Congregation Har HaShem is excited to announce that U.S. Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet will join nationally recognized journalist and blogger Jeffrey Goldberg and Congressman Jared Polis on Sunday, May 20th at 10:30 am for a presentation on U.S.-Israel foreign policy.

Jeffrey Goldberg is national correspondent for Atlantic Magazine and columnist for Bloomberg. A leading expert on Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism, he will be joined by U.S. Congressman Jared Polis and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to address “A Coming Conflict or a War of Words? Israel, Obama and Iran’s Nuclear Program.”

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear about foreign policy from national experts in Boulder! A suggested donation is $10 to help build the Congregation Har HaShem Scholar in Residence Fund. For information, contact (303) 499-7077. RSVP online HERE.

Ruth Messinger

The unbelievable experience that I had last summer in Ghana as part of a rabbinic delegation with American Jewish World Service  (AJWS) already feels so long ago, yet I will never forget those ten days living in an amazing community worlds away. The trip opened my eyes to a much bigger world and challenged me to think how far my circle of obligation extends.

The visionary behind this remarkable organization and its president is Ruth Messinger, who spent a few powerful days with us in the small, desperately poor fishing village called Sankor in Ghana. We have the privilege of hosting her here in Boulder in the second weekend of June.

Congregations Bonai Shalom and Nevei Kodesh are co-hosting a Friday night program at Bonai Shalom with Ruth Messinger and she will also be speaking during services on Shabbat morning.

On Friday, June 8 during Friday night services, starting at 6:00 pm, Ruth will give a short D’var Torah  followed at 7:00 pm when Ruth will be talking about “Fighting Hunger in a World of Plenty: A Grassroots Approach”, an opportunity to learn about the politics behind the global hunger crisis. Speaking from her own experiences in the developing world, Ruth will propose how American Jews can influence our government to address the root causes of hunger and poverty, and put an end to the world’s growing hunger problem from the ground up. Reservations are required for this dinner and we expect to sell out.

After dinner, at approximately 8:00 pm, there will be a talk open to everyone, “Jews as Global Citizens: Our Responsibility in the World.” This will be a lecture followed by a Q&A. Ruth will discuss the role of “Jews as Global Citizens.” Sharing the words of dedicated Jews from communities across the United States — college and rabbinical students, community leaders and skilled professionals — Ruth will tell of the enormous transformative impact volunteering and advocacy can make in the modern era. By embracing our obligation to assist all people in need, regardless of race, religion or nationality, we have the capacity to ensure social justice for coming generations. As Jews who take seriously our role as global citizens, we will contribute to tikkun olam, the fixing of the world.

Shabbat morning services begin at 9:30 am on Saturday, June 9th and Ruth will be giving the sermon at approximately 11:30 am.

Dinner Reservations: $15 per adult, $12 per child (under 12 years old), $50 maximum per family. Reservations for dinner must be made in advance by Wednesday, June 6th. To make reservations please email info@bonaishalom.org. No reservations required for other events and services

We hope you will join us for what promises to be an extraordinary and inspiring Shabbat with our special guest.

Jeffrey Goldberg, Har Hashem Scholar-in-Residence May 18th and May 20th.

Congregation Har HaShem, Boulder’s Reform Jewish congregation, will host nationally recognized journalist and blogger Jeffrey Goldberg for two presentations on Israel as Scholar in Residence May 18th and May 20th.

“It is not every day that a journalist of national prominence comes to Boulder to talk about some of the most important issues facing American Jewry and Israel,” said Congregation Har HaShem Senior Rabbi Joshua Rose.

Jeffrey Goldberg is national correspondent for Atlantic Magazine and columnist for Bloomberg. A leading expert on Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism, Goldberg is well known for his appearances on shows such as the Colbert Report, Meet the Press and NPR. He has been named twice to the “Forward 50” and is a recipient of the National Magazine Award for Reporting. He was named by a Columbia Journalism Review editor as the most influential journalist/blogger on matters related to Israel. In addition to his writing and speaking about Israel, Jeffrey Goldberg was one of four writers invited to write commentaries in Jonathan Safran Foer’s and Nathan Englander’s newly released New American Haggadah.

I started reading Jeffrey Goldberg’s work because I was tired of the black and white simplicity of the debate on Israel. His writing and thinking recognizes the complexity of Israel’s situation in a way that so much writing from the left and from the right does not. It is so important that Jewish discourse about Israel avoid naiveté and complacency. It was refreshing to have a journalist challenge conventional wisdom in such an interesting way,” said Rabbi Rose.

On Friday, May 18th at 6:00 pm, a special dinner and presentation, “Do American Jews Still Care about Israel,” will follow Shabbat services at Congregation Har HaShem, 3950 Baseline Road in Boulder. Mr. Goldberg will discuss changes in the American Jewish attitude toward Israel, challenge conventional wisdom about the meaning of these changes, and reflect on the implications of the new American Jewish relationship for Israel’s future. He will be joined for part of the discussion by Rabbi Rose.

On Sunday, May 20th at 10:30 am, Jeffrey Goldberg will be joined by Congressman Jared Polis to address “A Coming Conflict or a War of Words? Israel, Obama and Iran’s Nuclear Program.” The situation between Israel and Iran is one of the most potent in Israel’s history. Jeffrey Goldberg’s access at the highest levels of the Israeli and American governments have made him a go-to source for understanding this tricky three-way relationship. The language from Netanyahu has been bellicose, Iran’s tone dangerous, and the stakes enormously high. In addition to its potential danger to the Jewish state, the Iran situation poses difficult challenges for the United States as it navigates the complex challenges of how to use its power in the region, and how to navigate its changing relationship with Israel.

RSVPs are required for both events. Seating is limited for May 18th dinner. The cost is $12. Kids 13 and older are encouraged to attend. RSVP online at www.harhashem.org. Suggested donation for May 20th is $10 which will help build the Scholar-in-Residence Fund. For information, contact (303) 499-7077.

The May workshop, “The Middle East: Myths and Realities,” will give an in-depth background of the compelling history of the Middle East and an understanding of the political and social dynamics of the area. It will help attendees make sense of the troubling issues facing the region today. Our featured presenter is Patrick D’Silva, Arabic and Islamic History Instructor at the University of Colorado, from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. After lunch, we will be joined by Jennifer Klein of Principled Learning Strategies is a curriculum specialist and will offer teaching materials and tips to middle & high school teachers. It’s suitable not only for those actively teaching about the Middle East, but for anyone interested in learning more about this significant area of the world.

The day-long workshop will be preceded by an introductory Friday evening talk, “The Middle East: Understanding the Crisis of Religion and Politics,” conducted by Dr. Nader Hashemi, Assistant Professor of Middle East and Islamic Politics, University of Denver.

The Boulder-Nablus Sister City Project is co-sponsoring the workshop series in conjunction with the CU Center for Asian Studies.

Any questions should be directed to Essrea Cherin or Guy Benintendi.

Dr. Zilla Goodman

Dr. Zilla Goodman, of the CU Center of Jewish Studies, is speaking at Congregation Bonai Shalom on Friday, May 4th, 2012.  Dr. Goodman will explore what is often neglected in discussions about the relationships between Arabs/Palestinians and Jews in Israel — the common cultural ground that may provide some opening for contacts between these two groups. While early Zionist thinkers suggested some ways to think about this, today, especially in the person of Israeli poet/author/activist Almog Behar, these ideas are finding a fresh new voice. This talk will address the historical attempts at cultural unity, focus on Behar’s contemporary thinking, and then open for a community discussion about the viability and usefulness of this novel approach to fostering contact between the two groups.

Dr. Goodman was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and grew up there and in Ramat Gan, Israel. She received her doctorate in modern Hebrew literature from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She has published articles on Hebrew and Jewish literature and culture and has taught Hebrew and Jewish studies at a number of universities in the United States and abroad. At present, she teaches at the University of Colorado where she is a member of the Executive Committee in the Center for Jewish Studies.

Services begin at 6:00 pm, dinner at 7:00 pm. Reservations for this dinner must be made in advance to info@bonaishalom.org. Dinner is $15 per adult, $12 per child (under 13 years old), $50 maximum per family.

Rabbis Richard Rheins (Temple Sinai) and Salomon Gruenwald (HEA), together with Professor Caryn Aviv (University of Colorado and Judaism Your Way) and Yona Eshkanazi (Stand With Us) will discuss diverse approaches to supporting Israel in the 21st Century.

Former Denver Post Columnist, Mike Littwin will serve as moderator, and Rabbi Bruce Dollin (HEA) will open the program with an overview of the issues involved. No charge. For additional information call J Street Colorado at 303-748-4815.

The film Gevald! will be shown at CU's Atlas 100 Wednesday, April 25 at 7PM

Join CU’s Program in Jewish Studies and Hillel in CU Boulder’s ATLAS Center 100 for the last film in our Seeing Israel Film series, “Gevald!” on Wednesday, April 25 at 7:00 pm.  This is the first film in the trilogy by directors Ron Ofer and Yohai Hakak, which includes “The Rabbi’s Wife & The Midwife” and “Religion(dot)com“.  The series examines the distinct challenges of the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community living in the modern State of Israel.

As a child, Shmuel-Haim Pappenhym would cover his eyes during Independence Day fireworks so as not to participate in Zionist celebrations. Today, he organizes mass demonstrations against the State and is the editor of an influential magazine of the Jewish extreme sect known for not recognizing the State of Israel. In contrast, Ultra-Orthodox parliament member, Rabbi Avraham Ravitz, served in the Israeli Army, and has been involved in mainstream politics for many years. Ravitz danced in the streets on Israel`s first Independence Day yet secular modern-day Israel makes him want to cry.

As national Election Day approaches, Ravitz anxiously tallies his party`s projected parliament seats. Conversely, Pappenhym rallies in the number of voter abstentions. For Pappenhym, participation in Zionist elections is a grave sin. Pappenhym organizes demonstrations, where the announcer boldly declares, “Zionists are not Jews,” to the audience`s overpowering response; “Gevald!” (Disaster!).

Caryn Aviv, Senior Instructor in Secular Jewish Society & Civilization, will lead a post-film discussion that will explore some of the challenges addressed in the film including the role of religion in Israeli politics, women’s rights, and freedom of speech.

This event is free and open to the public but RSVPs to Nicholas.Underwood@colorado.edu are appreciated.  Additional information can be found on our website jewishstudies.colorado.edu or by calling 303.492.7143.

The has been made possible by generous donors to CU’s Hillel, the Program in Jewish Studies and the Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project, directed by the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS).  Support for the Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project is generously provided by Legacy Heritage Fund Limited.

Carol Zemel, Professor of Art History and Visual Culture at York University will present Critical Israel at CU Monday, April 16 at 7:00 pm.

Israel is a dynamic, complex, and challenging country to understand. The University of Colorado Boulder’s Hillel and the Program in Jewish Studies continue their Seeing Israel series with a look at the intersection of visual art, politics and social justice. The Seeing Israel series events are free and open to the public but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP to Nicholas.Underwood@colorado.edu or call 303.492.7143. Additional information can be found at jewishstudies.colorado.edu.

In its early days, Israeli art was largely described as utopian. Today, artists in Israel wrestle with critical social and political issues. Join us on Monday, April 16 at 7:00 pm for Critical Israel: Art by Yael Bartana and Roee Rosen on the CU Boulder Campus in University Memorial Center Room 235 for an evening with art historian, Carol Zemel who will focus on the acclaimed video installations Polish Trilogy…and Europe will be stunned by Yael Bartana, and Confessions of Roee Rosen by Roee Rosen. Her presentation will focus on questions of loss, rights of return, and conflicts of national identity raised by these two works by Israeli artists. Finally, she will also discuss the presentation of these artistic pieces and their meanings outside Israel for diasporic audiences.

Zemel is professor of Art History and Visual Culture at York University in Toronto. Her areas of research and publication include 19^th and 20^th century European art, the modern art market, feminism in the arts, Jewish visual culture and diaspora studies. She is an authority on the work of Vincent Van Gogh as well as the co-founder and co-director of Project Mosaica, a web-based exploration of Jewish cultural expression in the arts. Indiana University Press will publish her new book, “Looking Jewish: Visual Culture and Modern Diaspora” in late 2012. She is currently completing two books: Art in Dark Times, a study of images made by prisoners during the Holocaust, and “Right After: Chaos and Culture After World War II.”

These events have been made possible by generous donors to CU’s Hillel, the Program in Jewish Studies and the Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project, directed by the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS). Support for the Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project is generously provided by Legacy Heritage Fund Limited.