Weekly Edition: June 5th, 2020

Shabbat shalom. As we head into Shabbat, in this moment, we must not be silent. And more than that, we must take action.

We acknowledge that our families and our community have been able to flourish even while assimilating, because for most of us, we are able to pass. We may have experienced challenges, but for most of us those were not made more difficult by the color of our skin. This is white privilege.

We have spent the last several months staying safe at home. We are privileged to be able to do this. We acknowledge the disparities in health access, economic reality and resources that make this impossible for some of our friends and fellow community members.

Justice, justice shall you pursue. We read this every year. We cannot turn our eyes from the injustice that is right in front of us.

We stand in solidarity with the Black community who yet again is subject to pain and suffering at the hands of a racist and unjust system. We continue to join the call for immediate accountability, justice, and action to dismantle systemic racism in the U.S. And we honor the memory of George Floyd, who was horrifically murdered by police.

— Anti-Defamation League

The ADL has tagged this #JusticeShabbat. Their post (shared from their website) includes resources for learning, listening and building awareness. In addition, on Saturday morning in Boulder there will be a peaceful march, starting at 10 am at the Courthouse on Pearl Street with 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence, then a march to the Dairy Arts Center and back.

“You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it (Pirkei Avot, 2:21).”

We are committed to moving beyond listening and learning, and to taking action to dismantle this unjust system. We hope to see you along the way.

Pandemic-related resources

You can find all of our local community virtual services at the “Jewish Community Virtual Offerings” link below under “Events”. There is also a link to the list of online programs being offered by the Boulder JCC.

If you have something to entertain or engage people that you’d like to get out there, let us know!

Meanwhile, here are sources that will have the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Boulder and Colorado:

• Boulder JCC for the Jewish community
• Congregation Har HaShem for the Jewish community
• City of Boulder
• Boulder County
• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
• Centers for Disease Control

Stay safe, stay healthy, and have a great weekend.

News

• ADL Calls for #JusticeShabbat June 5 (6/4/2020) - We stand in solidarity with the Black community who yet again is subject to pain and suffering at the hands of a racist and unjust system. Continue Reading
• Masa Israel Journey Visa Holders Can Enter Israel (6/4/2020) - Masa Israel Journey announced that the organization will open programs for participants arriving in Israel from abroad, with special precautions to ensure the safety of its Fellows and communities. Continue Reading
• Plant Trees with JTree for Father’s Day (6/4/2020) - Mother’s Day inspired Boulder to plant 500 trees! Let’s make Father’s Day even more successful! Continue Reading
• Haver Stands in Unity and Mourning with the Family, Friends and Community of George Floyd (6/3/2020) - We are grieving not just for George Floyd, Tony McDade, Sean Reed, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor but for the many unnamed victims of police brutality, racial profiling, and excessive force. Continue Reading
• Solidarity Against Racism (6/3/2020) - George Floyd, Tony McDade, Sean Reed, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery - all human beings created in the Divine image with rights to dignity and safety like all of us - have been murdered in the last few months by law enforcement that is supposed to keep us all safe. How can it be? Continue Reading
• JCRC Statement: George Floyd, the Riots & Racial Justice (6/2/2020) - The Colorado Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), a program of JEWISHcolorado, strongly condemns the unjust death of George Floyd. Continue Reading
• Mensches Worth Mentioning: Elisa Greenberg (5/31/2020) - The first time Elisa Greenberg volunteered to pick up inmates from the ICE detention center in Aurora, she knew it was an important thing to do. She didn’t realize how personally meaningful is was going to be as well.  Continue Reading
• Korda: Reports from Denver Protests (5/31/2020) - With visceral rage and utter disgust, we took to the streets to PEACEFULLY demand justice for Mr. Floyd and to bring attention to the routine use of deadly force by cops against unarmed, defenseless Black and Latino men, especially young ones. Continue Reading

Jewish Life

Events

• Join Har HaShem Virtually – June 5 – June 12 (6/4/2020) - Here is a quick list of all virtual events sponsored by Congregation Har HaShem in the next week. Continue Reading
• This Week at Virtual Bonai Shalom – 6/5 – 6/11 (6/4/2020) - What's happening at Bonai Shalom for the next week! Please see our website for the whole list of events, zoom information, and all other updates! Continue Reading
• KAVOD: Helping to Insure Dignity for Holocaust Survivors (6/2/2020) - Please join us Thursday at 7:00 pm to hear more about John and Amy Pregulman's inspirational work. Continue Reading

Adventure Judaism Weekly Virtual Events:

Thursdays 11:00 am Storytime with Sadie and Ori 
Fridays 6:00 pm Shabbat Gathering with Rabbi Jamie Korngold

Arts and Culture

• I Live In a State of Grace (6/4/2020) - A new poem by Lisa Tremback. Continue Reading