Annual Lecture: Steven J. Zipperstein – Myth and History in the Recent Jewish Past

The Heidi Urich Annual Lecture on Jewish Genealogy
cosponsored by JGSGB and Hebrew College
Free and Open to All

For many Jews, the Russian and East European Jewish past is little more than a miasma of misery. As often as not, the experience is summed up with little more than the word “pogrom” which has come to serve as a sturdy coda for all that transpired in what was, at the turn of the 20th century, the largest concentration of Jews in the world. How consistent these assumptions are with history, how they surfaced and with such persistence and what else transpired in this culturally diverse, complex community will be the subject of this talk.

Registration

Information to obtain the Zoom link will be available on the JGSGB web page by October 1, 2020.

About the Speaker

zippersteinSteven J. Zipperstein, Daniel E. Koshland Professor in Jewish Culture and History at Stanford University, is the author and editor of nine books. His most recent book, “Pogrom: Kishinev and the Tilt of History” (WW Norton/Liveright, 2018), was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, was named one of the Best Books of the Year by the Economist, and is the inspiration for this lecture. He is now at work on a biography of Philip Roth. He is an editor of Yale’s Jewish Lives series, and writes often for The New York Times, Jewish Review of Books, and elsewhere.

A Virtual “Taste” of Hebrew College Me’ah

Curious about Hebrew College’s Me’ah program? Come enjoy a free “Taste.”

Discover Hebrew College’s Community Education Me’ah program, the amazing two-year journey through Jewish history that provides adults of all backgrounds with a foundation in Jewish culture and civilization.

Meet with one of our stellar instructors, enjoy a sample lesson, and learn how you can join the Me’ah journey. Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Gold.

RSVP to mstern@hebrewcollege.edu

A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants a few days before the session.

*Classes will meet virtually starting October 2021

 

Racial Justice Yom Iyyun

Join us on Sunday, August 23 for a day of learning on racial justice as a Jewish community. This day will be multifaceted. It will provide space to speak about white supremacy, to discuss the nature of racism in Jewish life, and to hold up the diversity of our Jewish community. We will learn from many teachers, most of whom identify as Jews of Color (JOC), we will reflect, and we will pray.

This day of learning is brought to you by BASE Hillel with support from Hillel International, key leaders who are Jews of Color, Hebrew College, and many other valued organizations.

Registration information is coming soon!

Ta Sh’ma (Come & Hear) Open House for Prospective Rabbinical & Cantorial Students

Ta-Shma ad

NOTE: Our In-person Ta Sh’ma is currently at capacity. Please register here if you would like to be placed on the waiting list. We will do our best to accommodate those on the waitlist. Thank you!


Have you thought about becoming a rabbi, rav-hazzan, or cantor? Join us on for Ta Sh’ma (Come & Hear) to experience the vibrant pluralistic communities of Hebrew College’s pioneering rabbinical, cantorial and rav-hazzan programs.

Join us in person on Monday, November 15th from 8 a.m-4 p.m. EST.
You are also invited to stay for classes on Tuesday, November 16th. Masks and vaccinations are required for all programs in the building.

  • Learn with Hebrew College faculty, including Hebrew College President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, Rabbi Arthur Green, Cantor Lynn Torgove, and other members of our faculty.
  • Join with current students for an inspiring day of learning, conversation, music and prayer
  • Enjoy plenty of breaks and opportunities for small group conversations
  • If you would like to attend but can’t make it to either Open House, please be in touch to find other ways to connect with our community

>> View the event schedule


Contact Us

Please contact Rabbi Gita Karasov, Director of Admissions, if you have any questions: gkarasov@hebrewcollege.edu.


Meet our students

 

While many of our faculty and students were home last year due to the pandemic, they shared a message about our community.


naomi-gurt-lind

Hear from rabbinical student Naomi Gurt Lind (below) about balancing rabbinical school and motherhood. Read “Finding the Right Place.”

Poetry in Times of Peril: Four Women’s Voices

From the ancient Book of Psalms to contemporary hip-hop, poetry has served as a vital channel through which to express our deepest yearnings, frustrations, and hopes.
 
How might words of poetry help us respond to the current crisis of COVID-19 and the national reckoning with racial injustice?
 
Join us as we engage four outstanding woman poets from different walks of life for a cross-cultural and intergenerational reading and discussion.
 
Featured Poets
Four poets: Alondra Bobadilla, Marilyn Nelson, Alicia Ostriker, Alicia Jo Rabins
  • Alondra Bobadilla
  • Marilyn Nelson
  • Alicia Ostriker
  • Alicia Jo Rabins
Moderator – Dr. Judith Rosenbaum, Jewish Women’s Archive
Greetings – Rabbi Or Rose, Miller Center of Hebrew College & Rev. Paul Raushenbush, Interfaith Youth Core

Sponsors:

  • Jewish Women’s Archive
  • Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership of Hebrew College
  • Interfaith Youth Core
  • Lilith Magazine

To learn more about PsalmSeason visit: http://www.ifyc.org/article/intro-project-time-upheaval 

A Time to Mourn: Grieving Together in the Time of COVID

A Time to Mourn image

On July 9, we joined together with the Greater Boston Jewish Community to pause and reflect as we mourn all those lost during the COVID pandemic thus far. Our 15 minutes together included personal reflections, ritual and the dedication of a new community memorial.

We chose the 17 of Tammuz, Shivah Asar B’Tammuz, because this date is already a day of mourning in our tradition. 17 of Tammuz is a minor fast day that marks the beginning of the three week mourning period leading up to 9 of Av, Tisha B’Av. We recognize this time in the Jewish calendar as we mourn and remember the many calamities upon calamities that have befallen the Jewish people.

During the event, we displaying the names of loved ones we have lost during the COVID epidemic. We apologize but cannot accept any more submissions at this time.


How to Join the Event

Watch on YouTube or Facebook on on-demand.


Our Program

Welcome and Kavannah
Rabbi Suzanne Offit `09
Palliative Care Chaplain

Chanting of Psalm 23
Rabbi Rebecca Weintraub `20
B’nai Jeshurun, New York 

Personal Reflections
Rabbi Karen Landy
Chaplain, Hebrew SeniorLife

Ritual and Dedication of Community Memorial
Jamie Cotel
Executive Director, Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts

Chanting of El Maleh Rachamim
Rabbi Ebn Leader
Faculty, Hebrew College

Closing Words
Rabbi Neal Gold
President, Massachusetts Board of Rabbis

Closing Niggun
Rabbi Rebecca Weintraub


Sponsors and Partners*

timetomourn-sponsors

* List of partner organizations in formation


We also encourage you to visit the JTA’s “Bonds of Life” website, which mourns members of the Jewish community from throughout the country, including Greater Boston, who have passed away during the coronavirus pandemic.