Shabbat shalom! After three years, it is finally that time again… Time for the Boulder Jewish Festival this Sunday, June 12, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm! There will be artists, food, music and lots and lots of Jewish organizations to explore around the Courthouse Lawn on the Pearl St. Mall. You can learn all about it here.

Even while we celebrate, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with brothers and sisters under attack in Ukraine, as well as the communities in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, Texas and … and …

Stay cool, stay safe and stay healthy!

Here are stories from the last week:

News/Columns

• JEWISHcolorado’s Jewish Community Relations Council To Honor Steve Demby at Annual Leadership Luncheon (2/2/2023) - The Jewish Community Relations Council, a program of JEWISHcolorado, will host its annual leadership luncheon on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at History Colorado Continue Reading
• Finding Pharaohs in A Modern Film (2/2/2023) - Could Pharaoh be Irish? As we read this last month’s Torah portions, about the ancient idiosyncratic behavior of an Egyptian despot, we think such personalities can’t happen in our world, in our times.  Well, a film with nine nominations for Oscar awards, admirably shows it can transpire in ordinary human behavior. Continue Reading
• Column: Fearing A Collision Course Between Bibi and American Jews (2/2/2023) - When Eric Goldstein speaks, Benjamin Netanyahu must listen. Even more so than when others speak, such as U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, Israeli business executive Eynat Guez, 100,000-plus protesters in Tel Aviv and Israeli expats in New York and Los Angeles. Continue Reading
• Letter: Liberated & Recaptured — NOT Captured (2/2/2023) - Notwithstanding how often a newspaper may write or a television commentator may say that Israel "captured" the "West Bank" and "East Jerusalem" in June 1967, it is not so. Continue Reading
• JScreen Announces 4th Annual Jewish Genetic Screening Awareness Week February 5th – 11th (1/30/2023) - JScreen, a national non-profit public health initiative dedicated to preventing genetic diseases, announces the fourth annual Jewish Genetic Screening Awareness Week (JGSAW), which takes place from February 5th through 11th.   Continue Reading
• JFS Boulder Expands Mental Health Services (1/29/2023) - JFS Boulder has expanded its mental health services to provide ongoing high-quality mental health services for anyone needing therapy, including those impacted by the Marshall Fire or Straight-Line Wind Event in Boulder County. The Red Cross and Boulder County Housing and Human Services generously supported this expanded service. Continue Reading
• International March of Living Calls for Preservation of Children’s Shoes at Auschwitz (1/26/2023) - Marking the 78th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and International Holocaust Memorial Day, the International March of the Living has issued an urgent call to secure the funds to preserve some 8,000 shoes belonging to children, most of them Jewish, who were in vast majority murdered in the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz. Continue Reading
• Online Holocaust Denial Suppressed in English, Rife in Arabic (1/26/2023) - As International Holocaust Remembrance Day forces Jews to ask themselves how safe they feel, new data from CyberWell has revealed social media companies’ underinvestment in monitoring antisemitism in Arabic. Continue Reading
• Column: ‘Dream Job’ In Rural Michigan Becomes Nightmare for Jewish Educator (1/26/2023) - After nine days as dean of students at a middle school, Michael Woodberg resigned. The offense? Being Jewish. Continue Reading
• Mar-A-Lago Is Not on The Way to Auschwitz (1/26/2023) - A new record may have just been set—for the most Hitler analogies in a 24-hour period. Continue Reading
• FFRF Accuses Coach Deion Sanders of Imposing Religion at JSU and Now at CU (1/25/2023) - Sports legend Deion Sanders is misusing his new position as the University of Colorado football coach to foist Christianity on the program, asserts the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Continue Reading
• JNF’s Top Five “Made-In-Israel” Gifts For Valentine’s Day (1/23/2023) - With the Jewish festival of love, Tu B’av, still several months away, some may find Valentine’s Day (February 14) to be the perfect excuse to spoil that special loved one in their life. And now you can find the perfect gift while also supporting Israeli small businesses through Jewish National Fund-USA’s Online Mitzvah Marketplace (jnf.org/shopping).… Continue Reading
• Latest News from JTree (1/23/2023) - Hello Forest Fans, Happy Valentine's Day! Here are a few quick links about exciting events that are coming up for your involvement.  Continue Reading
• Column: Our First ‘Jew-ish’ Congressman: How Perilous Is He? (1/19/2023) - Our very first “Jew-ish” congressman established himself as a serial liar, a possible criminal suspect and a punchline. Until Tuesday. Now it is far worse: George Santos is scary, and maybe dangerous. Continue Reading
• Letter: Jew Hatred: Louis Vuitton, Vichy & Bella Hadid (1/19/2023) - When it comes to Jew hatred, one can draw a direct line from Louis Vuitton and Vichy to Louis Vuitton and Bella Hadid. Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• Read Any Good Books Lately? It’s Time for Another Beth Ami Readers’ Circle! (2/5/2023) - This is a very unusual book club, because we don’t require that everyone read the same book. Or that you read any book at all! Continue Reading
• Teens: Registration for Israel Study Tour 2023 Still Open (1/30/2023) - For fifty years, Israel Study Tour (IST) has helped young Jewish Coloradans broaden their knowledge about Israel, its neighbors, and Jewish heritage and history. Registration for IST 2023 (June 11th-July 16th) is open! Continue Reading
• Shabbaton Featuring Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder February 10-11 (1/29/2023) - Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder will be leading us in an intimate Shabbat on February 10th and 11th with warm community spirit, traditional Shabbat services (with mechitzha), learning, song, and all kosher meals. Continue Reading
• Toby Ellis and Tyler Emdur B’nai Mitzvah (1/23/2023) - On Saturday, January 28th, 2023 Toby Ellis and Tyler Emdur will be called to the Torah as B'nai Mitzvah at Congregation Har HaShem. Continue Reading
• Nora Scharff Bat Mitzvah (1/19/2023) - On Saturday, January 21st, 2023, Nora Scharff will be called to the Torah as Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Har HaShem. Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Ari Pollachek z”l (1/10/2023) - Ari Pollachek, the adored 15-year-old son of Paula and Amit Pollachek, has passed away suddenly. Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Sara and Seymour Rabin z”l (1/8/2023) - Sara and Seymour Rabin, parents of Bonnie Rabin, died peacefully in Beit Shemesh, Israel on Thursday, January 5th, 2023 and Saturday, January 7th, 2023 of Covid-related illnesses. Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Peter Vayshenker z’l (1/3/2023) - UPDATE: Includes funeral and shiva inforamtion. Dr. Peter Vayshenker, father of Igor Vayshenker and husband of 70 years of Maria and father-in-law of Bonai Shalom's ritual chair, Susan Cohen, died the morning of January 2, 2023 in hospital in Boulder. Continue Reading
• Annie Hirshfield Bat Mitzvah (1/2/2023) - On Saturday, January 7th, 2023, Ariana Eisler will be called to the Torah as Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Har HaShem. Continue Reading
• Embodied Kabbalah (12/28/2022) - I recently had the opportunity to interview Rabbi Matthew Ponak, author of the newly released book "Embodied Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism for All People." Rabbi Matthew shared his journey into religion and spirituality as he learned to find a balance between the two. Continue Reading
• Learn About NaviG8 – A Unique Program for 8th Graders at the Boulder JCC (12/20/2022) - If you have a teen currently in the 8th grade who is seeking a group of Jewish peers, NaviG8 at the Boulder JCC is the place for them. Learn more about the information session coming in January. Continue Reading
• Chanukah on Ice Rescheduled to Tuesday Night (12/19/2022) - Join us as we honor Louisville Lamplighters Sheryl Buchman and her family on Tuesday afternoon, December 20. Continue Reading
• 4 Chanukah Questions with Governor Jared Polis (12/15/2022) - In anticipation of his attendance at the Boulder Center for Judaism’s annual Pearl Street Mall Menorah Lighting, Governor Polis granted an exclusive Chanukah interview to boulderjewishnews.com and chabad.org. Continue Reading
• Skate into Night Number 5 with Chanukah on Ice (12/15/2022) - Join us as we honor Louisville Lamplighters Sheryl Buchman and her family on Thursday afternoon, December 22. Continue Reading
• RSVP for Chanukah Friday Night December 23 (12/15/2022) - Chanukah Friday night is a magical time..it is a wonderful time to sit together with family and friends and enjoy a delicious Shabbos meal together. Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

• 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
• Colorado Hebrew Chorale’s Raisins & Almonds on Sunday February 5 (1/31/2023) - The Colorado Hebrew Chorale and Kol Nashim’s showcase event will take place on Sunday, February 5 at the Hebrew Educational Alliance in Denver. Continue Reading
• “Unorthodox” Meets “Broad City” in New Israeli TV Show (1/25/2023) - The show takes a very American Jewish kind of TV comedy that's popular and puts it in an Israeli context. It has a "Broad City" vibe but has similarities to "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" as well. Continue Reading
• Front Range Downloadable Library Exceeds One Million Ebook and Audiobook Checkouts in 2022 (1/25/2023) - Front Range Downloadable Library (which includes Boulder Public Library) announced that it reached a record-breaking one million digital book checkouts in 2022. Continue Reading
• Author Talk with Samira Mehta: “The Racism of People Who Love You” (1/17/2023) - The book is described as “an unflinching look at the challenges and misunderstandings mixed-race people face in family spaces and intimate relationships across their varying cultural backgrounds.”  Continue Reading
• The Denver Children’s Theatre Returns to the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center (1/12/2023) - The JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center has reopened the Denver Children’s Theatre with a presentation of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a book written by Kate DiCamillo. Continue Reading
• Round 247… (1/8/2023) - A poem by Lisa Tremback Continue Reading
• Colorado Hebrew Chorale Announces January, February Events (1/5/2023) - Check out the events being offered by the Colorado Hebrew Chorale in January and February 2023. Continue Reading
• Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music Series Continues in 2023 (1/5/2023) - The JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center in Denver continues to host its 15th season of the Neustadt Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music Series (JAAMM) through 2023 with several fun cultural events. Continue Reading
• Learn Israeli Dance at the Boulder JCC (1/4/2023) - The Boulder JCC and Boulder Israeli Dance will be offering a Modern Israeli Dance class at the Boulder JCC beginning Wednesday, January 11. Continue Reading
• A Day When People Stand Together (12/31/2022) - A new year's poem from Lisa Tremback Continue Reading
• Saging Visions (12/29/2022) - Moments and days billow into decades stepping into another decennium until we finally are hailed into our Saging years.  We have Visions.]: Continue Reading
• Denver Mom Featured in First App Exclusively Tailored for Jewish Women (12/22/2022) - Denver native Carley Brooks was selected as one of the dozens of Jewish women from around the world to share their story on Yomm, a website and complimentary app launched by the Momentum organization. Continue Reading
• Express Yourself in Watercolors with Alice Messinger (12/8/2022) - Are you looking for something fun and creative to learn with friends, or perhaps trying something new and different on date night? Continue Reading
• Thinking About Today’s Big Thoughts (12/8/2022) - A new poem from Lisa Tremback. Continue Reading

Events

• CU Lecture on Religious Zionism: History, Impact, Relevance (2/8/2023) - The CU Program in Jewish Studies is hosting a public lecture on February 15th by Professor Kimmy Caplan of Bar-Ilan University on Religious Zionism and its importance to understanding Israeli society. Continue Reading
• Team CBE Israel Ride 2023 Group Forming Now (2/8/2023) - Team CBE, the official Israel Ride cycling cohort from Congregation Beth Evergreen (CBE), will host an organizational and information meeting on Thursday evening, February 16. Continue Reading
• Judaism Your Way Announces New Series “Unlearning Jewish Anxiety” (2/5/2023) - Do you ever wonder how life might be different if you felt less anxious? Continue Reading
• The Jewish View of Death and Burial, Presented by BCJ and BJCC (2/2/2023) - On Thursday, February 16th, we invite you to join us for an unexpectedly upbeat event that will demystify this important subject. Continue Reading
• DATE CHANGE – Jonathan Lev Hosts Talk About Jewish Life in Poland – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 (1/31/2023) - On Tuesday, February 7, Boulder JCC Executive Director Jonathan Lev shares the story of his participation in the 2022 JCC Krakow Ride for the Living. The Ride for the Living is a three-day experience in Poland that combines Holocaust education with a powerful 60-mile bike ride from the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau to the JCC in… Continue Reading
• Beth Ami Presents:  Repro (Reproductive Rights) Shabbat – Humanistically (1/31/2023) - Beth Ami, in association with the National Council of Jewish Women-Colorado, presents its annual Repro Shabbat program. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2023. Continue Reading
• Women of the J Presents: Exceptional Women Series with Margaret Galvin Johnson (1/30/2023) - Women of the J, a program of the Boulder JCC, welcomes Margaret Galvin Johnson, as part of their Exceptional Women Speaker Series on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Continue Reading
• Jonathan Lev Hosts Talk About Jewish Life in Poland (1/29/2023) - Boulder JCC Executive Director Jonathan Lev shares the story of his participation in the 2022 JCC Krakow Ride for the Living. The Ride for the Living is a three-day experience in Poland that combines Holocaust education with a powerful 60-mile bike ride from the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau to the JCC in Krakow, Poland. Continue Reading
• Boulder JCC Hosting Tu B’shevat Seder: Of the Earth (1/23/2023) - The 15th of the Hebrew month Shevat celebrates the New Year of the Trees. This year we invite the community to experience a Tu B'Shevat seder that explores what trees, forests, and eco-systems teach us as earthlings about our consumption, waste, and economy! Continue Reading
• “Men of the J” Kick-off Event January 26 (1/19/2023) - The Boulder JCC and the Boulder Jewish Men's Group are thrilled to announce our new group - Men of the J. Please join us for our first event to learn more about this new group on Thursday, January 26. Continue Reading
• Men of the J Start Men’s Issues Discussion Group (1/19/2023) - We are establishing a men's issues discussion group here as part of the Men of the J program.   This is an opportunity for those men who see this as valuable, to start what we anticipate will be a multi-year journey of reflection, sharing, and gaining insight into ourselves and the other participants.  Continue Reading
• Actor Liev Schreiber to Speak at JEWISHcolorado’s Signature Event (1/19/2023) - JEWISHcolorado is excited to present its signature fundraising event featuring Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor and philanthropist, Liev Schreiber, on February 22, 2023, at Ball Arena in Downtown Denver 6-9 pm. Continue Reading
• Warm Up This Winter with a Soup(er) Social! (1/19/2023) - There is a lot of comfort and warmth to be found in a bowl of soup. Imagine how much comfort you will find as you sample many different soups at the Women of the J are Soup Social and Cook-Off on February 22nd at the Boulder JCC, a special event taking place as part of… Continue Reading
• One Year After Colleyville, SCN+ to Host Webinar on Surviving Hostage Situations (1/17/2023) - Event on January 19 to Include Hostage Survivor, Former FBI Agents, and Panel of Safety and Security Experts. Continue Reading
• Begin the Year Helping Others (1/17/2023) - Women of the J Mitzvah Night is an intergenerational program where we come together to work on different projects that will support the program participants in the Women’s Bean Project.   Continue Reading