January Newsletter

CM on the Road: 20/20 Judaism and the URJ Biennial

Nina Woldin (L) and Audrey Lichter (R) at the URJ Biennial

December was a month of travel for Chai Mitzvah! 

From December 8 to 10, we attended 20/20 Judaism, a collaborative convention of USCJ and the Rabbinical Assembly. The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Rabbinical Assembly, and the Conservative community came together in Boston to address the ways that the movement approaches Israel, the Jewish family, spirituality, inclusion and other topics that shape the future of Conservative Judaism. It was an inspiring and thought-provoking conference, and we were excited to learn about new ideas and approaches in the Conservative movement.

From December 10 to 15, Chai Mitzvah was in Chicago at the URJ Biennial (Union for Reform Judaism). Thousands of Reform Jews from across North America and around the world gathered to learn, pray, share ideas, dance and sing, hear from inspiring speakers, reunite with old friends, create new connections, and make decisions about the policies of the Reform Movement. 

We enjoyed sharing ideas with so many friendly and dedicated people at both gatherings!

 

If Beliefs Divide Us and Values Unite Us … Does God Matter?

(L) Scott A. Shay, author of In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism,
and (R) Tom Krattenmaker, author of Confessions of a Secular Jesus Follower

Please join Hartford Seminary, Chai Mitzvah, and First Church of West Hartford for a lively discussion between Scott A. Shay and Tom Krattenmaker.

This discussion will be moderated by Colin McEnroe, host of WNPR’s “The Colin McEnroe Show.”

Click here to learn more or to get tickets.

 

Welcome New and Returning Groups

This month we welcome 10 new & returning groups to the Chai Mitzvah family!
If your new or returning group is not listed, please let us know!

Temple Israel Sisterhood – West Bloomfield, MI
Ames Jewish Congregation – Ames, IA
Bushido Circle – Bethesda, MD
60/70’s Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor, MI
30/40’s Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Young Adults – Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor, MI
JCC Indianapolis – Indianapolis, IN
J Women – JCC Kansas City – Overland Park, KS
Temple Emanuel – McAllen, TX
Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis – Carmel, Zionsville, Westfield – Indianapolis, IN

To register a new group, click here.

 

Do Not Steal: Supplemental Materials

If you try on shoes in a store, but purchase them on line, is that theft? How about downloading music without paying for it?

“Do not steal” is a universal value essential for society to function. What exactly is theft, and what principles underly it?

To answer these questions and more, just look into the January topic of Chai Mitzvah’s newest curriculum, Aseret: The Big Ten: “Do Not Steal: Priceless Possessions.”

Below are some wonderful supplemental materials to expand the discussion.

Judaism and Privacy: Here’s what Jewish tradition has to say on identity theft, gossip, and online spying.

Why I want you to steal my ideas: Writer Seth Godin explains why it’s absolutely fine if you steal his ideas … you have to promise to make them better.

Are People Willing to Steal? A Social Experiment In this video, see if people are willing to steal in a grocery store. Why do people steal?

Click here for webinars on each topic of Aseret: The Big Ten.

Click here for samples of Aseret: The Big Ten materials, both adult and teen.

 

Chai Mitzvah Ambassadors: 
A Special Opportunity for Members of the Chai Mitzvah Family

How do we develop the spiritual practice of silence in order to grow our souls?
This will be the topic of the Chai Mitzvah Ambassadors learning session on Thursday, January 9, from 7 – 8:30 PM.

It’s not too late to join! If you and a friend would like to be part of this one time special virtual session,
REGISTER TODAY!

If you love Chai Mitzvah, you’ll love the opportunity to be part of something new: The Chai Mitzvah Ambassadors Program.

The program was created as a way to say thank you to members of the Chai Mitzvah family by offering a special, one-time virtual Mussar class with Rabbi Debra Smith (Reb Deb); and as a way to let new people know about Chai Mitzvah – how friendship grows around meaningful conversation, and the spiritual and personal growth we share.