"The Once and Future Synagogue"
In keeping with this year's theme of “The Once and Future Synagogue,” we welcome Rabbi Daniel Freelander as our Spring Scholar-in-Residence. Rabbi Freelander is the President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ). Rabbi Freelander previously served the North American Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), beginning his career in 1975 and rising to Senior Vice President. His responsibilities have changed from national to international in scope, and from the Reform movement in particular to the larger Progressive Jewish world. Rabbi Freelander is a native of Worcester, MA and holds degrees from Trinity College, Hartford, and the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York. He serves on the boards of the Zamir Choral Foundation and Odyssey Networks, an interfaith media group.
Friday night - services at 6:30, presentation after services during dinner, "Antisemitism is Europe Today: what is the future for the Jews of that continent?"
Contrary to media reports, Jews are not leaving Europe in significant numbers. Jews are addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the political and demographic changes occurring daily throughout Europe. The Antisemitism of 2016 is markedly different than that experienced in earlier decades and centuries.
Shabbat morning Torah study: "parashat Shemini – What are the limits on what can take place in sacred spaces"
Nadav and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, perform a ritual act in the holy Tent of Meeting that results in God slaying them. What are the limits on ritual creativity? How do we determine what is appropriate – and what is not – in our own worship spaces?
Shabbat morning brunch and learn: "How the synagogue and its physical space can serve as a portal to greater Jewish involvement."
Synagogue design and space subliminally informs us of the messages of Judaism and congregational life. How do we ensure that we are projecting the messages we want to our members and visitors?
In keeping with this year's theme of “The Once and Future Synagogue,” we welcome Rabbi Daniel Freelander as our Spring Scholar-in-Residence. Rabbi Freelander is the President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ). Rabbi Freelander previously served the North American Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), beginning his career in 1975 and rising to Senior Vice President. His responsibilities have changed from national to international in scope, and from the Reform movement in particular to the larger Progressive Jewish world. Rabbi Freelander is a native of Worcester, MA and holds degrees from Trinity College, Hartford, and the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York. He serves on the boards of the Zamir Choral Foundation and Odyssey Networks, an interfaith media group.
Friday night - services at 6:30, presentation after services during dinner, "Antisemitism is Europe Today: what is the future for the Jews of that continent?"
Contrary to media reports, Jews are not leaving Europe in significant numbers. Jews are addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the political and demographic changes occurring daily throughout Europe. The Antisemitism of 2016 is markedly different than that experienced in earlier decades and centuries.
Shabbat morning Torah study: "parashat Shemini – What are the limits on what can take place in sacred spaces"
Nadav and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, perform a ritual act in the holy Tent of Meeting that results in God slaying them. What are the limits on ritual creativity? How do we determine what is appropriate – and what is not – in our own worship spaces?
Shabbat morning brunch and learn: "How the synagogue and its physical space can serve as a portal to greater Jewish involvement."
Synagogue design and space subliminally informs us of the messages of Judaism and congregational life. How do we ensure that we are projecting the messages we want to our members and visitors?