Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
A Testosterone Primer for Jews: What Testosterone Does to a Man's Soul
Elchanan Weinbach
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Newport Beach 2
Identity and Responsibility,
Teen Approved
Testosterone is what makes a man a male and not a female. What effect does all that masculinity have on both genders and how are these realities reflected in traditional Jewish life?
Chavruta Learning
Scott Perlo
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Catalina Ballroom 1
Text and Thought
Come experience chavruta -- the traditional Jewish method of one-to-one learning. Chavruta means "friendship" or "partnership" and involves two people exploring texts together. We will examine ancient sources, modern scholarship, song lyrics and more centered on different topics within the theme of "One." Each day we'll cover a new topic; join for one or for all. Everyone is welcome, whether you have studied texts before or not. Knowledge of Hebrew is not required. Bring a study partner, or we’ll find one for you.
Fact and Fantasy in Jewish Education
Renana Ravitsky Pilzer
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Newport Beach 1
Identity and Responsibility
Yohanan Ben Zakkai had two students: Eliezer Ben Horkanus, who was called “a plastered well that does not lose a drop,” and Elazar Ben Arach, who was “an overflowing fountain.” In this session, we will read midrashim (commentaries) about these two characters and their different approaches to Torah teaching and learning. Ultimately, we will see where each one ended up with the path that he followed.
FILM: The Jewish Family Through the Eyes of the Ma'ale Filmmakers
Pazit Varda Lichtman
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Huntington Beach 1 & 2
Arts and Performance,
Global History and Culture,
Israel,
Teen Approved
Pazit Lichtman introduces and discusses two family-themed documentaries: In "Luz," we witness the unique relationship between Lisa and her adopted daughter. Unable to have children, Lisa adopted Luz from Columbia when Luz was three months old. Despite their differences, the two have built a home which is loving and strong. Now 18 years old and troubled by questions of identity, Luz re-opens her adoption file while Lisa builds a home with her new husband. A dramatic new development in their lives threatens to destroy all the old bonds, and forces Luz and her mother to confront the basic questions: What is a home? What is motherhood? And what is the meaning of a blood relationship? (30 Min) In "About Time," on the banks of the Yarkon River, an elderly couple says goodbye to Tel Aviv, which was their home for more than 70 years. During the measuring and the packing, the worrying and the cookie-baking their world colored by assertiveness, sacrifice and love is observed by their granddaughter, the filmmaker. (30 minutes)
Improve Your Passover Seder
Norman Green
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Balboa Bay 1
Global History and Culture
We will discuss both creative and traditional ways that you can improve the quality of your Passover Seder, so that you and your guests will get more out of it.
Israel: A Jewish State or a State of the Jews?
Benjamin Ish-Shalom
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Balboa Bay 2
Global History and Culture,
Israel
Is Israel simply a state where the Jews live or is Israel a sovereign Jewish state with Jewish implications? Is there Jewish content in modern Israeli society? Does the Torah have anything to say about the economic and political challenges facing Israel?
JewTV: Judaism Goes Viral
Yechiel Hoffman
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Laguna Beach 1
Arts and Performance,
Teen Approved
What would happen if Jews really ran Hollywood. And they were teenagers. Come see the hottest TV lineup, coming to your dish, cable and antenna. See the newest reality shows "My Super Sweet Bat Mitzvah," "Pico Real World," and "Flavor of Jew." Emote with the new Chai-time drama "From Golubeski to Golub: Evolution of the American Jew." Laugh with The Office's episode ""Lecture on Judaism." Stay after the screening for a special Q&A with the filmmakers and explore how viral videos can be a great tool to educating American about Judaism.
Peace and Truth in the Jewish Tradition
Stuart Schoffman
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Laguna Beach 2
Identity and Responsibility,
Teen Approved
For the sake of peace, is it permissible to bend the truth? Fascinating stories from rabbinic texts explore the themes of peace, truth and reconciliation -- among Jews, and between Jews and other people. We will carefully study these texts as a group.
Rosh Chodesh Live
Craig Taubman
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Pacific Ballroom 3
Arts and Performance,
Ritual and Prayer
Join Craig Taubman and friends to celebrate the first day of the month of Adar with a unique communal singing of "Hallel," modeled on the world-famous Friday Night Live services at Sinai Temple.
The Invisible Children Project
Dave Chameides
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Laguna Beach 3
Global History and Culture
"The Rescue" is a 30-minute film about child soldiers in Uganda who are abducted at ages as young as 5 and made to fight for the Lord’s Resistance Army. Six years ago, three 19-year-olds from southern California traveled to the Sudan to make a documentary. "The Rescue" is the story of what is going on in the Congo, and what these three teenagers decided to do about it. We will watch the film, discuss the subject, and discuss ways that we all can help with this problem and learn more. "The Rescue” is appropriate for teenagers and adults and will inspire anyone who sees it by showing the power of the individual to change the world.
Tools for Health
Rachel Bello
Monday 10:00 AM–11:15 AM
Catalina Ballroom 2
Health and Healing
In this healing session, Rachel Bello will share her discoveries from the hospital and Jewish mysticism regarding the energetic nature of our bodies and provide hands-on tools you can use at home to boost your immune system, increase your energy, and improve your mood. The three primary modalities we will be using are lymphatic drainage, Chakra healing, and toning. We will be working on the floor so please bring a yoga mat or towel. This is a hands-on class and you will be working with a partner of your choice.
