Weekly Edition: September 4th, 2020

Shabbat shalom! I don’t know about you, but my fall always starts on September first. Regardless of the geophysical calendar, September feels like fall — and it always presages the High Holidays, too. Maybe because they were both timed around the harvest, the beginning of the school year and the beginning of the Jewish year makes September feel different, even though it’s been decades since I was in school. There’s a sense of renewal, something new starting, a feeling of possibilities. And who knew that we’d be praying for 5780 to wrap up as quickly as possible when it started last September?

As worrisome as things are these days, try to take some time out over the next few weeks to take a late afternoon walk. The air will feel crisper, the days are getting shorter, you can enjoy the leaves beginning to turn and the sunset. Focus on these things, and not the scary things that are going on in the world or your life. You’ll be amazed how much calmer you feel when you get home.

Please be sure to follow all the recommendations/requirements of Boulder County Public Health, including wearing masks in public. Governor Polis has now issued an order requiring masks in all public indoor spaces. The City of Boulder has seen a spike in cases recently; please be vigilant in protecting your families and yourself.

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.

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

• OneTable Introduces “Here For,” High Holidays DIY Site (9/3/2020) - Powered by OneTable, Here For is a platform to highlight the resources that currently exist while using technology to enhance and evolve the High Holiday season. Continue Reading
• 5781 Calendars Are In! (9/3/2020) - Boulder Center for Judaism is excited to announce that the 5781 Calendars are in and they are nicer than ever… Continue Reading
• Communities and Nonprofits Need Corporate Giving Now More Than Ever (9/1/2020) - Research shows that 78% of U.S. consumers want companies to address important social justice issues. Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• Unpacking Unorthodox: In Case You Missed It Live (9/2/2020) - Watch the YouTube recording of this very interesting talk by a Chabad rebbitzen about the realities behind "Unorthodox". Continue Reading
• Becoming A Soulful Parent: A Class for Parents of Teens (8/30/2020) - The Boulder JCC is excited to start a new session of Becoming A Soulful Parent for parents of teens between the ages of 13-18. Continue Reading
• Delilah Berry Bat Mitzvah (8/30/2020) - On Saturday, August 29th, 2020, Delilah Berry was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah with Adventure Judaism. Continue Reading
• Piper Lewis Bat Yisrael (8/30/2020) - On Saturday, August 29th, 2020, Piper Lewis became a Bat Yisrael with Adventure Judaism. Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

• Author Talk About the Life and Influence of Elie Wiesel (9/2/2020) - Ariel Burger, author of "Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom," will speak on Sunday, September 13 via Zoom. Continue Reading
• Hidden Sparks Photography: Images of Ordinary Life in an Extraordinary Land (9/1/2020) - Join local, internationally-known photographer Bruce Shaffer as he guides us through images that are quirky and complex, comforting and disturbing, stark, and beautiful. They reflect his wanderings and work, far off the tourist trail. Continue Reading

Events

• Broomfield Jewish Festival Returns Sunday with Live Music, Food, and Family Fun (8/13/2026) - The 3rd Annual Broomfield Jewish Festival this Sunday celebrates Jewish culture with music, food, and activities for all ages. Continue Reading
• Mountain States Delegation to Join Thousands This Fall for the Global Conference for Israel (8/10/2026) - The 2026 Global Conference for Israel will gather thousands, including the Mountain States delegation, focusing on Israel's future and community support. November 12-15 in San Diego. Continue Reading
• Men of the J Event Lineup for August (7/28/2026) - Upcoming events for August include discussion groups, breakfast, hikes and a brewery meet up. Continue Reading
• Accessible Activism For Seniors; Political Advocacy And Tikkun Olam (7/15/2026) - Seniors are encouraged to participate in accessible activism, leveraging their voting power and life experiences through discussions, community involvement, and civic engagement, particularly before upcoming elections. Continue Reading
• Join the Beth Ami Community for a Afternoon of Connection & Ice Cream! (7/12/2026) - Beth Ami will host an Ice Cream Social on August 15, featuring a Havdalah service, toppings sharing, and a nature walk. Continue Reading
• B’nai Butte Brings Acclaimed Actress Tovah Feldshuh to Crested Butte for Colorado Premiere of TOVAH (7/9/2026) - B’nai Butte will host Tovah Feldshuh for the Colorado premiere of her documentary, showcasing her career. The event includes dinner, a screening, and a Q&A on July 30, 2026. Continue Reading
• Give Blood, Give Life: Roll Up Your Sleeves at the Boulder JCC Blood Drive (7/2/2026) - Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. Donate at the Boulder JCC Blood Mobile on July 30 to impact lives and support your community. Continue Reading
• The Magical Thread of Anne Frank: An Evening with Gillian Perry (7/2/2026) - Join us on July 16 for a lecture by Gillian Perry exploring Anne Frank's legacy, her diary's publication struggle, and its impact on human rights and history. Continue Reading
• God Bless the Pill: Book Talk with Author Samira Mehta (7/2/2026) - The Boulder JCC hosts a discussion with Samira K. Mehta about her book "God Bless the Pill," revealing religious support for birth control's role in family planning and stability. Continue Reading
• Standing Together: JParent Community Coffee and Spaces for Connection (6/25/2026) - You are warmly invited to join us for an informal, drop-in Community Coffee on Friday June 26 and/or Tuesday June 30. Continue Reading
• Seven Stones Cemetery Tour (6/25/2026) - Discover Colorado's green burial cemetery emphasizing natural decomposition. Join a discussion with experts on Jewish perspectives on death, green burial, and future planning. Continue Reading
• July Men of the J Activities Just Released (6/25/2026) - Upcoming events for July include discussion groups, breakfast, hikes and a brewery meet up. Continue Reading
• Tools for Understanding Gender Identity: Dr. Susan Trout to Lead Supportive Community Lecture (6/17/2026) - An enlightening lecture on gender identity by Dr. Susan Trout will offer frameworks for understanding distinctions between gender identity and sexual orientation on June 22, at the Boulder JCC. Continue Reading
• Pull Up a Chair: A Special Shabbat Dinner for Boulder’s 50+ Community (6/7/2026) - There is something uniquely comforting about a Friday night. The rush of the week slows down, the candles are lit, and a sense of pause settles in. This June, the Boulder JCC is opening its doors to create that exact space for local adults aged 50 and better. On Friday, June 26, from 6 to… Continue Reading
• What to Expect at the 30th Annual Boulder Jewish Festival (6/4/2026) - Check out the full schedule of music, art and food available at the Festival this Sunday, along with children's activities and security measures. 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