Lower East Side Tenement Museum Takes on a Host of Topics
Women of the Lower East Side:
Anzia Yezierska and Rose Pastor Stokes
With Suzanne Wasserman, Joyce Mendelsohn & Annie Polland
Co-Sponsored by the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy
Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 PM
At the turn of the twentieth century two independent Jewish-American women rose from the Lower East Side to achieve a place in history: Anzia Yezierska and Rose Pastor Stokes.
Yezierska’s many works of fiction – including the still popular Bread Givers – chronicle the immigrant experience in our neighborhood. Samuel Goldwyn contracted Yezierska to write screenplays, and her collection Hungry Hearts was shot on the Lower East Side. Salome of the Tenements, based on the life of Rose Pastor Stokes, was also made into a silent film. “Rose of the ghetto,” as she came to be known, was an activist in labor politics.
Suzanne Wasserman, director of the Gotham Center for New York City History, is currently producing a documentary on Yezierska; Joyce Mendelsohn, recipient of the Lillian Wald Award, is the author of The Lower East Side: Remembered and Revisited; and Annie Polland is vice president of education at the Tenement Museum.
Mothers & Daughters: An Education in Love & Freedom
Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 PM
Maria Laurino (Were You Always an Italian) documents her journey from traditional Italian daughter to feminist working mother with Old World Daughter, New World Mother, exploring the ties that bind generations, families and cultures. Along the way she raises essential identity issues: Is there a healthy side to dependency? Why does this nation of immigrants glorify rugged individualism and freedom? Does feminism fail mothers and children?
Joining Laurino are poet George Guida and Joanna Clapps Herman, editor of Wild Dreams and Our Roots Are Deep with Passion, an anthology of essays on the Italian-American experience.
Brooklyn: A Novel
With Colm Toibin
Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 PM
The award-winning author returns to Tenement Talks to share excerpts from his newest work. Brooklyn tells the story of a young Irish woman navigating her way through 1950s New York. Living in a crowded boarding house, working in a department store and attending Brooklyn College at night, Eilis Lacey learns to appreciate the hectic and sometimes lonely New York City life. When she’s called back to Ireland, she must determine how to balance love, family, and the conflicts between her new life and past.
Babycakes Book Party
Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 PM
Since late 2005 this tiny shop on Broome Street has brought all-natural treats to the neighborhood. Erin McKenna, proprietress of the beloved Lower East Side bakery, celebrates the publication of her new cookbook of vegan, gluten-free and (mostly) sugar-free baked goods.
Voyage Long and Strange
With Tony Horwitz
Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 PM
What happened in North America between Columbus’ sail in 1492 and the Pilgrims’ arrival in 1620? On a visit to Plymouth Rock, Pulitzer-Prize winner Tony Horwitz realizes he doesn’t have a clue, nor do most Americans. So he sets off across the continent to rediscover the wild era when Europeans first roamed the New World in quest of gold, glory, converts, and eternal youth.
Exchanging Glances:
An Adaptation of Benjamin Baker’s A Glance At New York
With America-in-Play
Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 PM
Ben Baker’s 1848 hit is the comical yet insightful story of a “greenhorn” who tries to make it in the big city. Join us for selections from two original plays inspired by A Glance at New York.
Using long-forgotten plays as inspiration, America-in-Play strives to enrich contemporary American writing by igniting conversations between current writers and those of the past.
LES Stories:
Disappearing Downtown
Hosted by H.R. Britton
Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 PM
Every day a business closes its doors in New York City. Neighborhood figures die, artists move away. New shops move in and become fixtures. New generations make their mark. But for those who “remember when,” reminiscing about old New York is half the fun of living here. Joining us at this popular storytelling series are four performers who spin yarns of downtown life as it used to be. As always, the public is welcome to share their three-minute stories.
Levittown
With David Kushner and guest speakers
Bea & Lew Wechsler
Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 PM
During the summer of 1957, two families – the Jewish Wechslers and the African-American Myerses – challenged segregationist real estate policies in one of America’s most famous suburbs. Their defiant act – circumventing “red-lining,” the race-based home mortgage system – ultimately led to the city’s integration, providing hope to those seeking fair and equal access to quality housing.
- Tenements Talks is an evening series of lectures, readings, panel discussions, films, and other programs that provide historical and contemporary perspectives on New York City’s rich culture.
- Become a Fan of Tenement Talks on our Facebook page and see pics of past events on Flickr.
- All events are held at the TENEMENT MUSEUM SHOP, 108 ORCHARD STREET at Delancey, unless otherwise noted. Closest subway: F at Delancey. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To reserve a signed copy of any book featured in our series, or to ask a question about an event, email [email protected].