Shabbaton Brochure 2023

SESSION ALEPH
Friday, May 12, 2023, 8:45-10:00 pm

A. Twice-Told Tale: Journeying through Mourning for my Mother and Father
Anyone who has lost a loved one has their own story to tell. My stories are both about the circumstances of my parents' life and death, my relationship with each of them, and the intersection between personal experience and halakhah during my avelut. My goal is to pass on whatever wisdom I have been able to glean from being an avel. 
Instructor: Rabbi Eliezer Diamond

B. Hug Ivri
We will read and discuss a short Israeli story in Hebrew. Participants should feel comfortable reading aloud without vowels and speaking in Hebrew. We are all at different levels of fluency and welcome anyone and everyone who would like to join us.
Instructor: Cantor Estelle Epstein

C. The Poets Among Us
Join us for reading poetry and other writings produced by CBS members.
Instructor: Eillene Leistner

D. What's Jewish about Jewish Mindfulness Meditation?
After looking at a Hassidic text through a Mindfulness lens, we will review some basic Mindfulness fundamentals, answer any questions that may arise, and then practice! Everyone is welcome: whether you are exploring Mindfulness for the first time, or you have a longstanding practice. 
Instructor: Rabbi Dan Liben

E. The Israel we grew up with has changed. Can we do anything about it?
We will discuss the following questions: Where are you on the present conflict in Israel? The hidden agenda of “religious Zionism: annexation. Do we have a right to criticize Israel’s leadership? Is Israel’s Declaration of Independence the key to Israel’s crisis of democracy? “You can’t have oppression of one part of the population and have democracy”. Agree?
Instructor: Rabbi Aryeh Meir

F. How many “Shalom Aleichem’s” do you know? 
Join us to sing as many melodies to "Shalom Aleichem" as we know! Learn a few new ones and share your favorite! Who knows? You may learn something new to bring to your Shabbat table.
Instructor: Liav Shapiro

G. The Crisis of the American Synagogue
Once the central institution of American Jewish life, the synagogue has been buffeted by declining attendance, struggling seminaries and concerns about its relevance. We'll look at recent evidence of these challenges and the solutions that are being proposed, while asking: If not the current model, what if anything could replace it?
Instructor: Andrew Silow-Carroll

SESSION BET
Saturday, May 13, 2023, 1:00-2:15 pm

H. You Don't Look Jewish: The Changing Face of World Jewry
Ashkenazi Jews have been and continue to be the majority Jewish population of America. This led to the notion of their being a "Jewish face." Today, however, 15% of American Jews are people of color, and world-wide Jewry comes in many colors. The session will deal with this reality and some of the issues facing Jews of color.
Instructor: Rabbi Michael Chernick

I. Beyn Adam L'Chaveiro: Relational Ethics and Jewish Values
Jewish tradition teaches that we are interconnected and inter-responsible for each other: kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh. Current research in psychology and neurobiology indicates that we are relational creatures, interdependent with and needing others throughout life. What are our obligations and responsibilities to others in our family-- spouse/partner, parents, children? How do we balance self-interest with care for others in the family and beyond? How can we be interconnected while maintaining healthy boundaries? We will explore these questions in Jewish texts and in current thinking around relational ethics in family and social interactions. 
Instructor: Dr. Mona Fishbane

J. "And I shall Reside Among Them": God's Immanence in the Tanakh
This session will focus on the idea of God existing amongst the people, through the lens of the creation of the Mishkan and Beit Hamikdash. Why did God insist on such an intricate location for God's presence to reside? Is it even possible for God to reside on earth? This session is text based with discussion questions.
Instructor: Kim Fuld

K. Equity and Inclusion: From Midrash Rabbah to the Color of Law
What can Jewish texts teach us about equity and inclusion? What are some of the common themes found in these texts and books read by CBS’ Tzedek Tirdof book group? Join us for text study, contemporary insights, and an engaging discussion.
Instructors: Frieda Hershman Huberman, Dr. Elaine Kahn & Ray Goldberg

L. Oldilocks Makes Aliyah - Jersey Girl Leaves Teaneck and Tries To Be a Good Savta 
I want to share what life in Israel is really like for one semi reluctant oleh.
Instructor: Susan Marcus

M. שלום בית & Home Organizing 
In this conversation/lecture, we will explore the idea of שלום בית and how our relationship with our "stuff" affects it. We will discuss the philosophy and principles of home organizing, and learn new ways to approach our homes, and the people living in them. By the end of the talk, you will have some new tools and some practical tips on how to increase שלום בית  through a more intentional approach to your home and belongings. 
Instructor: Liora Seltzer, professional organizer and parent coach

N. Jealousy, Fear, Rivalry - Emotions from the Very Beginning
In this session, we will look at Midrashim from the beginning of creation to see all of the emotions the rabbis ascribed to the earliest biblical characters. How did the rabbis use the angels, Adam, Eve and even the snake to reveal their own humanity through midrash?
Instructor: Rabbi Iscah Waldman

SESSION GIMMEL
Saturday, May 13, 2023, 2:30-3:45 pm

O. Poetry, Empathy, and Aging Wisely
Poetry can be an inspiring vehicle to make meaning of the changes we experience as we age. In the several Wise Aging groups that we have led over the past several years for the Beth Sholom community, we have encountered wise words and resonant thoughts of many poets.  In this session we will read, explore, and examine together a number of poems that stimulate thoughtful and creative reflections about the journey of life, with a focus on the years after 50.  
Instructor: Dr. Elaine Shizgal Cohen and Rochel David

P. Becoming "white-ish": the early history of Southern Jewry
Though we think of American Jewry as based in New York City, there is actually a long and rich history of Jews in the South. Come and learn about the early days of Southern Jewry. Grits not included.
Instructor: Rabbi Cathy Felix

Q. Stoning Meets the Eighth Amendment:  Comparing American and Jewish Law on Capital Punishment
As Conservative Jews in America, we live with one foot in each of two different legal systems -- American law and halakha.  We will explore how those two legal systems approach the ultimate sanction any legal system can impose: capital punishment.  Together we'll ask not only how the two legal systems differ, but also why -- and what this all means to us personally as Conservative Jewish Americans.  (American legal texts will, of course, be in English, and Jewish texts will be presented with accompanying English translations.)
Instructor: Harman Grossman

R. Conceiving a Rap Opera on the "Conquest of the Land by Joshua."
I am in the midst of writing a Musical on the "Conquest of the Land by Joshua". I have written the Outline to the musical, and I have begun writing the script. Simultaneously I have been seeking collaborators in composing music and lyrics. I would  like to brainstorm with the participants, and hear their reactions and ideas to the play.  
Instructor: Beverly Luchfeld

S. Communal and Personal Responsibility in 'Masechet Ta'anit'
Join Rabbi Pitkowsky as he explores key sections of the Babylonian Talmudic tractate of Ta'anit with an eye toward questions of personal and communal responsibility for the events that happen to us. No experience with Talmud necessary and all texts provided in the original Hebrew/Aramaic and in English. 
Instructor: Rabbi Joel Pitkowsky

T. How Do You Become a Prophet? The Prophetic Commissioning Scene in the Bible and What It Tells Us about Prophecy
We'll compare four texts that describe how someone became a prophet: Exodus 3-4, Jeremiah 1, Isaiah 6, and
Ezekiel 1-3. Their similarities reveal a great deal both about what it means to be a prophet in the Bible and about how individual prophets adapted tradition to their own theology.
Instructor: Dr. Ben Sommer

CLOSING - 4:00-5:00 pm
Extended Dessert + Schmooze + Singing

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