Sicha - Continuing the Conversation
Newsletter Early Summer 2012
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 We are pleased to present the second Sicha Newsletter. Sicha, Hebrew for "conversation," is an organization that promotes the vital and ongoing dialogu e between classical Jewish texts and modern life. We appreciate your interest and hope that you will enjoy reading about many of the ongoing and new Sicha programs. Be sure to visit our website and Facebook page to learn what Sicha can do for you! And if you missed it, you can read the first Sicha newsletter here. Thanks! |
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Rabbi Steven Sager, Sicha Executive Director
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Sicha on the Move!
Programs in communities throughout the eastern US
This year we began Sicha BaDerech, Conversation On the Way, helping communities identify and engage topics that will contribute to their thoughtful and creative Jewish life. Sicha has prompted and provided resources for such topics as: Making Shabbat; Memory and Forgiveness; Berachot/Blessings and Thoughtful Jewish Life; Holiness Taking Place; and Naming Ourselves. Many of these resources are available here.
Consistent with Sicha's mission to prompt and nurture learning through conversation with ancient sources, we work with communities by:
- Engaging community members to identify a useful conversation topic;
- Selecting classical Jewish sources that become resources for conversation;
- Seeding conversations in the community with the help of community leaders;
- Initiating conversations with a scholar in residence visit;
- Celebrating the question that becomes a quest for the community;
- Continuing to support the ongoing conversation via online learning.
Sicha has enjoyed visiting these communities during the year. We look forward to staying on the move -- invite Sicha to your community soon! 
*Sicha created a learning project that enriched a couple's beach wedding weekend. Bride and groom wanted a celebration enriched by an appreciation of "Blessings." Sources, questions and conversations were posted on the wedding website. Family and friends came to the huppah rejoicing richly not only in the ceremonial blessings, but in those offered and received by family, friends, by the groom and by the bride! Back to top |
Sicha in the Media
Listen, learn, and read about us
Sicha was recently featured on WUNC Public Radio. Rabbi Sager spent a fascinating hour with Frank Stasio, host of "The State of  Things." The interview included a discussion about the premise and promise of Sicha, vital conversations in Jewish life, and more. Click here for the interview with Rabbi Sager.
Sicha has hosted several "online" sessions featuring conversations between midrash and poetry. Rabbis and lay leaders were invited to participate as preparation for Pesach and Shavuot. Themes included Freeing Ourselves and Crossing the Sea and The Torah That Is In Us. Stay tuned as we increase our offerings for a wider community. Sicha continues to post web essays that expand conversations on various themes that explore Jewish tradition, religious imagination and creativity. Visit our website or click below for several essays that stir a High Holiday theme:
We are like clay in designer's hand...
I say with complete faith that prayers preceded God...
To Pray with the Transgressors
...And in the inner room we keep Moses' heaviness of mouth...
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Sicha in the Mountains
Sicha Shabbaton August 9-12, 2012
There is still time (through July 15) to register for the Sicha Shabbaton in the Mountains at Wildacres. We will enjoy a Shabbat community of learning and reflecting, including small group discussions, prayer services, nature walks, mountain music, and time for relaxing on the Wildacres' porch overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. For more information and registration materials, please click here. This summer our learning will grow from ancient stories about Elijah the Prophet who appears in everyday moments and at just the right moment--in the doorway and along the way. Perhaps, we will recognize that we have met Elijah before.... Back to top |
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Sicha in its Mission
....promoting conversations between tradition and lived experience
Torah of the Door is enabling vital conversations between Jewish tradition and Jewish households of more than one religion. Successful Torah of the Door gatherings this year included conversations about "The Nature of Blessing," "Living the Sabbath," and "Honoring the Door." With the help of Sicha, several Jewish communities in the eastern United States are beginning to promote Torah of the Door!
B'almah gatherings continue to examine ancient sources on loss in the light of contemporary need. In a recent program on "Regret and Return," B'almah participants engaged classical sources that contemplated loss as a prompt towards new resolve. We were able to link this dynamic of renewal to the Jewish life cycle and to the New Year of the holiday cycle.
Tevunah is Sicha's monthly program about the ethics of speech. Dedicated to building a more respectful and thoughtful society, Tevunah regularly explores ancient Jewish sources about productive conversation, careful listening, and creative action in the face of controversy.
Sichat Rabbanim is Sicha's two-year rabbinic enrichment project that will soon be announcing the third group of B'nei Sicha/Learning Pa rtners for the coming year. Our current B'nei Sicha are in various phases of individual learning and community project development and they have reflected on their Sichat Rabbanim experience. Read about them here.
This year, Sicha honored three of our B'nei Sicha in their home communities with Rabbi Sager as Scholar-in-Residence.
Please visit the website for more information for Sicha programs and resources.
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Sicha in its Momentum
...and how you can help keep it going! |
Sicha relies on private funding to maintain its mission. With your help, we can continue the conversation that enriches communities, enables leaders, and ensures the Jewish creativity that emerges when tradition and imagination meet. Thank you!
You can give securely below. You can send a check to Sicha, 1004 Watts Street, Durham, NC 27701. You can be a part of the conversation.
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