Nearly 50 learning sessions will be offered during the annual community-wide “A Day of Discovery” on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21-22 at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. The event, offered free, provides an opportunity to explore various aspects of Jewish learning and cultural activities.
Educators, rabbis, artists and other local professionals will present and lead sessions on topics that include the arts, life cycles, the Bible, the Holocaust, spirituality, Israel and Jewish history.
The 24-hours of learning will open with a Havdalah service with community cantors on Saturday night, 7 p.m., followed by a program for adults and teens entitled, “Israel Beyond the Conflict: Hands-On Discovery of Israeli Culture,” at 7:30 p.m. A children’s program, “Hands-On Discovery of Israel with Sports and Arts and Crafts,” will run concurrently. The finale will be an Israeli sing-along and reception at 9 p.m.
On Sunday, participants may choose from dozens of topics offered during each of the three sessions — 9-10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 1:15-2:45 p.m.
The event will conclude with a panel discussion and community forum from 3-4 p.m., entitled, “Israel Beyond the Conflict: Visions and Visionaries.” Representing diverse perspectives, panelists include Sherry Blumberg, Ph.D., Moshe “Marty” Katz, Guy Lerner and Rabbi Benzion Twerski. Dr. Herzl Spiro will serve as moderator.
According to Rena Safer, event co-chair, “I think it’s wonderful that there are so many highly educated and capable people in our community who are willing to share their interests with others. Surely, the event offers something for everyone.”
She added, “This year, there is more stress on the Saturday evening program, which is geared to people of all ages. Overall, we want to emphasize the positive aspects of Israel as a viable and exciting country, where everyday life does go on.”
Bonnie Shafrin, the other co-chair, added, “The event provides an opportunity for adults, teens and families to explore and experience the richness and diversity of Jewish learning. We feel we have put together an interesting program that is intellectually challenging and fun, so all aspects of our Jewish community can learn together.”
Shafrin added, “We tried to weave the theme of Israel throughout event, by tying together the opening and closing programs. Our goal is to look at Israel not through the eyes of the press, but to see what is really going on culturally, educationally and technologically.
“We want to enjoy the idealism of Israel. And, I hope people will be interested in hearing what our local educators and experts have to say.”
A kosher lunch at $8 and child care at $7.50 per child per session will be available. Also, a shuttle bus will run from the north parking lot to the JCC on Sunday from 8:45 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sponsors of the two-day event are the Coalition for Jewish Learning, the education program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation; the JCC; and the Wisconsin Council of Rabbis. Further, it is supported by the Jewish Community Foundation, the federation’s endowment development program.
For more information and registration details, call Lis Shapiro at CJL, 414-962-8860.
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