Session II - BET  7:30PM – 8:20PM
THE “REAL” CHANUKAH STORY
Prior to the Maccabean battles in the 2nd century B.C.E., there was Hellenistic Reform followed by great upheaval.  How anti-Semitic was that Reform and to what extent did it encourage Jews to assimilate into Greek society?  What is the relationship between anti-Semitism and assimilation?  How relevant is all that to our Chanukah holiday today?
RABBI SETH L. BERNSTEIN, D.Min., Temple Sinai

ISRAELI  DANCING
Learn traditional Israeli dances from the days of the first Israeli pioneers. These dances consist mainly of circle and partner dances of Eastern European, Arab and Yemenite origin.
SAUL AND REENA SLOVIN, Israeli Folk Dance Teachers

HEBREW SUPERNOVA:  THE PHENOMENON OF AVRAHAM SHLONSKY’S POETRY
Avraham Shlonsky was influential in the development of modern Hebrew and its literature in Israel through his many acclaimed  translations of literary classics, particularly from Russian.  A sampling of Shlonsky's poems will be read in the original and in translation and discussed in historical and literary context.
JOEL SIEGELMAN, local Jewish educator

WHO MADE GOD ANYWAY?!
Children can ask some interesting (and challenging) questions about God and other aspects of spiritual life.  At times, the answers come to us quickly and can be quite simple.  At other times, their questions prompt us to explore and evaluate our own beliefs.  Join us for a discussion about ways to talk about God with children at different stages development…theirs and ours.
BETH GREENBERG, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Jewish Family Service of Worcester, Inc.

A PALESTINIAN STATE NEXT TO ISRAEL?
In September, a group of Israeli and Palestinian activists completed years of studying the question of how, exactly, could a Palestinian state exist alongside Israel?  Their fascinating 400 page report, with maps and timetables has caused quite a stir. Be it this plan or another, our expert will discuss with us just what needs to happen next to advance peace?
LARRY LOWENTHAL, National Senior Advisor to the American Jewish Committee

JEWISH NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
An introduction to extraordinary and spell binding Jewish fiction from Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Montenegro, Poland, The Netherlands and Peru.  Sometimes comic, sometimes somber, these novels and short stories provide intriguing and often surprising perspectives on Jewish life. 
Stephen A. Sadow PhD., Professor at Northeastern University

THE CHASSIDIC PHILOSOPHY FOR MODERN TIMES
One of the greatnesses of Chassidism has been its ability to take age-old Jewish values and bring them actively into the lives of contemporary Jews.  Join this beloved rabbi and teacher in discussing the eternal principles of 1) faith in One God, 2) the spark of Godliness in each person and  3) how Jews strive for unity with other individuals and  with the Jewish community at large. 
RABBI HERSHEL FOGELMAN, Yeshiva Achei T’mimim

LIGHT AND LOVE:  HOW OUR ANCESTORS CAME TO UNDERSTAND GOD AND THE EXPERIENCE OF SINAI
The two blessings before the Shema thank God for light and love. Why are these two “natural” concepts included in our prayers each day? What do they tell us about how to think about God and how we can encounter God through mindfulness each day? What does the prayer book tell us about what exactly happened on Mount Sinai? Jewish prayer is designed to lead each of us to Sinai every morning to recommit to the covenantal relationship with God. We will look at a spiritual and personal side of prayer.
RABBI CHERIE KOLLER-FOX, Facilitating NewCAJE, co-authoring Children's Bible and Founder and past national chair of CAJE and Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA

FAMOUS AND NOT SO FAMOUS WOMEN
While not that well know, Jewish history is replete with fascinating accounts of how certain women "made the difference" in their particular time and place. This discussion will focus on the role that famous and not so famous Jewish women have played in different aspects of our history.
WENDY DAVIS-WONG, Temple Sinai, Principal

WHEN IS IT AGAINST THE LAW TO HATE?
In this internet age we are exposed to all kinds of words and all shades of opinions on a daily basis, some quite outlandish.  When do we cross the line?  What is the difference between a hate incident or hate speech and an actual hate crime?  How does anti-Semitism play a role in hate-motivated violence? Learn the facts from this national expert.
ROBERT TRESTAN, Eastern States Civil Rights Counsel for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) provides hate crime training to law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts and throughout the country.

ABORTION:  THE JEWISH VIEWS BOTH ANCIENT AND MODERN
Using the Torah, Talmud, Rashi, Rambam along with some modern interpretations we will discuss: When life begins? Mother or child?  Who takes precedence?  The process our Sages and Rabbis used in understanding and explaining the Torah.
RABBI ALAN ALPERT,Congregation Agudat Achim, Leominster

THE GENERATIONS AFTER: THE UNIQUE ROLE OF CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS’
More than 60 years after the Holocaust, the Second and Third Generations of survivors find themselves assuming a primary role in Holocaust remembrance. We will discuss our experiences of the “Generations After.”  Information will be provided about the formal networks available for the Second and Third Generations.  
ELIZABETH ANTHONY, M.S.W., Doctoral Student, Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Clark University and former Deputy Director of Survivor Affairs at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.