Click on each community ally’s name to jump to a list of their currently posted events:
Arava Institute
Boston Jewish Film Festival 2010
Boston Jewish Music Festival 2010
The Boston Meetup Group
Commonwealth CORI Coalition
GBIO
Commonwealth CORI Coalition
Gesher City
The Green Roundtable
Hadar
Havurah Institute
Hazon
Hebrew College
JALSA
Jewish Farm School
JLC
JOI
J Street
Keshet
LoKo Meat
Mass Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice
Mass Community Outreach Initiative
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
Nehirim
Nishmat Chayim
Other
PresenTense
Survey on Jewish Community
Synagogue Council of Massachusetts
TBZ
Urban Homesteaders
Workmen’s Circle
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Arava Institute
David Lehrer
Director of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
Learn how the Institute successfully unites
Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians and global students
To become environmental leaders
While working towards peace and a sustainable environment in the Middle East
Cocktail Reception
Generously hosted by
BNY Mellon Wealth Management
201 Washington Street, Boston
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
6:30 PM
RSVP by Wednesday, January 27th to pshaffer@jnf.org
Parking at Pi Alley (275 Washington Street, adjacent to the BNY Mellon office)
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Boston Jewish Film Festival 2010
Comedy Sneak Preview February 2, 7PM
Don’t miss our sneak preview of one of the funniest Israeli films ever. In A Matter of Size, directed by Sharon Maymon and Erez Tadmor (co-director of our 2008 hit, Strangers), four overweight friends from the Israeli city of Ramle are fed up with dieting.
What: A Matter of Size, directed by Sharon Maymon and Erez Tadmor (2009, Germany, 90 minutes, Hebrew and Japanese with English subtitles)
Date and time: Tuesday, February 2, 7PM (snow date: Thursday, February 4, 7PM)
Location: Stuart Street Playhouse movie theatre, 200 Stuart Street (Radisson Hotel), Boston (Arlington or Boylston stop on the Green Line) Validated parking available for $10 at 200 Stuart Street Garage.
Tickets: $15 general admission; $12 discounted for students, seniors (65+), members of The Boston Jewish Film Festival and WGBH members. Purchase tickets online by credit card by clicking here or, in person, one hour before showtime at the Stuart Street Playhouse.
When 341-pound Herzl loses his job as a cook and starts working as a dishwasher in a Japanese restaurant, he falls in love with the world of Sumo, which honors and appreciates people as large as he is.
You’ll fall in love with A Matter of Size. Click here to watch the trailer.
Co-presented by the Consulate General of Israel to New England.
Wednesday, January 27 Prism screenings
Relationships are complicated enough here at home. Imagine what they must be like in an Orthodox community in Israel! Join Prism, the young adult network of the New Center for Arts and Culture, for an interactive screening of three short films about the triumphs and challenges of love. Created by young Israeli filmmakers from the only Jewish Orthodox film school in Israel, the Ma’aleh School of Television, Film and the Arts in Jerusalem, which The Boston Jewish Film Festival was the first in the U.S. to host, back in 1998.
What: Reel Love, Ma’aleh Film School Screening
Date and time: Wednesday, January 27, 7PM
Location: Oberon, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge
Tickets: $10 in advance; $15 at the door
For further information: call 617-531-4610
To purchase tickets: click here.
And Thou Shalt Love follows the story of Ohad, a gay seminary student who falls in love with his study partner. The Orthodox Way is a comedy of errors about blind dating, and Willingly provides a rare, poignant window into the Jewish divorce ceremony.
The films will spark small group discussions. Between films, you can grab a drink at the bar, sit next to new friends, and talk about the themes at the heart of each short film.
Opening Night
The legendary Klezmer Conservatory Band (KCB), the band that kick-started the klezmer music revival, will open the first annual Boston Jewish Music Festival (BJMF) with a gala concert celebrating the band’s 30th anniversary at the Berklee Performance Center on March 6, 2010 at 7:30 PM. Tickets for the concert are now on sale through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) and the Berklee box office. Tickets for other BJMF events will go on sale next week, most through Ticketweb (www.ticketweb.com). (Ticket prices for Opening Night range from $18-$90.
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Boston Jewish Music Festival 2010
Hi,
I am heading up a group that will be creating a Boston Jewish Music Festival in March 2010, and I’d love for you to get involved!
Check out our website for more information: bostonjewishmusicfestival.org
Joey Baron
Executive Director
Boston Jewish Music Festival
781-883-2091
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Commonwealth CORI Coalition
Help Phone Bank for CORI Reform
Members of the Commonwealth CORI Coalition are stepping up pressure for CORI reform by relaunching CORI reform phone banking. We will be calling hundreds of voters from Speaker of the House DeLeo’s district as well as Rep. Charles Murphy (Chair of Ways and Means) and Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty (Chair of Judiciary Committee).
If you are able to support the movement by donating 1-4 hours of your time, please email George Lee
Also, please email your State Rep today! Go to:
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/fixcori_now_today
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Fill out a survey about the Jewish Community!
Dr. Steven Cohen is doing his latest Jewish community survey. This one is on Jewish leaders and whether there is a generational difference between young leaders and leaders from the baby boom generation. I think it is really important to have Moishe/Kavod folks fill it out since I suspect that we are indeed significantly different than earlier generations, perhaps particularly around whether we focus our work mainly on caring for Jews or whether we also care for non-Jews and around whether defending Israel is a core of our Jewish identity. FYI – I identified us both as an independent prayer group and as a jewish social justice group, since I think we are a hybrid. I might have also said we are a Jewish cultural organization – don’t remember.
Please open the survey with this link: http://researchsuccess.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_eqSZoS4lhWjrdU8&SVID=Prod
American Jewish leaders have been changing – but we don’t exactly know how. We think that leaders in their 20s and 30s are different from those in their 50s and 60s. And we imagine that the Boomers today differ from the Boomers two or three decades ago.
Leaders may vary in their hopes and fears; in the issues that capture their interest, and that drive them to act; and in the ways in which they see Jews, Judaism, and the world. They may differ in terms of their life experiences that have led them to be who they are today.
But, with all this said, we’re not sure of the extent of differences; and we certainly know little about the diverse views and interests of Jewish leaders across America.
To explore these issues, concerns that are critical to policy makers, philanthropists, and the Jewish public, I am inviting you to participate in, “The 2009 Survey of Leadership and American Jewish Life.” Whether you see yourself as a “Jewish leader” or not, and however old or young you may be, I’d like you to participate.
The survey is part of a larger effort to explore these and related issues, entitled, “The 2009 Avi Chai Study of American Jewish Leaders.” That effort draws upon the talents of six social scientists – younger and older, throughout the US – led by Prof. Jack Wertheimer, with a grant from the Avi Chai Foundation.
As you begin to answer the questions, I think you’ll find that this survey is unlike any you’ve taken before, certainly any you’ve taken on Jewish matters. We raise some fairly complex issues in ways which I hope are both clearly articulated and genuinely stimulating.
How long will the survey take to complete? We think that you’ll get through the bulk of the questionnaire and arrive at the Demographics section within 15 minutes. If you’re willing and able to continue, we have 5-7 minutes of additional questions, after Demographics. Of course, you are free to stop at any time, but I hope you will complete as much of the survey as possible.
Your answers will be treated confidentially. I’ll never share your identity or individual answers with anybody. My promise of confidentiality is backed up by 40 years of Jewish social survey research (I started as a Columbia undergraduate).
I’ll be sharing the compiled results of the survey with you as soon as they are ready for distribution.
Should you have any comments, write me directly at Steve34NYC@AOL.COM .
Many thanks,
Prof. Steven M. Cohen
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Hazon
For more Hazon events, check out www.hazon.org
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The Green Roundtable
For more events, check out greenroundtable.org
Temple Bnai Zion
For more events, check out tbzbrookline.org
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Interfaith Prayer Service for Haiti
Sunday, January 24, 2010 – 5PM
Jubilee Christian Church
1500 Blue Hill Avenue
Boston, MA 02126
Co-sponsorded by: The Archdiocese of Boston, Black Ministerial Alliance, Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston and others.
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Jewish Organizing Initiative
For more events, check out jewishorganizing.org
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Keshet
For more events, check out keshetonline.org
Keshet is a grassroots organization dedicated to creating a fully inclusive Jewish community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Jews in Greater Boston and across the country.
We offer resources, training, and technical assistance for creating change in Jewish communities nationwide.
Urban Homesteaders
There is a new group of young urban eco-activists and community builders gathering in Boston, whose interests overlap with those of a ton of people in the Moishe/Kavod community. Check out some of what they’re planning below, and then go to http://www.meetup.com/Urban-Homesteaders/ or email Lisa Gross at lisa.gross@gmail.com if you want to get more involved with this exciting new formation!
Ideas for skill shares and workshops:
Permaculture; vermiculture (worm composting); canning, pickling, fermentation, making jams, food dehydration; sprouting; mushroom cultivation; indoor gardening, container gardening, soil remediation, natural pest control, companion planting; brewing, wine making; bread baking; home dairy (yogurt, butter, cheese); homemade, green cleaning supplies; creative recycling; freecycling; retrofitting houses to make them green, green building; seed saving; herbalism; homemade body products; sewing, making clothes, recycling clothes; knitting, spinning; foraging for wild edibles and medicinal plants.
Ideas for events:
-A foraging trip with an expert outside the Boston area (to get away from lead contaminated plants).
-A tour of eco-homesteads and interesting gardens in the Boston area.
-An urban fruit collecting bike tour.
-A trip to an organic/permaculture influenced farm. Maybe also doing some pick-your-own.
-Recipe swapping.
-Seed/plant swapping.
-Swapping/giving away surplus yogurt, vegetables, etc.
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National Havurah Committee
For more events, check out havurah.org
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Hebrew College
For more events, check out hebrewcollege.org
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Interfaith Worker Justice
for more events check out jwj.net
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Workmen’s Circle
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J Street
On Thursday evening, February 4, J Street Boston will officially launch with a kickoff event at centrally located Temple Ohabei Shalom, 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline. Beginning at 7 p.m., we will:
* Celebrate J Street’s new field program and hear from J Street’s Executive Director Jeremy Ben-Ami via live webcast
* Meet and schmooze with supporters over wine, cheese, and dessert (dietary laws observed)
* Plan for the coming 6 months of programming and local action
You can RSVP and invite others to this event at:
https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/2747/c/8232/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=15426
We look forward to providing opportunities for all of our local supporters to take action and advance the strategic mission of J Street through locally based organizing, engagement in advocacy efforts, and targeted communications and online action.
You can check out our new J Street webpage and encourage people in your network to sign up for our mailing list by going to:
http://www.jstreet.org/boston
Click here to sign up for J Street Boston.
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“LoKo Kosher Local Meat”
Check out this blog post about LoKo. For more information about LoKo local, sustainable, Kosher meat, please contact Marion at marionmenzin@gmail.com.
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JALSA
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Jewish Farm School
Torah, Land, and AgricultureJoin our friends at Kayam Farm for the 2nd Annual Kayam Winter Beit Midrash!
Friday, February 12 – Sunday, February 14, 2010
at the Pearlstone Center and Kayam Farm
This is an amazing weekend in which we explore various Jewish agricultural laws in their original texts and in the fields. JFS Director Nati Passow will be presenting along with other Rabbis, teachers and Jewish farmers.
Space is filling up fast
Registration Deadline Jan 29th!
Scholarships are available
Massachusetts Community Outreach Initiative
Will you help a young person mature, develop, and make better decisions — just by spending some time with them?
The Massachusetts Community Outreach Initiative (MCOI) is looking for male and female mentors to serve as role models to young teenage men in Boston. These youth are currently enrolled in entrepreneurship classes in juvenile detention facilities, and are hoping to change their lives around and start their own businesses. They have never had mentors before, and have been enthusiastically asking for them.
Many youth in our city struggle with serious problems of youth violence and gangs. This is an opportunity to be directly involved in strengthening our community and providing leadership to those who are in desperate need.
If you have the desire to be instrumental in the life of a young person seeking direction, please forward your resumes to eustacepayne@themcoi.org. Mentors must commit to a long-term relationship (min.1 year) with their mentee. Weekly time commitment is flexible, to be worked out between mentor and mentee. This is a voluntary position.
The Massachusetts Community Outreach Initiative (MCOI) is a non-profit organization designed to be an educational and community resource for youthful and adult offenders to bridge the transition from incarceration to the community. Its goal is to provide its clients with a greater opportunity to succeed utilizing entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and employment resources. For more information, visit www.themcoi.org.
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New England Jewish Labor Committee
10th Annual Labor Seder and Fundraiser
Thursday, March 18, 2010
5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
IBEW Local 103
256 Freeport Street
Dorchester MA 02122
Join the Greater Boston Jewish and Labor communities to celebrate our shared traditions and strengthen our work together at the 10th Annual Labor Seder and Fundraiser.
Dinner Will Be Served.
Parking Available, T accessible
Suggested donation levels $54, $36, or $25
All welcome regardless of donation
To RSVP or place an ad in our Haggadah/Program Book, email Marya Axner, JLC Director at bostonjlc@aol.com or call (617) 227-0888. Send check to Jewish Labor Committee. 18 Tremont Street #320 Boston, MA 02108. Ad Deadline, Wednesday, March 1st 2010
Co-Sponsored By Boston Workmen’s Circle, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and Moishe/Kavod House
Click Here For More Details
Click here to read two Boston Globe articles about a recent joint action of the JLC and Workmen’s Circle to support Hyatt workers!
For more information about the New England Jewish Labor Committee, contact Marya Axner at BostonJLC@aol.com.
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Yeshivat Hadar
Apply to Yeshivat Hadar: Transformative Summer and Full-Year Experiences
Yeshivat Hadar, North America’s first full-time egalitarian yeshiva, is now accepting applications for its Summer 2010 and Full-Year 2010-2011 programs in New York City. Men and women looking for intense traditional text study, egalitarian prayer, and social action, with a special focus on personal religious growth, are invited to apply. Download an application at (http://www.mechonhadar.org/apply). Fellows receive full tuition remission and a stipend intended to help cover the cost of living expenses. Application Deadline is Feb. 1, 2010. Please visit http://www.mechonhadar.org/yeshivat-hadar1 for more specific information including a tentative schedule with course descriptions.
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PresenTense
Boston- PresenTense is thrilled to announce the 12 young Jewish innovators who have been selected to participate in the first ever CJP/PresenTense Boston Social Entrepreneur Fellowship. These fellows will spend the next five months building their ventures in order to present to the Boston and global community at Launch Night on Thursday, May 27, 2010. Click here for more information about the fellows.
Get Involved in PT10: The Digital Issue
PresenTense’s next issue will be an exploration of the Digital Age and its impact on young Jews today as well as the Jewish People. How has it changed how people communicate? How they think? What are the implications for standard forms of media and communication? What cutting-edge innovation and emerging trends in digital media will change us all in the future?
The issue will be online-only and will be produced using innovative digital tools, including Google Wave, wiki-editing, digg-like voting features, and more. How can you get involved in this ever-growing community?
* Propose an idea for the issue
* Get involved with brainstorming trends and curating content
* Submit your photography or artwork on this topic
Jerusalem Summer Fellowship
Do you have an idea for a social startup that will engage, leverage, and inspire the Jewish community? If so, we want you to apply to the Jerusalem Summer Institute 2010!
The application process has now shifted from General Applications to Track Specific Applications. Please view the Track descriptions here and we look forward to receiving your applications!
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FIRST-EVER SOMERVILLE FARM SHARE FAIR,
followed by a special film screening of “The Power of Community”
at the Somerville Public Library (79 Highland Ave)
:: SOMERVILLE FARM SHARE FAIR :: 6PM – Free Admission
presented by Somerville Climate Action + Boston Localvores + Groundwork Somerville
Each year, local farms throughout the Greater Boston region offer weekly subscriptions to their delicious, fresh, and often-organic produce — delivered right close to home. But getting information on these shares (called CSAs, or community-supported agriculture) can be near-impossible. This year, we’re bringing all of the farms together in one place, so you can get the information you need to get signed up. Bring in your checkbook to reserve a share!
:: THE POWER OF COMMUNITY :: 7PM – Free Admission
presented by State Rep. Denise Provost + Transition Somerville
After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba faced catastrophic cuts in its oil and food supplies. In the face of the crisis, creative communities came together to transition to a more sustainable path, through organic farming and urban gardening. Their inspiring story offers hope for us all as we enter an era of rising fuel costs and impending global warming threats. Please join us after the film for a brief discussion.
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Citizens’ Legslative Seminar
Now Accepting Nominations: Citizens’ Legislative Seminar. Senate President Therese Murray’s office is now taking nominations for residents interested in participating in this spring’s Citizens’ Legislative Seminar beginning on March 22. The seminar, which teaches residents about the workings of the Massachusetts Legislature, will take place on March 22 and March 23 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The slots for the seminar are filled on a first come, first serve basis, and names must be submitted to Murray’s office. [Pembroke Express]
Contact: Laura Tassinari in Senate President Murray’s office at 617-722-1500