On Saturday, Dec. 20, from 10-11:30 a.m., Or Emet will host a Humanistic Shabbat service led by Rabbi Eva Cohen, followed by a presentation by Lisa “MonaLisa” Berman, co-founder and co-artistic director of BRKFST Dance Company.

The events will take place at the Minnesota JCC Sabes Center Minneapolis, 4330 S. Cedar Lake Road, Minneapolis. 

Lisa “MonaLisa” Berman
Photo credit: Adam Adolphus

Berman will present “An Inside Look at BRKFST’s Groundbreaking, Multicultural, BIPOC Group.” She will describe how BRKFST creates intellectually rigorous, physically demanding works of art through abstraction, breaking and contemporary dance vernacular — dance that evolves naturally from within a community.

Berman and Joseph “MN Joe” Tran  co-founded BRKFST in St. Paul in 2014. Guided by the hip-hop adage “each one teach one,” where everyone remains both teacher and student regardless of their background, identity or status, BRKFST honors its roots from breaking culture by embodying inclusivity, passing down their knowledge to the next generation and representing the form with foundation and innovation.

Berman is the recipient of the McKnight Dancer Fellowship, Jerome Travel and Study Grant, multiple Minnesota State Arts Board and Metropolitan Regional Arts Council grants, and most recently, the Bridge Fund for Dancers Grant through the City of Minneapolis Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Expanding her artistic practice to interdisciplinary exploration, Berman partnered with film director Maria Juranic, co-creating, producing and choreographing the short, experimental dance film “Dreamers.” The film was chosen as an official selection in 11 international film festivals, receiving the Grand Jury Award at the In/Motion Festival and Best Experimental Film at the Tirana International Film Festival in Albania.

Those who cannot attend the Shabbat service in person may join over Zoom. Please register in advance for the Zoom option. 

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. 

For more information about Or Emet, email info@oremet.org or visit oremet.org.