Beth Ami Scholar-in-Residence Retreat Coming Soon

Humanistic Jews believe that the Torah is a historical, political, sociological text written by our Jewish ancestors. Humanistic Judaism celebrates Jewish culture and identity. The Jewish people created Jewish culture. Being Jewish means being part of a world family, to have a large attic of memories and traditions and ethics inherited from our ancestors, as well as those created in recent memory and in our own days.

Connections with our Jewish family are very important to members of Beth Ami, Colorado Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. We invite you to join us for our Scholar-in-Residence retreat at YMCA of the Rockies, May 3rd-5th. Rabbi Jeffrey L. Falick is a Secular Humanistic Rabbi who was ordained by the Hebrew Union College in 1989. Rabbi Falick spent thirteen years at Hillel Jewish Centers in Illinois and Miami and is now the Assistant Executive Director of Miami’s Dave and Mary Alper Jewish Community Center. He is vice president of the Association for Humanistic Rabbis, sits on the Executive Committee of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, and serves as a rabbinic adviser to Humanistic Jewish congregations in Florida.

Friday evening will feature a Shabbat dinner followed by a service and sing-a-long around a campfire. On Saturday Rabbi Falick will share his expertise on Israeli culture in two presentations. The morning talk will be The History and Mystery of Zionism: The Secular Revolution in Jewish Civilization. The afternoon talk will be the Hatikvah Dilemma: An Anthem for All?

While Rabbi Falick is speaking, Beth Ami also invites families to participate in ancient outdoor education with Doug Hill, founder of Gone Feral, a Boulder-based organization that teaches workshops on primitive technology and indigenous skills. Our Torah was written over 2500 years ago. How did ancient people meet their basic needs for shelter and food?

Beth Ami has two 8 bedroom retreat cabins for attendees. Cost for a two night stay is $250 per family plus $150 for food and entertainment. Cost for participation in Saturday’s activities in $100. Interested adults and families can find out more information by emailing Lenore Kingston, Beth Ami’s Jewish Cultural School Director, bethamicolorado@gmail.com.  Discounts are available through www.Mazeltot.org.