Weekly Edition: December 5th, 2025

With Chanukah starting a little over a week from now, we’re starting to post a lot of Chanukah-related content, including the community menorah lighting events. Mark your calendars: Night 1 (December 14th) in Lafayette, Night 2 (December 15th) on the Pearl St. Mall in Boulder, and Night 4 (December 17th) is Chanukah on Ice in Louisville.

In September, we began a new column with Rabbi Charna Rosenholtz, who is offering a 12-part column exploring the spiritual and psychological wisdom of each Hebrew month. Drawing from Torah,  Kabbalah, Mussar, and seasonal awareness, each installment will highlight core themes, practices, and reflections to help ground us in sacred time. Join us on this monthly journey through the Jewish calendar. This month’s post is about Kislev.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our brothers and sisters under attack in the UK, Israel, Ukraine, and in Boulder. May the remaining injured from June 1’s attack have a refuah shlemah, a full and complete recovery. Am Yisrael Chai!

Here are the stories from this week:

News/Columns/Letters

• Column: Defending Pro-Israel Democrats in Congress Is a Must (12/4/2025) - What a bumper sticker message: “I will invest in the economy. Ritchie invests in bombs.” And Michael Blake is off – to oust pro-Israel U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, as may be other so-called progressive candidates who plan to make Congress more “Palestinian”-friendly. Continue Reading
• Letter: One Conversation Too Few? (12/4/2025) - I would hope that even Ed Kass would admit that brief conversations with one or two people are not enough to gain an understanding of the complex relationship between Israelis and Palestinians. Continue Reading
• Breathing New Life Into Ancient Songs: Finding Meaning Together Through the Psalms (12/3/2025) - The Boulder Chevra Kaddisha invites all to a free workshop on Psalms, led by Rabbi Jamie Arnold, exploring spiritual themes and contemporary translations. Continue Reading
• Letter: A Response to the Misleading Response, Part One (12/3/2025) - The response addresses Ms. Ito's criticisms regarding Israel's history, the legitimacy of Palestinian claims, and the occupation narrative, emphasizing the need for mutual understanding and acknowledgment to achieve peace. Continue Reading
• Alexander Muss High School in Israel to Launch Winter Program for 12th Grade Students (12/2/2025) - Alexander Muss High School launches a transformative 12th Grade Winter Trip in Israel, blending community service, cultural experiences, and lasting connections for seniors. Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• SAVE THE DATE: Flames of Love! (12/4/2025) - We are excited to invite you once again to Chanukah on Pearl! Monday, December 15th at 5:30. Continue Reading
• Flora Levey Bet Mitzvah (12/4/2025) - On Saturday, December 6, 2025 Flora Levey will be called to the Torah as Bet Mitzvah at Congregation Har HaShem. Continue Reading
• Lafayette’s Favorite Chanukah Tradition Returns: Sing-Along Under the Stars (12/3/2025) - LAFAYETTE, CO – The Boulder County Center for Judaism invites the community to celebrate Chanukah in Lafayette on Sunday, December 14th at 4:00 PM at the Lafayette Festival Plaza. This beloved annual tradition brings together families for a magical night of festive songs and lighting a grand menorah. This year's celebration will feature a live… Continue Reading
• 13th Annual Chanukah on Ice Returns to Louisville (12/2/2025) - This year marks the 13th anniversary of this exciting celebration, which combines the joy of outdoor winter activities with the warmth of Jewish tradition. Wednesday, December 17th at WinterSkate in Louisville. Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

• Upcoming Activities for the Colorado Hebrew Chorale and Kol Nashim (12/4/2025) - The Colorado Hebrew Chorale and its women’s choir, Kol Nashim want you to know about our upcoming programs and activities in December and January. Continue Reading
• Ukrainian Folk Group YAGÓDY Opens 2026 US Tour in Boulder Following New Single “Koni” (12/4/2025) - “a mesmerizing blend of centuries-old traditions” -Chicago Sun-Times “wild mix of guttural vocals with theatrical flair... They are earthy and sweet, with a kick.”  -MinnPost Ukrainian sirens YAGÓDY, will return to the U.S in early 2026 for a breathtaking new tour highlighted by a performance at the renowned Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN. Celebrated… Continue Reading
• Four Seasons, Two Worlds: Boulder Philharmonic Unites Vivaldi and Piazzolla This Holiday (12/4/2025) - This holiday season, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra will celebrate the season with a program that spans continents and centuries. On December 20, the orchestra will pair Vivaldi’s most famous work, The Four Seasons, with Astor Piazzolla’s vibrant Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires). For centuries, Vivaldi’s Seasons has dazzled audiences with its vivid storytelling—thunderstorms cracking across… Continue Reading
• Flowers From Antarctica (12/4/2025) - A new poem by Lisa Tremback Continue Reading

Events

• Breathing New Life Into Ancient Songs: Finding Meaning Together Through the Psalms (12/3/2025) - The Boulder Chevra Kaddisha invites all to a free workshop on Psalms, led by Rabbi Jamie Arnold, exploring spiritual themes and contemporary translations. Continue Reading
• Cuban Chanukah Brunch This Sunday! (12/3/2025) - Join women for a brunch and craft event about Jewish life in Cuba this Sunday, December 7, at Boulder Center for Judaism. Cost: $18. Continue Reading
• SIPP 2025 Online Community Update – Sunday, Dec 7 (12/2/2025) - Join SIPP's online update on December 7th to learn about their impactful projects in Gaza, hear partners' insights, and support grassroots initiatives. Continue Reading