BALTIMORE JEWISH CULTURAL CHAVURAH
CURRENT PROGRAMS
BJCC Events 2025
Sunday, January 19, 1 PM
MLK Day Movie Screening & Panel Discussion on Economic Justice
The BJCC will be one of the co-sponsors of the film “At the River I Stand” (1993) about the 1968 sanitation workers' strike that brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Poor Peoples' Campaign to Memphis, Tennessee. The film explores the intersections between economic justice and civil rights during the massive mobilization effort, which gained national support.
Following the movie, therewill be a panel discussion featuring Linnell Fall, Tri-Chair of the Maryland Poor People's Campaign; Dr. Kevin Slayton, Campaign Manager with the Maryland Center for Economy Policy; and Courtney Jenkins, President of the Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO. This event will take place at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore. It is free but you must pre-register at https://jufj.org/event/mlk119/
Sunday, January 26, 10:30 AM
“Jewish Critics of Zionism”
Although most Jews today consider themselves Zionists, there has been a long history of Jewish critics of Zionism in the United States. Fred Pincus, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at UMBC, will discuss this history including present-day Jewish anti-Zionists. Although it is impossible to be totally objective when speaking about Zionism or anti-Zionism, he will try to be evenhanded. There will be ample time for discussion.
Fred is a past president and one of the founding members of the BJCC.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the location and with any additional questions.
***Due to impending weather, this event is now virtual. Anyone who has already registered will receive a zoom link.***
“𝗝𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗭𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺” 𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗝𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗢 𝗙𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝟮
BJCC member Arlene Ogurick will speak on “How the Catskills Became the Borscht Belt”. The Catskills are a mountainous region of southeastern New York State. From the 1920s through the 1970s ,this area was known as the Borscht Belt. Learn more about the evolution of this rural area into the summer place to be if you were Jewish!
Arlene Ogurick is a retired librarian.
This event will take place at the Atrium Village, 4730 Atrium Ct, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Parking is open but please pay attention to any signs.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com with any questions.
Sunday, February 9, 2 PM
How the Catskills Became the Borscht Belt
Friday, February 21, 7:30 PM
Jewish Women in the Labor Movement
The BJCC will screen “Jewish Women in the Labor Movement,” a talk by Judith Rosenbaum, a feminist educator, historian, writer, and activist and the CEO of the Jewish Women's Archive. A regular contributor to academic and popular publications, including Tablet Magazine, The Jewish Daily Forward, and The Huffington Post, Rosenbaum is currently co-editing an anthology about the modern Jewish mother. She's inspired by anarchist Emma Goldman, political activist Bella Abzug, writer and activist Grace Paley, and other loud Jewish women including those in her own family.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the zoom link and with any additional questions.
Sunday, March 16, 10:30 AM
BJCC Purim Celebration
The BJCC will celebrate Purim at a member's home. There will be a special clown performance by our own Arlene Ogurick. Bring a dessert to share and wear costumes.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the location and with any additional questions.
Sunday, April 27, 10:30 AM
Book Discussion: Contemporary Humanistic Judaism: Beliefs, Values, Practices, edited by Adam Chalom and Jodi Kornfeld
We will have a discussion on the recently released book Contemporary Humanistic Judaism: Beliefs, Values, Practices, edited by Adam Chalom and Jodi Kornfeld. Specific chapters to be discussed will be forthcoming. The book can be purchased for $40 from the University of Nebraska Press, either as a paperback or e-book: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/jps/9780827615649/contemporary-humanistic-judaism. It is not necessary to have read the book to attend this discussion.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the zoom link and with any additional questions.
Friday, May 16, 7:30 PM
What’s Happening in Israel? Discussion with Rabbi Jeremy Kridel
Rabbi Jeremy Kridel will speak on “What’s Happening in Israel?”. Rabbi Kridel has spoken to BJCC several times over the years and his talks are always informative.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the zoom link and with any additional questions.
Friday, May 30, 7:30 PM
The 2000-Year-Old Man: The Complete History
The BJCC will show the video, “The 2000 Year-Old Man: The Complete History”. The video features Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks discussing how this unique character came about.
Please bring a dessert dish to share.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the location and with any additional questions.
Friday, June 13, 7:30 PM
A Sampler of Non-Ashkenazi Jewish Music
BJCC Vice President Bob Jacobson will provide a guided listening session of Jewish music and secular music performed by Jews from Central Asia and the former Ottoman Empire, using videos and audio examples. Bob will point out some ways in which music from these regions differs from klezmer and the other Ashkenazi music we are already familiar with, and learn about the history of Jews in Central Asia, Arab countries and the Balkans, and their migration to the United States. Bob is a retired social worker and a local musician.
Please bring a dessert dish to share.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the location and with any additional questions.
Sunday, June 29, 10:30 AM
Exploring Jewish Dance
BJCC member and Baltimore Ballet School student Robyn Hughes will explore the evolving interplay between various Jewish dance genres and Jewish community cultural social norms that have impacted Jewish collective and individual identity. These Jewish dance genres will include Israeli folk dancing, Orthodox rave and simchah dancing.
Please bring a brunch dish to share.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the location and with any additional questions.
The BJCC invites members, non-members and prospective members to our annual picnic. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers will be provided. Attendees should bring side-dishes, desserts or drinks to share. This event is free.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the location and with any additional questions.
Sunday, August 10, 5 PM
BJCC Picinic/Barbeque
The BJCC will host a buffet dinner featuring Mizrahi and Sephardic holiday dishes. There will be no cost for members. Non-members will be asked to make a donation to the BJCC.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com for the location and with any additional questions.
Saturday, October 4, 6 PM
Rosh Hashanah Buffet Dinner
Sunday, October 5, 11 AM
Psychedelicatessen Exhibit at the Jewish Museum of Maryland
The BJCC will host a self-guided tour at the Jewish Museum of Maryland for the exhibit of Psychedelicatessen, featuring the work of Artist Steve Marcus. Mr. Marcus blends Jewish themes and 1960s hippie culture together with a great deal of color as well as humor. A JMM staff member will provide a brief exhibit introduction for our group. Meet in the lobby at 10:50 AM.
Participants are responsible for their entry fee to the Jewish Museum of Maryland.
Please contact us at baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com with any questions.