Weekly Edition: September 11th, 2026

Shabbat shalom and l’shana tovah u’mtukah! As we get ready to greet the new year and Shabbat, we are also mindful of the 25th anniversary today of the terrorist attack that in many ways set the tone in the U.S. and much of the world for the last quarter-century. One of the many, many 9/11 stories out there is the one BJN is highlighting: the first casualty of the attack was an American-Israeli named Danny Lewin, who was on Flight 11 out of Boston that morning. Read his heroic story here.

The BJN would also like to acknowledge and thank the “Stories of Antisemitism” group and their partnering Colorado Christian Churches for the lovely Shanah Tovah gift basket that arrived this week. We certainly appreciate their unwavering support of the Jewish community in these troubled times.

Speaking of antisemitism, this week also brought a conclusion to the federal discrimination claim filed by the ADL against the Boulder Valley School District. The two sides reached an agreement that should bring better protections for students bullied for any reason, but especially antisemitic harrassment throughout the school District.

Last September, we began a new column with Rabbi Charna Rosenholtz, 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 are now in Elul, the final month of the series, so be sure to check out this latest entry. Links to her earlier columns (months 1-11) are included.

Here are the stories from this week.

News/Columns/Letters

• Danny Lewin z”l: The Very First Victim of 9/11 (9/10/2026) - On the morning of September 11, 2001, Danny Lewin boarded American Airlines Flight No. 11 in Boston, expecting to reach Los Angeles. Instead, the flight was hijacked and commandeered by Arab terrorists, crashing into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Continue Reading
• This Year, Together: JEWISHcolorado Releases Annual Report (9/10/2026) - JEWISHcolorado reflects on its impactful year, highlighting advocacy, safety initiatives, record fundraising, and community programming while expressing gratitude for support. Continue Reading
• ADL and BVSD Reach Settlement Agreement to Address Antisemitic Bullying in Boulder Schools (9/9/2026) - Boulder Valley School District will implement comprehensive measures to combat antisemitism following a federal complaint by the ADL. Continue Reading
• Boulder JCC Statement on ADL-BVSD Settlement (9/9/2026) - We applaud BVSD, its Board of Education, and Superintendent Dr. Rob Anderson for taking swift accountability and partnering directly with the ADL to reach a settlement and implement meaningful solutions. Continue Reading
• Letter: Israel Obeys International Law (9/9/2026) - Ed Kass ("Opinion: Needed Now. Ometz Lev" 9/3/26 BJN) is either ignorant of or willfully blind to the fact that all "Jewish settlements" in Judea and Samaria are totally consistent with Article 80 of the United Nations Charter, the controlling international law concerning Israel. Continue Reading
• Boulder JCC Officially Breaks Ground on $2.5M “Growing Up Outside” Outdoor Expansion (9/7/2026) - The Boulder Jewish Community Center begins major outdoor expansion project after a groundbreaking event, supported by community contributions and aiming for completion before the end of 2026. Continue Reading
• 64% of Israeli Jews Want a Government Without Haredim, or One That Does Not Give in to Their Demands (9/7/2026) - A recent survey indicates that 64% of Israeli Jews want a coalition excluding Haredi demands on religious issues, highlighting a significant gap between public opinion and government policies. Continue Reading
• Letter: Not “If” But “How” (9/7/2026) - The New York Times and Muhammad Shehada are wilfully blind to the one and only thing that Hamas must do to instill a least a scintilla of credibility in their claim, totally mendacious until now, that they are interested in peace. Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• The High Holy Day Survival Guide for Partners of Rabbis (9/10/2026) - If you find yourself in a new relationship with a Rabbi, this short survival guide for making it out of the High Holy Day Season alive is a must-read. Continue Reading
• Abigail Linn Bat Mitzvah (9/10/2026) - On Saturday, September 5th, 2026, Abigail Linn was called to the Torah as Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Bonai Shalom. Continue Reading
• Luna Harris Bat Yisrael (9/10/2026) - On Saturday, September 5th, 2026, Luna Harris was called to the Torah as a Bat Yisrael with Adventure Judaism. Continue Reading
• A ‘Blow Out’ New Year? (9/9/2026) - The shofar's absence on Rosh Hashanah coinciding with Shabbat illustrates deep spiritual lessons about repentance, divine mercy, and the importance of Shabbat, suggesting transformative potential for the New Year. Continue Reading
• The Night Before, The Night Before Rosh Hashanah (9/7/2026) - On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, a rabbi frantically rewrites sermons, prepares for services, and humorously navigates last-minute challenges while wishing everyone a Shana Tova. Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Ruth Seagull z”l (9/7/2026) - Ruth Seagull passed away peacefully in her home in Boulder, Colorado, one month shy of her 96th birthday. Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

• KinClub Launches Free Family Events and Activities Site, Rolling Out in Boulder and 14 Cities (9/10/2026) - KinClub Family Activities launches a free website offering local family event calendars, activity ideas, and ready-made weekend plans in Boulder and 14 markets, simplifying planning for parents. Continue Reading

Events

• Commemorating October 7: Screening of “Torn: The Israel-Palestine Poster War” on NYC Streets (9/9/2026) - On October 1, 2026, Boulder JCC hosts a poignant event featuring the documentary "Torn," exploring emotional impacts of the Israel-Palestine conflict through diverse New Yorkers' perspectives. Continue Reading