The Program and Social Action Committees were honored to host Professor Marc Dollinger as a speaker July 1, 2021. A video of his lecture, “Jews and the Civil Rights Movement,” is now available:
Adults
Torah Study
We have Torah study almost every Shabbat morning, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., in Congregation Beth Israel’s Beit Midrash.В Torah study is different every time; it can be fun, challenging, instructive, personal to the participants, inspirational, infuriating, confusing or enlightening. We welcome everyone’s participation.
Author Interview/Q&A
Author Jonathan Ned Katz talks about his newly released book (May 18, 2021), The Daring Life and Dangerous Times of Eve Adams. Congregant and Katz’s longtime friend, Emily Weiner, interviews Jonathan and moderates a Q&A (watch above). Historian Katz uncovers the until-now forgotten story of radical lesbian Eve Adams and her long-lost book Lesbian Love, which led to her arrest, deportation and eventual murder by the Nazis at Auschwitz.
To purchase The Daring Life and Dangerous Times of Eve Adams from Village Books (and simultaneously support Congregation Beth Israel’s education program), click here.
This CBI Programming Committee event is co-sponsored by Village Books and two units of Western Washington University: Western Libraries’ Heritage Resources and The Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity.
Author/Poetry Reading
CBI congregantВ Richard Widerkehr reads from and discusses his latest collection of poetry, “At the Grace Cafe,” on May 10, 2021. His new book of poems is available at Village Books.
“Widerkehr’s writing has been described as having: a freshness and ease of manner . . . and at times a kind of other worldly aura, ‘that strange gift from the other side’ ” (Gayle Kaune, author of “All the Birds Awake”)
Women Of the Wall
Sunday, April 4 at 10 a.m. Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center, spoke with Congregation Beth Israel via Zoom about the fight for gender equality in Israeli society. Hoffman founded and has led the advocacy organization Women of the Wall for the past three decades. Her talk to CBI is titled, “The Cracks in the Wall Let the Light In: The Battle for Equal Rights at the Western Wall.” For more information about Anat Hoffman and her work, see the front page article in the March/April Shul Shofar.
Watch a recording of the April 4, 2021 event here:
Biennial
Join with thousands of Jews from across North America and around the world to learn, pray, share ideas, dance and sing, hear from inspiring speakers and the leaders of our Movement; reunite with old friends, create new connections, and make decisions about the policies of the Reform Movement.
URJ Biennial 2019 is over, but you can still view videos of the experience — 5,000 Jews from across North America and around the world gathered to learn, pray, share ideas, dance and sing, heard from inspiring speakers and the leaders of our Movement; reunited with old friends, created new connections, and made decisions about the policies of the Reform Movement.
Make sure to watch the Friday morning plenary session where the URJ and the RAC launched our 2020 Civic Engagement Campaign and vote on social justice resolutions, including one on reparations for U.S. slavery and ongoing racism.
Make plans toВ В join us at the next URJ Biennial, December 8-11, 2021 in Washington D.C. (National Harbor)!
Reform response to Jan. 6
Reform Jewish Leaders on Capitol Insurrection and White Supremacy (click image):
Central Conference of American Rabbis Statement condemning assaults on American Democracy (click image):
Panel Discussion
View a recording of CBI’s panel discussion, “Exploring Jewish topics in They Ain’t Ready For Me,” a documentary film:
Caring For Our Members
Beth Israel’s Care Committee, in the spirit of Bikur Cholim, coordinates assistance and support for members experiencing illness/incapacity, loss, or major life changes. It is co-chaired by Else Sokol and Harriet Markell. В Contact the synagogue office for more information.
Interfaith Family Resources
ForВ over 30 years, Reform JudaismВ been committedВ to welcoming interfaith couples into our community. Interfaith issues impact entire families. Grandparents, parents and children all face challenges posed by differing religions and cultures. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. We are here to serve as a resource for you and your extended family. Learn more about Interfaith Family Resources.
Becoming a Jew
Please contact the Rabbi directly if you are interested in the process of becoming Jewish. Rabbi Samuels is constantly guiding individuals on this journey and will make sure to assist you on this sacred path.
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