Friday Evening, April 5th and Saturday April 6th
The HBT Israel/Palestine Program Planning Committee is excited to announce a special Shabbat Weekend with Rabbi Maurice Harris, the Israel Affairs Specialist and Associate Director for Thriving Communities at Reconstructing Judaism. We have a wonderful opportunity to have Rabbi Maurice lead us in a 2-day program of thoughtful, sensitive, and structured learning on critical issues and challenges resulting from the 6-month war between Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinians.  The Committee seeks to engage HBT members with varying outlooks on the current crisis through forums for learning and conversation that deepen understanding of the deep trauma and future prospects of Israeli Jews and Palestinians.

 Friday, April 5

6:15pm

Kabbalat Shabbat

Join Rabbi Noyo and their guitar for a sweet and songful traditional Kabbalat Shabbat.

Friday April 5

7:00pm – 9:00pm  

Opening presentation and Oneg Shabbat

Challenges to Our Congregations in a Time of Protracted Violence: why conversations are difficult and how Reconstructing Judaism has responded.   

What has made the discussion of Israeli-Palestinian issues difficult within our congregations, in the past, and in the context of the current war? How the national Reconstructing Judaism office came to sign on to an Open Letter to President Biden with the Progressive Israel Network?  How are constituencies in Israel responding to their government’s approach to the war?

Saturday, April 6 

12:30pm – 2:30pm

Shabbat Services Followed by A Lunch and Learn

Rabbi Maurice will offer a D’var and will lead and afternoon program with small group exercises on The Worlds We Create through Words: how words have always been and will continue to be powerful elements of this conflict.