The first theater show by and about Asian American Jews
“Have you ever heard of Challah topped with kurogoma, Japanese black sesame seeds?” asks Kathy Kobayashi, a third generation Japanese, Sansei. “Of all of the challenges I faced as a Japanese American Jew, one of the surprising ones was all the bread,” muses Kobayashi, one of ten writers of “What Do I Do with All This Heritage?”.
Hosted by Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center’s Jewish equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) committee, the play, created by famed “The Braid” theater group and the LUNAR Collective, celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Month AND Jewish Heritage Month.
“I grew up on a farm in Texas,” Kobayashi says. “All four of my grandparents were Buddhist, but my parents took us to a Presbyterian church. As an adult I began to explore Judaism. Then there was the bread. It seemed to be a part of every ritual, Shabbat, holidays, everything! But I am a rice person. So my husband Hal, the challah maker in the family, in a thoughtful gesture to my Japanese ancestors started making challah topped with kurogoma.”
Other writers contributing their personal stories have Korean, Bengali, Chinese, Vietnamese and mixed cultural heritages. Some have come to Judaism through birth or adoption, others by choice. Each story speaks to the heart of the human experience, taking the audience into a world shaped by two cultures. It speaks not only to Asian American Jews, but to all of us who have ever had to balance diverse aspects of our identity.
Like many great ideas, The Braid (formerly the Jewish Women’s Theatre) began at a kitchen table with coffee, bagels, passion and three women who inspired each other to realize their dream of creating a Jewish theater group like nothing they had seen before.
They had no money, no building, but an abundance of talent and stories that were waiting to be told. They launched with the enthusiasm of dreamers in 2007. The 2008 financial crisis swooped in like a tornado for those in the arts, but that didn’t stop them.
Today The Braid is known as a story company that has given stage to every corner of the Jewish experience. Partnering with the LUNAR Collective, a national organization by and for Asian American Jews, “What Do I Do with All This Heritage?”, written and produced by Asian American Jews offers more than a dozen true stories, music and dance brought to life by a cast of five professional actors.
“I discovered The Braid when I lived on the Westside,” recalls Linda Mazur a longtime volunteer in the Jewish community who is generously underwriting the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center performance.
Photo Courtesy of Kathy Kobayashi
“When I heard about The Braid’s new production “What Do I Do with All This Heritage?”, I wanted to support it and went to see it in Encino. I loved it, and can’t wait to see it again in Pasadena. I laughed and cried. Heartfelt! Real! Being an Ashkenazi Jew, it opened my eyes to Jews who I never knew were Jews. It is relevant to all of us who live in communities where the richness of many Asian cultures is part of our experiences”.
The Braid is known for its authentic Jewish stories written by professionals and community members of all walks of Jewish life, spotlighting voices and experiences often overlooked by both the Jewish and non- Jewish world. Their many “firsts” include the stories of Iranian Jews, Russian Jews, Latin Jews, Queer Jews, Jews in multi-faith and multi- heritage families, Israeli Americans and women rabbis across the world.
The Braid was first conceived as the Jewish Women’s Theatre to give authentic voice to the stories of women, with its first production in a Pacific Palisades backyard. The first season began as “Salon Theater”, featuring all original shows reaching nearly 500 patrons. Fast forward to the 13th theatrical season, the Jewish Women’s Theatre celebrated its Bat Mitzvah season by taking on a new name. “The Braid” represents the intertwining of art, conversation and performance, symbolizing the traditional challah, and reflecting that they had become a community working innovatively to present untold Jewish stories by writers ages 13-98 of all genders, Jews of color and other diverse backgrounds and identities.
Now in its 18th season, The Braid has performed for more than 145,000 audience members in Los Angeles, the South Bay, The San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, including 50 states, 40 countries and off Broadway.
And on May 23, at 7:30 pm, The Braid comes to the community of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (PJTC). Since the loss of PJTC’s synagogue in the devastating Eaton Fire the community has drawn strength from the belief that the people, not the buildings, are the community. Stories like those told in “What Do I Do with All This Heritage?” offer comfort and a reminder that each of our stories is important.
PJTC has been grateful to be able to gather at a local Pasadena church for services and events such as this production. If you’d like to attend “What Do I Do with all This Heritage?”, AND enjoy an Asian inspired dessert reception generously provided by PJTC Sisterhood, please connect with Theresa@pjtc.net or at 626 798 1161.
TICKETS are “Give as You Are Able”, or a suggested donation of $25.00. Location and other information will be given with an RSVP.
“What Do I Do with All This Heritage?” is produced, adapted and curated by Ronda Spinak and David Chiu, co-produced by Vanessa Bloom, Maryam Chishti and Jenni Rudolph, and directed by Susan Morgenstern.
Generous support for the development of this production is from the Jews of Color Initiative, the LA County Performing Arts Recovery Act, and the City of Santa Monica as part of the Community Access and Participation Grant Program.
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation
Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center is pleased to host American Sign Language interpreter Nina Treiman, who will interpret the entire The Braid theatrical production “What Do I Do with All This Heritage?”
Diane Burr is the founder, and co-chair with Carey McIntosh of the Jewish Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee at Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center and a contributing writer to JLIFE. To learn about PJTC’s JEDI committee, please email JEDI@pjtc.net, or call 626 798-1161.
