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Registration is open for the Exchange Lifelong Learning Program Summer Lecture Series at the Boulder JCC. The series features five diverse classes that will appeal to a broad audience. Each class is 1.5 hours with a short break in between. C

• May 5 - The Composers that History Forgot, Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director/Conductor of Colorado MahlerFest.
• June 16 – The Precious Minerals Challenge for Renewable Energy, Mark Squillace, Professor Natural Resources Law, University of Colorado, Boulder.
• June 30 - A Roadmap for Optimal Brain Health and Longevity, Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk, Brain and Behavior Clinic, Boulder.
• July 14 – Discovering Bhutan: Land of Gross National Happiness, Dr. Janet Ward, Prize-Winning Teacher and Researcher.
• July 21 – Artificial Intelligence - Learning, Working, and Collaborating in the Digital Age, Gerhard Fischer, Professor Emeritus, Computer Science, University of Colorado, Boulder.

While EXCHANGE was developed for adults 55+, it is open to all. The Summer Lecture Series cost $12 per session, or $50 for all five lectures, and financial aid is available. More information on the classes and the instructors can be found at www.boulderjcc.org/exchange.

Boulder JCC is thrilled to host a moving and memorable evening as we mark Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s 77th Independence Day, with community, storytelling, and celebration. This powerful program features renowned Israeli photojournalist Erez Kaganovitz, the creative force behind Humans of Tel Aviv, Humans of Israel, Humans of October 7th, and Rebuilding Israel. Join us on Thursday, May 1, at 6 pm for dinner from Boychik, a celebration, and community. Visit boulderjcc.org/humans for information and registration.

Since October 7th, the spotlight on Israel has grown more intense—its history, people, and future questioned and examined with new urgency. In this moment of reflection and resilience, we invite you to experience Israel through a human lens with “Humans of Israel,” a stunning photo exhibition that captures the diversity and complexity of Israeli society.

Save the date for Sunday, June 8, 2025, for the Boulder Jewish Festival on the Pearl Street Mall! The Boulder Jewish Festival is the longest-running cultural festival in Boulder. It is planned by a volunteer committee and led by Joy Alice Eisenhauer, Arts, Culture, and Education (ACE) Director of the Boulder JCC. The festival will feature Jewish music, artists, food, and local community organizations.

The Boulder Jewish Festival creates the setting for locals to connect with organizations and the Jewish community they are looking to build, with the courthouse lawn hosting up to 25 different organizations from Boulder County and beyond.  

The festival also serves as a vibrant celebration of Jewish heritage, showcasing unique Jewish music, Jewish artists, and delicious cuisines. It provides a platform for conversation, breaks down barriers, and promotes cross-cultural dialogue. 

It’s time for the Boulder JCC’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and this year, we’re counting on your support. JFest is not a typical fundraiser - no program, paddle raise, or sit-down dinner. Our goal is ambitious—to raise $350,000—and we’re counting on your generosity to help us achieve it during our 36-hour drive on April 22 and 23. Your support is 100% tax deductible and eligible for the 5C tax credit! Then, together, we’ll celebrate our success at the Boulder JCC's biggest party, JFest, on Saturday, April 26!

At the heart of JFest is a celebration of our vibrant and diverse community. Whether you’re a parent whose child attends the Early Childhood Center, a participant in our innovative programs, or simply someone who values the Boulder JCC's presence in our community, JFest is the place to be.

The captivating traveling exhibition, The Bias Inside Us, directly from the Smithsonian Institution, is at the Boulder JCC through March 23, 2025.

The Bias Inside Us is a Smithsonian traveling exhibition and community-engagement project that will raise awareness about the social science and impact of implicit bias. This exhibition provides an opportunity for people to learn about implicit bias and reflect on their own biases and how they impact their actions. Projects like this can expose us to other ideas and groups outside our own. This exposure can lead to meaningful dialogue, positive change, greater empathy, and increased inclusivity.

Project Goals:

• to help people understand and recognize their implicit biases
• to support communities in convening dialogue that will increase awareness
• to inspire more inclusive schools, communities, and workplaces

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TRAVELING EXHIBITION

What to Expect
The Bias Inside Us unpacks and demystifies the concept of bias through compelling images, hands-on interactive, and powerful testimonials and videos. The exhibition features six sections:

• Introduction
• The Science of Bias
• Bias in Real Life
• Serious Consequences—Bias is All Around Us
• #RetrainYourBrain
• Personal Reflection

The Bias Inside Us is grounded in decades of scientific research and educational work by psychologists Mahzarin R. Banaji of Harvard University and Anthony G. Greenwald, professor emeritus at the University of Washington. They defined the term “implicit bias” through their work on unconscious and conscious mental processes. Their book “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People“ (Delacorte Press, 2013) explores the biases people carry based on their exposure to cultural attitudes on areas such as gender, race, social class, and disability status.

Feel free to come at your leisure during our working hours or schedule a tour for a group of 8 – 35 people! Interested in bringing your school group to tour the exhibition? Please contact Sam Rosenbaum at thebiasinsideus@boulderjcc.org or register for a group time here.
 

Ignited by an impromptu visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany, Nick Del Calzo spent the next five years creating 145 portraits of Holocaust survivors in 12 states. Some 72 portraits are included in The Triumphant Spirit, which received a glowing tribute in the Congressional Record and was selected by the American Library Association as one of the “Best Books for Young Adults.”

Beginning in 2010, the Feiner Family Foundation republished The Triumphant Spirit, sending 2,000 complimentary copies to Holocaust museums, educators, organizations, and Jewish leaders. This is the first time in over a decade that this historical book has been widely available.

This groundbreaking work was showcased in the award-winning book The Triumphant Spirit. The prestigious United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., noted that it is a “powerful collection of portraits.” Join Renee Rockford at the opening reception on Thursday, March 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to hear about her experience writing The Triumphant Spirit and speak about its enduring importance. Please register on the Boulder JCC website in advance.

 Join the Boulder JCC on Wednesday, March 5, from 6 - 8 pm for Israeli Art and Global Politics - The Uncut Version with Israeli artist, educator, and activist Shirel Horovitz. She will present the political landscape through art with a unique twist. “This past year created a rift between the Israeli art world and the international one, mirroring many larger issues. Together, we will dive deep into two of these events and their history to uncover the intricate web of connections between art and politics and the intersections of Israeli art and activism,” states Shirel Horovitz. 

 This program offers a unique and critical perspective on the intersection of politics and the art world in Israel and internationally. Rather than focusing on exhibitions, it delves into the mechanisms that shape them —the political forces, power structures, and institutional decisions that dictate what is seen, supported, or silenced. By examining a few specific events and what has occurred since October 7th, the program uncovers how political events have had an immediate and extreme impact on the art world, providing a fresh lens through which to understand artistic expression and global political trends.

Registration is open for the Spring Term of the EXCHANGE Lifelong Learning Program at the Boulder JCC. There are (8) diverse classes to appeal to a broad audience. “We only offer 3-week classes in the spring because people begin their travels in April and May,” said Joy Alice Eisenhauer, the Adult, Culture, and Arts Director, which includes

Looking to grow your professional circle in a relaxed and enjoyable setting? Join us for an evening of networking at Sherpa's Adventure Restaurant and Bar.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, February 11
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Cost: $36

Whether you're an established professional or just starting your career journey, this event provides the perfect environment to meet like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and explore new opportunities. Enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious light bites while building connections that could take your career to the next level.

What to Bring:

• A valid ID (21+ event)
• Plenty of business cards

Don’t miss this chance to make lasting connections in a vibrant atmosphere. Secure your spot today, and let’s make networking a delightful experience.

Please register on the Boulder JCC website. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for a unique and meaningful Tu B'Shevat Seder on Wednesday, February 12, at 6 pm, as we explore the theme of Cultivating Abundance through the interconnected lenses of Body and Earth. TogetJher, we will reflect on how abundance flows into our lives and communities, drawing inspiration from the natural world and the mystical wisdom of the Tree of Life. We are honored to welcome Ryan Madson of Drylands Agroecology Research to speak about cultivating community and earthly abundance.

Tu B'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, is one of the four "New Years" in the Jewish calendar. Celebrated on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, this holiday marks the awakening of trees and the renewal of life. We commemorate this occasion with a seder, meaning "order," a festive experience where we celebrate tree fruits, share their offerings, and embrace the wisdom they provide.