Psalms are spiritual poems to God that emerged from pivotal moments in the lives of their biblical authors. They serve as essential components of Jewish and Christian liturgy and are integral to secular culture, such as the widespread familiarity with “The Lord is my Shepherd” or the exclamation of “Halleluyah.” These ancient compositions are marked by an honesty that conveys wisdom colored with a wide-pallet of intense emotions. In Duets on Psalms (release date of November 2023), Rabbi Elie Spitz…

In this talk, scholar and musician Jeremiah Lockwood will discuss the role of cantors as stars of mass media in the early 20th century and the ways in which new outlets for performance allowed people with outsider identities to perform roles of sacred authority. Combining storytelling, deep listening to old records, and conversation, this event will offer a provocative and pleasurable entry into the world of early 20th century Jewish American musical life and its echoes into the present day.…

The contemporary Jewish story has three voices: the mass immigration to the Golden Medina from the old country, the Holocaust and the birth of the State of Israel, and the third only now is beginning to be heard. It is the story of post-Holocaust Europe.  It has its own compelling narrative, its own perspectives, and its potential to contribute to the choir of Jewish civilization. With the fall of Communism came the awakening of the third narrative and the past…

Wednesdays mornings from 10:00-10:45 am   Give yourself the gift of calm. Join Julie Potiker for this grounding way to start the day and move from a place of fear to a place of calm. In these forty-five-minute mindfulness sessions, you will experience bringing your attention to the present moment without judgment. For past sessions, visit: https://blubrry.com/balancedmind/ About Julie: Julie Potiker is a mindfulness expert with extensive teacher training in a variety of tools and methods, including Mindful Self-Compassion. Through her…

In this class, we’ll discuss three essential Jewish ideas for the 21st century. These ideas flow organically from Jewish sources and Jewish history. But they also depart radically from traditional Judaism as we’ve understood it for centuries. During class, we’ll study the texts fueling these radical ideas, and the circumstances which brought them about. We’ll also examine these ideas critically, discussing the merits and drawbacks of each idea and text. The three ideas are: 1.New models of gender and sexuality.…

The profession of safrut, of the sacred scribal arts, has, traditionally been thought of as “man’s work” both from an halakhic (legal) perspective and from a sociological one. Yet the very first illustrated Scroll of Esther that has come down to us has the signature of a female scribe, women copied Torah manuscripts in book form in societies as conservative as Yemen, and wealthy women in Italy wrote manuscripts, had liturgy “reformed” to reflect specifically female concerns, and are depicted…

Are you a reader looking to connect with others and discuss great literature? Join our monthly book club! We welcome adults of all ages to come together and engage in thought-provoking discussions about a diverse range of books. Whether you’re a seasoned bookworm or a newcomer to the reading scene, we encourage you to join us for an enjoyable and enriching experience. Sources for 2023-2024 Book Lists There is no fee, but please RSVP below for planning purposes. After registering,…