Opening Friday, May 1 and continuing through June 14 will be an exhibit on “Four Centuries of Holy Land Maps” at Sonoma County Museum, 425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa.
To create the 17th-century exhibited maps, from the collection of Denny and Arnold Sternberg of Santa Rosa, cartographers relied on information gathered during exploration both on land and sea by coastal navigators.
In the case of the Holy Land maps, an additional, reliable source was the Bible, along with other Judeo-Christian writings.
The earliest maps of the world depicted a flat earth with Jerusalem at its center, because the city was important to Christians, Jews and Muslims.
An opening reception will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Speakers will include Arnold Sternberg, a former member of the Haganah (Jewish underground) who fought in the War of Independence for Israel in 1948, and Rabbi George Gittleman of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa. Co-sponsors include Congregations Shir Shalom in Sonoma and Shomrei Torah.
At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, the Kibbutz Artzi Choir of Israel will sing at Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa.
The 50-member choir, founded in 1958, comprises members of various kibbutzim throughout Israel. It has performed with all of Israel’s major orchestras, including those conducted by Zubin Mehta and Lucas Foss.
Since 1990, Yuval Ben-Ozer has been the choir’s conductor and musical director. The choir’s repertoire is composed of a cappella music from various periods, styles and languages. The Congregation Shomrei Torah Choir will join the group to sing several selections.
Co-sponsor is Congregation Beth Ami. Cost is $15 in advance, $18 at the door.
By arrangement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the Jewish Community Agency of Sonoma County has obtained a previously unreleased studio print of the epic film “Exodus.” Screening is slated for 4 p.m. Sunday, May 10 at 4 p.m. at the Raven Theater, 115 North Street, Healdsburg.
Produced and directed by Otto Preminger, “Exodus” is a screen adaptation of the best-selling book by Leon Uris. Starring Paul Newman as the Haganah leader, the film concerns the emergence of Israel as an independent nation in 1947-48.
The cast includes Lee J. Cobb, Jill Hayworth, Peter Lawford, Sal Mineo and Eva Marie Saint. Tickets are $7.50.
Finally, on May 17 the celebration ends with a “Tour of Israel, from Sefat to Eilat.”
From noon to 5 p.m., food, arts and crafts, music, comedy, folk dancing and other activities will take place on the Quad area of Sonoma State University. The event also marks the 10th annual Simcha Sunday, a celebration of Jewish life in Sonoma County.
For information, call (707) 528-4222.