County-Wide Community Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Ruth Messinger, August 18, 19, and 20
Ruth W. Messinger, President of American Jewish World Service (AJWS) from 1998 to July of 2016, is currently the organization’s inaugural Global Ambassador. She will address issues of justice, philosophies of tzedakah, human rights and responses to world crises through the lens of contemporary Judaism at three locations across the Berkshires, Aug. 18 (The Role of Social and Racial Justice In Contemporary Judaism at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire), Aug, 19 (Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers Then and Now at Congregation Knesset Israel) and Aug. 20 (Our Democracy: If We Can Keep It at Congregation Beth Israel). See individual calendar dates for additional program information.
In North County on Sunday, Aug, 20th, Ruth will teach on the topic of Our Democracy: If We Can Keep It.
We are not living in usual times.” Various rights we had taken for granted are currently threatened and challenged at all levels of government. Protections for voters are being dismantled every day, and the protections that were in place for women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals and immigrants are under fierce attack in many states. Faith-based and race-based groups are often at the forefront of advocating for those under attack—organizing demonstrations, lobbying elected officials, and providing direct service. What should our role be, what are our obligations to our country, and how can we carry them out?
The beautiful outdoor labyrinth at CBI will be available for private walking meditation prior to Ruth Messinger's talk. Just following Sunday's program, a guided walking meditation through the labyrinth will be facilitated by Rabbis Rachel Barenblat and/or Rabbi Pam Wax. This will be an ideal opportunity to integrate Ruth's message of "walking the walk."
Register HERE for August 20th program.
The program on Sunday, Aug. 20th is co-sponsored by Congregation Beth Israel, Williams College Jewish Association, and First Congregational Church of Williamstown.
The County-Wide Scholar-in-Residence Weekend is co-sponsored and funded by:
Congregation Ahavath Sholom
Congregation Beth Israel
Congregation Knesset Israel
First Congregational Church of Williamstown
Hevreh of Southern Berkshire
Jewish Federation of the Berkshires
Temple Anshe Amunim
The Berkshire Minyan
Williams College Jewish Association