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

• Pause and Action Community Grief Town Hall (3/23/2023) - The Boulder community has been struck by many recent tragedies. When communities are faced with compounding crises, it can be helpful to take a pause and offer space for grief and healing. Continue Reading
• “Straight Talk” Program Brings Israeli and Palestinian Musicians Together in Boulder (3/13/2023) - The word “Dugri” comes from Arabic – meaning straight. Israelis and Palestinians both speak their minds. Straightforward talk with no apologies.  For better or for worse… you will know exactly what they think.  Continue Reading
• Song Circle for Every Voice at the Boulder JCC (3/5/2023) - Do you love to sing? Does your heart open when singing with others? Do you miss being in community, joining voices? Continue Reading
• Hope and Grief in the Age of Climate Change: Queer Disability Politics and Ancient Jewish Story (3/5/2023) - Can Jewish text and tradition offer resources for navigating the emotional terrain of climate change? In her presentation, Prof. Watts Belser will examine ancient and contemporary stories about Jonah, the biblical prophet who famously turned away from God’s call.   Continue Reading
• “Straight Talk” Program Brings Israeli and Palestinian Musicians Together in Boulder (2/28/2023) - It is rare for Israelis and Palestinians to sit down together to talk, let alone make music together. On March 20th, this program will include music, storytelling and a brutally honest discussion about the conflict in the Middle East. Continue Reading
• First Friday: Why Holocaust Education Matters for US Foreign Policy (2/23/2023) - Come join us at Bonai Shalom on March 3rd when Special Envoy Ellen Germain talks about diplomatic efforts in these areas past and present and how knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust informs current U.S. foreign policy. Continue Reading
• A Child Survivor Gives Testimony: Judith Winkel at CU Boulder (2/20/2023) - Co-organized by CU Boulder's Program in Jewish Studies and the Louis P. Singer Endowed Chair in Jewish History, the program is co-sponsored by CU Boulder's History Department.  Continue Reading
• Creating Caring Communities: Responding to Mental Illness (2/16/2023) - Help to address Mental Health in Faith Communities. Rabbi Sandra Cohen will present, followed by an interfaith panel. Continue Reading
• Women of the J Presents Soup Cookoff and Social (2/15/2023) - Back by popular demand! Women of the J is proud to host a Soup Cookoff & Social on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the Boulder JCC. Continue Reading
• Boulder JCC Hosts Blood Drive on March 1 (2/15/2023) - Blood donation is an essential health care activity and we need your help to make sure patients in our community have the blood they need! Continue Reading
• Program on U.S. Support for Holocaust Education at Home and Abroad (2/15/2023) - US Special Envoy Ellen Germain will be in conversation with Dean of the CU School of Education Kathy Schultz on Wednesday, March 1 at the Boulder JCC. Continue Reading
• Celebrate the Boulder JCC at the JFest Party! (2/14/2023) - JFest wraps up with an in-person celebration party on Saturday, February 25. No more assigned-seated dinner, long program, or paddle raise! Rather, this new, community-centric way of fundraising focuses on what best fits our unique and growing organization. Everyone is welcome to attend this party! Continue Reading
• Boulder JCC Hosts Shalom Boulder, a New(ish) to Boulder Welcoming Event (2/14/2023) - Meet your neighbors and learn more about the thriving local Jewish community at this free in-person gathering at the Boulder JCC on Tuesday, February 28. Continue Reading
• This Week’s Highlighted JFest Social Events (2/12/2023) - JFest is in full swing at the Boulder JCC this month! The featured social events will offer great opportunities for people to gather, meet new people and reconnect with friends. Continue Reading
• Celebrate V-Day Unconventionally with ‘Golda Love’ at Golda Meir House Museum (2/12/2023) - At the event, listen to stories of love from all angles from Golda Meir's life including stories of her friendships, her sister’s true heroic tale of love nearly lost, the love between sisters, and how Golda met her husband right here in Denver. 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