Session I – ALEPH  6:30PM – 7:20PM
TAKING A “BIG PICTURE” VIEW OF JEWISH HISTORY
How do we see the last 2000 years of Jewish history; as cyclical in nature or is there a pessimistic/optimistic trend?  What events could lead us to think one way or the other?  Which historians or writers have more convincing or more compelling interpretations?  Part of our discussion will examine the fascinating writings of author David R. Slavitt.
RABBI SETH L. BERNSTEIN, D. MIN., Temple Sinai

SONGS OF SEPHARAD – A TASTE OF LADINO MUSIC
Ladino is the folk language of the Sephardic Jews, roughly equivalent
to Yiddish in the Ashkenazi world. Come learn Ladino songs for Shabbat
and holidays, and maybe a romantic ballad or two.
CANTOR KIM SINGER, Temple Sinai

THE JEWISH CALENDAR:  HOW DOES IT WORK SO WELL?
Every holiday of our Jewish calendar fits perfectly; Rosh Chodesh on the New Moon, Pesach in early spring, Yom Kippur never on Friday or Sunday, etc.  None of this would work with a civil calendar.  How does our Jewish calendar marvelously match up month-by-month and year-by-year with the astronomical cycles of the sun, moon, and earth?
LES BLATT, Temple Sinai

WHY MADOFF MATTERS:  A PANEL DISCUSSION
The immense damage inflicted on so many individuals and institutions by Bernard Madoff troubles us on many levels, not least of which as Jews.  How could this scandal have happened  and why?  Is there a “Jewish” response?  Has all this fueled the fires of anti-Semitism?  How? What now?  Let’s hear from our noted panelists, and You!
RABBI JOEL PITKOWSKY, Congregation Beth Israel, DERREK SHULMAN, Anti-Defamation League (ADL), JORDAN LEVY, former Worcester Mayor and businessman, presently radio talk-show host, BERNIE ROTMAN, Moderator

THE JEWISH RENEWAL MOVEMENT
Jewish Renewal is a recent movement in Judaism which integrates modern Judaism with mystical, Hasidic, musical, and meditative practices. In this experiential session, participants will be introduced to Jewish Renewal through the use of Hebrew chant and meditation techniques.
JOSEF KOTTLER, Congregation B’nai Shalom.

BASIC JUDAISM….WHILE STANDING ON ONE FOOT!
The Talmud half jokingly speaks of a skeptic who wants to learn all of the Torah while “standing on one foot.”  While we won’t be able to learn everything about Judaism in this session, you will walk away with a good understanding of the core principles of Judaism.
ME’IR SHERER, MJEd, MSW, Director of Congregational Learning, Congregation Beth Israel

FATHER ABRAHAM SPEAKS TO HIS CHILDREN; MUSLIMS AND JEWS
While the headlines many times speak of misunderstanding and mistrust between Muslims and Jews, both faiths have much in common, not least of which is their common forefather, Abraham.  When is the faith of these “cousins” shared and when does it divide?  Looking into the future, what are the real prospects for “peace in the family?”
Dr. MOHAMED LAZZOUNI, an expert on Islam, holds a PhD in Physics from Oxford Univerniversity and is a visiting professor at the Jesuit Institute of Boston College.