שלום שלום שלום
Shalom Holy Chevre (Holy Group),
We brought in the secular New Year with Shabbat services on January 1, 2010. Those pictured in the aliyah have made a commitment to Jewish study this year. Many thanks to guitarists Barbara Ries and Ken Goldman.
Hillel co-presidents Jackie and Danielle will attended Hazon, a Jewish conference in the Bay Area on ethical eating, over winter break. Here's their report...
HAZON REPORT FROM HILLEL CO-PRESIDENTS
From December 24th to 27th 2009, I attended the Hazon Food Conference at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California. There were over 600 atendees from all over the United States and five other nations. It was a jam-packed five days, and at times it was difficult to choose which session to attend, as there were so many interesting topics being covered.
You may be wondering, what is Hazon? Briefly, Hazon, which means vision in Hebrew, is a Jewish Food movement that is working to create both a healthy and sustainable Jewish community and world. For more information on Hazon, you can visit their website at www.hazon.org.
The conference began with a tour for Hazon participants of the Monterey Aquarium. After visiting some of the touch pools and hands on exhibits, I realized that if I wasn't already a junior at UNR, that I would seriously consider changing my major to marine biology. There was even a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium, where I got to learn about the inner-workings of many of the exhibits, and I even fed some rainbow trout by hand.
The conference was jam-packed with so many sessions to choose from. Categories of sessions to choose from ranged from do it yourself cooking classes to food ethics and sustainability to Jewish aspects of food and nutrition. I won't go into detail on every single session I attended, but I will highlight a few of the sessions that really seemed to stick out in my mind.
One of my favorite sessions covered the topic of keeping kosher in America. The sessions was led by a conservative Rabbi from Southern California and Sue Fishkoff, a Bay area author and journalist who has been researching Kosher law for her upcoming book. Having never kept kosher my entire life (yet), I realized that there are so many fine details and tiny considerations that need to be taken into account for kosher law. I also learned some fascinating facts about Kosher Law. In case you aren't already aware of this Kashrut breakthrough, as of last month, Tootsie Pops are now kosher. Even more fascinating, China is the number one producer of Kosher products.
I also enjoyed the two do-it-yourself sessions that I attended. On Friday morning, I learned how to make mozzarella cheese from a Jewish dairy farmer in Ohio. I don't think I'd ever seen non-homogenized milk before that day, but boy was it delicious. Cheese is a staple in my diet, so maybe one of these days I will be brave enough to make some on my own. Sunday morning was a typical Jewish clich� of a hands on demonstration of how to make boiled sourdough bagels. I even left with a little souvenir from Hazon, my very own cup full of sourdough starter. Seeing as I have been out of town for the last two and a half weeks, I am praying that the starter is still alive in my refrigerator in Reno. I am very excited to embark on some of these cooking adventures.
Obviously, at a Jewish conference Shabbat was celebrated, and the Saturday morning progressive Shabbat service was so awesome. I don't think two hours of a Shabbat service have ever passed so quickly. These two inspiring and passionate female Rabbis led the service. It was a combination of music, dance, prayer, relaxation, and connection to Judaism. One of the rabbis, even does traveling Shabbat services, so Rabbi Elizabeth, if you ever need a break from your life as a Rabbi, I know who you can have substitute for you.
Hopefully, I have imparted a well-rounded report of some of the highlights of the Hazon Food Conference. Looking forward to seeing you at the next TBOR Shabbat.
Todah VeShalom, Danielle Simon, CoPresident at Hillel
May we go from strength to strength!
UPCOMING EVENTS
j101 class will be meeting on Tuesday Jan. 26th at 6:30pm.
Rashi class will meet on Wednesday Jan. 27th at 6:30pm.
Tu B'shevat Seder on Saturday Jan. 30th at 5:55pm. Come celebrate the mystical tradition started in the 1500's in Safed, Israel.
TBOR certainly welcomes your donations. Remember there are many ways to give: we recycle cell phones, accept used books and, of course, gifting in your time as a volunteer would be great too. Most importantly, we welcome you to join us. May all good things come to you and your family.
ברכות
Blessings,
Rabbi ElizaBeth Beyer and the TBOR Board