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The rain has finally arrived and with it, rainbows. The colors of the rainbow have symbolized diversity for thinkers as diverse as 19^th century Jewish sage Samson Raphael Hirsch, and the designers of the LGBT Pride Flag.

The rainbow's colors are connected yet distinct and it is that combination of unity and diversity that makes the rainbow beautiful.

Our community is like the rainbow - variety wrapped in a peoplehood package. Connected, we work best when we respect our differences and work through them.

The rabbis call this machloket - "dispute for the sake of heaven," or "Constructive Conflict." It is among the great Jewish ideas - the Talmud is a series of constructive disputes over centuries. Respectful and vigorous disagreement has helped to keep us alive as a people (and when it was missing it nearly destroyed us). Inspired by our partners at the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution, we are celebrating "Constructive Conflict" next month here in Northern California.

Read more on the topic of Constructive Conflict (and rainbows) in today's edition of J.And for a deep dive,we invite you to this year's Feast of Jewish Learning on February 20^th at Congregation Beth Am. This year's theme: Holy Discord: The Art of Jewish Dispute. And for our community of educators, we've included resources and tools to address this topic in the classroom below.

Happy New Year!

David Waksberg
CEO Jewish LearningWorks

Feast of Jewish Learning!

Saturday, February 20th, 7:00pm - 10:00pm*

Congregation Beth Am | Los Altos Hills

Don't miss an unforgettable FREE** evening of Jewish unity. Enjoy stimulating workshops on Jewish thought, texts, music, tradition, ethics, culture and spirituality led by the best and brightest Bay Area teachers and artists. Experience what thousands of Jews all over the Bay Area rave about year after year.

To sign up as a volunteering or to join us as a partner, please email Feast@jewishlearningworks.org or reply to this email.

RSVP appreciated, but not required.

*After-party starts at 10pm

**Donations gratefully accepted

The Feast of Jewish Learning is presented by SPARE (South Peninsula Area Rabbis & Executives) and Jewish LearningWorks. This evening of learning is made possible by our community partners, our extraordinary educators and the hundreds of participants and volunteers who have kept the Feast cutting-edge for over 16 years.

Resources For Educators

Machloket(Dispute for the Sake of Heaven or Constructive Conflict) is among the great Jewish ideas.

We are partnering with our friends at the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution to promote the study of Constructive Conflict here in Northern California, starting on February 12th, culminating in the Feast of Jewish Learning on February 20th.

We've created this resource page to support our community of educators as they create new pathways to bring the theme of constructive conflict into their classrooms, through the lens of Israel.

Weekend Retreat for Women

Joy! A Yoga, Dance and Prayer

Weekend Retreat for Women

with Julie Emden and Friends

Friday - Sunday, February 26th - 28th

Westerbeke Ranch, Sonoma CA

Treat yourself to a weekend of movement, yoga, dance, song, rest, play and creative expression in a gorgeous natural setting with delicious and nourishing meals.

Click here for more information!

Upcoming Events