The Boulder community is invited to gather with us at 9 PM at the Boulder Integral Center, at 2805 Broadway (Broadway and Balsam), for an event that will commence with a spirited evening prayer and havdallah led by Rabbi Debra Rappaport. Then a panel with Rabbis Rose, Goldfeder, Soloway, Korngold, and Rappaport on the theme: Heart or Mind: Where does the Torah Journey Begin?

Here is the rest of the schedule:

• 11:30 PM – Community Kavannah
• 11:45 PM – 12:30 AM -  Shavuot and the art of wakefulness – with Rabbi Debra Rappaport of B’nai Veil Congregation
• 12:30 – Community Kavannah
• 12:45 AM – 1:30 AM Yoga with Shifra Blumenthal OR Directing the Heart, Focusing the mind – The Art of kavanah With Rabbi Marc Soloway
• 1:30 – Community Kavannah
• 1:45 AM – 2:30 AM – The Whole Way: Heart, Mind and Body in Prayer With Rabbi Josh Rose
• 2:30 – Community Kavannah
• 2:45 AM -3:30 AM – The Mishkan: Heart, Mind, and the Holy of Holies with Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder
• 3:30 – Community Kavannah
• 3:45 AM -4:45 AM – Live Chavruta – Rabbis Josh Rose and Gavriel Goldfeder lead an interactive encounter with the Torah of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
• 5 AM – Shacharit at Aish Kodesh 1805 Balsam Ave

RSVPs are not required.

A fresh look at who were the real ‘machers’ and shakers at Mount Sinai?  Was it the men or the women?

Saturday, May 26, 5:30 pm.   Join us for a unique women’s gathering of scholarly, social and soulful delight.  Enjoy a light dairy meal while gaining insight into the spiritual meaning of the “Ten Commandments”.  This class will be facilitated by Chany Scheiner and is open to women in the Boulder Jewish Community.  The event is free but requires rsvping by simply emailing chabadofboulder@gmail.com or calling 303 494 1638.

Delicious Kebabs from last years BBQ.

On Lag Baomer communities across the world, gather to celebrate the life of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the father of KABBALAH.  Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was a famous first century Tannaic sage, and the author of the famed Zohar, the chief work of the Kabbalah.  Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai requested that all people inspired by his teachings, come together in unity and celebration on his day of passing.

Chabad of Boulder invites YOU to join us THIS Thursday evening, 5:30 pm for a delicious FEAST of BBQ fare, consisting of sizzling shish kebabs, succulent burgers, assortment of salads, and a celebration of unity — culminating, from 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm, with Teachings and special nigguns of the revered Kabbalist.  This celebration will be held at 4900 Sioux Drive.  The cost for BBQ dinner is $12 for adults, and $6 for children.  Please RSVP to chabadofboulder@gmail.com.

l-r: Jonathan Lev, Shari Edelstein and Larry Cohn

Boulder’s community Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration of Israel’s Independence Day was a big success Thursday night, drawing over a hundred adults and children to Congregation Har HaShem’s south building.

l-r: Rabbi Marc Soloway, Rabbi Deborah Bronstein, Rabbis Nadya and Victor Gross

The event, a collaboration organized by Jewish Together -Boulder and including 18 Pomegranates, featured Israeli food, games and crafts for kids of all ages, a GaGa pit, all before a candle-lighting ceremony, singing and prayers, and finally a performance by Robbie Gringras.  The crowd featured many Israeli families, a lot of conversational Hebrew, and perhaps a record number of Boulder rabbis in one place at one time.

Leah Boonin leading Boulder JCC Preschool kids.

The ceremony featured Boulder JCC Preschool kids singing a song, followed by the traditional menorah lighting symbolizing the various faces of Israel and the Jewish community.  The candle lighters represented Kehilath Aish Kodesh, Congregation Beth Ami, Congregation Bonai Shalom, past and present IDF soldiers, Congregation Har HaShem, Congregation Nevei Kodesh and Congregation Pardes Levavot.  Hanan Nayberg, Director of CU Hillel, read a prayer for the State of Israel, and Holli Berman, Cantorial Soloist of Har HaShem, wrapped up the ceremony by leading the assembled crowd in Hatikva.

Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Here are more pictures of the event:

A British-born Oxford University graduate, Gringras is a writer, actor, singer and storyteller who lives on Kibbutz Tuval with his family. He tours the world with his shows, expressing his passion for the land of Israel through theater and music.

On Thursday, Robbie Gringras comes to Har HaShem for a unique Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration that includes a performance of “Why I’m (Still) Here,” underwritten by 18 Pomegranates and sponsored by Jewish-Together Boulder (JT Boulder), a new organization made up of area congregations and the Boulder JCC. The Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration, which begins with Israeli dancing and family activities, is the first collaborative program produced by JT Boulder.

Shari Edelstein, director of 18 Pomegranates, has recruited a group of young Israeli families to help plan a celebration for all ages preceding the performance. During the show, which is suitable for teenagers and adults, there will be supervised activities for children 12 and under. There will be an outdoor gaga pit and falafel will be for sale.

“Why I’m (Still) Here” is a series of stories chronicling Gringras’ adjustment to Israel and the significance of his decision to live in the Jewish homeland. His performance provides personal insights into Israel and what it means to live there. “In the end aliyah isn’t about arriving,” he says. “It’s about staying.”

Gringras is also the chief editor and artist in residence of the online network, Makom (translated as “place” and another name for G-d). Its goal is to support the effort to restore and preserve Israel’s important role in Jewish life. The site includes a popular and active book club, which Gringras created with musician Kobi Oz.

When asked about the message of his shows, Gringras says he doesn’t believe in messages.

It is my belief that good art (and good education) is about setting fire to important questions, and not giving self-important answers. I also believe that good art allows for an audience to assume and to interpret many different messages. The fun of art is that many people can draw from it so many different things.”

One of the main goals is to provoke the audiences into thinking deeply about their connection to Judaism and Israel. Gringras describes himself as, “an educator trying to build intimate and emotional connections to modern Israel. American Jews are having a difficult time coming to grips with the gritty reality. We have to get up close and personal with contemporary Israel.”

The free Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration begins at 5:30 pm in Har HaShem’s south building, 3950 Baseline Road, concluding with a ceremony at 6:30. Falafel will be available for purchase. Tickets to the 7:00 pm performance of  ”Why I’m (Still) Here” are $8 online or $10 at the door. To register: https://boulderjcc.wufoo.com/forms/menorah-why-iam-still-here/

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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When asked about her inspiration for the song, Florence replied, “I was still ecstatic over a great Purim and almost forgot that Passover was fast approaching.  I thought to myself, what is my favorite part of this festive holiday?  Dinner with family?  Four glasses of wine? No!  Actually, I love not eating any bread products for a whole week! Then before I knew it, the song was written and we were producing the music video.”

Florence and the Meshugenahs are currently planning a summer tour with Guns N’ Rose-nzweig as well as a few guest appearances by Channukah Harry!

Check out their YouTube video here:

Shabbat Shelanu is open to the community and there is no cost to attend. Families, friends, visiting relatives, and siblings of all ages are welcome!

The dates for spring 2012 are:
April 14th & 28th
May 12th & 26th
June 9th & 23rd

Bonai Shalom is located at 1527 Cherryvale Road, just south of Arapahoe.

If you have any questions, please email shelanu@bonaishalom.org