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 Prize-winning authors and journalists, and political leaders.
“Puzzle Mania: Clues to Why We’re Hooked on Word Games from the Creators Themselves”
The New York Times puzzle-makers Joel Fagliano, who interned with Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz, and is now the lead puzzle editor and creates the Mini-Puzzle (5×5), with Wyna Liu, who went with her mother, on a seven-night Times “crossword cruise,” and met Joel, who inspired her to create her own puzzles, and today creates and edits Connections, and Sam Ezersky, another Shortz mentee, who convinced Will to talk puzzles at his house one evening, and now creates and edits Spelling Bee, will explain how they do what they do, why games are so popular, and even how to get better at them. August 13, the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven, 130 Center St., Vineyard Haven, mvsummerinstitute.org/2026-speakers.
On August 9 at 7:30 pm, watch the Peabody Award–nominated film by Art Spiegelman: “Disaster Is My Muse.” This film examines Spiegelman’s irreverent life, his artistic partnership with his wife, Françoise Mouly, and the creation of his groundbreaking graphic novel “Maus.” The film covers his underground comix roots, New Yorker covers, and 9/11 experiences, as he emerges as a leading advocate for free speech in response to book bans and rising authoritarianism. Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven, 130 Center St., Vineyard Haven. Tickets at mvhc.shulcloud.com/form/2026-SI-Film-Series#purchase.
