From the Rabbi
In this week’s parashah, Vayetzei, Jacob “encounters a place” (vayifgah bamakom). The root of the word vayifgah, translated as “encounter,” is related to both the word for hitting or striking, and our commentators suggest that it is also a word for prayer. An encounter – perhaps any encounter – has the potential to be violent, or to be sacred.
It is with that knowledge that I want to encourage you to join the encounter prepared by the Israel Program Task Force tomorrow evening, about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. You’ll hear about the BDS resolution that passed on UO campus last spring, and why UO Hillel deeply opposed it. You’ll also hear from people who have wrestled with their relationship to the movement from many directions. Whether your opinions about Israel and Israeli policy are firmly set or are based more on questioning than opinion, this event will both answer and raise questions. I encourage you to embrace the encounter.
TBI Brotherhood, November 18, at 9:30 am. Ken Rosemarin will be the featured speaker. His talk is entitled “The US Postal Service, an unauthorized insider’s view.” FREE. All are welcome!
TBI Sisterhood presents Lisa Ponder as the featured speaker, November 18, 2:00 pm. “An insider’s peek at Monument(al) History, Art, & local Stories.” Lisa will show photos and tell stories drawn from 20 years of designing and creating one-of-a-kind memorials for interesting civic and personal local histories. FREE. All are welcome!
Jewish Literature Group
As part of our “Scientists in Synagogues” series, Dr. Paul Slovic, Professor of Psychology, University of Oregon, and TBI member, presented “The Arithmetic of Compassion” – What motivates us to save one life? What deters us from saving many?”
I
TBI is hiring a Director of Community Education. View the job description and application instructions 
Sign Language Interpretation