Mark Megibow, newly named Director of the J-Teen Program

The Boulder JCC is thrilled to announce that Mark Megibow will succeed Phil Rubinstein as the J-Teen Director. Phil is moving to Los Angeles to prepare for rabbinical school, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

Mark Megibow has devoted the last 12 years of his life to serving and mentoring the teens of Boulder County, with a focus on Jewish organizations such as BBYO, CAJE’s Hebrew High, and now Boulder JCC’s J-Teen program. Through these organizations, Mark has helped hundreds of students build their life skills, relationships, and leadership. Part of his personal mission in life is to help high school teens figure out who they are, what they stand for, and how to be their best selves. In addition to his work with Jewish teens, Mark is also the founder of The Boulder Loft, which opened at Twenty Ninth Street Mall in 2010 as a combination dance club, cafe, and “sports bar” for high school teens of Boulder County.

Mark shares:

I am excited to work with the J-Teen members and help them continue to build this program into the most awesome thing it can be for Jewish teens in our community. Phil and the council have created an awesome program over the last few years. It is an honor to continue this incredible work. I’m looking forward to discovering what we can accomplish together.”

Jonathan Lev, Executive Director of the Boulder JCC, feels that hiring Mark is a great win for the community:

Mark’s great rapport with teens, connections in Boulder and the Jewish community and his strong mentorship background, make him a great fit for this position. I am excited to work with Mark as we continue to build out our teen program this year and into the future.”

Mark started work at the Boulder JCC on Monday. We hope you will join the board and staff of the JCC by welcoming Mark back to our community.

Michael Rosenzweig

The Boulder JCC recently received a grant from Roots and Branches, an initiative of Rose Community Foundation. The purpose of this grant is to create a lighthearted, innovative, friendly network of young Jews in Boulder who are interested in, and excited about, programming for the young, Jewish Boulder crowd. How are we going to do this, you might ask?

The way we plan on accomplishing this is for me to personally have conversations with 100 different people in this demographic. The goal of these conversations is to gather information about what people are truly looking for with regards to young adult programming within Boulder County. After speaking with outreach specialists, what I’ve learned is the best way to dive into such a broad topic is to have 1-on-1 conversations, to get to the core of what drives and inspires you. At the end of this project, I will develop a network map of Jewish Boulder, and with that knowledge, create a leadership team to plan a year’s worth of events that people are interested in and excited about.

I began working at the Boulder JCC this summer, and immediately fell in love with Boulder, and the vibrant Jewish community here. Having lived all over the country and holding jobs in numerous industries, I already feel like Boulder is home. On top of Boulder’s vivacious culture and all of the outdoor activities here, Jewish life is energetic, adaptive, and welcoming to all .
So now that you know a little bit about this project and me, here’s where you come in: if you are a Boulder Jew between the ages of 25-35, give me a shout. I would love to take you out for coffee and talk about where you came from, where you are headed, and what you are looking for in terms of programming for young, Jewish Boulder. If you know someone that fits this age group, feel free to send them my information or shoot me a line with theirs.

I look forward to better getting to know those of you whom I already know, meeting more amazing young Jews here, and ensuring that young adult programming in Boulder is relevant, stimulating, and well attended for years to come! Follow along with this project as I’ll be blogging weekly about these conversations, right here on the Boulder Jewish News.

If you will it, it is no dream.”  Theodore Herzl

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Professor David Shneer , Director and Jamie Polliard, Assistant Director.

Professor David Shneer, Director of the Program in Jewish Studies, invoked Herzl’s famous quote as he presided over the Program’s inaugural degree granting ceremony in the Board Room of Old Main on the University of Colorado’s Boulder campus today.

He recounted the four-year journey of the program from certificate to major, and thanked everyone who had made it possible, from the students to the faculty to the family and community that supported him and the program over the years.

Certificates in Jewish Studies were granted to: Corey Rachel Jaffe and Emilia H. Levin (Winter, 2011); Ren Thomas Scherling, Zachary Joseph Siegel, Evan Francine Taksar, Veronica Lee Victor and Meghan Elizabeth Zibby.

2012 Majors in Jewish Studies: Rachel Ariella Allen, Carly Richelle Coons and Irene Deborah Skupsky.

2012 Minors in Jewish Studies: David Alexander Feldman, Miraim Arielle Olin and Rebecca Jo Tosenberg.

From left to right Evan Taksar (certificate in Jewish Studies) Becky Rosenberg (Minor in Jewish Studies) Carly Coons (Major in Jewish Studies) Stephanie Echer (2012 Graduate and Intern in Jewish Studies for BCAP) Irene Skupsky (Major in Jewish Studies) Rachel Allen (Major in Jewish Studies)

Beginning this year on Wednesday evening and continuing through Thursday, the festivities are in keeping with Bar Yochai’s instruction to celebrate the day as heralding the dissemination of the Torah’s esoteric teachings. One of the preeminent students of Rabbi Akiva, Bar Yochai authored the Kabbalistic source text known as the Zohar.

In Westminster Rabbi Benjy and Leah Brackman, co-directors of Chabad of NW Metro Denver, are getting ready for some golf and go karts. On Thursday afternoon May 10, they’ll be heading to Adventure Golf and Raceway in Westminster for a community Lag B’Omer barbeque and other outdoor activities.

They’ll be cooking up the usual fare – hot dogs, chicken wings and hamburgers – for the community, and will also be giving away Mother’s Day gifts to those who register ahead of the event.

Unlike other holidays, which have various ritual requirements, Lag B’Omer’s main focus is gathering Jews, especially children, for a day of pride and togetherness, explained Rabbi Benjy Brackman. “They’re just being Jewish, that may be the point. Just being Jewish, and being proud: That’s a big part of what Lag B’Omer is.”

After nearly a decade of Lag B’Omer events, including a bike ride last year, Brackman said he’s excited to try out the spot, which he has been driving by every day for years.

“It’s totally new venue for our programs,” he said. “We hope to engage people who perhaps would not be coming to a Torah class or Sabbath morning services.”

WHERE: Adventure Golf and Raceway – 9650 Sheridan Blvd Westminster, CO 80031

WHEN: Thursday May 10, 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm

COST: $10 per person – (covers bbq, a round of mini golf and go karts) $45 family maximum

RSVP @ www.COJewish.com or call 303.429.5177

Story was originally filed on Chabad.org by Karen Schwartz

Click on the image to read the full article

The meeting will take place at the SpringHill Suites in Westminster 6845 W. 103rd Ave (SW corner of the Boulder Turnpike and Church Ranch Blvd.).

Mr. Bigari will share his entrepreneur experiences and reflect on chapters of his book “The Box You Got” including, You Must be Present to Win and You Can’t Take No for an Answer.

A delicious hot breakfast will be served along with bagels and spreads and fresh coffee.

Feel free to bring a colleague or associate to the meeting.

There is a $15 cover fee at the door.

Schedule
7:30 am – 8:05 am – buffet breakfast
8:05 am – 9:00 am – presentation

Please RSVP at your earliest convenience, by visiting  www.JewishBusinessGroup.com or by emailing info@JewishBusinessGroup.com.

L to R - Jenna Monaster, Wendy Aronson, Jonathan Lev, and Sarah Indyk celebrate the receipt of two grants from the Rose Community Foundation's 2011-2012 Roots and Branches cohort

Together, on April 2nd, at the Grant Hall at Four Mile Historic Park in Denver, the recipients of the grants and the fellows joined together to celebrate and share in the honor of both giving and receiving these grants. More than fifty members of the Jewish community were there including Rabbis, educators, JCC professionals, and the eighteen members of the Roots and Branches 2011-2012 cohort, which included one member from Boulder, CO, Jenna Monaster.

The big recipients of the night were the Boulder JCC and Limmud Colorado who received funding in both of the defined priority areas: Engaging Families with Children ages 5-13 in Jewish Life and Jewish Community and Engaging Jewish Adults in their 20s and 30s in Jewish Community. According to Sarah Indyk, Jewish Life Initiatives Manager at Rose Community Foundation, this is the first year that any agency has ever received funding in both categories from Roots and Branches.

The first of the Boulder JCC’s grants will enable the JCC to engage young families in Louisville and Superior through a series of outreach events at the summer Louisville Street Fair as well as through starting a Jewish story time at the Louisville Public library and donating 100 PJ Library books (Jewish themed books) for general circulation.

The second grant to the Boulder JCC provides the catalyst for the Community Concierge, Michael Rosenzweig, to have 100 conversations with individuals in their 20s and 30s in the community. The goals of these conversations are to develop a community networking map, learn from this group of individuals, and create a group of organizers to inspire participation. In addition, Michael will be posting weekly on the Boulder Jewish News about these meetings!

In addition, Boulder-based Soul Food, all you can eat for your inner Heeb, received a grant to run a series of radical cultural events and conversations to stimulate dialog for those in search of authentic Jewish identity. Soul Food is an organization led by Orthodox Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder of Kehillah Aish Kodesh and Reform Rabbi Josh Rose of Congregation Har Hashem.

The Rose Community Foundation’s Roots and Branches program provides an incredible opportunity to participate in a group experience that focuses on philanthropy, grant making, and foundations. They are currently accepting applications for next year’s cohort.

To learn more or apply, contact Sarah Indyk, sindyk@rcfdenver.org. Next year, maybe more than one Boulderite participates in this amazing and transformative experience.

Mary Ellen Steele, Robyn Fernandez, Principal, Dr. Bruce Messinger, BVSD Superindent with No Place For Hate Banner at Manhattan Middle School, BVSD.

Denver, April 12, 2012: The Mountain States Office of the Anti-Defamation League designated forty-five schools from across Colorado as No Place for Hate® after the schools completed a year-long effort to create equitable, safe and respectful environments.  Schools from Denver, Aurora, Boulder, Fort Collins, Nederland, Greeley, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, and Durango attended the designation ceremony in Aurora on April 11.

It takes hard work to create an inclusive and respectful school community.  “You just don’t open the window of your school and all the hate leaves,” said Manhattan Middle School principal Robyn Fernandez. “You have to be intentional and persistent in changing the culture of your school.”  ADL honored Boulder’s Manhattan Middle School and Academy District 20’s Pine Creek High School with the Positive Impact! Award for their five-year commitment to the No Place for Hate® campaign.

Jamie Van Leeuwen, Governor Hickenloooper’s Senior Advisor and Director of Community Partnerships, read a proclamation from the Governor declaring April 11, 2012, “No Place for Hate® Day” in Colorado.

Bruce Caughey, Executive Director of the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), shared personal stories of challenges he experienced in his youth as it related to name-calling and bullying.  He stressed the importance for administrators, teachers and faculty to take the time to create welcoming and safe climates on their campuses.

Teachers, administrators and ADL volunteers gathered at Aurora Public Schools Professional Learning Conference Center to celebrate achieving their goal of being designated No Place for Hate®.  ADL presented each school with a designation banner to display in a prominent place.

The Mountain States Office of the Anti-Defamation League has offered the No Place for Hate® initiative to schools since 2007.  This year’s program reached 41,000 students across Colorado.

The following schools earned banners recognizing their efforts in 2011-2012 No Place for Hate® campaign (Boulder Valley Schools are highlighted in bold):

• Adventure Elementary at Western Hills (Mapleton)
• Aurora Frontier K-8 (Aurora)
• Aurora Hills Middle (Aurora)
• Berthoud High School (Thompson R2J)
• Bill Reed Middle School (Thompson R2J)
• Boulder High School (Boulder Valley)
• Catalyst High School (Boulder Valley)
• Centennial Elementary School (Greeley-Evans 6)
• Century Elementary (Aurora)
• Cherry Creek High School (Cherry Creek District 5)
• Columbia Middle School (Aurora)
• Conrad Ball Middle School (Thompson R2J)
• Cottonwood Plains Elementary (Thompson R2J)
• Dalton Elementary School (Aurora)
• Denver School of the Arts (Denver)
• Durango High School (Durango 9-R)
• East High School (Denver)
• Escalante Middle School (Durango 9-R)
• Ferguson High School (Thompson R2J)
• Franklin Middle School (Weld County SD 6)
• Gateway High School (Aurora)
• Grandview High School (Cherry Creek District 5)
• Greeley West High School (Weld County SD 6)
• Iowa Elementary School (Aurora)
• Isaac Newton Middle School (Littleton)
• Lincoln Elementary School (Thompson R2J)
• Lucile Erwin Middle School (Thompson R2J)
• Manhattan Middle School (Boulder Valley)
• Miller Middle School (Durango 9-R)
• Monarch K-8 (Boulder Valley)
• Murphy Creek K-8 (Aurora)
• Nederland Middle/High School (Boulder Valley)
• Nevin Platt Middle School (Boulder Valley)
• North Middle School Health Sciences (Aurora)
• Paris Elementary School (Aurora)
• Pine Creek High School (Academy District 20)
• Prairie View High School (Brighton 27J)
• Rampart High School (Academy District 20)
• Rangeview High School (Aurora)
• Sarah Milner Elementary School (Thompson R2J)
• Southern Hills Middle School (Boulder Valley)
• Turner Middle School (Thompson R2J)
• University Schools (Weld County SD 6)
• Vista Peak (Aurora)
• Walt Clark Middle School (Thompson R2J)

 The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

JCCN programs (on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month) are free, confidential and open to all. The JCCN website is at www.jccnboulder.org.