Or Emet to host program on importance of antiracist curriculum in schools

On Saturday, Feb. 5, Or Emet will host an online Shabbat service followed by a presentation on the importance of antiracist curriculum in schools. The service, led by Eva Cohen, Or Emet’s ritual leader and a Humanistic rabbi-in-training, will begin at 10 a.m. over Zoom. Please register in advance here.

Leiataua Dr. Robert Jon Peterson

Following the service, Leiataua Dr. Robert Jon Peterson, a long-term consultant with the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MnEEP) and president and founder of TE2 Consulting, and Dr. Rev Hillstrom, director of research at MnEEP, will lead a conversation focusing on the importance of antiracist curriculum in schools. The program will be moderated by Or Emet member Molly Wilbur-Cohen.

Peterson’s 20-plus years of educational experiences as a teacher, coach, principal and executive administrator and leader in Minnesota, informs his professional practice. As a Minnesota licensed superintendent, principal, teacher and registered lobbyist, he offers a distinct set of knowledge and skills to his clients, which include schools, districts, private enterprise and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Rev Hillstrom

Hillstrom is one of the country’s foremost Indigenous scholars leading systemic change for educational excellence and equity. He is the founder of Intercultural Innovations Inc., a presenter at many national conventions, a published author, and holds multiple copyrighted systems tools.

Or Emet’s events and programs may change per CDC and state guidelines during the pandemic. All updates and changes will be posted in Or Emet’s events calendar.

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. For more information about Or Emet, email info@oremet.org or visit oremet.org.

Or Emet to host online program on golem literature

On Sunday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m.-noon, Or Emet members Michal Moskow and Scott Chazdon will present an online program on the Jewish mythological golem story, its connection with Jewish mystical mathematics, the appearance of golems in literature, as well as more recent interpretations of the golem myth by female Jewish authors. 

Due to concerns about the Omicron variant, this program will be via Zoom only. Please register in advance here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Prague golem reproduction

Reproduction of Prague golem (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Golem stories originated in the rabbinic literature and became part of the Jewish folktale tradition. The most famous golem is that of Rabbi Judah Loew, the Maharal of 16th-century Prague, featuring the golem as a large, powerful, humanoid created from clay to save the Jewish people from outward danger.

Moskow is a professor at Metropolitan State University and is still rostered at the University of Gothenburg. Her major areas include social linguistics and human rights. 

Chazdon knew nothing about golems before the Or Emet Book Club started reading novels about them. He is a sociologist and program evaluator for University of Minnesota Extension, and former president of Or Emet.

The Sunday adult programs are free and open to the public, and meet concurrently with Or Emet’s Jewish Cultural Sunday School. 

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. For information about Or Emet’s Jewish Cultural Sunday School, contact JCS director Arty Dorman at school-1@oremet.org. 

For information about Or Emet, email info@oremet.org or visit oremet.org.

Or Emet’s 2021 Hanukkah party was a hit!

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On Dec. 5, the final night of Hanukkah, Or Emet celebrated at the Cedarholm Golf Course community room in Roseville.

More than 40 people danced, sang, played dreidel, ate latkes and lit the menorah in solidarity against the darkness, and despite missing our friends through the pandemic.

A definite highlight was dancing the “Banu Chosech Legaresh,” an Israeli dance whose title means, “We came to get rid of the dark!” Dancing outside was a fun way to keep warm.

Enjoy photos from the Hanukkah party below!

Sarah and Leta teaching the “Banu Chosech Legaresh” dance.

Mini-menorah created by the Finestack children.

Dickson family

Dickson family

Jeff lighting the menorah.

Potato latkes, of course!

Eva Cohen

 

The group enjoyed dancing the "Banu Chosech Legaresh" outside.

The group enjoyed dancing the “Banu Chosech Legaresh” outside.

A visiting family lighting candles.

A visiting family lighting candles.

Seth Fine and family

Seth Fine and family

Howard, Lenny and Gwyn

Howard, Lenny and Gwyn

Binder-Housenecht family

Binder-Housenecht family

The Handley family menorah burning brightly with real candles.

The Handley family menorah burning brightly with real candles.

Or Emet to Host Program on Understanding Between Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Muslims

On Sunday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m.-noon, Or Emet will host a presentation by Fred Schlomka, CEO of the Green Olive Collective, a social enterprise and collective of Israelis and Palestinians working together for a just peace. The organization advocates for progressive change through tours and special events, both on the ground and online.

The program will be at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul, 768 Hamline Ave. South in St. Paul. Those who cannot attend in person may join over Zoom. Register in advance here.

Schlomka, whose family originated in Palestine, has had a career in the business world and nonprofit organizations on both sides of the Atlantic. He established Green Olive Tours in 2007 and became CEO of the Green Olive Collective in 2013. 

After growing up in Scotland and living in the U.S. for many years, Schlomka’s passion for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine led him to move there in 2000 with his family. For his complete bio, please see his online profile.

The Sunday adult programs are free and open to the public and meet concurrently with the Jewish Cultural School. Everyone is required to wear a mask and show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within the previous 72 hours. 

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. For information about Or Emet’s Jewish Cultural School, contact JCS director Arty Dorman at school-1@oremet.org. 

For information about Or Emet, email info@oremet.org or visit oremet.org.

Or Emet to Host Shabbat Service, Program on Tibetan Medicine and Wellbeing

Or Emet, the Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, continues its 2021 programming on Friday, Nov. 5, with a Humanistic Sabbath service, followed by a program on Tibetan medicine and wellbeing. The service, led by Eva Cohen, Or Emet’s ritual leader and a Humanistic rabbi-in-training, will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 South Cedar Lake Rd., St. Louis Park.

Dr. Miriam Cameron

Dr. Miriam Cameron

Following the service, Miriam Cameron, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., RN, an expert in Tibetan medicine, yoga and nursing, will present “Tibetan Medicine and You: A Path to Wellbeing, Better Health, and Joy.” A member of the graduate faculty and a faculty lead at the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota, Cameron will explain the healing power of Tibetan medicine and describe how to use it for self-care and integrative care.

Dr. Cameron, who created the Bakken Center’s Yoga and Tibetan Medicine Program, has done scholarly work on Tibetan medicine, yoga, nursing, and bioethics for 30 years. She is the author of dozens of scholarly works and four books. After her presentation, she will sign and sell (at cost) her latest book, “Tibetan Medicine and You: A Path to Wellbeing, Better Health, and Joy.”

Please note: All attendees must wear a mask and will be asked for proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test. Please bring written verification with you. Plans are subject to change based on CDC and state guidelines. Those who cannot attend in person may join over Zoom. Please register in advance. (The slides from the Nov. 5 presentation can be accessed here.)

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history, and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. For more information about Or Emet, email welcome@oremet.org or visit oremet.org. 

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