Yom Limmud 2024

Keynote Presenter: Mosheh Oinounou

Bio

Mosheh Oinounou is an Emmy, Murrow and Webby Award-winning Executive Producer with roles leading teams at Fox News, Bloomberg TV and CBS News. In 2020, he launched Mo News — devoted to curating verified and balanced news. Mosheh has quickly built a highly engaged following on the @Mosheh Instagram and the daily Mo News Podcast and Newsletter.

Previously, Mosheh was the youngest-ever executive producer of the “CBS Evening News” in 2018 and 2019, where he led more than 150 personnel and coverage of everything from the war on ISIS to natural disasters, mass shootings and presidential interviews. He produced interviews with five American presidents and dozens of world leaders. He also developed and ran the CBS News streaming news channel and ran Washington coverage for CBS This Morning. Prior to that he worked as a political reporter for Fox News Channel and ran international news coverage for Bloomberg TV.

Presenter: Rinat Alatin (Session in Hebrew)

Bio

Rinat Alatin is the founder of Shemesh E-Learning – an online Hebrew school, and a teacher with a master’s degree in special education.

The mission of Shemesh E-Learning is to create a value-based world where people and organizations think good, speak good and do good. Rinat is proud to be a facilitator at DGM, the Israel startup known as the Doing Good Model, with the goal of bringing a practical model to both formal and informal education in the United States. She works to implement this new perspective of learning into business, education systems and broader communities.

Description

Where Values Meet Practice is an inspirational workshop that looks at these questions: what is the true meaning of “holding” a value? What does it mean to live by our values? How does identifying our values support our managerial identity? And how can we increase the alignment between our personal and managerial values?

This workshop will familiarize us with The Doing Good Model as a framework for considering personal impact within the organizational setting. During the workshop, we will identify our personal and managerial values, examine how these values manifest in our daily managerial routine, and consider ways to enhance implementation to bring our authentic selves to work.

Presenters: Shoshi & Harel Bassan

Bio

Harel and his wife, Shoshi, are the Houston community Shlichim from the Jewish Agency for Israel. Harel is based at the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. They joined our community 18-months ago to help make Israel come alive and to bring an Israel connection to greater Houston Jewish life.

Description

Shoshi and Harel will share their personal experiences growing up in Gush Etzion in Judea. They will share the history, the controversy, and the beauty and bring their own perspectives about growing up in conflict and the impact of the war today?

Presenter: Shoshi Bassan

Bio

Shoshi Bassan is the community Shlicha for the ERJCC. Her mission here in the Houston Jewish community is to connect people to Israel in creative and out of the box ways. Shoshi believes everyone deserves to feel connected and close to our homeland in any way that speaks to them. Cooking is one of her passions and she enjoys introducing people to delicious Israeli cuisine!

Description

The Ben Yehuda market in Jerusalem is a sensation of fresh tastes, colors and smells. Join Shoshi in a tasting session where she will introduce you to delicious foods served in the market and together you will learn about the Israeli melting pot that created such a diverse and unique food scene.

Presenters: Bible Players

Bio

The Bible Players is an interactive, educational Torah comedy troupe that uses humor and improvisation to teach mitzvot and stories. They build community through laughter and Social Emotional Learning. Their motto: We’re Always “Improving Jewish lives!” Aaron Friedman was named “Funniest Jew in New York” by The Jewish Week. He also trains students in b-mitzvah rituals through Lab/Shul and he is a graduate of List College (JTS/Columbia) and has a masters in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Description

Laugh your tuchus off as The Bible Players share stand-up comedy, improv games and side-splitting sketches like “Bestie/Bashert”, “Every Jewish Service”, “Make your own Kosher Cocktails.”

Presenter: Reut Bonfil

Bio

Reut Bonfil is the Director of Cultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest. She hails from Tel Aviv, the capital of culture and art in Israel, where she acquired her education in the fields of culture and art. She held positions at the Israeli Animation College, served as a member of the executive board of EVE, the organization of independent theater creators. She completed her internship at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and volunteered at the museum’s artist archive. Reut holds a master’s degree in Cultural Studies and a diploma in Curatorial Studies and Museology.

Description

The class will focus on Israeli art created in the aftermath of the events of October 7th. Many artists have produced works that reference the shocking events, the abductees, and the human aspect of suffering and sorrow. Works from various fields, including video, paintings and drawings, music, and even short works of literature, were created immediately during the events and after, and were distributed in Israel and around the world through social media and the global media.

Presenters: Stefani Carlson and Rachel Kossar

Bio

Stefani Carlson is the Director of Lifelong Learning at Congregation Emanu El, where she supervises the Helfman Religious School and the Becker School. She holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in Educational Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Education from the University of Cincinnati.

Rachel Kossar is the School Counselor for Helfman Religious School, and for Spring Branch ISD. She holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Houston and an M.S. in counseling and development from Lamar University and is licensed as a Professional Counselor Associate in the State of Texas.

Description

Since the pandemic, the number of children receiving special education services in schools has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, all too often, families with children who have developmental, behavioral, or other learning differences face barriers to full participation in Jewish educational programming. Making Jewish education accessible to every student enriches our whole community. So how can we make our congregational schools fully inclusive? Join Stefani Carlson, Director of Lifelong Learning at Congregation Emanu El, and Rachel Kossar, Helfman Religious School Counselor, for a conversation about how parents and congregational schools can be partners in ensuring that every child can receive a Jewish education.

Presenter: Ezequiel Castellanos

Bio

Ezequiel Castellanos is the Museum Educator at Holocaust Museum Houston, where he has been employed for more than 4 years. In his role, he presents at schools, community centers and organizations regarding the history of the Holocaust. He lead the Engines of Change program at the museum, a program that gives students an opportunity to learn important concepts of civic awareness, explore current events, and reflect on their own values.

Description

Through the analysis and interpretation of artwork created by Jewish artists living under the Nazis, the audience will consider the role of art during times of injustice and how these visual voices shed light on the personal experiences of Jewish people during the Holocaust. This program uses an image analysis strategy to guide the audience in a deep exploration of art pieces covering the major events of the Holocaust.

Presenter: Jonathan Shmidt Chapman

Bio

Jonathan Shmidt Chapman is an award-winning artist, writer, and Jewish educator. As the founder of The K’ilu Company, Jonathan reimagines Jewish early childhood engagement through theater and play. He is the author of Let There Be Play: Bringing the Bible to Life with Young Children (Behrman House 2024). Jonathan was named the Covenant Foundation’s inaugural Jewish Family Education Fellow in 2023. Jonathan’s theatrical work for children and families has been presented by Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and Seattle Children’s Theatre. He lives in the Chicago area with his husband, Rabbi David Chapman, and their two children Elior and Amitai.

Description

In this hands-on workshop, award-winning artist-educator Jonathan Shmidt Chapman will guide parents and teachers in how to use play as a way to explore Jewish tradition with young children. Each week, Jewish communities read a section of the Torah, making their way through text over the course of the year before beginning again. How can this framework provide an opportunity to engage, giggle, get messy, act out adventures, and play together using the weekly Torah portion as the catalyst? Jonathan will provide an accessible, inclusive, hands-on, easy-to-follow approach that offers families a new way to discover Jewish stories together.

Presenter: Rabbi Menachem Cohen (he/they)

Bio

Menachem Cohen (he/they) does spiritual direction, coaching & mentoring, in addition to being an InterSpiritual rabbi & tabletop game designer. He has a special commitment to queer people, polyamorous people, sex workers & the kink/fetish community. Much of his work is in the design/use of roleplaying games (similar to Dungeons & Dragons) for growth, exploration & healing. He is the rabbi of Makom Shalom Mitziut in Chicago. His smicha/ordination is from Rabbi Douglas Goldhamer, z’l, of Hebrew Seminary, where he serves on the board. He earned a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Loyola University & an MFA: Writing from SAIC.

Description

“There is no such thing as failure” and “failure is not optional.” Every ‘failure’ is ripe for learning and discovery. In my studies and pursuits of Failure Theory, my favorite way to fail is to use so-called ‘incorrect methods’: ideas and techniques that depart from logic and classical methodology. In this participatory workshop, we will throw reason out the window and pull meaning from our tradition with silliness and iconoclasm. We may laugh as we do it, but the insight will be kosher and deep. Appropriate for all ages.

Presenter: David Deri-Berkai

Bio

David Deri is an Israeli filmmaker (director and screenwriter) and lecturer. David’s family immigrated from Morocco to Israel in 1963. He was born in Yeruham, Israel in1975 – the youngest in a family of 12. In January 2015, David was chosen as one of the “100 influential people on the Israeli media” by the editors of “Globes” newspaper. His awarded documentary projects, The Ancestral Cin; You Die Only Twice; A Tale of Four Minorities; and Lost led to the significant change in Israeli society’s discourse on issues that are of particular concern to Israeli society: the worsening class and sectarian divides within it.

Description

Watch snippets from A Tale of Four Minorities. The award-winning film inspired by the famous “Four Tribes Speech” of Israel’s 10th president, Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin, who aptly captured the severe fragmentation of Israeli society along ethnic and religious lines. The film, set during the global pandemic, reveals a rare and unique look at the lives of four families: ultra-Orthodox, Arab, secular, and national-religious settlers, and offers new insights into Israel’s 2022 election results, the social struggle for Israeli democracy, and into the various conclusions since the “Black Sabbath” (October 7, 2023) and Israel-Gaza war.

Presenter: Dr. Robyn Faintich

Bio

Dr. Robyn Faintich, EdD has 28 years of Jewish professional experience in areas including youth movements, day schools, community teen initiatives, early childhood education, congregational family education, and adult education. In 2010, Robyn launched JewishGPS, LLC. Robyn earned her BA degree at Drake University and her Masters Degree in Jewish Studies with a focus on Jewish Education from Siegal College of Judaic Studies. Robyn completed a fellowship in the Senior Jewish Educators’ Cohort of M2: the Institute for Experiential Jewish Education. She has an EdD from Northeastern University and holds a Doctoral Certificate in Jewish Education Leadership from Hebrew College.

Description

October 7, 2023 changed K’lal Yisrael (aka Global Jewry) forever. Regardless of one’s political stance on Israel, religious minorities in Israel, or Palestinians living in disputed territories, one must grapple with how we feel about Israel’s response to Hamas’ invasion, massacre and kidnapping of Israeli citizens (of all faith traditions) and foreign visitors. This session allows participants to encounter with and grapple deeply with a variety of Jewish ethical concepts including justice, retaliation, sanctity of human life, obligated wars and celebration over conquering enemies.

Presenters: Rabbi Joshua R.S. Fixler & Cantor Rollin Simmons

Bios

Rabbi Joshua R. S. Fixler serves as Associate Rabbi at Congregation Emanu El in Houston. He serves on the steering committees of the Houston Rabbinical Association, the Faith Leaders Coalition of Greater Houston, and the Religious Action Center of Texas. He is also a member of the board of directors for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Rabbi Fixler was ordained at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in May 2017. While in rabbinical school, Rabbi Fixler was a Wexner Graduate Fellow and a Bonnie and Daniel Tisch Rabbinical Fellow. During his time at HUC-JIR, Joshua also completed an Advanced Professional Certificate in Management for Public & Nonprofit Organizations at New York University. Rabbi Fixler lives in Houston with his wife, Annie, and their three incredible daughters.

Rollin Simmons has served as Cantor at Congregation Emanu El since 2017. Cantor Simmons received a B.A. from Vassar College, and an M.Ed. in Special Education from Lesley University and was ordained in 2010 from HUC-JIR DFSSM. At Emanu El, her roles include music director, worship leader, teacher, pastor, life cycle officiant, youth choir director, concert producer, and conversion mentor. Cantor Simmons is also a published composer of Jewish music. Here in Houston, Cantor Simmons has led programming for the Rothko Chapel, MFAH, Houston Grand Opera, ISH, and JFS. In her free time, she enjoys running around Rice, art projects with her kids Levi and Bea, and eating delicious treats baked by her husband, Rabbi David Segal.

Description

We often encounter God through metaphor – God as “parent,” God as “ruler,” God as “rock.” Using ancient and modern texts and songs, we will mine the Jewish tradition for new metaphors that expand our ability to conceptualize the Divine in our lives: God as “water,” God as “place,” God as “fire.”

Presenter: Rabbi Edwin Goldberg

Bio

Rabbi Edwin Goldberg serves Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands. He is the president of the Houston Rabbinical Association and the editor of the Journal of Reform Judaism. He has published many books and most recently won the Silver Medal of the Independent Book Publishers Awards. He has an earned doctorate in Hebrew literature.

Description

The Jewish people have been living with disruption since leaving Egyptian slavery. Resilience in the face of change is our secret of survival. This class will look at a couple of classic Jewish pivots and history and then turn to current challenges facing the future of Jewish life.

Presenter: Rabbi Dovid Goldstein

Bio

A native of McAllen, Texas, Rabbi Dovid Goldstein received his rabbinical ordination at Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in Kfar Chabad, Israel. He is Director of Chabad of West Houston/Katy, CEO of The Friendship Circle of Houston, and Associate Director of Chabad Outreach of Houston. He has served as the lead Rabbi of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice since 2005. He also serves as chaplain at the Richmond State School, Menninger Clinic, Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont, and the Harris County Jail. Rabbi Goldstein is married to Mrs. Elisa Goldstein and has five children Sima, Avrami, Chaya, Zalman and Rozie.

Description

Stress is an impediment to happiness. How can we rise above everyday worries and frustrations (whether they concern our present or our future) and retain our joy in life? What advice can we gain from Jewish wisdom that will help us deal with anxiety and nurture optimism?

Presenter: Rabbi Dan Gordon

Bio

Rabbi Dan Gordon has been sharing sacred stories with listeners of all ages for more than 30 years. He has performed and taught throughout the U.S. and in five countries. Beginning as a camp director and a performer, Dan is Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Torah in Humble, a congregation he has served since 1998. He brings a unique flavor to traditional folklore, midrash and personal narrative. He specializes in working with interfaith and multifaith communities, and volunteers as a prison chaplain. He is published in three anthologies of Jewish stories. www.rabbidangordon.com

Description

The Jewish people are often called “People of the Book.” Long before anything was written, we were “People of the Story.” Our history might be HIS-Story (or HER-Story), but MY-Story can be a “mystery.” The Torah teaches what we believed happened; midrash and folklore help us learn from what might have happened. Personal experiences provide the most fascinating stories… and ALL stories are universally able to connect with anyone whose heart is open. This session will be a blend of entertainment and inspiration, using the diverse world of Jewish storytelling past and present.

Presenter: Marjorie Ingall

Bio

Marjorie Ingall is the co-author, with Susan McCarthy, of Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies. She’s been researching apology since 2012, when she and McCarthy, a science writer, began the watchdog website SorryWatch.com. Ingall is also the author of Mamaleh Knows Best. She often writes about children’s literature for the New York Times Book Review and has written for many other publications, including Tablet and The Forward, where she was a columnist. Back in the day, she was the senior writer and books editor at the late, lamented Sassy Magazine.

Description

I understand, because I’ve been there, how infuriating it is to receive a terrible apology. “Sorry you were offended.” “Sorry but let me explain my trauma to you.” “Sorry you have no sense of humor.”

Why is it so hard to apologize well? In this class we’ll find out, delving into research in psychology, sociology, law, and medicine. We’ll explore six simple steps for delivering a great apology and discuss how to elicit a good apology from someone who owes you one. We’ll look at the role of gender in apologies and consider when NOT to apologize … or forgive.

Presenters: Al Kahn and Nancy Friedman

Bios

Al Kahn grew up in Houston, attending public schools. Ever since having to recite the Lord’s Prayer in first grade he has been an advocate for religious liberty. He currently serves as Vice-President of the board of the Greater Houston Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Nancy Friedman, who also grew up in Houston, has an equally intense commitment to religious freedom, serving as President of the Americans United chapter board and as a longtime member of the national AU board.

Description

Government imposed limits on reproductive health care are a violation of the religious freedom of millions of Americans of many different faiths. This program will explore the way in which religious doctrine has been incorporated into law in violation of the principle of separation of church and state. In many states, the right of Jews to follow Jewish teaching to make their own health care decisions has been severely curtailed. The program will include discussion of a lawsuit against the state of Missouri, challenging its abortion ban on the basis of religious freedom.

Presenter: Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh

Bio

Kamal-Mreeh, Senior Envoy of The Jewish Agency for Israel to The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, began working for the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation in 2011, where she hosted a program in Arabic focusing on the social and cultural issues concerning Arab youth in Israel. In 2015, she was selected to host the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation’s daily newscast in Arabic and 2017, she began anchoring its main Hebrew Saturday evening newscast, as well as nightly newscast, becoming the first non-Jewish anchorwoman to broadcast a main evening news in Hebrew. She was elected to the Knesset in April 2019.

Description

Come listen to this unique story and learn about the Druze people, the Arab minority, and Israeli society. I am an Israeli but not a Jew. I am an Arab but not a Muslim. I am a minority within a minority. My mother tongue is Arabic, my religion is Druze, and I am an Israeli citizen. Good luck! I was the first non-Jewish anchorwoman to broadcast the main evening news in Hebrew and Arabic in Israel, first Druze woman to become a Member of the Knesset, and the first non-Jewish Senior Envoy of the Jewish Agency of Israel. This promises to be an interesting discussion.

Presenter: Steve Kerbel

Bio

Steve Kerbel is an education consultant in the Washington DC area, and has been involved in Jewish education, formal and informal, for the last 30 years. Among his many clients, Steve has been a consultant for the Center for Israel Education and for the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies in Washington, DC. Steve is a national past President of the Jewish Educators Assembly. Steve has visited over 130 of Israel’s 320 wineries, from wineries in the basements of Jerusalem apartment buildings to the Golan Heights. Steve has been conducting Israeli wine tastings throughout the United States for over 20 years.

Description

Enjoy a relaxing and informative time tasting Israeli wines and learn about the history and development of Israel’s ancient wine history and modern wine culture success. During a 90 minute (about 1 and a half hours) program, educator Steve Kerbel will take you on a virtual visit of Israel, exploring geography, winemaking and stories of the wines and their wine makers. Israel has more than 300 wineries – your host has visited more than 130 of them! We will be tasting 6 wines, 3 whites and 3 reds from various wine growing regions in Israel.

Presenter: Sari Kopitnikoff

Bio

Sari Kopitnikoff is an experiential educator, digital artist, and content creator. She’s passionate about creating books, games, activities, mystery challenges, and shows that bring Judaism to life. For over a decade, she taught elementary through high school, and she now runs programs and experiences all over for kids, teens, and adults. You can find her books, games, and lots of educational activities on her website, thatjewishmoment.com and on social media, @thatjewishmoment.

Description

Do you have what it takes to sift through texts and messages, find clues, collaborate with teammates, solve puzzles, and figure out a valuable message? Join game-designer and educator Sari Kopitnikoff for a special escape-the-workshop game. It will be a fun, challenging, and team-oriented game. (And if you don’t break free, at least you’ll be stuck with some other passionate Jewish learners!)

Presenter: Rabbi Eitan Krul

Bio

Rabbi Eitan Krul is a conservative Rabbi in Clear Lake, TX. He was ordained in Israel and after two years of serving a congregation he established in Tel Aviv, he moved to Houston to serve as the sole Rabbi of the congregation Shaar Hashalom. He started his PhD studies in Israel, and plans to move the continuation of the study to Houston. He has a master’s degree in education and worked as a school counselor and teacher with special ed children and adults. He is part of the LGBTQ community and a proud single father of a 7-year-old boy, Dvir Israel.

Description

Orthodox tend to be perceived as keeping the Jewish law as concluded in the Shulchan Aruch without any changes, as described in the famous quote from the Chatam Sofer in the late 18th century. However, global changes in general societies and postmodern thinking brought new challenges to the Jewish Law: new questions, new situations, and new demands from sub-groups in the Jewish societies all over the word. In my presentation we will portrait the evolution of the Orthodox law, following the conservative and reform steps: in bringing new laws, assimilating to postmodern life, and using the language of postmodernism.

Presenter: Consul General Livia Link-Raviv

Bio

Consul General Livia Link-Raviv heads the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest United States, overseeing Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. With two decades of diplomatic service, she previously held roles such as Deputy Ambassador in Caracas, Venezuela, and Counsellor for Public Diplomacy in Rome, Italy. Before her diplomatic career, Ms. Link-Raviv mediated in the Family Court as a lawyer. She holds a Law Bachelor’s and a Conflict Resolution Master’s degree from Hebrew University, is a member of the Israeli Bar Association, and is trained as a mediator.

Description

Join Consul General Livia Link-Raviv, where she will share firsthand insights into the multifaceted stages of the Israel-Hamas war. Beginning with the delicate task of managing public opinion and how to counter anti-Israel rhetoric. As we navigate through the complexities of the war and the day after, she will discuss the process of rebuilding Israeli society while understanding the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the post-war landscape.

Presenter: Rabbi Steven Morgen

Bio

Rabbi Steven Morgen graduated from UCLA School of Law in 1983 and practiced corporate/securities law in LA for over nine years. He began rabbinical school in 1993 in LA and was ordained by JTS in New York in 1998. Rabbi Morgen moved to Houston upon his ordination to serve as a rabbi at Congregation Beth Yeshurun and has happily remained there for more than 25 years. He supervises the Adult Learning Program at Beth Yeshurun in which he teaches an “Invitation to Judaism” course among other classes and is involved in a variety of interfaith and educational programs in Houston.

Description

My favorite prayers are the ones we are supposed to recite first thing in the morning. They teach us to be thankful for the many blessings in our lives that we so often take for granted. In order to fully appreciate these prayers, we will first seek to understand how and why they were composed, and what some of the key words mean. Then we will offer contemporary interpretations based on the ideas they reflect.

Presenter: David Moss

Bio

David Moss has devoted his career to expressing Jewish ideas, values and texts through art. He revived the art of the hand-made Ketubah, created The Moss Haggadah and The Tree of Life Shtender with Noah Greenberg. Moss has developed a uniquely Jewish approach to architecture. He is a co-founder of Kol HaOt which illuminates Jewish life through art and is coordinator of their Teachers Institute for the Arts for day schools throughout North America. For over a decade he has delighted the many subscribers to his ‘minyan’ subscription program with new original, signed limited editions several times a year.

Description

This is an intimate, personally guided visual journey through a life devoted to synthesizing creativity and art with Jewish ideas, values and texts. Together we will explore the infinite potential of the Jewish mind, heart and hand to create works of authentic learning, meaning, inspiration and beauty. Come become part of this sacred journey as you encounter calligraphy, graphics, art, books, prints, sculpture, objects, architecture and educational programming.

Presenter: David Moss

Description

Beginning in Bali in 1990, I have asked folk artists from around the world to illustrate the same six verses from the Book of Esther, each in their own folk style and as if the story were occurring right in their own native village. The stunning diversity, detail, style, color, skill, relevance and imagination of these renditions will astonish you as will the fascinating stories behind the delightful encounters in this weird, wild, world-wide adventure.

Presenter: Michelle Renfrow

Bio

Michelle has been an artist and an educator in the Houston area for more than 20 years. Over the last several years, Michelle has enhanced her art programming to include summer camps, birthday parties, art life, coaching, and more! You may have participated in the community murals at the JCC last year during the Israel birthday celebration. As a licensed professional counselor, Michelle has provided clinical services to clients of all ages with various needs. Michelle’s experience in the arts as well as Jewish education has brought her to us today to meld the two fields seamlessly into a beautiful work of art.

Description

Let’s get together to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Yom Limmud with a community wide mural project! Participants will be able to grab a paint brush and leave their mark on our 30th anniversary mural. All ages are welcome to participate, and we ask that kids under 10 bring a grown up to assist them in the process.

Presenter: Rabbi David Rosen

Bio

For many years, Rabbi Rosen was the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Yeshurun. He retired in 2018, but continues to teach and speak. He also writes the “Beyond the Bimah” column every other week in the Jewish Herald-Voice.

Description

Of the making of Jewish movies, there appears to be no end! Movies about the Holocaust, about life in Israel and about Jewish life in general continue to be found online, in theaters and on physical media like DVD and Blu-Ray disks. Rabbi Rosen loves these movies and will share you a handful of his favorites, some classics and some recent releases, and watch trailers for each.

Presenter: Dr. Shalom Sabar

Bio

Shalom Sabar is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Art and Folklore at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (PhD UCLA, 1987). He is the author of more than 250 publications that explore Jewish art and the material culture of Jewish communities in the Sephardi and Ashkenazi worlds in Europe and the Islamic East. His areas of research include Jewish ceremonies and rituals, folk art, magic, and the visual culture of illustrated Hebrew books and manuscripts. Sabar is also an avid collector of Jewish ephemera and guides traveling seminars to Jewish sites in Europe, North Africa, India, and Central Asia.

Description

The ketubah is a unique historical and artistic document. No other past item of Judaica provides such a wealth of textual and visual information. The illustrations reflect the joyous event and the ideals of Jewish marriage and family life, reaching artistic heights in 17th–18th century Italy, when the elite Jewish families vied with each other over whose ketubah attracts more attention. Sumptuous ketubbot were also produced by the Sephardim in Europe and Jewish communities in the lands of Islam. Examples from the Kaplan Museum of Judaica (Houston) will be incorporated to highlight the development of this exceptional Judaic object.

Presenter: Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter

Bio

Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter is University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought at Yeshiva University. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and rabbinic ordination from Mesivta Torah Vodaath. He has authored and edited a number of books, and over a hundred articles, in Hebrew and English.

Description

We live in a time of harsh disagreements, cancel culture, and mistrust. What can be done to counter this alarming tendency?

Presenter: Rabbi Yitzchok Schmukler

Bio

Rabbi Yitzchok Schmukler received his BA in Jewish Studies from Rabbinical College of Canada, his rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Tomchei Temimim in Israel, and completed post graduate studies in Jewish Law and Philosophy at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in New York. He is a popular lecturer on Jewish topics and is the co-founder and spiritual leader of Chabad Bay Area – Jewish Life Center, a non-profit based in League City, Texas, dedicated to providing welcoming and inspiring experiences of Jewish life, learning and celebration. He and his wife Malky are the proud parents of five daughters and two sons, ka”h.

Description

At a time of unprecedented freedom for Jews, the question of ‘What’s the Jewish message to a modern world?’ begs to be answered. There is such a message, and it’s been waiting for just this moment in history to be heard. It’s based in the Seven Laws of Noah and extends to a set of values known as the Sinai Principles. What are those principles? Why are they needed? Would a modern mind find relevance in this idea? Discover how you have a role in all of this, helping to make the world a more wholesome, unified and peaceful place.

Presenter: Rabbi Pam Silk

Bio

Rabbi Pamela B. Silk grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan, attended the Interlochen Arts Academy for high school and received her B.S. in Biology from The University of Michigan. Following her graduation Rabbi Silk began her rabbinical studies in Jerusalem and received her M.A.H.L. and rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Rabbi Silk began serving Congregation Emanu El in 2003, immediately following her ordination.

Rabbi Silk has held leadership roles in the Houston Rabbinic Association, served on the Board of Trustees for the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and was awarded the Mae & Edmund Hecht Rabbinic Award presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. Being passionate about providing pastoral care to those in need, Rabbi Silk is frequently in area hospitals visiting temple members and their loved ones and chairs the Professional Advisory Group for Memorial Hermann’s Clinical Pastoral Education program. Rabbi Silk enjoys reading, cooking, and baking. She is married to Jeff Silk and they have two children.

Description

Spend a bit of time reflecting on what’s most important in your life and consider ways to convey those things to the next generation. In this session, we will learn about ethical wills, examine examples, and have the opportunity to begin crafting our own expressions of our values, achievements, blessings, life lessons, hopes and dreams.

Presenter: Rabbi Jordan Silvestri

Bio

Rabbi Jordan Silvestri is the Head of School at the Robert M. Beren Academy in Houston, Texas. After a ten-year career in social services, Jordan transitioned into the world of educational leadership first at Sinai Schools and then in the administration at Ramaz and Yeshivah of Flatbush. Jordan is an avid reader and student in the art of leadership and self development. His mission of ensuring that all learners have a safe and welcoming space for them to grow is at the heart of his practice.

Description

The Jewish people are known as the people of the book. The seminal text of the Bible – including the Prophets and Writings – are not simply an inspiration tale of a young, fledgling group outplaying their perceived abilities. Through the lenses of some of our greatest leaders we are able to understand the value of the Jewish people and the messages that Hashem has shared through his messengers. Our leaders are, in themselves, a microcosm of our origin story. Through this class we will explore some of those leaders and the messages that ring true today.

Presenter: Hillel Smith

Bio

Hillel Smith is an artist and designer from Los Angeles, now based in Washington, DC. Focused on expanding the boundaries of Jewish art, he revitalizes ancient rituals with projects in contemporary media, encouraging creative reconsideration of religious practice. He has painted dynamic Jewish murals around the world and is the founder of the Jewish Street Art Festival. Through his large scale public projects, he advocates for visibility in multicultural environments. He has created work for Fendi, Patton Oswalt, PJ Library, BBYO, and HIAS. He is fascinated by Hebrew typographic history and teaches about the interaction of technology, identity, and design.

Description

We all express ourselves through the art and design we surround ourselves with, showing the world who we are and what is important to us. Street art in particular is a way to proclaim our identities in public spaces. We begin with discussions about art as a way of expressing personal and communal identity, and Jewish approaches to art throughout history, before learning how to design, cut, and paint our stencils. I cover safety protocols and can tailor the program to any thematic focus and desired final projects, including posters to take home, challah covers, or a group wall.

Presenter: Rabbi Yitzchak Sprung

Bio

Yitzchak Sprung is the Rabbi of United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston (UOS), a warm, growing, and dynamic community. Join us for tefilot, torah study, and the warmth and fun of varied community events for all ages. Rabbi Sprung is studying for a PHD in Jewish Philosophy at Yeshiva University, where he previously earned Rabbinical Ordination and an MA in Jewish Studies. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Bar Ilan University. You can find Rabbi Sprung’s Parsha Pick-Me-Up podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Description

What is Orthodox Judaism? What self-understanding do its adherents hold and does it make sense as a philosophy and way of life? Join Rabbi Sprung for an open and honest conversation about the presumptions, ideas, and faith of an Orthodox Jew.

Presenter: Seth Stern

Bio

Seth Stern is a legal journalist and author of Speaking Yiddish to Chickens: Holocaust Survivors on South Jersey Poultry Farms. His grandparents were Holocaust survivors who settled on a Vineland, New Jersey, chicken farm, which is where his mother grew up.

Description

Roughly 1,000 Holocaust survivors – including the presenter’s grandparents – found an unlikely refuge and gateway to new lives as poultry farmers in southern New Jersey. His book – Speaking Yiddish to Chickens tells their remarkable story of loss, renewal, and perseverance in the most unexpected of settings. It is based on interviews with dozens of these refugee farmers and their children, as well as oral histories and archival records.

Presenter: Marlene Trestman

Bio

Orphaned at 11, Marlene Trestman grew up in New Orleans as a foster care client of the Jewish Children’s Regional Service, the successor to the Jewish Orphans’ Home she chronicles in her new book, MOST FORTUNATE UNFORTUNATES. A former special assistant to Maryland’s attorney general, Trestman’s first book was FAIR LABOR LAWYER: The Remarkable Life of New Deal Attorney and Supreme Court Advocate Bessie Margolin. The recipient of funding awards from NEH, Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, American Jewish Archives, Supreme Court Historical Society, Texas Jewish Historical Society, and Southern Jewish Historical Society, Trestman lives in Baltimore.

Description

Using archival images and audio/video clips as illustrations, Marlene Trestman will discuss the rich and colorful history of the Jewish Orphans’ Home of New Orleans, the subject of her new book, Most Fortunate Unfortunates. The first purpose-built Jewish orphanage in the nation, the Home sheltered and educated nearly 400 Texas children during its 90-years in operation that spanned pre-Civil War to World War II. Trestman will also discuss why and how she came to write the book, including her research travels through Texas, and her ongoing work to create an online repository of images and stories of Home alumni.

Presenter: Gayle Kamen Weinstein

Bio

Gayle Kamen-Weinstein is a Social Worker and Mediator. She has worked in medical facilities, health care and education. Gayle has been a Melton student since 1999. In 2016, Gayle began attending classes in Israel on conflict studies, coexistance, trauma and volunteering in Sar El (IDF). She has taught mediation at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. This past summer Gayle became an “accidental archeologist” studying history, religion and archeology in Jerusalem. Gayle is a founding member and volunteer at the Holocaust Museum Houston and a patron at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie Illinois.

Description

The principles of mediation and conflict resolution apply to disagreements, arguments and high intensity conflicts in our global community. Strategies of sharing a narrative, building a bridge, “going to the balcony” have been used and continue to be utilized in Israel. Post war Israel is in need of creative ideas, strategies and methods for Peace, Shalom, Salam.

Presenter: Rabbi David Zaslow

Bio

Rabbi David Zaslow brings music, storytelling, kabbalah meditation, ecstatic chanting, and joyous davening to all his retreats, workshops, and Shabbatons. He is the spiritual leader of Havurah Shir Hadash in Ashland, Oregon. He is the author of several books, including a L’cha Dodi: A Prayer Book for Friday Night; Roots and Branches, a scholarly sourcebook for understanding the Jewish roots of Christianity, Replacement Theology and Antisemitism; Jesus: First Century Rabbi; and Reimagining Exodus: A Story of Freedom.

Description

The title of this presentation is also the title of Rabbi Zaslow’s award-winning book that provides insight about the Jewish man whose commitment to his Jewish faith helped inspire a new religion. By exploring the sacred texts of Talmud and first century Jewish history, Rabbi Zaslow dispels the myths of disparity between Christianity and Judaism without diluting the unique features of each faith.

Presenter: Debra Gordon Zaslow

Bio

Debra Gordon Zaslow has been captivating audiences with her storytelling for more than forty years. She teaches storytelling at Southern Oregon University, and leads storytelling and writing workshops across the country. Her CD, Return Again, features Jewish healing stories, and her memoir, Bringing Bubbe Home, chronicles midwifing her grandmother through the passage of death. She runs a Maggid training program with her husband, Rabbi David Zaslow.

Description

How do we share the key moments from our lives, and make our anecdotes into tellable tales? In this workshop we will use visualization, sensory imagery, story mapping, and small group sharing, to create oral stories that reflect the unique narratives of our lives.

Session Speakers:

Randy Czarlinsky – Houston Region Director American Jewish Committee (AJC)

Mark Toubin – Regional Director Anti-Defamation League (ADL) , Southwest Region

Wendy Warren – Director of Education at Holocaust Museum Houston

Rabbi Kenny Weiss – Executive Director Houston Hillel

Renée Wizig-Barrios – President & CEO Jewish Federation of Greater Houston

Description

The heads of major community orgs (ADL, AJC, HMH, Hillel, and Federation) will come together to highlight their efforts to combat antisemitism, including a presentation of what resources each organization has to offer. The presentations will be followed by round table discussions that allow for a deeper dive into the work of each organization.

Panel Presenters: Orna Avraham, Harel Bassan, Hila Berdichevsky, Elad Shoshan

Bios

Orna serves as Head of Israel Economic Mission to the South Midwest, covering Texas and 9 other states in the region. Based in Houston, she has been building business connections between Israeli companies and American firms to spur bilateral trade and investment since August 2021.

Hila is a mother of three who lived in kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in the Gaza Strip for 20 years. She is married to Adam, an Israeli champion in wheelchair tennis and a Paralympic athlete. Hila is a speech pathologist who works with special education children and she and her family relocated to Houston due to the war.

Harel is an educator with a degree in Business and Education. Prior to becoming a Shaliach, Harel was a high school business teacher and worked in the Israeli Education administration under the Department of Budget and Economics. He has worked as a counselor on Birthright and with at-risk teens. Harel also volunteers for a non-profit called “Paamonim” to assist families with their financial situations. He lives in Houston with his wife Shoshi, the shlicha at the JCC, and has recently become a dad. Harel and Shoshi look forward to educating the Houston Jewish community about Israel.

Elad Shoshan was appointed as the Consul of Israel to the Southwest United States in February 2022. In his role, he aims to strengthen and promote diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations alongside the Consul General in the five-state region of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas.

Description

How does Israel look post October 7? A panel discussion about the war, the hardships, the loss and the pain, as well as the optimism and hopeful moments.

We will hear from Israelis from government officials to people who have been personally affected by the war. Each will share his/her different perspectives and points of view.