Passover: Holidays with Jonty and Julie!

It is a fun-filled, fascinating journey into the myriad of ways that the Festival of Sukkot is celebrated in Israel – both today and in previous centuries. In the virtual experience, we move through various areas of Israel highlighting the different aspects of the Sukkot festival. This is an experience of celebration that begins in the here and now; then takes us back to ancient times; and eventually returns us to the modern day State of Israel as we celebrate our ancient festival in a modern guise. Grab your Lulav and Etrog – or perhaps just take a seat in front of your screen(!) – and join Jonty virtually for the celebration! Virtual Israel Tours Series. This program is in partnership with Rodef Shalom Congregation.

This lecture will be offered on Zoom. RSVP to receive the link. (Registrants only need to RSVP once to be registered for the entire series.)

Past Sessions:

January 28:Tu BiShvat- Treats, Shoots and Leaves: The unexpected relationship between the Torah and the Tree.

February 25: Purim-Taking the mask off the Purim Story

March 21: Passover: Matza, Moufletta and Ma Nishtana – Looking at Pesach Through a Different Lens.

April 28: Lag Ba’Omer: Of Caves, Carob Trees, and Kabbala- Unravelling the mystery behind the festival of Lag B’Omer

May 10: Yom Yerushalayim as part of our Virtual Israel Tours Series. (follow the link to RSVP)

May 12 @ 4 PM Shavuot: Whose Festival is it anyway?

Jonty Blackman

Jonty has led many seminars and missions in Poland and Israel and is a gifted educator and a fascinating storyteller. Jonty has a unique way of connecting his teachings to his audience, such that their experience of learning leaves a deep and enduring impact on their lives. He weaves together Jewish history with philosophy, culture with archaeology, and the tragedy of the Holocaust with probing, source-based theological questions. His intricate knowledge of Jewish history and the Holocaust, combined with his analytical and sensitive approach to challenging philosophical questions offers students a profound educational experience.

Cantor Julie Newman

Cantor Julie Newman is the founder of Tiferet, A Jewish Spirituality Project where she leads Jewish Mindfulness meditation and the independent minyan, Chavurat Shirah. She practices and teaches Jewish contemplative practices such as meditation, yoga and chant. Julie received cantorial ordination and her Master in Jewish Education from Hebrew College in Boston. Raised in Southern California, Julie has lived mostly in Pittsburgh since graduating from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business in 1982. She and her husband, Bill Klingensmith have two adult sons, Jake and Ben. Julie, Bill and Ben have been quarantining together this year, working from their home just north of Pittsburgh. And their adopted greyhound, Yogi, makes sure everyone gets a chance to play each day.

Thank you to our partner: