Weekly Edition: February 6th, 2026

Shabbat shalom!

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 highlights core themes, practices, and reflections to help ground us in sacred time. Join us on this monthly journey through the Jewish calendar. We started the new month of Shvat last week.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our brothers and sisters under attack in Australia, 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

• 4 Questions for Rabbi Yisroel Bernath (2/5/2026) - Rabbi Yisroel Bernath, author of "The Forgiveness Experiment," will lead transformative experiences on February 13-15, focusing on forgiveness as personal liberation. Continue Reading
• 4 Questions for Visiting Author Laya Saul Jackson (2/5/2026) - Today Laya Saul Jackson lives in Tsfat, Israel, but she lived in the Boulder area for many years before that. The Boulder County Center for Judaism is holding a Lunch and Learn with her as the speaker next week. Continue Reading
• Column: Jewish Power, Big Apple Style (2/5/2026) - New York City’s new mayor faces two initiatives aimed at precluding any of his actions that Jewish leaders fear might harm Israel or their fellow Jews in the Big Apple. Continue Reading
• Opinion: Israel’s Looming Crisis with Young Republicans (2/5/2026) - Alongside the Democratic Party veering into open anti-Semitism and opting to end bipartisan support for Israel, there has also been a parallel shift and erosion of support for Israel among young Republicans that needs to be acknowledged. Continue Reading
• “The Last Walk” – All The Hostages Are Home (2/1/2026) - Boulder Run4TheirLives group held a final weekly walk on Sunday, to recognize that the last hostage had been returned to Israel. Continue Reading
• Opinion: Exodus from Gaza (2/1/2026) - Critics of Israel, in the media and elsewhere, don’t seem to notice what this sort of news does to their arguments. If Israel was trying to commit genocide, why did it allow 100,000 of its intended victims to leave? Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• Annual Purim Drag Queen Bingo at the JCC Denver is on February 28 (2/5/2026) - The Mizel Arts and Culture Center hosts Purim Drag Queen Bingo on February 28, featuring local drag queens, bingo, food, drinks, and a Garden of Eden theme. Continue Reading
• Holy, Holy, Holy (2/5/2026) - A new poem from Lisa Tremback Continue Reading
• Miriam’s Well of Wisdom (2/5/2026) - A new poem from Todd Greenberg Continue Reading
• Soloway-Lazar Engagement (2/4/2026) - Rabbi Marc Soloway of Congregation Bonai Shalom has officially become engaged to his partner, Rachel Lazar! Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Marian Safran z”l (2/1/2026) - Marian Safran passed away on Shabbat morning, January 31, 2026, following a bad flu, just 9 days after her husband Bill. Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

• Fiddling Around With The Brain (2/4/2026) - Rob Schware, 74, reflects on his Fiddler on the Roof role, linking emotions experienced to his teaching on Whole Brain Living and aging insights. Continue Reading
• Boulder Phil Welcomes Vocal Star Stella Cole This Friday (2/4/2026) - Vocalist Stella Cole will perform with the Boulder Philharmonic at the Boulder Theater on February 6, 2026, showcasing her unique style with orchestral arrangements. Continue Reading

Events

• NCJW Colorado’s Havdalah and Hora Event to Reaffirm Jewish Tenets of Reproductive Rights and Freedom (2/5/2026) - The NCJW Colorado's 2026 Community Havdalah and Hora event on February 14 will highlight Judaism's support for abortion rights and bodily autonomy amidst current political challenges. Continue Reading
• Unpacking the Inheritance: Why We Carry Jewish Anxiety and How to Put It Down (2/4/2026) - The Boulder JCC invites the Jewish community to challenge anxiety as a trait, featuring Rabbi Caryn Aviv, who offers insights from her book on fostering joy and emotional freedom. Continue Reading