January 16, 2025 | 16 Tevet 5785
|
|
|
Reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world.
|
|
|
Parashat Shemot | Candlelighting 4:21 PM EST
|
|
|
Message from the President
|
|
|
Dear Hebrew College community,
We share this newsletter in a moment of heart-wrenching hope, as we await further news regarding the potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, the longed-for release of hostages, and an end to the devastating war that has ravaged the lives of so many in Israel, Gaza, and throughout the region over the last fifteen months.
As we move into this Shabbat of waiting, of yearning, of not-knowing,
may we find the fortitude, friendship, and faithfulness
to turn our fears into prayers
to turn our prayers into deeds of goodness and compassion
to turn our deeds of goodness and compassion into a shared resolve
to work together toward a world of greater wholeness and peace.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld
President, Hebrew College
|
| |
Nurturing Intergenerational Connections
|
|
|
As the inaugural director of spiritual care at 2Life Communities, discovering new and ancient ways to support the individual and communal spiritual lives of those she serves grounds and inspires Rabbi Giulia Fleishman’s work. Many of the Jewish values which guide the work — such as honoring parents and elders and making the world a better place — are shared across faith traditions, which means Rabbi Fleishman can help residents and staff feel supported, age in community, connect with others, and find meaning in their lives no matter their faith identity. "I'm excited every day to translate the Jewish concept of 'welcoming the stranger' to my ongoing support of 2Life Communities' residents and staff."
|
| Rabbi Giulia Fleishman`22
Director of Spiritual Care and her 2Life Communities assistant "Oco"
|
|
|
It must have been all too easy for the sages to take the Hebrew name for Egyptians — Mitzrim — literally. The root word צר — narrow — practically shouts that the Israelites were squeezed into a corner. The narrow-minded people in power, and the narrow-minded people who influenced them, replaced knowledge and relationship with fear and contempt, resulting in a new king who did not know the worth of Josef’s years of service. Clearly, the relationships we form and the reputations we earn can protect us. And in their absence, all too often, dehumanization takes root. Knowing is a potential antidote to the harm that dehumanization can cause.
|
|
|
|
"Learning Hebrew has been a great way for me to learn more about Jewish and Israeli culture and history and gives my partner and I something fun to work on together," says Nick Pfosi. "Anyone who is interested in learning Hebrew should enroll in classes at Hebrew College Ulpan." Learn more about Hebrew College's online Hebrew immersion courses from a student perspective! Nick had no familiarity with the Hebrew alphabet, now he builds his skills by WhatsApp messaging with his Israeli partner. Whatever your motivation, Hebrew College Ulpan is here to help you learn Hebrew.
|
|
|
|
Free Adult Learning Lunch & Learn Programs
|
|
|
Join Tamid of Hebrew College on January 29, March 12, and April 16 at noon eastern for our monthly, free GROW Series. Gather, Reflect, Observe and Wrestle with Jewish learning for the lunch hour. January will feature Rav Rachel Adelman, scholar of Hebrew literature, teaching about contemporary midrashic responses to October 7th. In March, Elisha Gechter, senior program manager at the Kennedy School and former President of the Board of Mayyim Hayyim, will teach about the human tendency toward ritual as a way of making meaning, and how this shapes the mikveh’s work. And in April, Jewish Women’s Archive CEO Judith Rosenbaum will explore models for Jewish women’s activism, leadership, and creativity in different historical contexts.
|
|
Learn more and register on our event page and sign up for one of our winter courses (now enrolling)
|
|
|
A Message of Support for Los Angeles Fire Victims
|
Our prayers and well wishes are with the communities of Southern California whose homes, businesses, and neighborhoods have been destroyed or threatened by the ongoing wildfires and associated hardships. In this season of unexpected and unwelcome destruction, we hold you in our hearts and pray for a swift recovery. Not all that has been destroyed is replaceable, but still we labor and pray for wholeness.
If you would like to support those who are impacted by the fires, we direct you to the Jewish Federation of LA’s Wildfire Crisis Relief Fund, established “to support our neighbors affected by this catastrophic event. One hundred percent of your gift will go directly to those who need it most.”
|
|
|
Hebrew College is honored to have recently received a bequest from the estate of Joel Roseland. Joel was a Hebrew College adult learning student and donor from the late 1990s until shortly before his death in 2008. We are deeply grateful to him for including us in his estate planning, and to all the members of our Living Legacy Society who have done the same. By making a planned gift, they support the education of future Jewish leaders, help create innovative and inspiring programming, and build interdenominational and interreligious understanding, while gaining financial and tax benefits for their families.
|
| |
|
Trustee Laure Garnick Honored with Lion of Judah Award
|
|
|
Kol HaKavod to Hebrew College trustee Laure Garnick, who received the Kipnis-Wilson Friedland Award this week at the International Lion of Judah Conference in Atlanta for her dedicated work and deep care for the Jewish future. Each year, this prestigious award is bestowed upon particularly dynamic and effective Jewish woman philanthropists and global activists. In addition to her current role as secretary of our Board, Garnick serves on JFNA’s National Women’s Philanthropy Board, and has served on the board of CJP and several other Jewish organizations.
|
| |
|
Philanthropy Coaching for Jewish Teens
|
On Sunday, January 12, Hebrew College's Jewish Teen Foundation of Great Boston (JTFGB) hosted Ed Shapiro, managing trustee for The Shapiro Foundation, a leader in serving the world's most vulnerable population: The more than 75 million global refugees, internally displaced people and asylum-seekers. Shapiro spoke about mobilizing partners and volunteers, leading with Jewish values, keeping focused on the mission, and building bridges.
Share your news with us...
|
|
|
January and February Events
|
ART EXHIBIT OPENING
"Reuven Rubin: Interpretations of King David”
Tuesday, January 28 | 5-7 PM | Hebrew College
Join us for the opening, featuring lithographs by renowned Israeli artist Reuven Rubin that tell the story of the biblical King David.
Learn more
TAMID ADULT LEARNING
GROW Program: Modern Midrashic Responses to October 7th
Wednesday, January 29 | 12-1 PM Eastern Time | Zoom
For our second 2025 program in Hebrew College Adult Learning’s free, monthly GROW series, we examine modern midrashic responses to October 7th with Rav Rachel Adelman, Hebrew College Associate Professor of Bible.
More Info
SAVE THE DATES
Soul Sounds Music Series
6:30 PM wine & cheese receptions | 7 PM concerts | Hebrew College
This spring, Hebrew College hosts three dynamic Boston-based ensembles to explore Jewish ritual, prayer, and song in three collaborative concerts.
Thursday, Feb. 6: Word in Exile with Neta and Stav | Learn more & purchase tickets
Thursday, March 27: Jacob's Ladder | Learn more & purchase tickets
Wednesday, May 14: Di Khassene with Ezekiel’s Wheels | Learn more & purchase tickets
BOOK LAUNCH & WORKSHOP
Seeing the Sacred through Interfaith Lenses
Monday, February 24 | 7-8:30 PM | Hebrew College
Meet Interfaith Photovoice founder Roman Williams as he introduces his new book Sacred Snaps: Photovoice for Interfaith Engagement.
Learn more
DIGNITY PROJECT CLOSING CELEBRATION
Seeing Through Our Eyes
Thursday, February 27 | 6-8:30 PM | Hebrew College
Please join the 2024-2025 Dignity Project for their closing celebration. Fellows will share their photo exhibit “Seeing Through Our Eyes: Belief and Belonging in Boston,” as well as insights and reflections from their interreligious and cross-cultural journey together.
Learn more
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
Hebrew College 1860 Washington Street | Newton, MA 02466 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
