SMASHING THE IDOLS: Teach-In and Launch of MoVeRs
Thursday, October 22 @ 7 PM
University of Colorado at Boulder
University Memorial Center Room 235
Campus Map
Free and open to the public
Ever since Biblical times, when according to Jewish legend or midrash, a young Abraham famously smashed the idols and invented monotheism, some Jews have been moving worlds, envisioning new futures, and rebelling against authroity. This teach-in program will launch our year-long exploration of Jews as agents of social, cultural and political change. Who were they? What did they accomplish? And what drove them? Who are today’s MoVeRs? Why do we cheer them or fear them? Come launch a year of learning together!
Kathryn Bernheimer, director of Menorah at the Boulder JCC, will begin the evening explaining Why this theme? Why have Jews been MoVeRs throughout history? Some of the many inventions, innovations and radical ideas Jews have had a role in include monotheism, psychoanalysis, jeans, lipstick, contraceptives, communism, Google, pawn shops, instant coffee and the sit-com just to name a few! Join us for an evening that will explore what is it about Jewish tradition and culture that inspires innovative and often radical thinking and action.
Rabbi Josh Rose from Boulder's Congregation Har HaShem will then discuss the significance and relevance of the story of Abraham and the Smashing the Idols story.
The evening continues with breakout sessions with the following educators and special guests addressing various MoVeRs:
Elissa Barrett, executive director of The Progressive Jewish Alliance in Los Angeles will be talking about her work with the Progressive Jewish Alliance and social justice issues.
Orly Halpern, Jewish American Israeli war correspondent and author will address how she came to be a Jewish Israeli woman journalist living in Iraq for a year.
Gavriel Goldfeder, Rabbi of Boulder's Kehillath Aish Kodesh will be talking about Rav Kook, the first chief rabbi of the modern state of Israel. He served at a time when certain questions were being asked for the first time n centuries - how do we relate to the land? How do land and religion relate to each other? The answers he provided were nothing short of visionary, and they continue to inform essential questions of Jewish identity and progress even to this day.
Victor Gross, co-Rabbi of Boulder's Congregation Pardes Levavot will look at A.J. Heschel. Heschel represented the Jewish community at Vatican II and is considered by many to be one of America's most distinguished spiritual voices.
David Shneer, director of the Program in Jewish Studies and Associate Professor of History at the University of Colorado at Boulder will take a look at Moses Mendelssohn. In 1783, just before his death, the famous Jewish philosopher wrote "The Right to Be Different," his defense of the idea that The Enlightenment did NOT mean that all people were the same - giving birth to the idea of diversity.
Amy Stein, Boulder Community Coordinator for the Anti-Defamation League will conclude the evening asking if looking at this is "good for the Jews?" How have Jewish Mavericks, Visionaires and Rebels been perceived by society at large? Have MoVeRs been targets of or antidotes for centuries-old anti-Semitism?
Yisroel Wilhelm, Rabbi at the Chabad Jewish Student Center at CU will talk about Rabbi Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg, of blessed memory, emissaries to Mumbai, India.
**Events require an RSVP as seating is limited due to fire code restrictions. Attending an event without an RSVP may require waiting until all those who have RSVP'd are seated or being turned away if the room has reached capacity. **