The Summer Institute hosts speakers who are deeply and actively involved in politics, economics, science, and the arts. Featured speakers have included Nobel laureates, Pulitzer-prizewinning authors and journalists, and political leaders.
Thomas Friedman presents “The Big Trends Shaping the World Today: Seatbelts Required.”
New York Times foreign affairs opinion columnist Thomas Friedman is insightful, candid, often controversial, inspiring, and a book author and three-time Pulitzer prizewinner, who will share his observations on globalization, Middle East politics, American politics, wars, and the state of the world. July 23 at 7:30 pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, 130 Center St., Vineyard Haven. Tickets at mvsummerinstitute.org/2026-speakers.
On Sunday, July 19, catch the film “Oxygen.” Winner of the Haggiag Award for Best Picture at the 2025 Jerusalem Film Festival, Natalie Braun’s antiwar film reflects a politically urgent exploration of maternal refusal. “Oxygen” follows a mother’s radical act of resistance as she attempts to stop her son from crossing the border into war. At a moment when the human cost of military conflict is being debated globally, this mother and son, Anat and Ido, wrestle with their relationship and their understanding of patriotism, obligation, family, and freedom. 7:30 pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, 130 Center St., Vineyard Haven. Tickets at bit.ly/MVHC_SIFilms.
