Weekly Edition: December 8th, 2023

Shabbat shalom and Chanukah Sameach! There are lots of Chanukah events coming up this week. Boulder County Center for Judaism kicked off the holiday last night in Lafayette, and will be leading two more public menorah lightings: in front of the Courthouse Lawn on the Pearl St. Mall on Night 5 (Monday, December 11) Louisville on the Plaza on Night 6 (Tuesday, December 12). Check out all of the action on our Chanukah page.

And Congregation Har HaShem’s Chanukah Bazaar is open for the season!

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

• Column: Gaza and the Vulnerable President (12/7/2023) - On Oct. 6, it would have been reasonable to predict that Biden or any Democratic nominee might sweep the six swing states, especially Michigan. After Oct. 7, Biden’s campaign could be imperiled in the aftermath of Hamas’ slaughter of 1,200 people in southern Israel. Continue Reading
• We Must Face Division with Calls for Unity (12/5/2023) - I am not looking for sympathy or pity, I tell my story as the basis for my life’s work: to bring unity and understanding everywhere I go. When protestors yell “from the river and to the sea” and other anti-Semitic chants, we must let the words of unity drown out those of division. Continue Reading
• Letter: A Future for Israel (12/5/2023) - Hamas must be dismantled and Gaza must be demilitarized. Furthermore, the Palestinians, who’ve been fed generations of anti-Jewish rhetoric, must be deradicalized. Continue Reading
• One Happy Camper Applications Now Open for Summer 2024 (12/3/2023) - The “One Happy Camper” summer camp grant program at JEWISHcolorado is now accepting applications for the 2024 summer camp session. Continue Reading
• Jewish Teen Leadership Award: Applications and Nominations Are Open (12/3/2023) - Do you know a teen leader like Aron, Meaza, or Anabelle making a difference in your community? The 2024 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards recognize up to 15 Jewish teens from across the United States with $36,000 to honor their leadership and efforts to repair the world. Continue Reading
• Letter to Boulder City Council: Tearing Down of Hostage Signs on Pearl Street Mall (2) (12/3/2023) - I wish this incident captured on video was unbelievable in our fair City. ... An aware police force would be helpful, but it is essentially useless unless there is a relevant ordinance. Police can't enforce civility.  Continue Reading
• Letter to Boulder City Council: Tearing Down of Hostage Signs on Pearl Street Mall (3) (12/3/2023) - When my son and I went home from Pearl Street that day I asked him, “How is your Jewish identity these days?” He asked what I meant and I said, “Given all that’s happening in the world with the war and anti-Semitism, how does it feel for you to be a Jew?” He said, “Putting… Continue Reading

Jewish Life

• Andy Franklin to Be Honored as Lamplighter for Pearl Street Menorah Lighting (12/7/2023) - Each year for over 20 years the Boulder Center for Judaism has lit a menorah for the community on the Pearl Street Mall. Each year a member of the community who has worked especially hard for Boulder’s Jews is asked to light that special community menorah and this year it is our pleasure to give… Continue Reading
• Chanukah Celebrations for Kids and Teens (12/7/2023) - The Boulder JCC is excited to celebrate Chanukah with you and your family. Please join us for one of our upcoming activities for families and teens Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10. Continue Reading
• Chanukah on Ice Moved to Chanukah on the Plaza in Louisville! (12/7/2023) - We are excited to invite you to a special Chanukah Menorah lighting in Louisville on Tuesday, December 12. Continue Reading
• Latkes and Lights to Celebrate Chanukah – 3 Great Events (12/7/2023) - The Boulder JCC is excited to offer several opportunities for adults to come together to celebrate the Festival of Lights.  Continue Reading
• It’s Chanukah! (12/7/2023) - A Chanukah poem from Lisa Tremback Continue Reading
• Keep At It, a Poem (12/5/2023) - A new poem from Todd Greenberg. Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Annette Finesilver z”l (12/5/2023) - Annette Finesilver, Susan Finesilver's mother, passed away peacefully on Shabbat, December 2, 2023 and is being buried in Denver on Wednesday. Continue Reading
• Beth Ami Invites You to Their Humanistic Chanukah Party (12/3/2023) - Beth Ami Colorado Congregation for Humanistic Judaism is inviting the public to attend its annual Chanukah Party on December 9th. Continue Reading
• Cayden Rosenthal Bet Mitzvah (12/3/2023) - On Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 Harper Hammer-Cadora will be called to the Torah as Bet Mitzvah at Congregation Har HaShem. Continue Reading
• Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Zafrira Ben-Joseph z”l (12/3/2023) - Zafrira Ben-Joseph (Zafi), mother of Eirit Yonatan and Ron Ben-Joseph and mother-in-law of Bonai Board member Alon Yonatan died on Thursday, November 30, 2023.  Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

• Gallery Opening at Boulder JCC Celebrates First Night of Chanukah (12/7/2023) - The new exhibition, of works by metalsmith Paula Newman Pollachek, opened on Thursday, December 7. Much of Paula’s work in this show is Jewish ritual items. The exhibition will be on display at the Messinger Gallery through March 2024.  Continue Reading
• December Activities for Colorado Hebrew Chorale and Kol Nashim (12/3/2023) - Join us for one or more of our programs in December, and Happy Chanukah! Continue Reading

Events

• Nosh and Network Holiday Party! (12/5/2023) - On Tuesday, December 12, join us in person at the Boulder JCC for the Nosh & Network Holiday event.  Gather with local professionals for networking, snacks, games, and more. Continue Reading
• Adventure Judaism Hosting “Israeli in Residence” Molly Livingstone (12/3/2023) - Our congregation is thrilled to host Molly Livingstone, a professional speaker and comedian from Israel, from Dec 3-10. Join us at one of the upcoming events. Continue Reading