. She has released two albums of original Jewish music: A New Light and Eliana Sings (About Jewish Things!). Her songs have been featured by PJ Library, and she's performed and taught throughout the U.S. She is the author of Hebrew in Harmony, and received her MA in Jewish Experiential Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Picture
Rabbi Rachel
Mikva 

Rabbi Dr. Rachel S. Mikva is the Herman E. Schaalman Chair in Jewish Studies and Senior Faculty Fellow of the InterReligious Institute at Chicago Theological Seminary.  With a passion for justice and academic expertise in the history of scriptural interpretation, Rabbi Mikva's courses and publications address a range of Jewish and comparative studies, with a special interest in the intersections of sacred texts, culture and ethics.  
Picture
Tim
​Lorsch

Tim Lorsch performs The Suitcase, a one-man, one-hour show based on his German Jewish heritage. Through music and story, the performance shares his relatives' lives in Germany, their experience of the Holocaust, how they fled the Nazis, became immigrants, and established a new life in America.  All of the music is original and performed live with looping technology on violin, octave violin, and cello. The piece reflects the vulnerability, hopes, dreams, and resilience of immigrant families.  

Picture
Benji
​Lovitt
Comedian Benji Lovitt’s observations on Israeli society, combined with his lifelong involvement in Jewish education, create a hilarious narrative that has brought smiles to faces all over the world.
Since making aliyah in 2006, Benji has shared his hilarious insights into cultural differences as he translates both the challenges and marvels of life in Israel. Known for his “finger on the pulse” musings, many count on Benji for their online morale boost during both the good times and the bad.
Picture
Peter
​Maer

Peter Maer draws on his four decades as a White House correspondent to offer a unique description of presidential coverage. Your audience will hear  accounts of his singular Jewish experiences with Presidents from Carter to Obama, including intimate moments aboard Air Force One. Maer will draw some laughs as he relates a number of humorous moments in travels that took him to 50+ countries and nearly every state. He can also discuss the state of play in today’s media. 

Picture
Josh
​Parshall

Dr. Josh Parshall is the ISJL's Historian. He served as Oral Historian from 2009-2013, then enrolled at the University of North Carolina to pursue a Ph.D. in American Studies. The intersection of politics and Jewish identity is one of his areas of interest. His research has been published in the journal Southern Jewish History and presented at the annual meetings of the Southern Jewish Historical Society, the American Studies Association, and the Association for Jewish Studies.
Picture
Anthony
​Russell

Ten years after making his professional operatic debut, Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell is now a vocalist, composer and arranger specializing in Yiddish art song and nigunim (wordless melodies). His work in Jewish music has brought him to stages worldwide. Anthony's recently released EP in collaboration with klezmer trio Veretski Pass,  Convergence, combines a century of African-American and Ashkenazi  Jewish music. Anthony has several musical programs from which to choose.
Picture
The
​Braid
The Braid, formerly Jewish Women’s Theatre, is the go-to Jewish story company and the leading national non-profit organization creating, curating, producing and preserving stories grounded in Jewish culture and experience.  Their popular theatrical offerings have delighted ISJL audiences in the room AND on-the-Zoom! ​​

©2021 Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life
     Privacy Policy     Contact Us
  • Home
  • About The ISJL
    • Our Mission & History
    • Goldring and Woldenberg
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Our Founder
    • Jobs & Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • Departments
    • Community Engagement >
      • CE Initiatives >
        • Literacy >
          • LAB
          • Our Reading Family >
            • ORF Program Partners
        • ASK
        • TAP >
          • TAP Basic Resources
          • Order TAP Supplies
          • TAP Newsletter
          • TAP Workshops
          • Zadeck TAP Mentors
      • CE Department History
    • Education >
      • 2021 Register for the Conference
      • Curriculum Highlights >
        • Education Newsletter
        • ISJL Education Store
      • Communities
      • Education Fellowship
      • Community Support
      • Lesson Plan Evaluation
    • History >
      • Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities >
        • Alabama Encyclopedia
        • Arkansas Encyclopedia
        • Georgia Encyclopedia
        • Florida Encyclopedia
        • Kentucky Encyclopedia
        • Louisiana Encyclopedia
        • Mississippi Encyclopedia
        • North Carolina Encyclopedia
        • Oklahoma Encyclopedia
        • South Carolina Encyclopedia
        • Tennessee Encyclopedia
        • Texas Encyclopedia
        • Virginia Encyclopedia
        • Encyclopedia Credits
      • Meet the Historian
      • Oral History >
        • Oral History Guide >
          • Oral History Guide - Technology
          • Oral History Guide - Technique
          • Oral History Guide - Recording
          • Oral History Guide - Archiving
          • Oral History Guide - Notes and Appendices
        • Southern Jewish Voices
      • Bibliography
    • Heritage & Interpretation >
      • Virtual Vacation
      • Virtual Road Trip Through the Jewish South
      • Jewish Heritage Tours >
        • Service Learning & Alternative Break Tours
      • Traveling Trunk
      • Temple B'nai Israel - Natchez
    • Cultural Programming >
      • Presenters Roster >
        • Programming Video Samples
    • Rabbinical Services >
      • Passover
      • Meet Our Rabbis
      • Taste of Torah
      • Rabbis on the Road
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Join the Chai Club
    • Planned Giving
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • The Susan & Macy B. Hart Fund
    • Donor's Bill of Rights
  • Shalom Y'all
    • Connection in the time of Coronavirus
  • ISJL In The News
  • E-News
  • Peddler's Cart
  • Southern & Jewish Blog
  • ISJL Travel & Events Calendar
  • FAN - The Fellow Alumni Network
  • Virtual Press Kit
  • HH Resource Overview
  • HH Services & Worship
  • HH Digital Prayerbooks
  • HH Liturgy & Music
  • HH Zoom Resources
  • HH Pandemic Resources
  • HH When is it safe to reopen?
  • High Holidays Helper - Planning
  • High Holidays Streaming Services