Shabbat shalom.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with brothers and sisters under attack in Ukraine, recently home to roughly 300,000 Jews, as well as the community in Uvalde, Texas this week.

Stay cool, stay safe and stay healthy!

Here are stories from the last week:

News/Columns

• 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
• Letter: Time for God (1/17/2023) - "When I'm davening I'm talking to Hashem, not looking at the clock." Continue Reading
• ADL Releases Worrying New Study on Antisemitic Attitudes in US (1/12/2023) - ADL’s Antisemitic Attitudes in America survey found that 20 percent of Americans believe six or more anti-Jewish tropes, nearly doubling the antisemitic prejudice found in 2019 and the highest level in three decades. Continue Reading
• A Harvard President’s Pogrom Warning (1/12/2023) - If American Jews “decide to remain apart,” antisemitism will rise to the point that “blood will be spilled,” one of America’s most prominent educators reportedly warned, one hundred years ago. Continue Reading
• Column: Ben-Gvir’s Presumed ‘Act of War’ (1/12/2023) - It was the devil…er, Itamar Ben-Gvir…who made me do it. Continue Reading
• A Courageous Message from Barbara Gould’s Family (1/8/2023) - Barbara Gould and her family are courageously sharing that Barbara needs a liver transplant. They are seeking out the love of others who would spread the word and consider becoming a living donor. Continue Reading
• Letter: Sorry, Whoopi: The Holocaust Was All About Race (1/8/2023) - On two recent occasions, Whoopi Goldberg, a celebrity with a very high profile platform called "The View," has promulgated the ahistorical fantasy that the Holocaust of six million Jews had absolutely nothing to do with race. Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• 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
• America’s Yiddish Schools: When Chanukah Was About Politics and Zionism, Not Gifts (12/12/2022) - Not so long ago, Hanukkah celebrations in America were frequently about politics, Jewish strength and triumph, and Zionism. Continue Reading
• David Goldstein Bar Mitzvah (12/12/2022) - On Saturday, December 17th, 2022, David Goldstein will be called to the Torah as Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Har HaShem. Continue Reading
• Owen Weinberg Bar Mitzvah (12/12/2022) - On Saturday, December 17th, 2022, Owen Weinberg will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah with Adventure Judaism. 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
• Gallery Opening Thursday at the Boulder JCC’s Messinger Gallery (12/6/2022) - The Boulder JCC is thrilled to welcome the community’s art lovers to the Messinger Gallery for the opening of a new exhibition by CarolAnn Wachter. Continue Reading
• December Activities for the Colorado Hebrew Chorale and Kol Nashim (12/1/2022) - This Sunday, the Colorado Hebrew Chorale presents The First Sundays: Text and Context series with Leah Peer’s analysis of the texts of songs Kol Nashim is singing in 2022-2023. Continue Reading

Events

• 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
• Navigating Israel and Antisemitism in Our Community (1/10/2023) - Over the past several years, the debate over Israel and Palestine has been intense. With the announcement that the new government in Israel is going to include members with very extreme views, navigating issues of antisemitism is going to be even more challenging. Community members are invited to participate in a workshop on Thursday, January… Continue Reading
• Colorado Jewish Climate Summit Comes to Denver (1/10/2023) - We had a chance to catch up with Moshe Kornfeld, the Founder and Director of Colorado Jewish Climate Action, who is excited to talk about the upcoming Colorado Jewish Climate Summit on February 5, 2023. Continue Reading
• CBS First Friday: Refugees and Citizenship in Israel (1/9/2023) - Professor Ben Herzog, CU Boulder's 2022-2023 Israel Institute Visiting Faculty, will speak about Refugees and Citizenship in Israel this Friday, January 13. Continue Reading
• JFS Focuses on Connection and Belonging for JDAIM and 2023 (1/9/2023) - JFS Jewish Disabilities Advocates (JDA) and its partner organizations will focus on connection and belonging throughout 2023. A kick-off event on February 1 will feature Rabbi Lauren Tuchman and Rabbi Julia Appel. Continue Reading
• The German Resistance to Hitler and the Holocaust (1/9/2023) - This year's International Holocaust Remembrance Day speaker is Alan E. Steinweis. Professor Steinweis will examine whether moral outrage over the Holocaust was a motive behind two assassination attempts against Hitler. Continue Reading
• “Men of the J” Group Kick-off Event Set for January 26 (1/5/2023) - 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
• New Group Organizes Colorado Jewish Climate Summit (1/5/2023) - There's a new Jewish climate action group in Colorado: Colorado Jewish Climate Action or CJCA. On Sunday, February 5, we’re putting together a Jewish Climate Action Summit, featuring a day of speakers, study, dialogue, inspiration, and community building. Continue Reading
• Wise Aging Group Starts Next Week at the BJCC (1/4/2023) - As Winter gives way to Spring, a question to consider is: "What personal seeds are you planting now that will sustain you in your 'third act of life?'” Continue Reading