Anyone who has ever listened to a commencement speech knows the drill. We expect graduation addresses to be long on wisdom, punctuated by humor, and—most important—short in duration.
In 1800, Sampson Simson (1780-1857) delivered a commencement speech at Columbia College (he was its first Jewish graduate, and would go on to found Mt. Sinai Hospital) in Hebrew. His talk was short in duration, but its implications were wide-ranging. It was America's first public expression of Jewish identity, and it also declared the existence of a quintessential national character-type: the New York Jew.
Launched in 2018 in Berkshire County, Zeitcaster is an online platform that centralizes local event listings to foster community connections, helping residents and tourists discover public outings while boosting visibility for venues, organizations, and historic sites. Our calendar features a range of cultural, recreational, and family-friendly events to cater to diverse lifestyles. Designed for both venue operators and attendees, Zeitcaster supports tourism, economic growth, and civic pride—helping great events find the audiences they deserve. At a time when human connection matters more than ever, we make it simple for locals to uncover hidden gems and for visitors to authentically experience vibrant communities, promoting civic engagement and shared experiences for kids, parents, and friends alike.
Find delight with your community calendar, simplified.