| ROIers at LimmudLA |
| Written by Esther Kustanowitz |
| Friday, 12 February 2010 07:21 |
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ROIers are going to be out in force at this weekend's LimmudLA conference (see below schedule) - plus, late-breaking news that Alan Grabinsky (Moishe House, Mexico City) will be speaking on "Threats and Challenges of Innovative Jewish Organizations in the Jewish Community of Mexico City" (check schedule for date and time). Also coming…David Cygielman (Moishe House), Eileen Levinson (Haggadot.com), and others! If I find time, I will be tweeting from @EstherK with the #limmudla hashtag. And if you're registered for the conference, don't forget to join us at the reception for ROIers and Friends of Jewish Innovation (which means it's open to anyone who wants to join us) Sunday night. See below or click here for a link to the Facebook invite.) FRIDAY How Gangsta Can Bible Raps Get? (Matt Bar) Seventy percent of the Billboard #1 songs this year were Hip-Hop. The Bible Raps Tool-Kit uses this interest to help over 100 educators transmit our tradition to their students. In this session, we will explore the songs that didn't make the tool-kit because they were, in one word, too Gangsta. While these songs push the envelope, they may in fact resonate more deeply with teens and young adults due to their attachment to the more controversial elements of Hip-Hop. Expect a sophisticated discussion of Hip-Hop culture and songs that may be PG-13 -- even though they are much tamer than some of the songs that get commercial radio play. "I'm Not White, I'm Jewish": Jewish Identity Through Rap (Matt Bar) What does it mean to be Jewish? How did important biblical figures like King David or Moshe relate to their "Jewishness"? Do Maimonides' thirteen principles of faith still resonate for Jewish student and young adults today? How does a modern midrashist relate his relationship to Judaism through the medium of rap? Through text study, discussion, and performance, participants will explore different ways figures throughout history have connected to Judaism. “The Talk Show” (featuring Esther Kustanowitz, Matt Bar and others) Friday 10:30 PM-11:45 PM With one host, one sofa, 3-4 guests and a musical act, The Talk Show is a lively dose of conversation and entertainment. SATURDAY Saturday Morning Services: Liberal Egalitarian (Naomi Less) Rabbi Jonathan Aaron of Temple Emanuel, Rabbi Rachel Timoner of Leo Baeck Temple and musicians Naomi Less and Avram Mandell will collaborate on an eclectic music-accompanied Shabbat morning service. Words of Terror in the Torah (Anthony Rogers-Wright) There can be no doubt that certain passages and indeed full parshas of the Torah of caused some in our respective congregations to recoil in horror. This is specifically true of those members of our congregations that identify themselves as LGBT, Jews of Color, and women. In this session, we will explore those passages and parshas in the literal context, apply these texts to a modern context with the overall hope of moving from literalism to interpretation to tolerance. The Innovation Ecosystem: A 21st Century Organic Jewish Community (Yoni Gordis, Esther Kustanowitz, Naomi Less and others) Over the past decade or so, the Jewish world has witnessed the emergence of a new landscape of innovative startups. These enterprises have created new entry points to Jewish life, and new ways of building Jewish community. This diverse and vibrant collective of new Jewish initiatives is evolving into an organic communal infrastructure for the Jewish community in the 21st century. This session is a tour though the diverse and vibrant ecosystem driving Jewish innovation across the globe. Meet some of the innovators and find out how their work is changing the Jewish world. Jews' Line Is It Anyway? (Esther Kustanowitz) What's so Jewish about basic improv comedy? This informal, participatory workshop introduces the basics of both improv comedy and Jewish community to Jews and Judeophiles of all ages. Situational Jewish Leadership (Yoni Gordis) 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) 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. Just Breathe (Naomi Less) Join Jewish Chick Rocker Naomi Less for a light yoga/meditation/musical exploration through prayer -- explore prayers that deal with the body, breathing, and song. LimmudLAtenite Karaoke Lounge (Aaron Edelheit) After two days of learning, praying, and LimmudLA-ing, come join the fun and party into the wee hours with Karaoke. SUNDAY Jewish Midrash Through Rap (Matt Bar) Bible Raps has mastered the difficult art of making text study relevant, creative and fun for Jewish youth, inspiring young people and engaging with them to produce hip-hop music with lyrics from textual learning. Come see what it’s all about and take part in the Bible Raps Workshop! All ages are invited. Songwriting Circle (Naomi Less) Naomi Less, Jewish Chick Rocker, hosts an egalitarian Songwriting Circle. This session is open to any songwriters, novice or experienced. Participants will share their work with a nurturing circle of 'rachamim' (compassion). Naomi encourages songwriters to hear their work out loud, share it with a caring human soundboard and learn from the reflective mirror the listeners provide. Take a risk in a safe environment. Please bring your song and your own instrument if you use one. Holy Hands and Holy Eyes: The Hebrew Midwives (Yoni Gordis) Explore the characters of the midwives who birthed Moshe and the Jewish people. How did they see things differently than everyone else? What radicalism allowed them to be so different? How do we assimilate their lessons and continue birthing a visionary nation? Jewish Song Leading (Anthony Rogers-Wright) 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. Who Is a Jew? (Aaron Edelheit) The British Supreme Court has taken up an explosive issue about a Jewish Day School that didn't allow in a converted Jew's son. This raises the question of who is a Jew and who isn't and who gets to determine it. This talk will be a discussion group. Guess Who’s Coming to Shabbat? (Anthony Rogers-Wright) This session will seek to educate the larger Jewish community about the experience of being a Jew of Color within a predominantly Ashkenazi world. Specific issues to be discussed include, but will not be limited to, dating/marriage, identification, stereotypes/racism within the Jewish community and others. Bible Raps Presents (Matt Bar) Kids, teenagers, and adults of all ages will enjoy the lyrical creativity of Matt Bar’s Bible Raps accompanied by his beat-boxing, guitar strumming musical producer Ori Salzberg. Hear the stories of the biblical stories of the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, Noah, the Aqedah, the Ten Plagues, David and Goliath, the Battle of Jericho, and more from a whole new perspective. In a Rebbe's Footsteps (Yoni Gordis) Global History and Culture, Text and Thought Yoni Gordis and Mimi Feigelson have been havrutas for many years and were Reb Shlomo Carlebach's last ordination students. Join them for this first public conversation on 21st century rabbis, including text study, stories, songs, and more. Jewish Chicks Rock: Naomi Less in Concert (Naomi Less) Join Naomi Less in concert featuring estro-powered-rock, tribal lyrics, rhythm, faith, spritual connection, and positivity. Naomi is the definitive chick who rocks! Reception for ROIers and Friends of Jewish Innovation Sunday 9:15-10:30 PM A Sunday night meetup with LimmudLAers who are also ROIers, Jewish innovators, and other cool folks who know how to look at challenges and see opportunities, who use their creativity to strengthen Jewish identity, and let their passion fuel their lives. In other words, these are the SuperJews. PLEASE NOTE: This is for people who are registered at LimmudLA - people who are not registered will be asked to leave by hotel security (not our rule - sorry!). RSVP on Facebook or just come! MONDAY Finding Your Inner Megillah (Esther Kustanowitz) There's a megillah inside every Jew, not just those named Ruth and Esther. Jews are natural storytellers because our faith is based in oral and then written history. But what makes a story worth telling and retelling, generation after generation? In this experimental writing workshop, visit some noteworthy texts from Jewish tradition and engage in free-writing exercises based on and inspired by those texts.
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