Category: Upcoming Events

Subcategory of announcements: about upcoming lectures and other events

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Face-to-Face with Africa: Through the Eyes of a Jewish Explorer Oct. 20

Lecture flyer

Dear friends,

Join us on October 20th for Irene Shaland’s virtual presentation, 
“Face-to-Face with Africa: Through the Eyes of a Jewish Explorer.”

Hosted by: BZD – Baltimore Zionist District 

Date & Time: October 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time 

Format: Virtual event on Zoom 

Registration: https://bzdisrael.org/face-to-face-with-africa-through-the-eyes-of-a-jewish-explorer/

About the Program

Travel across Africa through the lens of Jewish history, culture, and discovery. Author, historian, and educator Irene Shaland invites you on a captivating journey to South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar, revealing breathtaking landscapes, remarkable wildlife, diverse cultures, and surprising Jewish connections.

Through Irene’s storytelling—and photographs by her husband, travel writer and photographer Alex Shaland—you’ll:

  • Meet Africa’s legendary Big Five
  • Witness the Great Migration across Kenya and Tanzania
  • Visit a Masai village and explore its Old Testament-like legends
  • Discover the dramatic Great Rift Valley
  • Step inside the Nairobi Synagogue and learn about Kenya’s vibrant Jewish community

Experience Africa’s beauty and wonder through a unique blend of travel, history, culture, photography, and Jewish heritage.

About the Speaker

Irene Shaland is an internationally published author, Jewish historian, educator, and lecturer known for her work on global Jewish communities and cultural heritage. She presents widely at universities, museums, and cultural institutions. Irene combines scholarly research with personal travel experience to illuminate Jewish life across continents and centuries.

Learn about Irene Shaland’s books on the subject: https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

Register here: https://bzdisrael.org/face-to-face-with-africa-through-the-eyes-of-a-jewish-explorer/

Questions? Email: office@bzdisrael.org Phone: 410‑484‑4510

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Meet the Authors at Locally Spruced!

We’re excited to invite you to a special Meet the Author Event at Locally Spruced in Legacy Village on Saturday, October  10,  2026, from  1  p.m.  to  5  p.m.

Join Irene Shaland and Alex Shaland for an afternoon of books, conversation, and discovery as we introduce our newest title: Two Travelers,  Two  Isles,  One  Story  of  Discovery:  A  Journey  through  Ireland and  Great  Britain  in  Search  of  History,  People,  and  Culture.

Come meet local authors, explore new books, and have your copies signed. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided.

Event details 📍 Locally Spruced at Legacy Village, 24673 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124 🕐 October 10, 2026 | 1 p.m.–5 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing stories from our travels—one signature, one laugh, and one adventure at a time.

Learn about our latest book: https://amzn.to/4filtSg

Flyer about the author event
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Franz Kafka Lecture on May 19

Please join us for Irene Shaland’s Zoom lecture, “The Secular Jew Emerges: Understanding Kafka and His World,” on May 19th

Virtual Event Hosted by BZD (Baltimore Zionist District organization)

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 19th at 11:00 AM EST, USA

The Secular Jew Emerges: Understanding Kafka and His World

Franz Kafka stands at the crossroads of one of the most fascinating transformations in modern Jewish history: the rise of the secular, urban, German‑speaking Jew in Central Europe. His life and work illuminate a world where Jewish identity was both ever‑present and almost unspeakable — a tension that shaped an entire generation.

This lecture explores the deep, thousand‑year Jewish presence in the Czech lands — Bohemia, Moravia, and Prague — and the dramatic cultural shift that produced a new kind of Jew at the turn of the 20th century. By the late 1800s, most Czech Jews identified with German culture, lived in cosmopolitan cities, and navigated a complex dual identity that was both empowering and precarious.

At the center of this presentation stands Franz Kafka (1883–1924): born Jewish, raised Jewish, and yet famously silent about Judaism in his fiction. And still, his diaries, letters, and private reflections reveal a man who wrestled intensely with what it meant to be a Jew in modern Europe. He studied Yiddish and Hebrew, immersed himself in Jewish theater, and sensed — with uncanny clarity — the catastrophe that would soon engulf European Jewry.

In this presentation, we will explore:

  • Kafka in Prague — the Jewish city that shaped him: Prague arts and culture
  • Prague in Kafka — the shadows of identity, alienation, and belonging that permeate his writing
  • The paradox of Jewish presence and Jewish silence in his literary world
  • How Kafka’s Jewishness influenced his imagination, even when unspoken
  • Why Kafka foresaw the coming destruction of European Jewry long before others did

Together, we will confront the central question: If Kafka had not been born and raised as a Jew, would he have become Kafka?

This is a journey into identity, memory, and the Jewish soul of one of the greatest modern writers — a story as relevant today as it was a century ago.

For ticketing information, please follow the link to the BZD website: https://bzdisrael.org/the-secular-jew-emerges-understanding-kafka-and-his-world/

Or go directly to registration: Meeting Registration – Zoom

Learn about Irene Shaland’s books on the subject: https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

Learn more about the presenter: Irene Shaland

Image: Alex Shaland and BZD

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Irene Shaland’s free Zoom lecture on April 29th

Stockholm Synagogue
stockholm synagogue

Please join us for Irene Shaland’s free Zoom lecture on April 29th

Virtual Event Hosted by New City Library, New York

Date and Time: April 29th at 7:00 PM EST, USA

Revisiting Scandinavia Post-October 7th

Join Irene Shaland, for a meaningful virtual journey through Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. While known for stunning fjords and modern design, these nations hold a wealth of compelling, often hidden, Jewish stories that resonate deeply with our shared heritage.

This is a chance to connect with the past and learn about the disturbing present: We will delve into the vibrant Jewish communities that once thrived in the region, examine the role each nation played during the Holocaust, and gain insight into contemporary Jewish life in Scandinavia. This exclusive presentation offers a unique and personal window into the rich tapestry of Scandinavia, seen through a distinctly Jewish lens.

This event is free, but registration is required: https://newcity.librarycalendar.com/event/rediscovering-scandinavia-post-october-7th-through-eyes-jewish-traveler-73744

About the Presenter

 Irene Shaland is an internationally published art and travel writer and educator, with 7 books and over 30 magazine articles published in the US, Canada, and the UK. She is a contributing author and lecturer at academic institutions such as the Siegal College of Jewish Studies and Touro Law School in New York, and Center for Jewish History Research, as well as museums and cultural institutions, such as Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York, Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, BZD, Qesher, and other communal organizations focusing on Jewish history.

Learn about Irene Shaland’s books on the subject: https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

 

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Irene Shaland’s Virtual (Zoom) Presentations in April and May of 2026

Please save the dates for Irene’s upcoming virtual lectures:

New City Library New York, April 29th at 7:00 PM

Stockholm synagogue

Revisiting Scandinavia Post-October 7th

Join Irene Shaland, for a meaningful virtual journey through Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. While known for stunning fjords and modern design, these nations hold a wealth of compelling, often hidden, Jewish stories that resonate deeply with our shared heritage.

This is a chance to connect with the past and learn about the disturbing present: We will delve into the vibrant Jewish communities that once thrived in the region, examine the role each nation played during the Holocaust, and gain insight into contemporary Jewish life in Scandinavia. This exclusive presentation offers a unique and personal window into the rich tapestry of Scandinavia, seen through a distinctly Jewish lens.

Registration: https://newcity.librarycalendar.com/event/rediscovering-scandinavia-post-october-7th-through-eyes-jewish-traveler-73744

On Tuesday, May 19th, at 11:00 AM, the Baltimore Zionist District organization will host Irene’s newest lecture centered on the great modernist writer Franz Kafka.

Kafca sculpture in Prague

Emergence of a New Phenomenon: The Secular Jew — Understanding Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka stands at the crossroads of one of the most fascinating transformations in modern Jewish history: the rise of the secular, urban, German‑speaking Jew in Central Europe. His life and work illuminate a world where Jewish identity was both ever‑present and almost unspeakable — a tension that shaped an entire generation.

Join Irene in this journey into identity, memory, and the Jewish soul of one of the greatest modern writers — a story as relevant today as it was a century ago.

Irene’s new lecture explores the deep, thousand‑year Jewish presence in the Czech lands — Bohemia, Moravia, and Prague — and the dramatic cultural shift that produced a new kind of Jew at the turn of the 20th century. By the late 1800s, most Czech Jews identified with German culture, lived in cosmopolitan cities, and navigated a complex dual identity that was both empowering and precarious. At the center of this story stands Franz Kafka (1883–1924): born Jewish, raised Jewish, and yet famously silent about Judaism in his fiction. And still, his diaries, letters, and private reflections reveal a man who wrestled intensely with what it meant to be a Jew in modern Europe. He studied Yiddish and Hebrew, immersed himself in Jewish theater, and sensed — with uncanny clarity — the catastrophe that would soon engulf European Jewry.

In this presentation, we will explore:

  • Kafka in Prague — the Jewish city that shaped him
  • Prague in Kafka — the shadows of identity, alienation, and belonging that permeate his writing
  • The paradox of Jewish presence and Jewish silence in his literary world
  • How Kafka’s Jewishness influenced his imagination, even when unspoken
  • Why Kafka foresaw the coming destruction of European Jewry long before others did

Together, we will confront the central question:
If Kafka had not been born and raised as a Jew, would he have become Kafka?

Registration information will be announced at a later date.

Learn more about the presenter Irene Shaland: https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

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How the Jews of Iberia Changed the Course of World History

Upcoming Virtual Lecture: How the Jews of Iberia Changed the Course of World History

Opening slide of the lecture

Join Qesher for an extraordinary virtual journey into Portugal’s largely unknown, yet utterly fascinating, Jewish history. Acclaimed art and travel writer Irene Shaland, an internationally published historian and author, will transport you through time, from Roman and Visigoth eras to the brilliant Age of Discoveries, and right up to today’s blossoming community. Discover the resilient spirit and secret traditions that survived centuries of Inquisition and persecution, making Portugal a unique safe haven during World War II.

Would you like to know more about the specific dates and times for this virtual event, or perhaps details about Irene Shaland’s books on the topic?

 Date: Thursday, January 29 – 3 pm Eastern Time

Duration: 65-75 minutes for presentation, 90 minutes total with Q&A

Follow the link for ticket information:  https://www.qesher.com/jewish-portugal/

About the Presenter

Irene Shaland is an internationally published art and travel writer and educator, with 7 books and over 30 magazine articles published in the US, Canada, and the UK. She is a contributing author and lecturer at academic institutions such as the Siegal College of Jewish Studies and Touro Law School in New York, and Center for Jewish History Research, as well as museums and cultural institutions, such as Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland and New York, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, BZD, Qesher, and other communal organizations focusing on Jewish history.

Learn about Irene Shaland’s books on the subject: https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

 

 

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Portugal’s Secret Lifeline: Escape, Espionage, and Courage During the Holocaust

Upcoming Virtual Lecture: Tuesday, January 27, 11 am Eastern Time

Opening slide of Portugal lecture

Event Organizer: BZD

Event Presenter: Jewish historian and author of the popular Shaland’s Portugal book series, Irene Shaland

Few people realize that, during the darkest years of the Holocaust, neutral Portugal became one of Europe’s last lifelines. As Nazi occupation spread across the continent, thousands of desperate refugees poured into Lisbon — a city suddenly transformed into a tense crossroads of diplomats, fugitives, and international spies.

More than 43,000 refugees reached Portugal during the war. Many first arrived in Lisbon before being dispersed to towns such as Cascais, Estoril, Ericeira, and Vilar Formoso. All of this unfolded under the authoritarian Estado Novo regime, led by António Salazar — a dictator who admired Hitler’s racial ideology and ordered his diplomats to restrict Jewish immigration.

And yet, in defiance of these orders, a handful of courageous Portuguese diplomats chose humanity over obedience. Irene Shaland’s lecture uncovers these largely unknown heroes who risked their careers — and often their lives — to issue thousands of life‑saving transit visas to Jews fleeing the Nazis.

You’ll also step inside wartime Lisbon’s James‑Bond‑like atmosphere, where spies, informants, refugees, and opportunists converged in a city that became a hub of intrigue and survival.

Join this eye‑opening presentation to discover:

– The hidden history of Portugal as a critical escape route

– The diplomats who defied fascism to save Jewish lives

– The political contradictions of Salazar’s regime of neutrality

– The espionage‑filled world of wartime Lisbon

Reserve your spot and uncover a chapter of Holocaust history that few people know — but everyone should.

Link: https://bzdisrael.org/portugals-secret-lifeline-escape-espionage-and-courage-during-the-holocaust

About the Presenter

Irene Shaland is an internationally published art and travel writer and educator, with 7 books and over 30 magazine articles published in the US, Canada, and the UK. She is a contributing author and lecturer at academic institutions such as the Siegal College of Jewish Studies and Touro Law School in New York, and Center for Jewish History Research, as well as museums and cultural institutions, such as Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland and New York, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, BZD, Qesher, and other communal organizations focusing on Jewish history.

Learn about Irene Shaland’s books on the subject: https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

 

 

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Trip to Israel with Our Friends at BZD

Poster created by BZD

Our friends at BZD (Baltimore Zionist District) are organizing a trip to Israel from December 12 through 17, 2025, to experience Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and southern Israel.

Request the recording from BZD Info Session: https://bzdisrael.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/bzd-shining-in-israel-an-unforgettable-hanukkah-experience-for-adults-in-the-land-of-light

Visit the BZD website to learn more about this amazing organization: https://bzdisrael.org/

Regrettably, Alex and I will not be able to join due to previous commitments.

Irene Shaland, Jewish Historian and Author

Image and links provided by BZD.

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Upcoming Virtual Lecture “Scandinavia through the Eyes of a Jewish Traveler” 

Scandinavia Jewish traveler
From the windswept fjords of Norway to the quiet resilience of Danish Jewish communities, this journey from Scandinavia’s Jewish past to present invites those who cherish global Jewish heritage and thought-provoking history to uncover stories rarely told.

Title: “Scandinavia through the Eyes of a Jewish Traveler”

Presented by: Irene Shaland a Jewish historian and author of 7 books, including “The Dao of Being Jewish and Other Stories: Tales of Jewish Diaspora, Persecution, the Holocaust and Rebirth in Europe, Africa and Asia”

Link to “The Dao of Being Jewish”: https://amzn.to/2T1u5kK

Event is hosted online by: BZD, Baltimore, MD, USA

Date and Time: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 11:00 AM EST

Place: Online Zoom event

BZD Virtual Events are exclusively for BZD members (unless otherwise noted). Visit the BZD website for details:

https://bzdisrael.org/scandinavia-through-the-eyes-of-a-jewish-traveler/

BZD Phone: +410-484-4510

BZD email: office@bzdisrail.org

Event Description

Description provided by the BZD:

Join the BZD for a captivating journey through Norway, Sweden, and Denmark with internationally published author Irene Shaland. Known for their breathtaking landscapes, royal capitals, and striking modern design, these countries also hold rich and often little-known Jewish stories.

Together we’ll explore the Jewish communities that once thrived in Scandinavia, the role each nation played during the Holocaust, and what it means to live as a Jew in these societies today. From history to modern life, this presentation offers a unique window into Scandinavia through Jewish eyes.

Learn more about the presenter Irene Shaland: https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

 

More about Irene Shaland: Irene Shaland

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Porto and the North: Resilience and Defiance

Porto synagogue
Porto Synagogue

Step into the hidden world of Sephardic resilience and rediscovery! If you’re a Jewish history enthusiast—or planning a meaningful journey to Portugal—this virtual lecture is your gateway to a rich, little-known chapter of Jewish heritage.

Join renowned scholar Irene Shaland for her newest presentation in the “Saga of Sefarad” series: “Porto and the North: Resilience and Defiance.” From the majestic synagogue and museums of Porto to the mysterious villages “Behind the Mountains,” where Crypto-Jews secretly practiced their faith, this immersive experience will transport you through centuries of courage, ingenuity, and spiritual defiance.

Whether you’re tracing ancestral roots or mapping your next travel adventure, this lecture promises revelations you won’t find in guidebooks. Registration is open—don’t miss your chance to uncover the untold stories of Sephardic Portugal.

Lecture Title: “Porto and the North: Resilience and Defiance”

Presented by: Jewish Historian and Author Irene Shaland

Hosted by: New City Library, New York

Date and Time: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM EST

Place: Zoom virtual event

This virtual event is free, but registration is required to receive the link to attend this lecture.

Link to registration: https://newcity.librarycalendar.com/event/jews-portugal-64161

Lecture Description

We begin our journey in Porto: visits to Portugal would not be complete without your immersion in the history and sites of this great city. No matter why you love to travel and whether you are passionate about the arts, music, architecture, rivers, bridges, or wine, Porto offers everything for everyone!

Specifically, for the Jewish history sleuths, we will explore Porto’s fascinating Jewish narrative by unveiling one site at a time. We will also visit Porto’s beautiful synagogue, the city’s two museums dedicated to Jewish history and the Holocaust, and discuss an amazing story of Porto’s Jewish community development throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.  

From Porto, we will travel to small towns and villages like Braganza, Chaves, Carcão, and Guimarães, to name just a few in the region called Terras de Trás-os-Montes or “Behind the Mountains.” We will “deep-dive” into the largely unknown outside of Portugal and little-researched Jewish narratives. There, Conversos or forcibly converted to Christianity Jews, risked their lives but secretly followed their ancestral religion by ingeniously modifying it to avoid the neighbors’ suspicion.

In the small ancient city of Bragança, we visit two unique Jewish organizations where the stories of the long-gone, forgotten, and hidden “behind the mountains” Jews are preserved: The Sephardic Culture Interpretation Center and The Sephardic Memorial and Documentation Center.

In Guimarães, we will learn why this fascinating city is widely regarded as “The Birthplace of the Nation.”

But it will be in the village of Carcão, where we will discover something extraordinary: the stories of its people’s astonishing defiance of the Inquisition, and see the village’s coat of arms that has a mezuzah and a menorah!

Our journey of discoveries through the unknown Jewish history in Terras de Trás-os-Montes concludes in Tui, Spanish Galicia, where we see the only preserved collection of Sanbenitos, or the Iberian Inquisition’s clothes of shame.

Learn more about the presenter Irene Shaland 

Take a look at Irene Shaland’s latest book  “Shaland’s Porto & Northern Portugal: An Illustrated Guide to Jewish History and Sites in Northern Portugal, Its Capital Porto, and Select Sites in Central Portugal” https://amzn.to/45jzRog

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