Shorts: The Arts

'West Side Story' comes to Santa Rosa

A new production of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's "West Side Story," presented by the theater arts department of Santa Rosa Junior College, opens Friday, Nov. 24 and runs through Dec. 3 at the Burbank Theater in Santa Rosa.

Directing the musical is Leira V. Satlof, who also serves as music director and liturgical soloist at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa. The production includes 69 singers, dancer, actors, musicians and technicians. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the musical.

Ticket prices range from $8 to $18. For more information, call (707) 527-4343 or visit www.santarosa.edu/theatrearts/current.html.




First-time novelist wins Hadassah prize

Tamar Yellin, author of "The Genizah at the House of Shepher," has won the 2006 Harold U. Ribalow Prize administered by Hadassah Magazine. The prize is given annually to an author of an outstanding work of fiction on a Jewish theme. First-time novelist Yellin receives her award at ceremonies to be held Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the Center for Jewish History in New York City.

Judges this year included Elie Wiesel, professor Jonathan Freedman and last year's recipient, Jenna Blum. Recent winners include Jonathan Safran Foer, author of "Everything is Illuminated," and Myla Goldberg, author of "Bee Season."

"The Genizah at the House of Shepher" tells the story of a biblical scholar who returns to her grandparents' home in Jerusalem and lands in the midst of a new family struggle and an old family fable.

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, is the largest women's, largest Zionist, and largest Jewish membership organization in the United States.




Free family day at Jewish museum

The Contemporary Jewish Museum will throw open its doors on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, for a free family event.

Visitors can view the "The Jewish Identity Project: New American Photography," create a family portrait and enjoy a sing-along concert with Jonathan Bayer.

The museum, located at 1221 Steuart St., S.F., will be open from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call (415) 344-8800 for more information.