LGBTQ+ AND WOMAN RIGHTS IN CHALLENGED DEMOCRACIES
Location | Sanctuary
Thursday, March 27 from 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Israel Matters Film Screening
Location | Event Space
Sunday, March 2 from 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Please join us for a series of film screenings at BHS followed by discussions facilitated by Isaac Zablocki, Director of film programs at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Promised Lands / פתח תקווה / Kinder der Hoffnung, 2021
Feature Documentary directed by Yael Reuveny
86 mins
Eleven years after leaving Israel for Germany, Filmmaker Yael Reuveny returns to reunite with former classmates from 1988, who were all coming of age as Israel was turning 40. What has become of the ideas and dreams they were raised on? An honest, bittersweet account of how they – and Israel – have changed over the years.
This event is for members only
To register for the screening, please contact lisa@bhsbrooklyn.org
500 DAYS IN HELL - RALLY
Location | Central Park, Naumburg Bandshell
February 23, 2025 at 12:00pm
On February 19, we will mark the heartbreaking milestone of 500 days since October 7 and 500 days of captivity. Unfortunately, we know some hostages will still be in captivity at that time. Our focus now is on amplifying and advocating for all the hostages and making sure that all parties seize this opportunity, move the deal to its end and make sure they ALL come home.
The rally will feature family members, officials, and other speakers.
Kick off the New Year with a dose of hope straight from Israel!
Location | Zoom only
January 29, February 12, February 26, March 5
Meet young leaders that have chosen action and innovation in the face of challenges where many might choose despair. Discover the creative solutions they’re developing and the vision that drives them forward.
Be inspired to engage with your own community and make a difference.
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS SCHOOL REFLECTIONS ON RECENT SOLIDARITY MISSION TO ISRAEL
I saw Heaven and Hell in one day and in multiple ways. The slumped shoulders of Israelis, the exhaustion on the faces of adults, how Israelis in the south have normalized the booms from artillery and the quiet streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem all shook me. It is important to paint a picture of the reality that I’ve been seeing and experiencing and acknowledge that Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Muslims will continue to live together on the land here. It’s unclear the way forward, but gratitude always helps me, so I’ve chosen to start there and share that perspective of my trip with you via some of the people we were gifted to meet and be in dialogue.
CANTOR PORZECANSKI RECOUNTS HER SOLIDARITY VISIT TO ISRAEL
U.S. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK DELIVERS REMARKS ON ANTISEMITISM & ISRAEL
MESSAGES FROM RABBI LIPPE
I am writing to you with the recognition that it is a difficult time to be a Jewish student on America’s college campuses as well as with the understanding that each of you no doubt sits someplace unique on the political spectrum of opinion and belief.
Nevertheless, I want to share with you my own personal perspective on the current crisis in Israel and Gaza as a progressive Zionist and someone who has lived in Israel for two years (however long ago) and who has visited more or less annually for over three decades, and who counts Israelis as both family and friends.
A Journey to and back from Israel
A little personal background for those of you who may not have heard this from me previously. I took my first year after graduating high school on a Reform Movement leadership institute in Jerusalem in the Fall of 1982. I was 17 years old, and living and studying in Israel profoundly influenced and impacted my life. Three years later in the Fall of 1986, I returned for another year of living and study as a first-year rabbinic student at the Jerusalem campus of HUC-JIR. Since that time, I have returned to vacation, convention, recruit or just breathe the air almost every year until covid.
SERMONS AND INTERVIEWS
Rabbi Lippe’s interview begins at 33:12
NEW YORK SUPPORT
Governor Hochul’s Address New Yorkers on Hate Crimes and Hate Speech
Community Support
New York State Division Of Human Rights has instituted a new bias incident reporting system: The community can find out about the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit and report bias incidents by following https://dhr.ny.gov/nohate or 1-844-NO2-HATE (1-844-662-4283). Please note for emergencies dial 911
BHS SHOWS THEIR SUPPORT
Religious School Students Show Support
A recap of what the RS students have done to show support for Israel.
K/1/2nd Grades songs and prayers for peace with Songleader Ben (oseh shalom, I’ve Got Peace Like a River)
3rd Grade Songs and prayers for peace during T’filah and conversations with Rabbi Bailey (that’s you!)
4/5/6th Grades Checking in during class and allowing space to discuss their feelings and things they are seeing
5th grade Teacher Yoav Made cards for the #amyisraelchai project to go to students in Modiin with Student-Rabbi Smadar Bilik at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem because our sister school in Rishon Lezion has yet to open
5th Grade Teacher Jacob Made cards for Israeli soldiers that are on display in the BHS lobby as well as sent in a care package put together by one of our preschool families.
7th Grade They have talked about the events going on Israel and how they are processing. They take time in tefilla to pray for peace and asked questions about what was happening in the country. We ended with learning a new Hebrew phrase, Gam Zeh Ya’avor, that means “this too shall pass”.
