Hebrew College Koleinu: Torah, Blogs, and Events for this Troubled Moment

October 19, 2023 | 4 Cheshvan, 5784

Koleinu |our voice|

Reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world.

Parashat Noach | Candlelighting 5:37 PM EST

Message to Our Community

By Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, President of Hebrew College

Like so many of you, I spent much of last week searching for language to describe and respond to the new reality in which we find ourselves. As Israeli novelist David Grossman wrote last Thursday in the Financial Times, “I look at people’s faces and see shock. Numbness. Our hearts are weighed down by constant burden. Over and over again we say to each other: it’s a nightmare. A nightmare beyond comparison. No words to describe it. No words to contain it.”

For me personally, some important language came unexpectedly while I was sitting in this past Shabbat morning. Our teacher R. Allan Lehmann was serving as gabbai at our minyan, and as he offered a mi she’berach for each person who had been called up for an aliyah la’torah, he concluded with the words, “b’toch she’ar avelei ameinu” — “among all the mourners of our people.” It was an exquisitely simple and profound gesture of pastoral care. I hadn’t understood until that moment how deeply I needed to be named as a mourner, among all the mourners of our people. I wept with recognition and relief.

SEVENTY FACES OF TORAH

I look to Torah in this moment because this is a moment where maybe we all feel a little like Noah as we face so much pain and suffering. And though I do not know how to build an ark, I believe we can all commit to walking through the world like Noah, as tzadik and tamim—as generously and open-heartedly as we can—and to pray that one day we will stop destroying worlds. And in doing so, we may see that we cannot build an ark for this kind of disaster, but we can become an ark. May we all find the openness, the generosity, and the strength to be an ark to hold someone else afloat in this trying time.

JTFGB Teens will Direct Philanthropical Efforts to Housing and Mental Health this Year, with a Special Focus on Israel

When teens in Hebrew College’s Jewish Teen Foundation of Greater Boston (JTFGB) held their first meetings on Sunday, October 15, Israel was on their minds. Typically, the teens break into two boards and select issues the boards will focus on during the 2023-24 school year. As they wrestled with which issues to address this year, it quickly became clear that the recent terror attacks and current war in Israel was a topic of deep concern for both teen boards—so each Board decided to allocate at least one grant to Israeli organizations.

Listening to the Voices of Israel

We must listen. We must listen to the stories of those on the ground in Israel, those immediately affected by the attacks of Hamas. On October 11, Hebrew College’s online event “Voices of Israel — Circle of Sharing and Prayer” gave us this opportunity to listen to the stories of Israelis living through this war. President Rabbi Anisfeld shared a brief kavannah on sacred listening and Hebrew College’s Rosh Tefillah & Artist-in-Residence Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer `14 set the tone by singing niggunim and prayers before and in-between the stories.

Dr. Danielle Rubin, a teacher in Sderot & community organizer in Netivot shared her story.

Playlists for this Moment

We offer this music, recommended by Hebrew College faculty and students, for comfort and healing during this troubled time. If you have a song or playlist to share, please let us know, and we'll share it in an upcoming Koleinu.

Praying for Peace Playlist

Sholem Lider Playlist

Tfila Le Chalom from Yair Dalal’s album "Asmar"

IN THE NEWS

Catch up on recent Hebrew College news and stories, including articles about faculty, students, and alumni who have been recognized for their work and scholarship. Read more...

Share your news with us...

NOVEMBER ORDINATION PROGRAM OPEN HOUSES

Ta Sh'ma (Come & Hear)

We need Jewish spiritual leaders now more than ever. If you or someone you know is considering the rabbinate, please help us spread the word about our upcoming November Open Houses (in-person and virtual).

In Person: Monday, November 13 (special programming) with an option to stay Tuesday, Nov. 14 for regular classes.

Online: Sunday, November 19 from 2-5 p.m.

Learn more & register

FIRST SESSION TONIGHT!

Community Gathering of Connection, Learning & Support Around Israel for Teens & Parents

A community gathering of connection, learning and support around Israel.

Hebrew College is a co-sponsor.

October 19 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Gann Academy

October 24 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Zoom

Learn more & register

An Evening of Yiddish Drinking Songs

Gather in Community with Hebrew College partner Lehrhaus. Taught by Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer `14, Hebrew College Rosh Tefillah and Artist-in-Residence.

October 22 | 8-9 p.m. | Lehrhaus, 425 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143

Learn more & purchase tickets

Before the Beginning: Rabbi Nehemia Polen and Artist Mel Brown in Conversation

Drawing upon early mystical sources, including Sefer Yetzira and Zohar, enter into an exploration of visual, verbal, and musical efforts to depict that which cannot be depicted.

October 23 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Hebrew College

Learn more & RSVP
Visit the "Before the Beginning" art exhibit (through December 14)

Taste of Hebrew College Me'ah Classic
Discover our amazing Hebrew College Me’ah Classic program that provides adults of all backgrounds with a foundation in Jewish culture and civilization.
October 30 | 7-9 p.m. | Zoom
Register

Woman, Rabbi, History Maker: Tracing Religious Leadership Through Life Stories
Celebrating Jewish Women’s Archive's new Oral History Collection with a panel discussion with Hebrew College President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld; Rabbi Claudia Kreiman; Rabbi Shayna Rhodes `08; and Rabbi Margie Klein Ronkin `11. Moderated by Rabbi Tiferet Berenbaum`11.

Co-sponsors: Hebrew College & Jewish Women's Archive
November 1 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Hebrew College

Learn more & register

Building Resilience through Stories: A Special Session for Grandparents
Reflect on our stories and explore Jewish wisdom around the value of storytelling.

November 5 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Lehrhaus, 425 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143

Learn more & register

Information Session: Hebrew College Me’ah Jewish Discovery Tour to Spain

Learn more about Hebrew College’s inaugural 9-day tour exploring Jewish Sepharad in Spain (May 5-14, 2024.) Offered in conjunction with Keshet Educational Journeys.

December 11 | 7-8 p.m. | Hebrew College Register | View trip details

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE HEBREW COLLEGE LIVING LEGACY SOCIETY

Join a dedicated community committed to reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world. Now it’s even easier to support our students, faculty, with planned gift. Join us in endowing the future by becoming a member of Hebrew College's Living Legacy Society.

Please contact advancement@hebrewcollege.edu to learn more.

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