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Nineteen Indianapolis learners came together with over 30 other participants from nine communities for the first ever Partnership2Gether virtual book club that explored David Grossman's Someone to Run With.
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Making Friends by Learning Together
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"Make for yourself a teacher; acquire for yourself a friend." (Pirkei Avot 1:6)
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As we begin 2020, the JFGI Education Department encourages you to take this teaching from Pirkei Avot to heart and make new friends at upcoming Jewish education programs. We had 19 women connect with peers throughout the world at the first-ever Partnership2Gether Book Club event on January 5 (pictured above). At the event, new friendships were made by discussing Someone to Run With by David Grossman among P2G communities in the U.S. and the Western Galilee. If you missed the book group and are looking to connect with others through learning, you can join us tomorrow night, Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 7:00-8:30pm at CJEL as we launch the next series of Jewish Podcast Talks in Indy, which features Judaism Unbound. Many new friendships and ideas emerged through the Jewish Podcast Talks in Indy sessions in 2019, and we are looking forward to even more participation in 2020!
Part of why learning together leads to friendships is that is enables people to connect through shared interests and meaning making experiences. Through the Community Learning Directory JFGI is working to compile all local Jewish learning opportunities in one accessible portal. So, if you are interested in commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance day on January 27, you check out this link for upcoming Holocaust Education programs. If you want mark Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) during February, you can find programs here. As the Jewish New Year of the Trees approaches on the evening of February 9, you can take part in our Tu B’Shevat Scholar-in-Residence program with Jewish podcast celebrity Dan Libenson. This is only a taste of the many learning opportunities and friend-making on the horizon in 2020!
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With two amazing scholars visiting Indy in the coming weeks, it’s hard to select which programs to feature. So, we selected two programs at which we are sure you can make new connections. Links to a full listing of programs with each visiting scholar follow the event details.
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Shabbat Lunch & Learn - Israel and Inclusion: A Personal Perspective
Sat., February 1st (12:00 - 2:00 pm) @ Congregation Shaarey Tefilla
More Info and Registration>>
The entire community is invited to a learn with Connie Putterman, Jewish inclusion advocate, as she shares personal experiences that led her to found the Canada/Israel Autism Research Initiative, a private initiative fostering collaborations between Canadian and Israeli autism researchers. The discussion will address cultural stigmas associated with autism and ways the Jewish community can address them. Please RSVP by January 28.
To see a full listing of events with Connie Putterman during her visit on February 1-2, go to https://www.jewishindianapolis.org/JDAIM.
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Tu B’Shevat Seder – The Power of Innovative Rituals
Sun., February 9th (4:00 - 5:30 pm) @ CJEL - Domont Auditorium
More Info and Registration>>
Celebrate the coming arrival of spring and experience an example of how Jewish ritual can be innovated to align with contemporary life. Community members and families of all ages are invited to join in this interactive lay-led program. Please RSVP by February 3rd.
The seder is just part of Dan Libenson’s Tu B’Shevat Scholar-in-Residence which is the pinnacle of this year’s Jewish Podcast Talks in Indy education series. Complete details for Dan’s visit on February 9-10 can be accessed at https://www.jewishindianapolis.org/judaismunbound.
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Other Upcoming Education Opportunities
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Save the Date for J-Serve 2020 - Sunday, March 15th.
Looking to make some new friends from across the community while doing good? J-Serve, the annual teen community service mega-event provides an opportunity for teens to bring to life the values of gemilut chasidim (acts of loving kindness), tzedakah (just and charitable giving), and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Registration link and full details coming soon! Questions? Contact David Heilbron at dheilbron@jfgi.org or Ethan Cohen at ecohen@jccindy.org.
Check Out an Area Youth Group
If you are looking to meet some new friends, youth groups are a great way to build your community! Indianapolis is home to many active youth organization including:
- BBYO - A pluralistic teen-led movement open to Jewish teens in grades 8 - 12.
- CTeen - CTeen is a place for Jewish teens to unite and celebrate who we are, all while having plenty of fun along the way. Open to 8th - 12th graders.
- IFTY - IHC's senior youth group IFTY is associated with NFTY - Ohio Valley region. Open to Jewish 9th - 12th graders from across the community.
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Intergenerational
Programs
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In remembering the Holocaust, we should think about what we can do as individuals to prevent genocide. That is the best way to honour the victims.” – Dr. Jean Damascene Bizimana
In 2005, the United Nations dedicated January 27th as an International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. This date holds additional significance as the day Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp was liberated by the Soviet Army in 1945. To mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day as well as the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, JFGI is hosting the From the Children, About the Children, For the Children: Art and Writing of the Holocaust exhibit during the months of January and February. Community members of all ages are invited to visit the exhibit and learn by reflecting upon the powerful voices of youth reflected in the panels. Additional programming for International Holocaust Remembrance Day is listed HERE. We must honor and remember the past so that we can be upstanders in the face of atrocities and injustice in the present.
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