Day of Jewish Learning takes place Nov. 13
The Jewish Federation of Ulster County and SUNY Ulster will present the region’s third annual Day of Jewish Learning on Sunday, Nov. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vanderlyn Hall on the SUNY Ulster campus, 491 Cottekill Road.
The keynote speaker will be Lex Rofes, coordinator of strategic initiatives of the Institute for the Next Jewish Future. He is also the author of the essay “Anti-Semitism: Opposing Viewpoints” and a rabbinic student with ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. Rofes will give a talk titled “‘We’ and ‘Me’: Identity and Community in Contemporary Judaism.”
More than a dozen of the area’s spiritual and lay leaders will be among the presenters. They will include rabbis Hanoch Hecht of the Rhinebeck Jewish Center, who will offer his unique interpretation of “Hassidic Tales”; Yael Romer of Congregation Emanuel in Kingston and Jonathan Kligler from the Woodstock Jewish Congregation. They will be joined by Cantors Bob Cohen and Robert Michael Esformes. In addition, Rabbi Zoe B. Zak and lay leader Bernard KingSmith will offer a session titled “Jewish ways of mourning and caring for the dead (chevra kadisha).”
Additional presenters will Bob Messing of Woodstock. He will give a presentation titled “Interpreting Biblical Images on Ancient Coins.” Lawrence Bush, an Accord resident and editor of Jewish Currents Magazine will give a presentation titled “Like everyone else, only more so — Judaism, Jews, and Universalism.” There will also be a Jewish-themed book exchange, in which people can bring up to five books each, but no sacred texts. Age-appropriate activities for children are slated as well. For planning purposes, preregistration is required for the children’s activities.
The cost to attend is $20 for adults in advance and $25 at the door. The cost for teens and stu-
dents is $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Advance registration is requested and open to people of all ages. Admission includes a Kosher dairy lunch and snacks.
More details about class topics and schedules and presenter biographies will be available by visiting ucjf.org. For more information, contact the office of the Jewish Federation of Ulster County by calling (845) 338-8131 or send an email to info@ucjf.org.