2009-2010 Speaker Series Calendar 

American Jewish History through the Marx Brothers with Rabbi Daniel M. Bronstein Wednesdays, 2/17 and 2/24 and 3/17 at 8:00 PM

(Please note changed date for final session).

Wine and Cheese Learning Purim Learning Saturday 2/27 at 4:30 p.m. Male/Female/Insider/Outsider: A New Examination of Mordechai and Esther with Rabbi Daniel M. Bronstein

(Co-sponsored by the Kehillah Project and the Jewish Learning Committee. Please bring either a bottle of wine or a cheese).

A discussion with Mike Hammel, Chairperson of Aguda, the National Association of GLBT in Israel Sunday 3/7 11 AM

On August 1, 2009, a masked gunman burst into the facilities of the Aguda, or National Association of GLBT killing two and injuring dozens more. In the aftermath, it became evident that the Israeli government’s social services and social workers have not been trained or educated in dealing with GLBT issues. However, the Israel Minister of Social Services recently issued a mandate to the Aguda to build network of national network of social services to deal with the GLBT community.

Mike Hamel, the Chairperson of the Aguda since 2004, who is considered the leading expert on GLBT issues in Israel and has been involved in social reform and the protection of human rights for his entire life is touring the United States accompanied by Chen Langer, a young volunteer with the Aguda youth program who was shot during the recent tragedy. As chair of Israel's oldest LGBT organization, Mike has represented Israel's gay community in a variety of settings and took the lead at the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Jurisprudence committee’s proceedings concerning the human rights section of the future Israeli constitution. The National Association of GLBT in Israel is currently celebrating its 35th year of service and support of GLBT rights and issues and providing social services to the GLBT community in Israel. The Aguda has been the founding father of many of the GLBT organizations in Israel and is the only national GLBT organization offering programs ranging from our youth services to our all new HIV-AIDs awareness website along with Project Barak, our educational program.

The Aguda is presently trying to build an all new national social services program that will stretch from border to border and encompass all of Israel regardless of religion, origin or sexual orientation.

(refreshments to be offered)

Special Shabbat Morning Learning Events

All adult learning programs co-sponsored by the Early Childhood Center, Kehillah Project and Yachad.

A screening of Waves of Freedom Saturday and discussion with Paul Kaye Saturday March 13 at 11 AM

Waves of Freedom presents the story of American sailors who disregarded the British blockade of Palestine to ferry Jewish refugees to Palestine during the Holocaust.

Of all the refugees who slipped past the British, nearly half came on ten largely American-manned vessels. Waves of Freedom offers authentic documentary footage intertwined with sailors’ reminisces’ about defying the British blockade to bring Jewish refugees into the future state of Israel.

Join us for the film and a discussion with one of the former American sailors, Paul Kaye who will share his experiences with us.

For a full listing of ongoing courses and additional learning opportunities follow this link to our website: http://www.congregationbethelohim.org/index.php/Jewish-Learning/