Weekly Edition: January 3rd, 2025

Happy New Year and Shabbat Shalom! Here is Morah Yehudis’ take on this week’s Torah portion. The weekly walk in support of the hostages continues this Sunday, January 5th. Meet at 1 pm at Pearl St. and 8th.

There were two public Chanukah events in Boulder County this week — See the recap and pictures here.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our brothers and sisters under attack in Israel, Ukraine, and the women of this country. Am Yisrael Chai!

Here are stories from this short week:

News/Columns/Letters

• Boulder Center for Judaism to Dedicate New Building (1/2/2025) - Establishing a beautiful and vibrant headquarters has been a lifelong dream and on Sunday, January 12, 2 pm, we will celebrate the realization of this dream at 2810 Jay Road. Continue Reading
• Column: NYC’s African Mayor on Antisemitism: ‘We Have to Educate Our Way Out of This’ (1/2/2025) - Amid rising anti-Jewish hate crimes in NYC, Mayor Adams emphasizes educating Black youths about Jews, linking ignorance to rising antisemitism and societal division. Continue Reading
• Hundreds Celebrate Chanukah on Pearl and on Ice (1/1/2025) - Hundreds of community members braved cold and sometimes windy weather to celebrate nights 6 and 7 of Chanukah this week. Continue Reading
• Letter: Palestinian Rejectionism is Real Reason There Is No Palestinian State (12/29/2024) - A brief review of the history of the founding of the modern State of Israel gives further insights into Palestinian rejectionism, the principal reason that a Palestinian state does not exist. Continue Reading
• Opinion: The Discussions About Israel We Should Have in Boulder (12/28/2024) - Dr. Jack F. Sigman reflects on his doctorate journey, the complexities of Israel's statehood, and urges thoughtful discussion among the Jewish community regarding critical issues. Continue Reading
• Letter: Discussions Not Had In Boulder About Israel (12/28/2024) - Reggie Gray appreciates the publication of Ed Kass’s article, highlighting the need for open dialogue in the Boulder Jewish Community to address divisiveness. Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Roberta Reinfeld z”l (1/2/2025) - Roberta Reinfeld passed away at home in Louisville on New Year's Day, January 1st, 2025. Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Rabbi Richard Rocklin z”l (1/2/2025) - Rabbi Richard Rocklin passed away this morning, January 2nd, 2025 at the Pearl in Boulder. Continue Reading
• A Taste of Shabbos – Parashat Vayigash (1/1/2025) - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes that the Torah was the first recorded narrative in history about the idea and narrative of forgiveness in the detailed encounters between Yosef and his brothers. This next to the last portion of the book of Genesis has a name that is an explicit giveaway of its theme. In it Yosef… Continue Reading
• The Sloat Family Honored to Light the Menorah on Pearl Street in Memory of Gerald Sloat (12/29/2024) - Please join us for the annual lighting of the largest menorah in Boulder County in honor of this integral part of the Boulder Jewish Community tonight, Monday, December 30 at 5:30pm in front of the court house on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall. Continue Reading
• 5 Chanukah Questions with Governor Jared Polis (12/28/2024) - In honor of Chanukah 5785, Governor Polis granted an exclusive Chanukah interview to Chany Scheiner of Boulder Center for Judaism. Continue Reading
• Night 7: Ice Skate and See the Annual Lighting of the County’s Largest Menorah (12/28/2024) - Not sure what to do to celebrate the secular New Year’s Eve? Come out with your Jewish community to celebrate the next to last night of the festival of lights! Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

Events

• Walk Sunday to Let Them Go Now (1/1/2025) - Run4TheirLives Boulder will walk for the 57th week this Sunday in support of the hostages being held in Gaza. Please join us. Continue Reading
• Be the Light: 100 for 100 (12/28/2024) - Run4TheirLives Boulder will walk for the 56th week this Sunday in support of the hostages being held in Gaza. Join us this week as we dedicate Chanukah prayers for the 100. Continue Reading