On Sunday, June 24, the Hebrew Center begins its summer film series. Programmed by the Summer Institute, the series is known for thoughtful movies usually relegated to the shadows of big city, independent cinemas.

This Sunday’s film is Restoration, not the 1995 Robert Downey Jr./Meg Ryan feature. No, not at all.

The Summer Institute at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center has traditionally programmed its summer movie series with selections from the Boston Jewish Film Festival. This year, however, they have taken matters into their own hands by programming the festival themselves, becoming, in a sense, an international film festival unto themselves.

This summer’s slate of films includes both documentaries and features from around the world.

Betsy Sheerr Leads Hebrew Center Institute

By MIKE SECCOMBE

The summer speaker series put on by the Martha's Vineyard
Hebrew Center, explained Betsy Sheerr, is not a Jewish thing, although
she explained its motivation - and her own - in distinctly
Jewish terms.

"There is in Judaism an important concept of repairing the
world: Tikun olam," said the new chairman of the center's
Summer Institute.

It's Our Seaside Think Tank - Hebrew Center's
Summer Plans

By C.K. WOLFSON

In the midst of summer concerns about ferry lines and tan lines, the
Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center Summer Institute, entices hundreds
of Island residents and visitors to consider subjects such as prejudice,
medical and legal malpractice, terrorism and civil liberties, and engage
in discussion.

They gather at the Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven - so many
some have to be turned away - to attend the Island's seaside
Chautauqua: the Summer Institute Scholar Series.