Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
The Aguna Issue: A 40 Year Retrospective
Blu Greenberg
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Emerald Bay 2
Global History and Culture,
Identity and Responsibility
An aguna is a woman who is chained to her marriage because her husband is either unwilling or unable to grant her a get - a Jewish divorce decree. This session is an analysis of where we’ve been and where we are after 40 years of attention to this problem leads us to some disturbing conclusions. We draw from these conclusions a set of new actions for the future.
FAMILY: Jewish Stories One Generation Tells Another
Peninnah Schram
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Bristol 3
Family Friendly,
Identity and Responsibility
In this program, Peninnah Schram interweaves folktales of various genres from the Sephardic (Middle Eastern) and Ashkenazic (Eastern European) oral traditions. Some are filled with intrigue and clever wit, but all focus on wisdom and values that have been treasured by the Jewish people throughout the generation.
Irrelevant, Dull, Oppressive, and Insipid
David Levin-Kruss
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Emerald Bay 1
Identity and Responsibility,
Text and Thought,
Teen Approved
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel famously dismissed much of modern religion with these words. Many would argue that this is not the case today, but even in vibrant communities there often seems to be something missing. By going back to the reasons for being Jewish, this session examines what that something is.
Is it a Rainbow or Patchy Clouds? Ethnic Jewish Enclaves in California
Boris Gorbis
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Laguna Beach 1
Global History and Culture,
Teen Approved
Are ethnic Jewish enclaves a community or a colony? (What makes a community?) Do EJEs communicate with one another? (How? Where?) How do EJEs relate to the Jewish mainstream? (Why?) Do EJEs admire or emulate each other? (Does it need to change?) Is the face and role of Jewish Establishment changing?
Jews and the Interfaith Challenge
Ruth Broyde Sharone
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Laguna Beach 3
Identity and Responsibility
Many Jews are committed to working in the interfaith arena; many Jews are not. What are the key factors that allow for successful interaction between Jews and Christians, Jews and Muslims, or Jews with Hindus and Buddhists? Where do we merge and where do we diverge? Is interfaith engagement "Avodah Zarah" or is it absolutely vital for the well-being of the Jewish communities of the world? These are some of the topics we will explore and discuss together, including a real life example of how an interfaith relationship presented an existential challenge. Each person will be asked to decide how he/she would have handled that situation.
The Key to Jewish Survival
Kenneth Kaufman
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Balboa Bay 2
Identity and Responsibility,
Text and Thought,
Teen Approved
Mark Twain once wrote, “All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?” What secret ingredient enables the Jewish people to survive despite seemingly overwhelming odds against them? Using the original Biblical text (provided in Hebrew and English), we will look at some perplexing difficulties in the story of Joseph’s brothers coming to Egypt. The resolution of those difficulties will provide a dramatic answer to our question and show how our ancestors worked to assure that we would indeed have this secret ingredient.
Situational Jewish Leadership
Yoni Gordis
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Newport Beach 1
Identity and Responsibility,
Teen Approved
The world offers us myriad leadership models that purport to offer the solution to the complexities of modern day life. More than anything, Judaism's leadership models show us that context and timing are the keys to offering leadership that is relevant, resonant and values-based. It's all holy and quite situational.
TEEN: Money, Madoff and Mensches: Judaism's Take on Wealth, Capitalism and Responsibility
Aaron Edelheit,
Lorin Fife,
Eve Rodsky
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Newport Beach 3
Global History and Culture,
Identity and Responsibility,
Teen Approved
As Jews, what role does money play in our lives? How does it drive our decisions, aspirations, and goals? How does Judaism view the pursuit of wealth? Does Judaism see money and property as a means or an ends? How can money be a blessing or a curse? Can one be fully engaged with Judaism and still have the car, the bling and the flashy house? Come hear from financial gurus, philanthropy experts and others about the role money plays in their Jewish lives. Note: this session is for teens only.
What is Tikkun Olam in Hebrew?
Anat Hoffman
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Emerald Bay 3
Global History and Culture,
Identity and Responsibility
Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew term, which literally means repairing the world. Although much is being done in Israel to further social justice, the commitment to social action and justice in Israel still has a long way to go. Language is the best indicator of this: modern Hebrew still misses words that express ideas associated with this concept, not least of which is pluralism.
Yiddish Women’s Prayers on Akedat Yitzhak
Aviva Richman
Saturday 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
Laguna Beach 2
Identity and Responsibility,
Ritual and Prayer
Until our own times, women’s voices have been virtually missing from the sea of Jewish biblical interpretation. We will discover some earlier women’s perspectives on the story of the binding of Isaac in nineteenth century Yiddish prayers (tkhines). Akedat Yitzhak is traditionally invoked to glorify sacrifice and depict God’s mercy. How did these women employ interpretive agency to transform the meaning of this troubling central text?
