Congregation Shaara Tfille and The Jewish Community Center of Saratoga Springs has announced that they'll be sponsoring a Spring 2011 satellite broadcast series ‘Live from NY’s 92nd Street Y’ which they'll kick off with ‘The Lost Jews of Kaifeng.’

Partially sponsored by a grant from The United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, this program brings lectures, interviews and readings from nationally and internationally recognized political figures, entertainers, newsmakers and authors to community organizations and provides an opportunity to take part in discussions with some of the world’s most fascinating people.

‘The Lost Jews of Kaifeng’ will be broadcast on Tuesday, February 15 at 8:15 p.m.  Hear the fascinating history of Jewish life in Kaifeng, China. Beginning during the Northern Sung Dynasty (960-1127), when the Jews of Persia and India traveled the Silk Road to Kaifeng.  The community thrived for many years, but eventually died out in 1860.  Shi Lei is a descendent of one of the original Jewish families in Kaifeng, China. A graduate of Henan University in China, he currently works as a national tour guide of Jewish sites in China.  This program is presented by the 92Y Resource Center for Jewish Diversity and Kulanu.  

Museum Glassworks, the teaching studio of The National Bottle Museum, will host a glass gift sale on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

During the sale there will be flameworking demonstrations by special guest artist Sally Prasch and resident artists and instructors Larry Rutland and Lisa Daigle. Sally is an internationally known award winning flameworking artist.  Visitors will be able to witness the process of producing glass objects similar to those on sale. 

All the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the National Bottle Museum.

Information on flameworking classes conducted at the Glassworks will be available for those interested. Classes are available on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.

There will be lots of fun this weekend at the Winterfest and Chowderfest events in Saratoga. Debra Ross of KidsOutAndAbout.com details in the video above.