Educators, parents, rabbis and guests gathered at the Boulder JCC on Sunday afternoon for 18 Pomegranates Foundation’s second “Chidush Reception” of 2010 (some of you may remember the Bible Raps program in the spring – click here for video).

Educators spent the afternoon in workshops with Nachama Skolnik Moskowitz, Senior Director and Director of Curriculum Resources for the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland.  She also provided the keynote address at the reception, “The Space Between the Silos: Nurturing the Jewish Ecosystem.”  Using the metaphor of the ecosystem, she challenged us to build community between the silos of our usual operations, and to develop diverse ways to connect and expand our Jewish web.

Leah Boonin was honored with this year’s Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for the local community. Katherine Schwartz and Caroline Saliman presented the honor and were joined by Rabbi Josh Rose of Congregation Har HaShem and Susie Valdez, Director of the Boulder JCC Preschool.

Finally, the event celebrated the publication of “A Taste of Chidush,” a collection of lesson plans that have been developed by Boulder Jewish educators over the years. Compiled and edited by Carol “Chaz” Chazdon and Alice Gansfield, the workbook-style guide spans a spectrum of student ages, holidays and skill levels, and is a wonderful gift to the community.

Enjoy the photos!