an exhibition of Latin American Jewish arts and culture, will open on May 21, 2000 and run through the summer at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center.

The opening reception for the exhibit, "I Carry My Roots With Me/Mis raices las cargo siempre," will be held 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, at the Washington, DC Jewish community Center, 1529 16th St., NW. Greetings by H.E. Jaime Daremblum, ambassador of Costa Rica, and H.E. Guillermo Enrique Gonzales, ambassador of Argentine. R.S.V.P. 202/777-3209.

Theme of the exhibit is the adaptation by Jewish immigrants to life in various Latin American countries, as expressed through creative arts, literature, journalism, economic activity, and politics. Original works of art are set within their historical context and related to both Latin American and Jewish traditions.

The exhibit will be open to the public from Sunday, May 21, 2000, and run throughout the summer. It will open with a panel discussion at 4 p.m. on the 21st among Judith Laikin Elkin, consultant to the exhibit; Leo Spitzer of Dartmouth college, artist Bela Gold, and literary critic Ilan Stavans. Other related events throughout the summer include films, a conversation with Jacob Kovadloff and the Argentine ambassador, a presentation by Marjorie Agosin, and a drama, "Decoding the Table Cloth," to be presented in September. Special tours may also be arranged for all age levels.

Original works of art, historical readings, and a symposium will be featured. For further information, call curator Liz Diament at 202/777-3208, or message Judith Laikin Elkin, historical consultant to the project, at elkinjl@umich.edu.