Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Being a Secular Jew and Loving It: Why the Burden of Proof Is on You
Jordan Kalms,
Daniel Reisfeld
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Newport Beach 1
Identity and Responsibility,
Teen Approved
Our presentation will address the idea of modern faith and how such a concept is not necessary in order to deem oneself as Jewish. We will model ourselves as a personal example of how a personal connection to the Jewish tradition and the Holocaust need not be facilitated by faith in God. An anti-theistic approach is not antithetical to Judaism, and can be in fact complementary, as we will demonstrate. We will discuss how faith is an antiquated concept, but how Judaism is not. Thus, we will promote the secular humanist approach of Judaism, one that incorporates the ideas of free inquiry, open-mindedness, and individualism while still maintaining a connection to one’s cultural heritage.
Do Married Men Live Longer or Does it Just Seem Longer?
David Levin-Kruss
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Emerald Bay 2
Identity and Responsibility
This session uses the commandment of a bridegroom not being allowed to do military service to unearth the answer to one of our most basic questions: How do I create a meaningful relationship and, once I’ve done that, how do I maintain it?
FILM: Passages
Gabriela Bohm
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Huntington Beach 1 & 2
In this personal documentary, a filmmaker sets off on an odyssey through Eastern Europe, South America and the United States to uncover long-harbored family mysteries, myths and secrets. In the end, she derives strength from the connections between the lives of her parents and her own life -– a legacy she plans to tell to her child.
Healing Jewish Suffering
Barry Krost
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Emerald Bay 1
Health and Healing,
Teen Approved
We will look at Jewish suffering using the Family Constellation process. In this model of energy healing, we can reveal how the suffering of our family and ancestors can unknowingly influence our thoughts, behaviors and emotional experiences. Our experience will include an overview of this form of healing and examples of the Constellation process using volunteers from the audience.
Hebrew Reading Boot Camp #2
Todd Shotz
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Balboa Bay 2
Global History and Culture,
Text and Thought
Have you always meant to learn how to read Hebrew? This is your chance! Learn to read Hebrew in three fast and easy sessions - perfect for beginners or for those needing a refresher. In this second session, we will finish covering the alphabet and vowels and begin to read Hebrew.
A History of Hatred: Anti-Semitism, Anti-Judaism, and Their Origins
Matthew Friedman
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Laguna Beach 1
Global History and Culture,
Teen Approved
Over the past decade, the world has seen a large increase in the demonization of Israel and Zionism. Within the past year, we have also seen several alarming incidents and crimes targeting the Jewish community throughout the US and the rest of the world. Why has there been so much animosity towards the Jewish community historically? What can we do to address this age-old phenomenon? Why do we differentiate between anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism? This session will explore the origins of anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism from a theological, political, and cultural perspective using examples of artwork, texts, and other multimedia sources.
Jewish Song Leading
Anthony Rogers-Wright,
Shep Rosenman
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Catalina Ballroom 2
Arts and Performance,
Global History and Culture
Join musician/activist/professional volunteer Anthony Rogers-Wright and entertainment attorney/musician Shep Rosenman and surprise guests and allow yourself to be led in various traditional and not so traditional Jewish songs. Please bring your instruments, your voices, and your imagination to this session that puts the "cool" in collaboration.
Journey to the Jewish Communities of Zimbabwe
Lior Kaminetsky
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Laguna Beach 2
Global History and Culture
Lior Kaminetsky was sent by an Israeli organization named “Soul Train” to bring Judaism through the arts to the far-flung and small Jewish communities around the world, including various communities around South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. In this presentation, Lior will share his personal experience, combined with live music and videos, and group discussion.
The Joys of Jewish Genealogy
Pamela Weisberger
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Newport Beach 2
Identity and Responsibility,
Teen Approved
The Talmud says: "I did not find the world desolate when I entered it. My ancestors planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me." What do you know about your ancestors? What will you pass on to the next generation? How did you come to be the person you are? Tracing your family tree back to the old country and learning about the lives of your ancestors can provide you with surprising answers and enrich your life. Learn some easy ways to get started on the path to creating your family tree from the comfort of your own home by using the Internet as a first step, and discover what it's like to return to one's ancestral shtetl to walk in the footsteps of those who came before us.
Secular Versus Jewish Medical Ethics: Different or Not? A Case Study
Stuart Finder,
Jason Weiner
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Emerald Bay 3
Health and Healing,
Identity and Responsibility,
Teen Approved
A hospital ethicist and chaplain discuss some of the most common, emotional, and perplexing ethical dilemmas that arise in their work, as well as different strategies to approach them, as a basis for examining some of the core distinctions and similarities between contemporary secular medical ethics and traditional Jewish medical ethics.
The Dig: Death, Genesis, and the Double Helix
Stacie Chaiken
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Catalina Ballroom 1
Arts and Performance,
Global History and Culture,
Teen Approved
An American archaeologist is summoned to a dig in the ancient Arab-Hebrew town of Jaffa. They've found something -- something that could change everything. She's the only one who can tell them what it is. And her mother just died. And there's a lizard in her bathtub. This one-woman comedic play written and performed by Stacie Chaiken is a must-see.
We Are Family: Michael and His Mother, Joseph and His Brothers
Michael Shefrin,
Mimi Weisel
Sunday 1:00 PM–2:15 PM
Newport Beach 3
Identity and Responsibility,
Text and Thought,
Teen Approved
Are you someone's offspring? Someone's parent? Explore the challenges and joys of being part of a family through the experiences of a "rock n’ roll son" and a "rabbi mom." This interactive session will investigate how the history of a family influences their present relationships and what that might mean for the future together. We'll use different modalities for our learning, including conversation, music and Genesis' Joseph story.
