Events and Initiatives
Security and Anti-Semitism

Responding to the bomb threats at our JCCs and Jewish schools, and to the burst of anti-Semitic incidents nationally, the US Attorney's office convened a roundtable for Jewish communal leaders last Wednesday, March 15. David Bernat, SCM's Executive Director, attended, representing the Synagogue community statewide.

The meeting was led by Acting US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts William D. Weinreb. With Mr. Weinreb were members of his prosecutorial team, heads of the Boston FBI office, and a representative from the Department of Homeland Security. Attendees also benefited from the expertise of Jeremy Yamin, CJP's Director of Security, and Ken Berkowitz, Canton's Chief of Police (and member of Temple Sinai, Sharon).

We were grateful for the meeting, and for the fact that our concerns were receiving attention at the highest levels.  Law enforcement efforts just resulted in the arrest of a perpetrator, as covered in the media.  Attorney General Sessions released the following statement:

"Today's arrest in Israel is the culmination of a large-scale investigation spanning multiple continents for hate crimes against Jewish communities across our country.  The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Americans, and we will not tolerate the targeting of any community in this country on the basis of their religious beliefs.  I commend the FBI and Israeli National Police for their outstanding work on this case."
Bomb Threat Training

Presented by ADL New England and FBI Boston

Friday, March 24 
9 AM to 12 PM 

Springfield JCC
1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108 

RSVP is required
REGISTER HERE
MAAVAR
Resources for Congregations
in Transition

We've crossed state lines and oceans to find new homes for Norwood Torah and Aron Kodesh.

We continue to update the
Maavar site with new listings and placements of previously listed objects.  Please visit the site regularly.
We also ask for your philanthropy so that we can continue to build our capacity to serve.
Talmud Study at Temple Emanuel
with Dr. Jesse Hefter

Not too late to join this compelling and popular course.

 
In The Community
Ohabei Shalom marks it's 175th anniversary with an exciting yearlong cycle of events kicking off with a gala on April 27th.
Boston Jewish Food Conference

The 6th annual Boston Jewish Food Conference is on Sunday March 26th, 2017 at Gann Academy in Waltham from 12:00-7:00 pm.

 

Ruderman Knesset Mission

Strengthening the Relationship
Town Hall Meeting with Israeli Knesset Members
An Interactive conversation with the Community

Wednesday, March 29
7:30 pm | Free and open to the public
Boston Area

For more information, please email jasmine@rudermanfoundation.org
TRANSGENDER INCLUSION IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

An evening of listening, sharing, and learning for Jewish communal leadership
Presented by Keshet and URJ Reform Jewish Outreach Boston
Thursday, March 30, 7-9 pm at Temple Shalom, Newton
In 2015, congregations of the Union for Reform Judaism unanimously passed a resolution calling for the full inclusion of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals in our communities.
This is an opportunity for Jewish communal leaders to learn about the experiences of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in our congregations and communities and how to better welcome and honor people of all gender identities.

$54 per organization team registration.
$125 per organization co-sponsorship. Includes team registration and recognition in future publicity.


Light refreshments will be served.
The Boston-area Jewish community is participating in CJP's Read On program, and we want you on the same page with us. Together we'll read Here I Am , the bestselling novel by Jonathan Safran Foer . Start reading now, and then attend a free event on Wednesday, April 26 featuring the author and sponsored by CJP's Jewish Learning and Engagement.  READ ON!
Barry Shrage Announces Retirement

The sage Elisha ben Abuya wrote that a person replete with Torah wisdom and with deeds to match is like a beautiful goblet with a solid base. This metaphor speaks to Barry Shrage as a human being, and to the richness and strength of the Jewish community he has stewarded over the years. As Barry looks to retirement from his position as CJP President, we thank him for his labor and vision and wish him the best in his life's next chapter. 

Be one of SCM's Amoodim, our pillars.
Give us the capacity to serve and impact our Jewish community.

UNITY MATTERS  Newsletter available online.
617-244-6506 | info@synagoguecouncil.org
STAY CONNECTED: