Temple Beth Israel

Queer Chavurah Presents: A Great Ride
Sunday, November 17, 4:00pm

A Great Ride is a 30-minute documentary about lesbians aging with dynamism and zest for life. When they were young they forged a social movement to come out as true to themselves. Now they face the challenge of growing old. Their response? Deep friendships, determination, engagement, and quirky, death-defying humor. Pioneers once again, they are courageous role models for aging, which they do with an independent and irreverent spirit and a heartening delight in living. Meet the filmmaker, Deborah Craig (Sally Sheklow’s cousin-in-law), who will take questions and facilitate discussion following.

Eating Animals with Rabbi Jacob Siegel
Wednesdays, December 4 & 11, 6:30pm
Please pre-register here.

Want to dive deeper into a conversation about the food that’s on your plate? Rabbi Jacob Siegel will be leading a pair of sessions on the topic, culminating in the screening of the film Eating Animals. The first session will cover a series of intense and meaningful Jewish and ethical topics all sparked by the idea of eating meat. In the second session we will show the film, and Rabbi Jacob will lead a Q & A. You may attend one or both sessions.

Based on the bestselling book by Jonathan Safran Foer, Eating Animals is an eye-opening look at the environmental, economic, and public health consequences of factory farming. The film charts how farming has gone from local and sustainable to a corporate monster that offers cheap eggs, meat, and dairy at a steep cost: the exploitation of animals; the risky use of antibiotics and hormones; and the pollution of our air, soil, and water. Spotlighting farmers who have pushed back against industrial agriculture with more humane practices, Eating Animals offers attainable, commonsense solutions to a growing crisis while making the case that ethical farming is not only an animal rights issue but one that affects every aspect of our lives.

Rabbi Jacob is a certified shochet (kosher butcher) who has led presentations across the country with Jewish communities on the topic of sustainability and meat. He has served as a rabbinic fellow with Hazon, the premier Jewish environmental organization. He raises chickens in his backyard.

Jewish Meditation Shabbat Retreat with Barry Nobel
Saturday, December 14, 1:30 – 5:00pm

“The surrender of oneself on the Sabbath is not simply a matter of nonactivity but of opening oneself to the influence of the higher worlds and thereby receiving the strength for all the days of the week that follow.” —Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz

Reconnect with the deepest parts of yourself. Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome. If you usually meditate by yourself, come and enjoy the support and encouragement of other like-minded souls.

Alternate short periods of silent sitting and walking, and brief sharing about the why’s, how’s, and what-have-you’s of practicing Jewish mindfulness meditation to experience greater peace in our busy lives. Late-comers and early-leavers are welcome. To obtain an outline for the afternoon, email barrynobel@yahoo.com.

Barry Nobel, PhD, is the author of “Mindfulness in Judaism” and “Pursuing Peace: Mindfulness-based Conflict Engagement.” Barry has taught at LCC, UO, PSU, UPS, & UCSB. He earned a PhD in Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.