Dr. Jacob Meskin: "Understanding Anti-Semitism"

Dr. Meskin, a veteran Me'ah teacher and teacher-trainer, is noted for blending high-level intellectual and spiritual content with an open, engaging, and humorous teaching style that encourages conversation and interaction. 

The course will meet for 10 weeks in the fall of 2015 and is designed specifically for sophisticated adult learners. "Understanding Anti-Semitism" aims 1) to acquaint students with the ancient and medieval roots of Anti Judaism in both the Christian and the Islamic traditions, and 2) to describe clearly how, in more recent times and in particular in the nineteenth century, various developments and individuals helped to transform these inherited anti Judaic roots into the modern phenomena of political and racial Anti-Semitism.  With this historical and conceptual framework in place, it becomes possible to understand the contemporary outbreak of various kinds of Anti-Semitism, whether they stem from fanatical forms of nationalism or of religion.

Class dates:    September 9, 16, 30

October 14, 28

November 11

December 2, 16, 23, 30

Class time:      7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Class fee: TST Members: $180       Non-Members:$250

There will be a maximum of 30 participants

Monday, April 13 at 9:00 a.m.

Registration for TEMPLE SHIR TIKVA MEMBERS begins

first come and first served, through Monday, May 11

Tuesday, May 12 at 9:00 a.m.

Registration for NON TST MEMBERS begins

If fewer than 30 temple members register, nonmembers and members can register on a first come first served basis

To register please see Toni Spitzer in the temple office to pay with check or credit card. You can also call,

508-358-9992 to pay by credit card.   Registration will not be accepted without payment.

Sunday, May 17

The Reyim Group is thrilled to announce a day trip to the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA. Those who have been in the past, know what a rich experience this is. Take advantage of an opportunity to venture into a world of Yiddish culture at this special place.

We will enjoy a 1¼-hour private tour, then eat a prepared, personalized box lunch. We will have plenty of free time to explore the books and exhibits on our own before watching the film, When Comedy Went to School, which relates to the Borsch Belt exhibit at the museum.

The day will prove to be a fascinating and fun-filled experience you won't want to miss! For more information about the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst and the film, go to www.yiddishbookcenter.org.

We plan to meet at 9 a.m. at the TST parking lot and go together by coach bus. We'll return to TST by about 5:30 p.m. The cost per person is $68, which includes round-trip transportation, Book Center entrance and tour, film and lunch. Registration is limited to 40 people.

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To register, go to shirtikva.org/yiddishbookcenter. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 8. For questions, contact Beth Volk at missbeth47@aol.com or Joan Lappin jglappin@yahoo.com 

Thursday, April 30, 2015; 7- 8:30 p.m.

In the Courtyard of the Kabbalist

For the third Sisterhood Book Group gathering of this programming year, we will be reading In the Courtyard of the Kabbalist by Ruchama King Feuerman. "An eczema-riddled, middle-aged former Lower East Side haberdasher, Isaac Markowitz, moves to Israel where he becomes, much to his own surprise, the assistant to a famous old rabbi who daily dispenses wisdom (and soup) to the collection of seekers gathered in his courtyard.

It is there that he meets Tamar, a young American woman on a mission to live a spiritual life with a spiritual man, and who sees Isaac as that man long before he sees himself that way. Into both of their lives comes Mustafa, a devout Muslim, deformed at birth, unloved by his own mother, a janitor who works on Temple Mount, holy to Muslims and Jews."

To find out what happens, read the book and join us for dessert and an engaging discussion (even if you haven't finished the book). For more information, contact tstsisterhood @shirtikva.org.  

• Marc and Susan Karofsky, on the birth of their grandson, Spencer Logan Shepard, son of Matthew and Tracy Shepard
• Warren and Nancy Winnick, on the birth of their granddaughter, Ellie Rachel Lewin, daughter of Josh and Amy Lewin
• Michael and Jennifer Weiner,  on the birth of their daughter, Rebecca Adrienne Weiner

• Hillary Truslow on the death of her mother, Faye Yvette Angel Geronemus

• Marcy Kammer, on the death of her father, Joel Saltzberg

May 2, 8:00 p.m., Leventhal-Sidman JCC, Newton, MA

"He's the world's most famous Jewish cowboy. Heck, he might be the world's only Jewish cowboy." (KUDZOO Magazine, Fall 2014) He's author, singer, raconteur Kinky Friedman!

Richard "Kinky" Friedman is a Texas country singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist and politician who styles himself after popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. Outrageous and politically incorrect but always thought-provoking, Friedman weaves social and political commentary into his songs and stories. He draws from a lifetime of material, including touring with Bob Dylan (1975-76), a failed bid for Governor of Texas in 2006, and an appearance in the movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Opening for Friedman are bluegrass/New Orleans style musicians Josh Lederman & Friends. The show is part of the JCC's Ryna Greenbaum JCC Center for the Arts and is co-sponsored by the Boston Jewish Music Festival. Tickets are $28. Contact 617-965-5226, boxoffice@jccgb.org or visit www.bostonjcc.org/artsevents.   

May 3, and May 21, 6:30 p.m. Leventhal-Sidman JCC, Newton, MA

Upcoming: Two information sessions for the JCC Diller Teen Fellowship program.

The Diller Teen Fellows is a national youth leadership program for 10th and 11th grade students currently available in 22 cities in North America, South Africa and Israel. In Boston, the program is administered by the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. Twenty Boston area Jewish teens - the JCC Boston Diller Teen Fellows - are selected based on leadership aptitude, commitment to Jewish learning, interest in exploring their connection to Israel and passion for community service. The Fellowship year runs from September 2015 to December 2016 and includes 10-12 Sunday afternoon workshops, three weekend retreats, two overnight experiences, 10-day hosting of a Diller Teen Fellow from Haifa in the spring, and a three-week summer seminar in Israel.

Applicants must be current 9^th or 10^th graders (10^th and 11^th graders this fall). To register for an information session, visitwww.bostonjcc.org/diller. To learn more, contact teens@jccgb.org or 617-558-6512.

The National Center for Jewish Film's Jewishfilm.2015 18th Annual Film Festival

April 30-May 15

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston * West Newton Cinema * Kendall Cinema

ALL TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Advance ticket purchase recommended!

Sunday, May 31, 2015, Noon - 6:00 p.m., Gann Academy, 333 Forest Street, Waltham 

A Festival of Israeli Music, Art, Dance, Fun, Food and Community!

Join us for the biggest celebration of Israel that New England has ever seen! Saddle up your camel (or wait, you can just ride ours!) and head to Gann Academy's spacious campus in Waltham, where you'll meet thousands of people who share your interest in the culture, music, arts, crafts and food of Israel.

This is a hands-on, as-much-Israel-as-you-can-get-without-a-passport kinda day.

Think Jumbotrons and international entertainers, a multi stage venue, family friendly activities and a promised land of exceptional Israeli food and drink, and so much more...

Acclaimed headline entertainers:

*           Josh Nelson, Time Magazine's "Star of New Jewish Music"

*           International Jewish superstar Neshama Carlebach and her Gospel Choir

*           Ethnix, Israel's longest running, most successful rock band

Children will be delighted by:

* Dod Haim, celebrated Israeli performer

* Local favorite Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys

* Brookline Puppet Showplace Theater

$5 advance tickets; $10 at the door.

Kids 3 and under attend free.

Group and family discounts available only for tickets purchased in advance

Thursday, May 14, 7:30 p.m.

Leventhal-Sidman JCC, Newton, MA

All Fall Down.

The event is open to the entire community. The program is part of the Ryna Greenbaum JCC Boston Jewish Literary Series and is co-sponsored with Hadassah.

Cost is $22. Purchase tickets at www.bostonjcc.org/books  or contact 617-965-5226 or boxoffice@jccgb.org