Weekly Edition: August 12th, 2022

Shabbat shalom! We are thankful that the spasm of violence that began in Israel a week ago seems to have calmed down.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with brothers and sisters under attack in Israel, Ukraine, as well as the women of this country.

Stay cool, stay safe and stay healthy!

Here are stories from the last week:

News/Columns

• Boulder Municipal Election: Candidate Questionnaires (10/8/2026) - Rachel Amaru worked with the IJN to survey Boulder City Council and Boulder Mayoral candidates on issues of interest to the Boulder Jewish Community. Here are links to those interviews. Continue Reading
• Column: Pro-Arab Students Who Have No Class Chase Jews Out of NYC Public Schools (10/8/2026) - The New York Post reported that a teachers advocacy group catalogued a minimum of 250 antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents in NYC schools since Oct. 7. Comparable problems have been reported in Philly and Los Angeles and of course, Boulder. Continue Reading
• Letter: Forced Transfer? Hardly (10/8/2026) - With due respect to letter writer Ed Kass and Yehuda Blum, the language of Section 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention does not apply to the status of the indigenous Jewish people of Judea, Samaria and the eastern part of Jerusalem post June 1967. Continue Reading
• Leading with Heart: Jonathan Lev Named First Recipient of the Josie Heath Nonprofit Leadership Award (10/7/2026) - Jonathan Lev was awarded the inaugural Josie Heath Nonprofit Leadership Award for his impactful community leadership at Boulder JCC, fostering unity and resilience over 16 years. Continue Reading
• Letter: Yes, Israeli Settlements Are Illegal (10/7/2026) - Ed Kass offers a rebuttal to Richard Sherman's letter of September 9 stating that Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria are legal. Continue Reading
• Team VeloJews Rides Again (10/1/2026) - Carol Secor will participate in the ALYN Hospital Wheels of Love Bike Ride, honoring her late husband Joe while seeking donations for critical pediatric rehabilitation services. Continue Reading
• Column: The Prime Minister’s U.N. Speech Does Not Help American Jews (10/1/2026) - It is doubtful that many people took Benjamin Netanyahu seriously when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly. Continue Reading
• Opinion: Ending the Era of “Palestinianism” (10/1/2026) - Since the days of Napoleon's landing upon the shores of Egypt at the very end of the 18th Century bringing with him the modern era to the Middle East, the Islamists of the region have been unable to free themselves from the shackles of inferiority and self-destructive primal rage that typifies the hatred of modern… Continue Reading
• On Numinous Lungs – A Tribute To Karyn Schad (9/30/2026) - Karyn Schad exemplified love and resilience throughout her life and illness, inspiring others with her focus on giving and appreciation as she transcended mortal challenges. Continue Reading
• Column: He Rams a Synagogue Gate and Gets Off Easy (9/24/2026) - It was the dingo…er, the drugs…that made Matthew De Campo ram the entrance gate of a synagogue in Brisbane, Australia, last Feb. 20. No antisemitism here, his lawyer claims. Continue Reading
• Nature’s Sentinels: How Bees Are Mapping the Health of Boulder’s Ecosystem (9/21/2026) - Boulder's Bee Bio-Monitoring Program utilizes honeybees and native bees to track environmental health, biodiversity, and contaminants, providing insights for community landscape management and supporting pollinator habitats. Continue Reading
• Letter: Shana Tova from UCHealth Burn and Frostbite Center (9/21/2026) - As we move into the new year following Rosh Hashanah, we've been reflecting on the great privilege it has been to care for members of this community over the past year. Continue Reading
• How Cherryvale Day Camp Turned Sustainability into a Season-Long Celebration (9/17/2026) - Cherryvale Day Camp integrated eco-friendly practices into programs, teaching sustainability through hands-on activities, community initiatives, and Jewish values, fostering environmental stewardship among campers and families. Continue Reading
• Voice of the People Initiative Launches Application Process for Second Cohort (9/17/2026) - Voice of the People is seeking applicants for its second cohort to foster Jewish leadership, diversity, collaboration, and innovative community initiatives globally, emphasizing connection and understanding. Continue Reading
• Column: A Novel Lawsuit Attacks Columbia U’s ‘Deliberate Indifference’ Toward Pro-Arab Students (9/17/2026) - The anti-Israel mob concocted a novel legal strategy on Monday when former Columbia University students sued their alma mater: the defendant mobilized a pattern of “deliberate indifference.” Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• Data Reveals Rising Jewish Community Connections Since October 7 Attack (10/8/2026) - Three years post-2023 attacks on Israel, Jewish Americans in Colorado demonstrate increased engagement in Jewish life, reflecting both growth and sustained interest in community participation. Continue Reading
• Dine With Us Next Friday Night! (10/8/2026) - Join FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE at Boulder Center for Judaism - Friday night, October 16, 6:45 pm. Continue Reading
• Women: Brunch With Us! (10/7/2026) - As a month of joyful & meaningful holidays winds down, we are excited to invite you to join our Season Inaugural Brunch & Learn for women this Sunday, October 11, 10:30 am — 12 pm. This series brings together a vibrant group of Boulder Jewish women who enjoy branching, learning & growing together. On the… Continue Reading
• Let’s Rejoice Together This Weekend (10/1/2026) - Join us for final holiday gatherings in the Sukkah on Friday night, and Shul on Saturday night, featuring food, dancing, and then an important Torah service on Sunday. Continue Reading
• Join the Club! (10/1/2026) - On October 4, we restart the Torah reading cycle with Bereishis. Join the Tuesday Torah Club for wisdom, snacks, and community Tuesdays at 5:30 PM. Continue Reading
• Bring Your Congregation into the Black (Book of Life) This 5787 (10/1/2026) - Many congregations face declining membership and financial struggles. Solutions include hiring cost-effective clergy substitutes and innovative fundraising methods like "Nudges." Continue Reading
• Join The Fun as The Jewish Dating Game Comes to Denver with JAAMM (9/30/2026) - The Jewish Dating Game, a live matchmaking show created by Linnea Sage, debuts in Denver on October 13, offering connection and community for all. Continue Reading
• Leo Dembowitz Bar Mitzvah (9/30/2026) - On Saturday, September 26th, 2026, Leo Dembowitz was called to the Torah as Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Bonai Shalom. Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Karen Schad z”l (9/27/2026) - Karyn Jo Schad passed away peacefully, surrounded in love, at her home on Friday, September 25, 2026. She was 76. Continue Reading
• Noa Tishby Visits CU Boulder Hillel (9/24/2026) - CU Boulder Hillel hosted Noa Tishby and activists for a panel on identity and bridge-building, promoting open dialogue and connection among diverse perspectives. Continue Reading
• Yom Kippur Power (9/17/2026) - Rosh Hashanah flew by and now all focus shifts to Yom Kippur Sunday night and Boulder Center for Judaism would love to welcome you and your loved ones. Continue Reading
• Re-Calling A Jewish ‘Senior-ita’ (9/17/2026) - Ruth Seagull, a beloved 95-year-old Jewish influencer, passed away, leaving a legacy of wisdom, kindness, and gratitude that inspires others to honor and share her teachings. Continue Reading
• The Guests Who Couldn’t Come (9/17/2026) - During Jewish holidays in wartime Israel, empty chairs symbolize loss and presence, reflecting grief and resilience as families honor missing loved ones and adapt traditions. Continue Reading
• Yizkor: An Opportunity To Remember Our Heroes  (9/17/2026) - This Yom Kippur thousands of mourners will remember at Yizkor their loved ones who were murdered during the Hamas-led October 7 terrorist invasion of southern Israel and in the last three years of war. Continue Reading
• This Rosh Hashanah, Let’s Tell Israel’s Whole Story (9/14/2026) - The focus of conversation about Israel should shift from crises to celebrating Zionism's achievements and contributions to humanity, especially during Rosh Hashanah. Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

• True Stories, Inspiring People to Encounter at the Boulder Jewish Film Festival (10/8/2026) - Of the 13 films being presented this year at the Boulder Jewish Film Festival, ten are based on true stories. Many of the people you will meet on screen are inspirational figures, role models and heroes – and all are admirable. Continue Reading
• Two Festival Films Share a Connection to the Recent Thwarted Hijacking (10/7/2026) - The bravery of the Israelis who stormed the cockpit aboard FlyDubai 1073 is echoed in two heroic stories depicted in films that will be presented at the Boulder Jewish Film Festival. Continue Reading
• Jeff & Paige Bring Rainbow Socks to PBS October 4 (9/28/2026) - "Rainbow Socks" is a new live-action series starring Boulder locals Jeff & Paige that combines music, movement, and science to inspire children aged 4-8 to explore nature outdoors. Continue Reading
• “Always A Boy” Premieres At JAAMM Fest Oct. 9 (9/28/2026) - "Always A Boy," adapted from Jo Ivester's memoir, explores family and identity as Joshua transitions while preparing for a wedding, showing love and acceptance. Continue Reading
• A Night of Parisian Jazz with the Jessica Gabrielle Quartet (9/27/2026) - Jessica Gabrielle will perform at Nocturne Jazz Club on October 2nd with a talented rhythm section, blending pop, jazz, and soul influences. Jessica is the daughter of Sylvain and Pam Hayoun of Boulder. Continue Reading
• Come Prepared to Laugh in a Class Celebrating Jewish Stand-Up Comedy Legends (9/24/2026) - Explore Jewish stand-up comedy's evolution in a three-week class celebrating iconic performers and their impact on Jewish culture and humor. Continue Reading
• Neustadt Jewish Arts Festival Brings Magic, Comedy, Film and Music to Denver (9/24/2026) - The Mizel Arts and Culture Center hosts the Neustadt JAAMM Festival in October, featuring diverse performances that celebrate contemporary Jewish life, including magic, comedy, and film. Continue Reading
• Heaven’s Only Hospital Closes on Saturdays (9/21/2026) - Steven Winkelstein's "The Day God Got Amnesia," a comedic novel about God in a coma, will debut October 13 at Boulder Book Store, blending Boulder coffee culture with Heaven's bureaucracy. Continue Reading
• KinClub Launches Free Family Events and Activities Site, Rolling Out in Boulder and 14 Cities (9/10/2026) - KinClub Family Activities launches a free website offering local family event calendars, activity ideas, and ready-made weekend plans in Boulder and 14 markets, simplifying planning for parents. Continue Reading
• 2026 Boulder Jewish Film Festival Features Women and Heroes (9/3/2026) - The Boulder Jewish Film Festival returns to the Dairy Arts Center October 25th to November 1st for an eight-day exploration of the Jewish experience on screen. Continue Reading
• The Recipe My Great-Grandmother Measured in Handfuls (8/31/2026) - Jake Lazar reflects on his great-grandmother Jeanne's legacy through her mandel bread recipe, inspiring generations of bakers in their family and emphasizing the importance of preserving culinary traditions. Continue Reading
• Colorado Hebrew Chorale Open Rehearsals – Come Try Out (8/20/2026) - The Colorado Hebrew Chorale begins its 2026-2027 Season with two Open Rehearsals with ice cream on August 24 and August 31. Singers welcome. Continue Reading
• Downloading Hope (8/20/2026) - A new poem from Lisa Tremback. Continue Reading
• From October 7 to the Runway: U of Haifa Fashion Graduates Showcase Collections of Resilience (8/2/2026) - The Class of 2026 University of Haifa runway show presented 25 collections by Israeli fashion graduates, reflecting personal experiences and cultural heritage amid recent conflicts. Continue Reading
• Christopher Nolan Brings His Midas Touch to the World’s First Blockbuster (7/30/2026) - Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the Odyssey revitalizes the classic tale, emphasizing universal themes and modern moral dilemmas while captivating contemporary audiences. Continue Reading

Events

• Dara Horn to Speak at Temple Emanuel Denver (10/8/2026) - Dara Horn will deliver the Michael Schatz Annual Memorial Lecture on October 17, 2026, discussing her work on antisemitism and Jewish identity. Continue Reading
• Outdoor Magic at Milk and Honey Farm (10/7/2026) - This October 15–25, the community comes together for Co-Here, a festival celebrating connection, place, and shared experiences across Boulder. As part of this festive lineup, Milk and Honey Farm at the Boulder JCC is opening its gates to welcome visitors of all ages to two unique, family-friendly events celebrating the changing season and the beauty… Continue Reading
• Men of the J Announces October Schedule (9/30/2026) - Upcoming events for October include discussion groups, breakfast, hikes and a brewery meet up. Continue Reading
• JADE’s Latest “Boulder Death Schmooze” Set for October 22 (9/30/2026) - Join the Boulder Death Schmooze on May 6th for open discussions on death and loss in a supportive community. Share stories, reflect, and enjoy refreshments. Free, and donations welcome. Continue Reading
• An Evening with 10/7 Survivors Yosef Chaim Ohana and Daniel Sharabi (9/28/2026) - On October 6th, Hillel and Chabad of CU Boulder hosts a commemoration for the October 7th attacks, featuring speakers Yosef Chaim Ohana and Daniel Sharabi. Continue Reading
• Shabbat + Global Little Free Libraries with Beth Ami (9/28/2026) - Beth Ami hosts a Shabbat and talk by Russell Schnell about Little Free Libraries, promoting community sharing and reading on October 10. Continue Reading
• Free “Sing-Along in the Sukkah” Wednesday (9/27/2026) - The Colorado Hebrew Chorale invites the community to join them for their annual “Sing-Along in the Sukkah” to be held during Chol HaMoed Sukkot, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, 7:30 pm at a SE Denver location, rain or shine. The informal gathering in a Sukkah includes light refreshments and singing an array of Israeli classics, Hebrew… Continue Reading
• New Programs For the 50+ Community You Don’t Want To Miss! (9/24/2026) - The Boulder JCC announces a series of engaging October programs for the 50+ community focused on connection and education. Continue Reading
• 2026 Colorado Annual Jewish Genealogy Seminar (9/24/2026) - The Colorado Jewish Genealogy Society's 2026 Seminar, featuring Nolan Altman, takes place on October 18, 2026, offering insights into Jewish genealogy and valuable resources. Continue Reading
• The Great Big Challah Bake Is Back – Registration Now Open (9/24/2026) - Join the 11th Annual Great Big Challah Bake on November 5 from 7 - 9 pm to learn challah-making while supporting community food donations. Register now! Continue Reading
• Last Chance to Register for JNF Denver Breakfast for Israel (9/24/2026) - Yuval Raphael, a Nova Music Festival survivor and Eurovision finalist, will perform at the Jewish National Fund-USA's Breakfast for Israel on October 14, 2026, in Denver. Registration closes September 30. Continue Reading
• Boulder JCC Commemorates October 7 With a Screening of “Torn” (9/21/2026) - “Torn: The Israel-Palestine Poster War on New York City Streets” highlights the confrontations between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian activists who put up and tore down the hostage posters. Sadly, the film is more relevant than ever. Continue Reading
• JEWISHcolorado to Mark Third Anniversary of October 7 with Matti Friedman (9/17/2026) - JEWISHcolorado and the University of Denver will commemorate the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks' third anniversary with a remembrance event featuring journalist Matti Friedman on October 7, 2026. Continue Reading
• Commemorating October 7: Screening of “Torn: The Israel-Palestine Poster War” on NYC Streets (9/9/2026) - On October 1, 2026, Boulder JCC hosts a poignant event featuring the documentary "Torn," exploring emotional impacts of the Israel-Palestine conflict through diverse New Yorkers' perspectives. Continue Reading
• JEWISHcolorado to Host Evening Celebrating Jewish Day Schools (8/27/2026) - JEWISHcolorado invites the community to celebrate Jewish Day Schools on September 8, featuring Gary Torgow, Chair of Jewish Federations. The event emphasizes schools' vital role in Jewish identity and leadership. Continue Reading