Hebrew College Virtual Spring Event: What Makes a Community?

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Our Virtual Program

May 2, 2021 | On Zoom
Welcome Reception 4:50-5 p.m.
Program 5-5:30 p.m.

The event is free of charge. We appreciate donations at a sponsorship level of gifts of any amount to fuel our mission.

Celebrating our Visionary, Pioneering, Community- Building Honorees

Beverly Bavly
Nancy Kaplan Belsky
Susan Schechter
Myra Snyder
Diane Troderman

>>Read about our honorees

Recognizing our 2021 Esther Award recipient

Jillian Segal z”l, devoted student of Torah, teacher of courage and kindness


How to Watch the Event

Watch on Zoom

If you RSVP’d to the event, you will receive the Zoom link to join us for the Welcome Reception and watch the program together.

Watch on YouTube or Facebook

The program also will be live-streamed.

  • Click here to watch on the Hebrew College YouTube channel
  • Click here to watch on the Hebrew College Facebook page
Questions?

Please email advancement@hebrewcollege.edu


About our Honorees

Beverly BavlyBeverly Bavly is a champion of collaboration and partnership, bringing fresh thinking, energy, and creativity to her leadership at Hebrew College. She believes that Jewish education is core to the continuity and vitality of the Jewish people, and she works tirelessly to strengthen Jewish learning and leadership—at Hebrew College and beyond. A consummate connector, Beverly serves as an ambassador in the community for Hebrew College and other organizations where she serves on leadership boards, including Boston Jewish Film, the Touro Synagogue Foundation in Newport, R.I., and AMIT Children. A proud parent and grandparent, Beverly worked in fine jewelry sales at Joseph Gann Jewelers in Boston, founded by her father, before retiring to volunteer. She remains inspired by her parents’ legacy of tzedakah.  

Nancy BelskyNancy Kaplan Belsky has been passionate about and devoted to Jewish communal service for the past 40 years. She served as chair of CJP’s task force that increased services and programs for people with disabilities, including those living with mental illness. She also worked closely with JF&CS to develop the CHAI residential and Employment Services programs. When her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, her focus broadened to advancing programs for seniors, especially those living with memory illness. She has also been a fervent supporter of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Boston’s “Friend 2 Friend” and LGBTQ+ programs. Nancy got involved in Hebrew College through “Torah Babes,” an adult learning study group that now learns with Hebrew College President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld. Through this group, Nancy learned about Hebrew College’s compelling mission and transformative adult learning experiences and was inspired to invest in Hebrew College’s innovative vision. Her family foundation is committed to an exciting collaboration between Hebrew College and 2Life Communities, which grants internships for Hebrew College rabbinical students to do pastoral work at the 2Life Community campuses. Nancy serves as Vice President of the Rita J. and Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation. She is past Board Chair of the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston (JCCGB) and has served on the boards of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater BostonThe Institute of Jewish Spirituality, and The Rashi School. Nancy, her husband, Mark R. Belsky, MD, and their two standard poodles, spend most of their time in Lenox, MA. Besides Jewish communal service, their numerous hobbies include biking and hiking. They have three children and three grandchildren. 

>> Read more about Nancy

Susan SchechterSusan Schechter has been engaged in Jewish studies at Hebrew College since 1998 with a group of women, fondly known as the “Torah Babes,” an adult learning group at Hebrew College. She is also a recent alum of The Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s Kivvun program. Susan retired in 2000, following a successful career in marketing, sales, and financial communications, and has since been involved in educational, health and cultural organizations. She serves on the Foundation Board of Boston Arts Academy and is an overseer at MSPCA Angell. Previously, she served as a Trustee at Mass College of Art and chaired the Mass College of Art Foundation Board. She has been a long-term supporter and co-chaired annual fund philanthropic events for The Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center, the Mass Art Auction, and the MSPCA Angell gala. Susan and her husband, Bob, have been members of Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, Mass. for over 20 years. They have two grown sons, both living in Brooklyn, and enjoy traveling, hanging out with friends, and counting their blessings. 

>> Read more about Susan

Myra SnyderMyra Snyder is passionate about building Jewish community, supporting Jewish education, and championing the mission and vision of Hebrew College. She is a 1997 graduate of Me’ah Classic, Hebrew College’s two-year, 100-hour community education program. She went on to earn a Masters of Judaic Studies from Hebrew College in 2001, the same year that Hebrew College moved from Brookline to Newton Center. After graduating, Myra went from student to volunteer extraordinaire, serving on the Hebrew College Advisory Council and later on the Board of Trustees. Myra and her husband, Robert, are founding members of B’nai Torah in Sudbury, Mass.; Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, Mass.; and MetroWest Jewish Day School in Framingham, Mass., where she has also served as president of the boards. She has been active in the Boston Jewish Film Festival, BOLLI: the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Brandeis University, and the northeast branch of University of Haifa and CJP (Lion of Judah). Myra graduated from the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists at Tufts University and worked as a Registered Dental Hygienist, mostly in pediatrics with special needs children. She received her B.S. degree at Northeastern University. 

Diane TrodermanDiane Troderman has spent the last 30 years devoted to the renaissance and renewal of Jewish life. She is passionate about Jewish education, culture, and values, and is committed to Hebrew College’s future as a center for Jewish learning and leadership that emphasizes culture and collaboration. Diane was the founding chair of the Hadassah Brandeis Institute, where she continues to serve on the board, helping to inspire fresh ways of thinking about Jews and gender worldwide. She also serves on the boards of Israel Sci-Tech; Hebrew Publics: A Hebrew Charter School Network; the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary; the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; and Shalom Learning. Together with her husband, Harold Grinspoon, Diane has been instrumental in the growth of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. She serves as a trustee and focuses on PJ Library, which sends children free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture. In addition to education, Diane is also dedicated to women’s issues and to the renaissance and renewal of Jewish life in the former Soviet Union.  Between them, Diane and Harold have six children and eleven grandchildren. 


Questions & More Information

If you have questions or require special assistance, please contact Mia Tavan in the Hebrew College Development Office at advancement@hebrewcollege.edu.


Event Committee

Rabbi Suzanne Offit, Chair
Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld
Joan Arbetter Rosenberg
Deborah Feinstein
Ronni Sachs Kotler
Rabbi Or Rose
Emma Snyder Samuels
Aron Wander
Yael Werber

Host Committee

Geraldine Acuña Sunshine and Gabriel Sunshine
Marsha and Tom Alperin
Susan and Aron Ain
Aaron Albert
Julie Altman and Alex Sagan
Rabbi Sharon and Shimon Cohen Anisfeld
Susan Ansin
Miho Sato and Mark Atkins
Brenda Bancel
Lori Barnet and Jeffrey Savit
Joan and Steven Belkin
Mark Belsky
Diane and Chester Black
Michelle and Darren Black
Sara and Stephen Brown
Dorothea and Sheldon Buckler
Carol and Carl Chudnofsky
Louise Goldberg Citron
Anita Diamant and Jim Ball
Jody Dushay and Paul Gompers
Joanne H. and Paul Egerman
Ann and Myron Falchuk
Deborah and Ronald Feinstein
Renée and Steven Finn
Amy and Jonathan Fleming
Myrna H. Freedman
Marjorie R. and Leonard Freiman
Linda and Michael Frieze
Dena and Jason Glasgow
Hilary and Richard Glovsky
Bob Goldman
Harold Grinspoon
Winnie and Steven Grinspoon
Barbara and Steve Grossman
Rita J. and Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation
Rochelle Kaplan
Judith and William Kates
Rabbi Jamie Kotler and Harold Kotler
Judith and Douglas Krupp
Lizbeth and George Krupp
Wendy and Jonathan Linden
Susan and Vinny Lloyd
Rabbi Rim and Anne Meirowitz
Daniel Miller
Susan Miron
Gila and Alex Modell
The Modell Family
Tara Mohr and Eric Ries
Beth and Michael Moskowitz
Myra Musicant and Howard Cohen
Donald Nelson and Neal Balkowitsch
Rabbi Suzanne Offit and Andy Offit
RINET Company, LLC
Fran and Charles Rodgers
June and David Rokoff
Terry Rosenberg and Elliot Schildkrout
Lisa Rosenfeld and Alan Lobovits
Ronni Sachs Kotler and Wayne Diamond
Rabbi Sonia and Ned Saltzman
Carol Schaffer
Bob Schechter
Joanne Schindler and Rabbi Allan Lehmann
Ellen and Steven Segal
Rosalie and Jim Shane
Susan Shevitz and Lawrence Bailis
Jennifer Silver
Karen Sisselman
Polly and Arnold Slavet
Diana Smith
Carol and Irving Smokler
Susan and James Snider
Robert Snyder
Susan and Alan Solomont
Susie Tanchel and Jen Kaplan
Carol and Steven Targum
Suzanne and Rabbi Herbert Tobin
Lisa and Neil Wallack
Harriet and Mel Warshaw
Jackie and Alan Weinstein
Ruth and William Weinstein
Arnee and Walt Winshall
Barry Wish
Rose Zoltek-Jick
Barbara and Rabbi Henry Zoob


Thank you to Our Corporate Sponsors

Levine Chapels logo

Brookline Bank logo

S&W-Hilb logo-

 


About Hebrew College

Hebrew College is an innovative national institute for Jewish learning and leadership based in Newton, Massachusetts. We are dedicated to Jewish literacy, creativity, and community, and a world of dignity and compassion for all. Our students are future rabbis, cantors, and educators, and people at every stage of life who love to learn. Together, we are infusing Jewish life with substance, spirit, beauty, imagination, and a sense of purpose. 


laudable_productions_logoThank You to Our Producer

Video production by Laudable Productions

January Prozdor Immersive: The Tzedek Edition:

A Day of Deep-Dive Learning for Teens and Parents


Al regel achat (at-a-glance):

10-11:30 a.m.m
Want to Change the World? A Jewish Social Justice Playbook
Frankie Sandmel  | TEENS only

10-11:30 a.m.
Parent Circle: Learning from the Experiences of Jews of Color
Erica Streit-Kaplan | PARENTS only

Noon – 2 p.m.
Writing Peace, Composing Justice: A Music and Creative Writing workshop Rafi Ellenson | ALL welcome

2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Artist Beit Midrash: Justice Like A Mighty River
Rabbi Laura Bellows | ALL welcome

3:30 – 5 p.m.
Ethical Debates: How much are we willing to give to save one person?
Rabba Claudia Marbach | ALL welcome

 

>> Read course descriptions and instructor bios

The Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest

Join Hebrew College faculty and alumni as they present online sessions at the Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest, January 27-31. Centered around the holiday of Tu b’Shevat – the new year for the trees, the festival is a virtual and collaborative festival by and for people who want to activate Jewish values to move the needle on climate change. All festival sessions are free for all.

Sessions and Schedule

Hebrew College faculty, student, and alumni offerings include: 

  • Rethinking Creation for the Age of Climate Crisis with Rabbi Dr. Arthur Green with Dr. Stephanie Kaza
  • Joining All Creation in Yearning for the Face of God: Teachings from the OrHaHayyim, with Rabbi Nehemia Polen 
  • When L’Dor VaDor Feels Uncertain: Talking To Children About Climate Change, with Rabbinical Student Eric Feld and Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman’14
  • Have You Made Art About It Yet: Climate Crisis Editionwith Jewish Studio Project, co-founded by Rabbi Adina Allen’14  
  • The Evolutionary Tree of Life: Finding Hope in Deep Time, with Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman 
  • Witnessing Creation: Reviving An Ancient Prayer Practice for Our Time, with Rabbi Ebn Leader
  • Breath Lab: Sacred Breath in a Time of Collapse, with Rabbinical Student Ya’akov Ginsberg-Schrek
  • Songs to Sustain Us in the Struggle: A Motzei Shabbat Sing, with Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman, Rabbi Micah Shapiro’15, and more
  • Spiraling Through Time: The Radical Practice of Shabbat, with Rabbi Getzel Davis ’13 and Leora Mallach
  • Adamah in Search of Adam: Earth in Search of Humanity, with Rabbi Moshe Givental’18 

Visit the event website to view all the session descriptions and times.


About the Climate Fest

JEWISHCLIMATEFESTLOGOThe Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest is a collaboration by and for people who want to activate Jewish values and help our community move the needle on climate change. We believe the time has come to put climate change as a central moral issue of our community, and our current moment is a unique opportunity for collaboration and engagement that might otherwise not have been possible. We are excited to leverage these opportunities in order to strengthen the Jewish climate movement and inspire individual and communal action.

Organizers of the Festival include representatives from leading Jewish environmental organizations Hazon and Dayenu, creators of The Great Big Jewish Food Fest, and the creators of The Urgency of Now: Seattle’s Jewish Climate Festival, which was the inspiration for this year’s national festival. By creating a platform for many organizations and individuals to share their enthusiasm for and expertise on this topic, we hope to collectively re-energize Tu BiShvat as a modern, purpose driven experience.

Sigd Ethiopian Israeli Commemoration

sigd flyer

Join us on November 16 at 1 p.m. EST (U.S.) to honor and celebrate the Jewish–Ethiopian holiday of Sigd. A distinguished group of speakers will highlight the story of the Ethiopian Jewish community – their journey to Israel, integration into Israeli society, and the significant role of contemporary Israeli–Ethiopian arts and culture.

The event in English is being hosted by the Consulate General of Israel to New England and co-sponsored by Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), Get Konnected!, Hebrew College and Northeastern University Hillel.

>> View the flyer

Hebrew College Project Based Learning (PBL) Bootcamp

Second Session: Monday, December 14 | 10:30 a.m.

If you did not attend the first session on November 30, please contact Marion Gribetz about permission to join this session.

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a dynamic approach to learning in which participants acquire knowledge and skills by actively exploring a complex question and working on an authentic community need. Community Education Initiative (CEI) works with selected teachers and educational directors from schools to introduce project-based learning into their school curriculum and structure.

The Bootcamp sessions will provide all participants with a boost in thinking about how to implement PBL in part time Jewish education settings. Experienced PBL educators, Kim Bodemer, Liz Levin and Sarit Ferreira will take us on an immersive bootcamp experience as we explore and experiment with PBL. Please feel free to invite others from your school to join you in the sessions.

After the sessions we will provide one on one consultations to schools that want to implement PBL in their schools.

Hebrew College CEI has been supporting and providing ongoing professional development targeted to Congregational and other part time settings of Jewish Education for over a decade. Learn from the depth of our experience in working within the particularities of the Jewish part time school setting to implement PBL in your community.

Questions? Contact Marion Gribetz.

 

Leading While the World in On Fire

Many of us never imagined we would be serving as rabbis in a time of such great devastation when the world is facing a climate crisis so dire that it threatens the future existence of humanity. Come explore what it means to lead in such a time, discuss ways to mobilize our communities for meaningful action, and support our people as they face this reality on a spiritual and emotional level.

Please join us for the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis event “Leading While the World is on Fire” on Thursday, Dec. 10  from 9:45-11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Founder & CEO of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action.


How to Register

Register to receive the Zoom link.


About the Speaker

RABBI JENNIE ROSENN is the Founder and CEO of Dayenu, a new organization mobilizing the American Jewish community to confront the climate crisis with spiritual audacity and bold political action. Rabbi Rosenn has spent more than two decades leading Jewish non-profit organizations, advocating for social change, and creating dynamic new initiatives at the heart of the Jewish social justice movement. Before founding Dayenu, Rabbi Rosenn served as vice president for community engagement at HIAS, where she built a robust Jewish movement responding to the global refugee crisis. She has twice been named one of the Forward’s 50 most influential Jews in America.