Weekly Edition: February 23rd, 2024

Shabbat shalom! There are quite a few events happening in the next few days: On Sunday, Congregation Beth Ami is holding their Book Discussion club. Monday morning brings Boulder JCC ED Jonathan Lev giving an Israel update at the JCC and livestreamed. The next day, Tuesday, there will be a presentation at CU Boulder on Jewish Women Photographers.

Our thoughts and prayers are once again with our brothers and sisters under attack in Israel, Ukraine, and the women of this country.

Stay warm, stay safe and stay healthy. Am Yisrael Chai!

Here are stories from the last week:

News/Columns/Letters

• 400 Unite at Jewish National Fund-USA’s Women for Israel Annual Event (2/22/2024) - 400 philanthropic “wonder women” attended Jewish National Fund-USA’s Women for Israel Annual Event in Denver on February 13, 2024, to recognize their impact on the land and people of Israel. Continue Reading
• Column: To Save Their Jobs, House Republicans May Need to Save The World (2/22/2024) - Last week, Rep. Fitzpatrick's impeachment attempt and new military aid bill highlighted political tension and global security concerns ahead of significant elections. Continue Reading
• Letter: As Israel Depends on the Kindness of a Strange Congress (2/20/2024) - Toby F. Block asserts that America’s attempt to undo past policies has weakened U.S. global standing, consequently empowering adversaries like Iran, Russia, and China, and adversely impacting allies. He critiques domestic policies, emphasizing states’ rights in Congressional representation. Continue Reading
• Julie Schlafer of Aspen Named to JFNA National Women’s Philanthropy Board  (2/19/2024) - Julie Schlafer of Aspen joins JFNA National Women’s Philanthropy Board, building on her legacy as a third-generation Jewish woman philanthropist and community bridge-builder. Continue Reading
• Letter: Rebuttal of Scholar’s Declaration Supporting the Abetting Genocide Lawsuit (2/19/2024) - The author argues against a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, citing Hamas' atrocities that necessitate Israel's self-defense and denouncing Palestinian leadership for historical and ongoing violence over negotiation. Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Yair Erez z”l (2/20/2024) - Yair Erez, husband of Paula Erez and father of Amir and Galit, passed away peacefully this afternoon, February 20, 2024. Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Jack Paul z”l (2/19/2024) - Jack Paul, former Bonai Shalom member, passed away February 16 from leukemia at age 21. Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

• Movies & Torah: Who Knew!!! (2/22/2024) - Before Yehudis gives a talk at the Boulder JCC on Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. on her new book "Garden of Time," we had the chance to tap into some of her Hollywood wisdom before the March 10th Oscar ceremony. Continue Reading
• The Snow is Fast and Furious (2/22/2024) - A new poem from Lisa Tremback Continue Reading
• Ladino Music Concert Planned for March (2/19/2024) - Ladino, also known as Judeo-Spanish, is a Romance language with roots in medieval Spanish spoken by Sephardic Jews. Evolving over centuries, Ladino incorporates elements of Hebrew, Arabic, and Spanish.  It developed similarly to Yiddish but in a different region of the globe. Yiddish originated among Ashkenazi Jews in Central and Eastern Europe has elements of… Continue Reading

Events

• Israel Briefing and Conversation with Jonathan Lev on February 26 (2/22/2024) - In this presentation on Monday, February 26 at the Boulder JCC, Jonathan will share details and photos from the trip. He will talk about who he met with, what he learned, and how he was inspired. Continue Reading
• Jewish Women Photographers: Undervalued Quality and Quantity (2/22/2024) - There is a long, complicated history of Jewish women in photography, especially color—which extends from Eastern to Central to Western Europe, Britain, and the United States.  Continue Reading
• JEWISHcolorado’s JCRC to Honor Jacki Cooper Melmed at Annual Luncheon (2/20/2024) - JFNA CEO Eric Fingerhut and Jacki Cooper Melmed will feature at JEWISHcolorado’s JCRC annual luncheon on March 13, 2024. Continue Reading
• JFS Hosting 8-Week Bereavement Group (2/19/2024) - Julie Mahoney Thomas, a counselor with 25 years of experience, facilitates a support group for grief at Boulder JCC to work through loss, offering educational and emotional support. Continue Reading