Spring/Summer 2016

Program Guide Worship & Joyous Practice, Adult Education, Youth Education and Special Events

All events are at B’nai Havurah unless otherwise noted. Please visit our website at www.bnaihavurah.org for more

details and to register. Please note that we are unable to refund payments for cancellations.

Please call the office at 303-388-4441 if you, or a loved one, needs accommodations to attend any events listed.

Wo r s h i p & J o y o u s P ra c t i c e

Family Shabbat at B’nai Havurah Friday, April 15, 5:45 pm - 8:00 pm Join us for an all-school Family Shabbat. All families are encouraged and wel-come to join us at 5:45 pm for Shabbat songs with Hal Aqua, enjoy a delicious dinner at 6:15 pm, and come for a short family-friendly musical service at 7:00 pm. Registration for the meal is required. Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12, no cost for children under 4.

6th & 7th Grade Shabbat Morning Service Saturday, April 16, 9:30 am - 11:30 am Our 6th & 7th graders have had a great year of learning. This Shabbat will provide the opportunity for these students to celebrate their knowledge among family and friends as they lead services with Rabbi Evette and Rabbi Birdie Becker. Kiddush is sponsored by our 6th & 7th grade families.

A Night of Questions: Second Night Passover Seder Saturday, April 23, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm Central Christian Church, 3690 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80209

Join B’nai Havurah and our friends at Central Christian Church for a Reconstructionist Passover Seder. We will use the Reconstructionist Passover Haggadah, A Night of Questions, for an interactive, meaningful, and song-filled Seder led by Rabbi Evette with musical support by Hal Aqua, Pastor Canaan Harris, and Pastor Steve Blackstock.

Cost: $9 for adults, $4.50 for children ages 4-12; no cost for children under 4. Please register at www.bnaihavurah.org or call the office at 303-388-4441.

B’nai Havurah will provide the entrée (including a gluten free and/or vegetarian option). Guests are encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share. Yummy Passover recipes are posted on our website. Each dish should serve about 12 people.

Volunteer! Cost will be waived if you assist with setup and/or cleanup. Please contact the office at 303-388-4441 or email: exec@bnaihavurah.org.

Special Music Shabbat Service, sponsored by Tikkun Olam Saturday, June 4, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm During Shabbat Services, environmental lawyer Peter Ornstein will describe the exciting Kidron/Nar Basin Project that involves Israelis, Palestinians and the Boulder and Denver communities. The project centers on reclamation of a waste site and a recycling education program in the Jerusalem-Hebron region. Ornstein is president of SIPP, Sustainable Israeli-Palestinian Projects, which received a grant from B’nai Havurah’s Tikkun Olam fund.

Wo r s h i p & J o y o u s P ra c t i c e

SAVE-THE-DATES FOR SHABBAT IN THE HOOD!

Fridays, June 24, July 22 and August 26, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

B’nai Havurah’s Fourth Fridays move outdoors in the summer months when B’nai Havurah members host Shabbat in their backyards.

Shabbats in the Hood are potluck affairs and no cost to members and friends. Bring a friend, children are welcome!

Registration is required.

Kabbalat Shabbat Experience

Welcome Shabbat with Rabbi Evette and B’nai Havurah’s Kabbalat Shabbat Experience: a music-filled, all-ages celebra-tion. At 6:30 pm, Hal Aqua and fellow musicians lead a musical journey through the themes of the Friday night service, followed by dinner at 7:30 pm; a delicious catered Shabbat meal with wine and dessert. Please register online or by calling our office for our April and May Kabbalat Shabbatot.

Reggae Shabbat Friday, April 29, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

The themes of reggae music - freedom, liberation and redemption - resonate with our history and traditions. For our April Kabbalat Shabbat, we focus on the songs of Bob Marley and other reggae artists.

Camp Shabbat Friday, May 27, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Raise your voices as we sing the most beloved Jewish camp songs from across the generations.

Consider Sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat to Mark a Special Occasion

If you would like to sponsor a kiddush in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a joyous occasion such as an anniversary or birthday please contact the office at 303-388-4441. We accommodate all budgets and are most grateful for your support.

Yo u t h & Fa m i l y

Parenting Healthy Teenagers Through a Jewish Lens with Dr. Carol Loveman Morris

Sunday, April 17, 12:20 pm - 1:20 pm

The teen years offer many challenges and opportunities. Communication, connection, compassion and kavod are the

cornerstones to raising a healthy teenager who is prepared to face the pressures of adolescence. Dr. Carol will provide

parents with tools, resources and the wisdom from our Jewish texts and sages in the often uncertain and complex task

of parenting.

Facilitator: Dr. Carol Loveman Morris, Director of Education at B’nai Havurah, has worked for many years in the Denver

Jewish community as an educator, trainer, administrator and advocate for Jewish education. Most recently, she was

the Educational Director of Stepping Stones...to a Jewish Me. She was a Counseling Psychologist who specialized

working with children and families. Carol is the mother of two children, both in their twenties.

Yo u t h & Fa m i l y

Jewish Arts & Culture Festival

Sunday, May 1, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

The Jewish Arts & Culture Festival marks the end of

our Religious School for the year and celebrates the

work of visual, performing and culinary artists. Guests

may participate in workshops and enjoy a gallery of children’s artwork from B’nai Havurah and Beth Evergreen. The

“Creation Station” is open to all to create their own work of art! Look, listen, feel, taste and touch as we celebrate the

arts together.

This program is open to everyone and we welcome you, your family, and your friends to come and enjoy! There is no

cost for admission.

ARTISTS WANTED!

Are you an artist who created Jewish-themed art, food or Judaica and are interested in displaying and/or selling

your art? Are you a performing artist, storyteller or musician?

Please contact Carol Morris at carol@bnaihavurah.org or 303-388-4441, ext. 11 if you are interested in

participating as a featured artist at the Jewish Arts & Culture Festival.

The Jewish Hero Project Presented by Denver Jewish Student Connection

Tuesday, May 3, 7:00 pm

The Jewish Hero Campaign is an art project and fundraiser in celebration of the

remarkable artists, musicians, politicians, scholars and rabbis who have impacted our

individual Jewish community and the world at large.

The project will use mannequins that will be painted and decorated to depict a Jewish

“hero” who has impacted the Jewish Community and/or the world. It could be painted,

decoupaged, draped in fabric, 3-dimensional - the possibilities are endless! It is up to the

group or individual to decide how to design the mannequin. There will be six mannequins created by B’nai Havurah

students at this exciting community-wide event.

For more information, contact Carol Morris at carol@bnaihavurah.org or 303-388-4441, ext. 11.

PJ Library Community Concert

Sunday, June 5

Jewish Community Center Pool, 350 South Dahlia

Additional information to follow.

Yo u t h & Fa m i l y

Know Your Rights When Encountering Law Enforcement

Sunday, June 12, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

It is more important than ever for all citizens to be prepared and know how to assert their constitutionally protected rights when dealing with law enforcement.

The ACLU of Colorado will present a Know Your Rights Training on June 12 from 11:00 am -12:15 pm. The training will be taught by ACLU speaker, Kathleen Hynes, Ph.D. and will provide information and simple steps, based on constitutional protections and criminal case law, for handling interactions with police and other forms of law enforcement.

Dr. Hynes will expose common myths and teach the realities about our constitutionally protected rights. Participants in the training will learn how to keep their cool and assert their constitutional rights, if necessary, when stopped by law enforcement, as well as how to report instances of police misconduct.

Appropriate for youth ages 13 and older and their parents. No cost, though donations to support B’nai Havurah’s 11th grade class trip to New York is greatly appreciated.

To ra h ( S t u d y ) & S a c r e d Tex t s

Jewish Genealogical Research Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, and May 5, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

We are living in a golden age for genealogical research. Technology and digitized records have given ordinary people the opportunity to do the sort of research that, even just a generation ago, would have taken extensive specialized experience and an exorbitant amount of time and money. Each of us now has this ability at our fingertips. In this class, we will tackle the question of how you – as a family historian with no preparation or formal background in genealogical research – can begin today. Together, we will discuss the first steps in creating your own family tree. We will also explore the various types of historical records you will use as clues to follow your family backwards through time and examine the many diverse resources that you will be using along the way, as well as discussing the common mistakes and pitfalls family historians make, and how to avoid them. Facilitator: Leah Klocek is an historical and genealogical researcher here in Denver. She has an undergraduate degree from Brandeis University, a graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and is a certified history teacher. She is also the sole proprietor of her own small business, Crossroads Historical Research. No cost for members, $20 for the course for guests.

The Lady in Number 6 Sunday, May 1, 4:00 pm—6:30 pm Mizel Museum, 400 S Kearney St, Denver, CO 80224 The Lady in Number 6 is one of the most inspirational and uplifting films of the year. As the world’s oldest pianist and Holocaust survivor, 109 year-old Alice Herz Sommer shares her views on how to live a long and happy life. She discuss-es music, laughter and how to remain optimistic come what may. The film features beautiful photographs and rare film footage that truly brings Alice’s extraordinary story to life. “The film is finally finished and we promise you it has been worth the wait. I am in awe at the photographs and some of the 70 year old film footage that our researchers have found. If you want to learn some invaluable lessons about how to live longer and live happier, Alice Herz Sommer is a master teacher. I have seen this film a 100 times and its power, like the power of music grabs me every time and keeps me coming back for more.” [add source]

To ra h ( S t u d y ) & S a c r e d Tex t s

“Kids all over the world grow up on superheroes, what we, their parents, must remind them, is documentaries tell stories about ‘real superheroes.’ Superheroes are based on great people, real people, like Alice Herz Sommer.” – Nicholas Reed, Producer Registration requested. No cost for members, $5 for guests. Appropriate for adults and youth ages 13 and above. Facilitator: Penny Nisson, Director of Education, has worked in several capacities at Mizel Museum for the past 20 years. One of the most important aspects of her job is providing Holocaust education that is not only meaningful, but also puts an emphasis on what we can do as individuals to make the world a better place.

Living in Limbo: Creating Structure and Peace When Someone You Love is Ill Date to be determined Based on a manuscript by B’nai members Laura Michaels and Claire Zilber, this class addresses the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges caregivers face in supporting a family member or friend who is seriously ill. Many of us will find ourselves in this position multiple times throughout our lives, compounding the need to garner strong coping skills to handle the varied layers of these experiences. The philosophical and practical approaches discussed here are meant to be applicable whether you are supporting someone with a physical or mental illness, injury, or disability. People who find themselves in this position are often eager for information and support to find peace and structure even when life seems to be in a state of limbo. Registration requested. No cost for members, $5 for guests. Facilitator: For over 25 years, Laura Michaels has worked in the field of mental health, most recently as Executive Director of the Colorado Psychiatric Society, and now in the private practice of mental health counseling and therapy. She approaches this subject from both a personal and professional perspective.

AgeForward: Navigating Life’s Transitions with Grace Sunday, May 15, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Are you wondering how to balance your life with that of your aging loved ones? Are you one of those loved ones who are wondering how to meet your changing needs while continuing to contribute to those you love? Aging isn’t easy, but we can prepare ourselves and our loved ones to age well. We can plan ahead, be in a better position to respond to unexpected, and lessen the uncertainty that comes with growing older. Join Jennie Creasey, Senior Solutions operations manager at Jewish Family Service, and Jamie Sarché, director of outreach at Feldman Mortuary, as they moderate a thoughtful dis-cussion on the practical and emotional considerations of life's ever-changing landscape. Participants will discover that this is a well-traveled road with plenty of support along the way. This one-hour program has been created for older adults as well as those who love and care for them. Registration requested. A light brunch will be provided. $10 suggested donation to benefit B’nai Havurah’s Acts of Loving Kindness fund.

To ra h ( S t u d y ) & S a c r e d Tex t s

The Abayudaya Community in East Central Uganda: A Volunteer’s Perspective Sunday, May 22, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Dr. Evelyn Hutt is a palliative care physician who has spent about 6 months volunteering in East Central Uganda. The diverse community there includes an indigenous Jewish population, the Abayudaya. The Abayudaya community is 100 years old and currently numbers approximately 2000 people living in 8 villages in the Mbale Region. Dr. Hutt will be talking about her work with the Abayudaya community as well as her work with the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) Palliative Care Outreach Program. That program uses volunteers supervised by a palliative care nurse to provide palliative care to people in their respective villages who are in pain and too sick to leave their homes. Registration requested. Snacks provided. No cost for members, $5 for guests.

Ongoing Interfaith Torah Study with Rabbi Evette Tuesdays, March - May, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Join Rabbi Evette every Tuesday to study Torah in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Large print text is available upon request. Feel free to bring your own lunch. No cost for members, $5 per session for guests.

B’nai Mitzvah Class for Adults Wednesdays, ongoing, 6:30 pm—7:30 pm This program is designed for members and guests of B’nai Havurah who want to broaden their Judaic knowledge and experience. New students are always welcome. Rabbi Evette welcomes the opportunity to create a meaningful experience for all of our members and guests, including those with special needs. Elementary Hebrew skills are needed. Please contact Rabbi Evette at rabbi@bnaihavurah.org or 303-388-4441, ext. 13 if you are interested in joining this group.

Books & Bagels First Sunday of every month, 10:00 am - 11:30 am April 3: American Vertigo by Bernard Henri Levi May 1: The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks June 5: a biography of Benjamin Disraeli—your choice July 3: The King of the Fields by Isaac Bashevis Singer (not in DPL, but available through Prospector)

No cost for members, $5 per session for guests.

Hebrew Calligraphy Mondays, April 25 and May 2, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm In the first class we will learn the rudiments of writing the Hebrew aleph-bet, which we will practice in a focused and meditative way. In the second class, we will design and complete a small finished calligraphic piece: perhaps an intention or prayer. All levels welcome. Materials will be provided, but if you have your own calligraphy pens feel free to bring them along.

To ra h ( S t u d y ) & S a c r e d Tex t s

Registration is required. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for guests, minimum of 6 registrants. Facilitator: Risa Towbin Aqua has made her living as an artist and calligrapher for over 30 years. She received her BFA from Colorado State University, and also studied calligraphy at Naropa University and in other spheres. She is a long-time Hebrew and Judaica teacher at B’nai Havurah Religious School, where she also tutors students for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Pioneer Jews at 10,000: The History of Leadville’s Jewish Community Monday, May 9, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Unbeknownst to many, Leadville was once home to a thriving Jewish community, complete with temple, cemetery, and well-known residents including members of the May and Guggenheim families. To register, or for more information, please visit our website. No cost for members, $5 for guests. Facilitator: Leadville resident, Bill Korn has spearheaded this effort for over 20 years. He started, and still leads the Temple Israel Foundation and oversaw the meticulous renovation of the temple and cemetery.

Hebrew-in-a-Day Marathon with Rabbi Evette Sunday, June 5, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Ever wanted to learn to read Hebrew, but thought it was just too difficult? Perhaps you’ve tried before without success? The Hebrew-in-a-Day Marathon is the solution; it virtually guarantees success. The goal of the course is to create Hebrew readers from scratch - no previous experience required. By the end of the marathon students will: learn the basics of Hebrew reading from Alef to Tav, be able to read 180 important Hebrew words, and have a positive, joyful relationship with the language of our Jewish heritage! How it works: Prior to the Marathon, you will be given a list of words to review - words already in your Jewish vocabulary - written in English transliteration. Then, on the day of class you will use this “Vocabulary of Jewish Life” to help you with your learning. The workbook for the marathon is While Standing on One Foot, a Hebrew reading-readiness text written specifically for adults by Rabbi Noah Golinkin, z”l, founder of the Institute for Hebrew Literacy. Space is limited and filling up fast. For more information and to register please visit our website. Once we receive your payment, we will mail you your copy of “Vocabulary of Jewish Life”, your 180 Hebrew word list. Cost is $36 for B’nai Havurah members, $45 for guests, and includes materials fee, kosher parve/vegetarian lunch and snacks.

A c t s o f L o v i n g K i n d n e s s • G e m i l u t H a s a d i m

Consider inviting a guest to your Passover Seder!

If you are planning on hosting an Erev Passover Seder (April 22) in your home and have room for one or two others to

join you, please contact the office. We have members who would love a place to go for Passover.

B’nai Havurah is planning a Passover Seder at Central Christian Church on Saturday, April 23.

Please contact the office at 303-388-4441 or email exec@bnaihavurah.org if you would like to help with planning and/

or coordination of the Seder.

Grants to Help Repair the World

The Tikkun Olam Grants Sub-Committee awards grants to projects that act on the Tikkun Olam obligation to repair the

world through social action.

To learn more about applying for a grant and to obtain the grant proposal form (downloadable or online format) go to

http://www.bnaihavurah.org/tikkun-olam.html. If you have questions, contact Gail Bernstein at

gail@gailbernstein.net, Jeanne Pantone at rojjer@netzero.com, or Glenn Cooper at coopergx@aol.com.

We Are All Chesed!

As a community we are committed to gemilut chesed: doing kind things for others in small and large ways. We believe

that acts of kindness hold the potential to embody Godliness for both the giver and the receiver.

Acts of Loving Kindness at B’nai Havurah:

Support our community in times of physical and emotional need.

Assist with shiva services and mourning rituals.

Provide cards of condolence and convalescence.

Facilitate urgent meals and visits to congregants in need.

Strengthen longer-term solutions through resources and education.

Appreciate and utilize the strengths and power within our own community.

The Chesed Committee is recruiting additional committee members in order to coordinate support requested from within our community during times of illness or bereavement. For more information please contact the office.

Mah Jongg & Jewish Women Sundays, June 5, 12, 19, and 26, 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Learn Mah Jongg, a Chinese game that has captivated Jewish women for decades. You’ll hear about it’s Jewish connection and history, and appreciate the game’s subtleties and beauty. This hands-on course will have you clicking tiles like a pro. Lorrie Tishler will lead the group, assisted by other experienced players. Mah Jongg sets and cards will be provided. Just bring yourself and have fun! Men are welcome also!

Registration required by noon on June 1. No cost for members, $15 for guests.

To ra h ( S t u d y ) & S a c r e d Tex t s

C o m m u n i t y • K e h i l l a h

Israeli Dance Saturday, April 9, after Kiddush Saturday, April 16, 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm plus Havdallah at 8:20 pm with special guest instructor Rabbi Birdie Becker Saturday, May 7, after Kiddush with guest instructor Dan Prendergast Saturday, May 15, after Kiddush

We will teach some basic steps that recur in many Israeli dances, and teach/review several dances in each class.

Facilitators: B’nai Havurah members Felice Morel and Jaime Sodosky are avid dancers who have enjoyed and performed Israeli dancing for years. Registration requested. No cost for members, $5 per session for guests.

Passover Cooking with A Kitchen Maven Sunday, April 10, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Gather in the charming South Denver home and kitchen of Tamara Hertz and Doug Johnson and learn how to cook Passover foods with the Rebbitzen.

We will be cooking:

Sephardic Charoset Balls (vegan & gluten-free)

Passover Potato Kugel (dairy-free, gluten-free option)

Salted Chocolate Chip Macaroons (gluten-free, dairy-free option)

This class is hands-on participation, so bring your apron. You will leave the class with recipes and tasty treats. No cook-ing experience is required! It is a great opportunity to have fun with your B’nai community.

Registration is required. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for guests.

B’nai Havurah Drumming Circle with Hal Aqua Sundays, April 17, May 15, June 19, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Find your inner rhythm at B’nai Havurah’s monthly drumming circle. Learn easy beats, practice group awareness, and have fun! Bring friends, family members, and hand drums if you have them (some loaners are available).

Registration is requested. No cost for members, $5 per session for non-members.

Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day) with JEWISHcolorado Tuesday, May 10, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Elaine Wolf Theater, Denver JCC, 350 S Dahlia, Denver

JEWISHcolorado Walk for Israel and JCC Denver Celebrate Family Festival Sunday, May 22, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Downtown Denver, precise outdoor location to be determined

C o m m u n i t y • K e h i l l a h

JEWISHcolorado Walk for Israel and JCC Denver Celebrate Family Festival Sunday, May 22, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Downtown Denver, precise outdoor location to be determined

L’Chaim! A Community-Wide Conference and Resource Fair about Jewish Wisdom on Aging Well Sunday, June 5, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm, Temple Emanuel, 51 S Grape St, Denver For additional information, please visit http://www.lchaimdenver.org

B’nai Havurah is an inclusive, participatory Jewish Reconstructionist community that is passionately committed to experiencing Judaism

by infusing tradition with renewed meaning in a contemporary American context. We do this through study, worship and joyous practice, social justice, acts of kindness, and connection with the Jewish People. We support diversity as we welcome and respect Jews of all backgrounds and abilities, as well as the non-Jewish partners of our members. Guests (non- members) are always welcome to participate in our programs,

though a minimal fee is requested.

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