In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel and Myrdith Leon-McCormack, founder of World Bride Magazine (WBM), proudly presents the Legacy Ball of Harlem, a grand evening of culture, fashion, and history. The celebratory event will take place on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the iconic and recently reimagined Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel.

The goal of this event is to celebrate Harlem’s timeless influence on global art, music, and fashion. Resilience is central thread of the story of Harlem — once farmland, later home to migrants during the Great Migration, and eventually a beacon of Black excellence that continues to inspire the world today.

“Few truly understand, I mean ‘TRULY’ understand the rich, deep history of what Harlem means to the creative legacy of not only this great city, but the country, and I’d say the world as a whole,” says Myrdith Leon-McCormack. “My goal in presenting this event is not only to celebrate the past but launch the next century and beyond of contributions from this legendary center of culture and creativity – Harlem.”

The centerpiece of this celebration will be the Legacy Ball of Harlem, where guests will come together in the vibrant epicenter of Harlem nightlife, the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel. Located directly next door to the globally celebrated Apollo Theater on West 125ᵗʰ Street, the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel, with its modern facilities, opulent accommodations, and award winning culinary offerings, not to mention some of the best nightly entertainment in the city, is a natural setting for such a celebration. Serving as the guest of honor for the Ball will be A’Lelia Bundles, the descendant of Madam C J Walker, who will be previewing the release of her latest book, due out in the coming weeks.

The historic legacy of the location includes names like Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Madam C J Walker, Zelda Barbour Wynn Valde, and Duke Ellington, all of whom flourished in their eras on this very piece of real estate. The Legacy Ball of Harlem, being held on this very spot, is a natural launching pad for the future of Harlem creative influence. PurchaseTicket here!

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With Professor George Y. Kohler (Bar-Ilan University)
Public Keynote Lecture for “Concepts and Theories of Forgiveness in Jewish Thought”

Monday, May 5
6:30 p.m.
WLSS of The Jewish Theological Seminary
3080 Broadway (at 122nd Street)
New York City  

The life and thought of Rabbi Leo Baeck (1873–1956) is often seen as prism that refracts many aspects of the 20th century German Jewish experience. Baeck began rabbinical training at JTS Breslau in the 1890s, studied philosophy at the University of Berlin, taught at the Berlin Hochschule for Jewish Studies until it was shuttered by the Nazis, and was subsequently deported to Theresienstadt. Baeck’s early theological writings reflected a liberal religious rationalism, whereas his later writings embraced more mystical and particularistic understandings of Judaism. Professor George Y. Kohler’s lecture follows Baeck’s changing ideas on divine forgiveness from before the First World War through the Interwar period until after his liberation from Theresienstadt.

This is the keynote lecture for “Concepts and Theories of Forgiveness in Jewish Thought,” an academic conference taking place at JTS on Monday and Tuesday, May 5–6.

Professor George Y. Kohler is an associate professor in the Department of Jewish Philosophy and director of the Joseph Carlebach Institute for Jewish Theology at Bar Ilan University. He is the author of Kabbalah Research in the Wissenschaft des Judentums (1820–1880): The Foundation of an Academic Discipline and Reading Maimonides’ Philosophy in 19th Century Germany: The Guide to Religious Reform.

NAMA’s Weekly MONDAY Nite Jams spotlight the diversity and brilliance of seasoned musicians and emerging artists alike.

📍 Location: Historic Landmark NAMA Brownstone – 107 W. 130th Street, Harlem, NYC

🕘 Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM | ENJOY Live Music & Jam

Monday, May 5, 2025
7:30–9:00 p.m.
Beit Midrash, In Person at JTS
3080 Broadway (at 122nd Street)
New York City  

We sing Lecha Dodi so often in our lives—but how much do we really know about this sacred song?

Join senior rabbinical student Anina Dassa for a special event marking the culmination of her capstone project. In this immersive session, we’ll take a deep dive into Lecha Dodi, moving beyond traditional beit midrash learning by incorporating art to deepen our connection with this beloved poem.

Drawing on the insights and explorations that have shaped her journey toward this project, Anina will guide us through the song’s rich layers using both text study and creative expression.

No art experience is necessary—this class is about discovery and play, not perfection.

Come ready to learn, create, and experience Lecha Dodi in a whole new light.