Shabbat shalom! Purim is coming…

Here are links to the latest information from the state of Colorado about Covid and about vaccines. Please be sure to follow all the recommendations/ requirements of Boulder County Public Health to combat COVID-19, including wearing masks in public and avoiding gatherings outside your family group.

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 stay warm.

News/Columns

• Column: Ossoff and Schumer Launch Us Into New Era (1/28/2021) - Three senators, two of them Jewish, can be credited with launching America into a new political era. Continue Reading
• ADL Disturbed by Holocaust, Nazi Analogies Leveled in Boulder City Council Conversation Over Prairie Dog Control (1/27/2021) - The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Mountain States Region is concerned about postcards sent to members of the Boulder City Council comparing them to Nazis and the “gassing” of prairie dogs to the extermination of Jews during the Holocaust, as well as a conversation reportedly among council members where one council member allegedly supported the analogies. Continue Reading
• Jewish Disabilities Advocates Synagogues Shine a Spotlight on Mental Illness Awareness (1/27/2021) - Recognizing a pressing need to reduce stigma regarding mental illness, the four synagogues that are part of Jewish Family Service’s Jewish Disabilities Advocates, will focus on mental illness awareness during Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, & Inclusion Month in February. Continue Reading
• Put Your Values Into Action: Applications Now Open for Spring Service Corps (1/27/2021) - Part-time, paid Corps Members serve virtually or in person with local nonprofit partners in Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. The fellowship runs from March 15 - May 21, 2021. Continue Reading
• JFS Boulder and Local Partners Launch Wildfire Mental Health Program (1/25/2021) - In response to the October 2020 Cal-Wood and Lefthand Canyon wildfires, Boulder County Community Services, Community Foundation Boulder County, and Jewish Family Service are launching the Wildfire Mental Health Program (WMHP) to assist fire-impacted individuals and families seeking crisis support. Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• It’s a Purim Painting Party! (1/28/2021) - Painting is fun. Purim is fun. Painting (virtually) with friends while learning about Purim is fun squared. Continue Reading
• This Weekend at Nevei Kodesh January 29-Feb 1 (1/28/2021) - Nevei Kodesh, a warm and welcoming Jewish Renewal Community invites you to join us virtually for prayer, study and connection! Continue Reading
• From Ecstasy to Lunch – A New and Insightful Book on Kabbalah (1/25/2021) - Boulder-area kabbalist and author, Samuel Ben-Or Avital, has just released his newest book, "From Ecstasy to Lunch."  Continue Reading
• Tobias Goldman Bar Mitzvah (1/25/2021) - On Saturday, January 30th, 2021, Tobias Goldman will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Har HaShem. Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

• Why Are So Many Gentile Actors Playing Jews? (3/23/2023) - Join Kathryn Bernheimer at the Boulder JCC on April 3 for a conversation about the constant casting of non-Jews in specifically Jewish roles. Continue Reading
• Boulder JCC to Present a Unique Theater Experience: “We Are Our Stories” (3/19/2023) - Whatever your story may be, bring it to our Playback Theater performance and see your story transformed into introspective, thought-provoking art, on stage and in the moment. Continue Reading
• New Singing Circle Starts at the Boulder JCC (3/16/2023) - Michelle Wolf and Susan Berman will create an instant mini-choir experience on Tuesday March 21 at the Boulder JCC.  Continue Reading
• Chai Life Group Presents “Irena Sendler: The Angel of the Warsaw Ghetto” (3/16/2023) - The Chai Life Group is Boulder's new group for single older adults (70+). Our next program, Irena Sendler: The Angel of the Warsaw Ghetto, is a one-woman show that will be performed at Congregation Har HaShem on Thursday, April 13. Continue Reading
• Solo Dance Performance, “Gone,” Featured at Boulder JCC (3/9/2023) - Upon return from an international tour Robert Sher-Machherndl's Lemon Sponge Cake delivers a highly developed, all new solo work "GONE" - Thursday, March 23 at the Boulder JCC. Continue Reading
• Highlights from the Tel Aviv Museum of Art (3/5/2023) - Join us for a fascinating lecture given by Sophia Berry Lifschitz, curator at the Department of Modern Art at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. The talk will begin with a short introduction to the history of the Museum with its unique connection to the establishment of the State of Israel. Continue Reading
• From Dustin Hoffman to Mr. Haffmann – BIFF Offers Many Titles of Interest (3/1/2023) - The Boulder International Film Festival returns with something for everyone, including Jewish audiences. Continue Reading
• Upcoming Activities for Colorado Hebrew Chorale and Kol Nashim (3/1/2023) - This Sunday, March 5, Kol Nashim will continued its series, Jewish Leading Ladies of  Broadway.  Mimi Raizen will focus on Barbra Streisand who is a legendary actress and whose career has spanned over six decades. Continue Reading
• “I’VE GOT YOU IN STITCHES,” a Play by Wendy Miller at the Dairy Arts Center March 10-12 (2/28/2023) - Take this meshuganah ride with Wendy and her friends as she travels through time and space in an effort to discovery the truth about herself.  The story is full of hilarity and chutzpah. Continue Reading
• NEW! Singing Circle Starts at the Boulder JCC in March (2/28/2023) - Michelle Wolf and Susan Berman will create an instant mini-choir on March 21 at the Boulder JCC. Singing together in a group can boost mental and emotional well-being, increase social connection, reduce stress, and improve cognitive skills. Continue Reading
• Denver Jewish Film Festival Brings Israeli and Jewish Cinema to Denver March 11-29 (2/23/2023) - The 27th annual Denver Jewish Film Festival powered by The Chotin Foundation at the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center will include 39 films including nine shorts and one TV mini-series showcasing cinema from 14 countries. Continue Reading
• A Bridge to Nowhere (2/23/2023) - A new poem from Lisa Tremback. Continue Reading
• 9th Annual Hebrew Schmooze-A-Palooza Concert (2/21/2023) - Each year, the Program in Jewish Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder presents a music festival featuring Hebrew-language students, alumni, faculty, and members of the broader public. At this year's in-person concert, the most iconic collection of songs in the Hebrew/Israeli repertoire will be performed. Continue Reading
• Canine Scientist, Zionist Hero, and Her Dog-Training Techniques Were Used by the Nazis (2/20/2023) - Toward the end of her life, the Austrian-born Jewish scientist Rudolphina Menzel acknowledged a horrifying reality: the dog-training techniques she pioneered had been used by the Nazis to commit atrocities. Continue Reading
• Playback Theatre: American Stories (2/5/2023) - Whatever your relationship to this nation and its stories of itself, bring your American Stories and see them transformed into thoughtful, thought-provoking art on stage and in the moment. Come to listen, watch, and connect! Continue Reading

Events

• Colorado Shakespeare Festival Presents “Shakespeare & Violence Prevention” at the Boulder JCC (3/30/2023) - The Colorado Shakespeare Festival invites you to learn about its innovative Shakespeare & Violence Prevention program and its impact from experts in the field. Continue Reading
• Save the Date: Boulder Jewish Festival on June 4 (3/26/2023) - This free annual event features a full day of festivities, including bands and performances, a Jewish food festival, a curated marketplace showcasing fine art and Judaica, and family-friendly activities provided by our community organizations. Continue Reading
• 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