78 Minutes of Hope
78 Minutes of Hope
Register
Thursday, April 23 | 7:00 PM | 14Y
Join us for an evening of hope, art, and storytelling. In recognition of the 78th Yom Ha’Atzmaut, we invite you to spend 78 minutes in community, reflecting on resilience, strength, and what it means to move forward together. Through stories, music, and conversation, acclaimed artists, writers, and community leaders will share personal reflections and creative work that speak to this moment.
Presenters
- Ghiora Aharoni, artist and designer
- Judy Batalion, bestselling author
- Katherine Doe Morse, vocalist, pianist, conductor, and teaching artist
- Yonatan Gutfeld, musician
- Ayden Holzkenner, vocalist, conductor, and composer
- Yael Melamede, film director and producer
- Sarah Rosen, writer and filmmaker
- Karen Siegel, composer
- Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, Executive Director, Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU and University Chaplain
- Lee Yaron, journalist and writer
Presenter Bios
Ghiora Aharoni, artist and designer, founded his studio in 2004. His work has been exhibited internationally and is in the collections of The Pompidou Center, The Metropolitan Museum, The Vatican, The Kiran Nadar Museum, The National Gallery of Art, The Morgan Library & Museum, The Huntington Library and Museum, and The Anu Museum.
Judy Batalion is a New York Times bestselling author of award-winning nonfiction. Her new book, The Last Woman of Warsaw, is her first novel.
Katherine Doe Morse is a mezzo soprano, pianist, conductor, and teaching artist. She is on the rosters of the New York Philharmonic Chorus, Bard Festival Chorale, Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, C4 Choral Conductor/Composer Collective, Choral Chameleon, and the Hudson Valley Singers.
Yonatan Gutfeld is a New York–based Israeli musician. His recordings center on contemporary Hebrew poetry. He directs music at The New Shul and is completing music therapy studies at NYU.
Ayden Holzkenner is a vocalist, conductor, and composer from Brooklyn, NY. She loves all things music theory, choral pedagogy, and storytelling.
Yael Melamede is a film director and producer and the founder of SALTY Features. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences and a graduate of Yale University’s School of Architecture.
Sarah Rosen is a writer and filmmaker. Her latest film is the documentary short How to Make Challah. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Harper’s, and more.
Karen Siegel is a composer who creates meaningful and innovative vocal music. Her choral works have been commissioned, performed, and recorded across the US and internationally. KarenSiegel.com.
Lee Yaron is an Israeli journalist and author whose investigative work has prompted state commissions and changed Israeli law. She was selected for the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Her book 10/7: 100 Human Stories won the 2024 National Jewish Book Award – Book of the Year.
Rabbi Yehuda Sarna serves as the Executive Director of the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life at New York University and as University Chaplain. He is the Hannah and Ed Low Professor at the NYU Center for the Study of Antisemitism.
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided at this event, sponsored by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA).
Event Partners
Check Out Our Upcoming Jewish Life Events
About 14th Street Y:
The 14th Street Y is a vibrant Jewish community center located in Downtown Manhattan. Each year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers of all backgrounds come to 14Y as members, visitors, or partners to experience our high quality and varied programs centered around arts and culture, early childhood education, summer camps, fitness and aquatics, Jewish life, and older adult services