The JCRC advocates for domestic and international policy issues that affect the Colorado Jewish community, represents these views to the Jewish community and to the general community of Colorado, and organizes the Jewish community in times of crisis.

The Boulder JCC, Boulder Chapter of Hadassah, and Congregation Bonai Shalom are included in the 37 member organizations.

This year, the JCRC is honoring Howard and Carol Boigon for their leadership contributions to the Colorado Jewish Community. The Honorable Carol Boigon is a trailblazer for policies affecting children, families and education here in Colorado. A long-time public official, Carol has often been an important voice of the Jewish community and instrumental in educating others about the Jewish perspective on the issues.

Howard Boigon, an attorney, is the immediate past chair of the Colorado chapter of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (“AIPAC”), and is a member of AIPAC’s National Council. He has served on the Israel/ National/Overseas Board of Federation. He also volunteers in many other ways in the Jewish community and also in the public schools.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $50 per person. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact the events department at events@ajfcolorado.org or 303.316.6466. Reservations may also be made online at www.jewishcolorado.org/jcrcluncheon.

By connecting with me, I will provide you a personal introduction to anyone in my extensive network.  I’ve always believed in the ‘pay it forward’ principal in life and practice it daily in all I do. I believe in living life to the fullest and helping others before myself,” says Keith.

This is a hands-on workshop, so bring your laptop if you have one.  Or just come and get some great pointers on expanding your networking contacts.  To rsvp or for more information, contact info@jccnboulder.org or visit www.jccnboulder.org.

Boulder’s Hebrew High teens will be joining Haver and the community at Congregation Bonai Shalom tonight for the Yom HaShoah Service of Commemoration, starting at 7:30 pm.  For more information about the service, please read this earlier BJN post about the event.

Will you be there?  See you tonight!

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Mr. Steve Bigari

The Jewish Business Group (JBG) is proud to present its upcoming breakfast meeting with guest speaker Mr. Steve Bigari. Mr. Bigari is CEO of Stellar Restaurant Solutions, a leading provider of remote ordering services for restaurant take-out and delivery orders.  The meeting will take place on Friday April 27 from 7:30 am – 9:00 am at the SpringHill Suites in Westminster, just two blocks southwest of the Boulder Turnpike on Church Ranch Blvd.

Prior to launching Stellar, Mr. Bigari owned and operated 12 McDonald’s restaurants and served as the innovation chairman at McDonald’s.  Mr. Bigari has also founded America’s Family to provide low-income families with access to capital, financial education, and financial coaching relationships to help move individuals out of working poverty. As a result, he was inducted as an Ashoka Fellow in 2004.

Mr. Ed Rothschild, a local business owner and a regular attendee at the Jewish Business Group. thinks that Mr. Bigari’s message will resonate with many of the JBG attendees.

… people come to the JBG meetings to learn new business techniques and to be motivated in their line of business, and based on Steve’s experience and his upbeat messages I look forward to a very informative presentation,” said Mr. Rothschild.

March Jewish Business Group Meeting

The JBG offers professionals, CEO’s and entrepreneurs an opportunity for business networking, expanding business skills through informative and empowering presentations and Jewish social interaction. The JBG gathers monthly and is open to the entire community regardless of affiliation.

A buffet breakfast is served. $15 to cover. For more information please call 720-984-5805 or email milehighchabad@aol.com or visit www.JewishBusinessGroup.com

Reb Robbie

Are you looking forward to attending Jewish Together – Boulder’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration and performance at Har Hashem but don’t know quite what to expect?

There are two great ways to get a taste of Robbie Gringras before the celebration and show!

Robbie will be interviewed on KGNU on Wednesday, April 25th at 8:35 am (88.5 FM). The interview will be live with an opportunity to call in and ask questions.

You can also read more about Robbie and a brief explanation of his teaching methodology in this internet article: How Do We Talk to Our Children About Israel.

Since I have a young daughter, I found his opinions on how to explain Israel to young children very interesting.

His philosophy can be summed up fairly succinctly by this quote from the article:
“We need our children to be knowledgeable and wise enough to be able to question what they have received, and at the same time we need them connected enough to care.”

In the article, Robbie references carpool conversations that can be downloaded from his web site.  Whether you bike, drive or walk your children to school or Hebrew school, they seem to be thought provoking concepts.  You can try them out here: http://makomisrael.org/educational-material/adult-education/family-programs/

Whether or not you agree with his opinions, his performance is sure to be thought provoking and entertaining!

Details:

What: Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration and Performance by Robbie Gringras

Where: Har Hashem’s South Building 3910 Pinon Drive, Boulder

When: Thursday, April 26 5:30-8:30 pm

Tickets for the performance can be purchased here.

The third Boulder Jewish Community Dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict will take place at the Boulder JCC on Sunday, April 22nd, from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm.   Individuals will participate in a stimulating evening of discussion and reflection.

During the past two years, Beth Ornstein and Yocheved Landsman have been co-facilitating these dialogues for Bonai Shalom, using materials produced by the Public Conversations Project in collaboration with the Jewish Dialogue Group (www.jewishdialogue.org).

Because the Dialogue is designed for small groups, pre-registration is required by April 16th. A light dinner will be provided, and a $15 donation is suggested. To r.s.v.p. or for information, please contact Barbara Trager at  ysewoman@msn.com.

On May 14, 1948, the significant piece of land on the Mediterranean Sea officially became the modern state of Israel, and we want to celebrate diaspora-style.

The Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration evening guarantees to have something for everyone. We begin with food, Israeli dancing, and a moving ceremony organized by Israelis living in Boulder. Then, while the children play gaga and other exciting games, the adults (everyone 13 years of age and up) get to laugh, cry and commiserate over Robbie Gringras’s performance of That’s Why I’m (Still) Here – A celebration of the complexities of life in Israel, through stories and songs.

Robbie’s performance “bridges the Israel-Diaspora connection with empathy and insight” and creates an “unforgettable experience of humour, emotion, and warmth.” Robbie has performed in London’s West End, Australia and Hong Kong in addition to performances all over the US and will be available after the show to answer questions.

Details:
• Thursday, April 26, 2012
• Har Hashem’s South Building – 3910 Pinon Drive, Boulder
(accessible by driving the length of the Baseline Road parking lot into the next parking lot)
• 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Free Celebration for Families
• 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Performance for adults 13 and up, programming for children 5-12 provided at no charge
• Tickets for the performance $8 in advance, $10 at the door can be purchased at www.boulderjcc.org.

This event is brought to you by Jewish Together – Boulder, a collaborative effort of the Boulder synagogues and the Boulder JCC.