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BJCC Events 2022

Christmas Day Pot Luck Dinner, December 25

The BJCC will resume our annual Christmas Day pot luck dinner at the home of Elise and David Saltzberg. Dinner will begin at 6:00PM. Given the decades-old tradition of having Chinese food on Christmas, everyone is encouraged to bring a Chinese dish to share. This is not essential and all appetizers, entrees, side dishes, desserts and drinks are welcome. Since it will be the last night of Chanukah, also bring menorahs and candles. ALL ATTENDEES MUST BE VACCINATED AND FULLY BOOSTED.

Chanukah Pot Luck Latke Party, December 18

Potato latkes. zucchini latkes. All you can eat (probably). That’s the way the BJCC will be celebrating Chanukah on Sunday, December 18 at 6:00PM at the home of Bob and Judy Jacobson. We will provide the latkes, sour cream, and applesauce. Along with your appetites, please bring other food to share, including main dishes, side dishes or desserts. DO NOT BRING SOUR CREAM OR APPLESAUCE. These will be provided. Also, remember to bring your menorahs and candles for our group candle-lighting on the first night. ALL ATTENDEES MUST BE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

Jews and Socialism, Part 2: The U.S. Experience,” Sunday, December 4, 10:30 AM

Although the United States has never produced a socialist movement comparable to the mass movements of Europe, socialism has held an appeal, in greater or lesser measures, for Jews across time. This talk surveys the engagement of Jews with socialism (broadly understood) from the 19th century to the present. Dr. Tony Michels will discuss these and other issues.

Jews and Socialism, Part 1: An Historical Overview, Sunday, November 13

Why were there so many Jews who were sympathetic to socialism in the latter portions of the 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century? How and why do contemporary Jewish political attitudes differ from those of earlier generations? The relationship of Jews to the left was a historically important phenomenon but this relationship was of limited duration. Dr. Jack Jacobs will discuss these and other issues.

Dr. Jacobs is chair of the doctoral program in political science at the City University of New York's Graduate Center, and Professor of Political Science at both John Jay College, CUNY, and the Graduate Center. He is the author of On Socialists and “the Jewish Question” after Marx (1992), Bundist Counterculture in Interwar Poland (2009), and The Frankfurt School, Jewish Lives, and Antisemitism (2015). He is also the editor of Jewish Politics in Eastern Europe: The Bund at 100 (2001) and of Jews and Leftist Politics (2017).

Jews and Chocolate”, Friday. October 14, 7:30 PM

Arlene Ogurick, retired librarian and BJCC member will present details about the history of chocolate, its "Jewish connections", fascinating bits of chocolate trivia, and much more. Our main resource for this adventure will be On The Chocolate Trail: A Delicious Adventure Connecting Jews, Religions, History, Travel, Rituals and Recipes to the Magic of Cacao written by Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz. What roles did Jews play in bringing chocolate from New Spain and Africa?

High Holidays program, Sunday, October 2, 6:30 pm

The BJCC will hold our High Holidays observance on Sunday, October 2 at 6:30PM. We will explore the themes of the High Holidays through readings and exercises, with opportunities for self-reflection and optional group sharing. Apples & honey will be provided.

Pikesville Fall Festival at Quarry Lake, Sunday, September 18, 10:00 AM to 3 PM

The BJCC will have a table at the Pikesville Fall Festival at Quarry Lake. Look for us if you plan to attend.

“Ethics of the Father” by Bob Jacobson, Friday, September 9, 7:30 PM

Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot) is one of the oldest, shortest, and most popular texts in Judaism. BJCC member Bob Jacobson will summarize the book and talk about some of its guidelines for positive living that we can still learn from today.

“Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare”, Sunday, August 14, 10:30 AM

Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare, originally curated by the Jewish Museum Milwaukee and revised by JMM to accommodate social distancing and limited-contact interactives, is a multi-sensory exhibit that explores the intersection of politics, art, economics, and social dynamics that impacted our First Amendment rights of speech, religion, and assembly during Hollywood’s “red scare.” Through personal narratives of those who were blacklisted, members of the House Un-American Activities Committee, and film executives of the period, Blacklist examines the shifting definition of what it meant and means to be a patriotic American.

Blacklist takes on new relevance today. As free speech, journalism, and freedom of assembly resurface as rights in need of protection, Blacklist provides a look back at an era in which art, artistic expression, and speech were threatened.

We will take a virtual tour, via Zoom, of the exhibit. BJCC members will receive the link a few days before the event. Non-members should contact baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com to request the link.

Outdoor picnic and short hike in Patapsco State Park, Hilton Area, Sunday, July 10, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

We will resume our annual outdoor picnic tradition at the Hilton Area of Patapsco Valley State Park in Catonsville. Those who wish to participate in a short hike guided by Robyn Hughes should meet at the All Sensory Trailhead, across from the Nature Center, at 5:00PM. The All Sensory Trailhead is clearly identified by a braille/print sign. The trail is semi-rugged and wooded with loose rocks and tree roots. Non-hikers should meet at Pavilion #201 at 5:30PM. Bring and eat your own food and drinks.

Field Trip to Aberdeen IronBirds Baseball on Jewish Heritage Day, Sunday, June 26

Come join your BJCC friends and members of other Jewish organizations aroundcentral Maryland for Jewish Heritage Day at Ripken Stadium for the Aberdeen IronBirds baseball game at 2:05PM.

Tickets are $22 each and can be ordered by contacting baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com.

Deadline to order tickets is Monday, June 13, 2022.

If you missed the deadline to request tickets through the BJCC, The Baltimore Jewish Times is promoting Jewish Heritage Night that will take place at the Leidos Field in Ripken Stadium. Please see the article with information to purchase tickets: https://www.jewishtimes.com/get-ready-for-a-home-run-at-the-aberdeen-ironbirds-jewish-heritage-night-event/?fbclid=IwAR17oLsp16Q_9UAe_RTR7UcUXK_S4USTfFZ2r5BNw1r-ouF6juHx280TLbw

"The End of Roe v. Wade: A Jewish Perspective on Reproductive Rights." Tuesday, June 21, 7-9PM

Event at Chizuk Amuno Congregation, 8100 Stevenson Road in Pikesville and online.

The details of the program can be viewed by visiting: https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/287711969_10161886207359418_4998870157116026633_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=osb6y5s_VC0AX-a7IRC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AT8slXE_-4uS8CZ0dlvbyWEE-qFcrLEDDHj_Bc4ul7YgLA&oe=62AA9E88

Please visit https://www.chizukamuno.org/event/the-end-of-roe-v.-wade-a-jewish-perspective-on-reproductive-rights-and-what-this-could-mean-for-our-country.html for more information and to register for the event.

Secular Judaism in Israel, a talk by Sivan Malkin Maas, Sunday, June 12, 10:30 AM

Rabbi Sivan Malkin Maas will be updating us on the realities of the Secular Humanistic Jewish Movement in Israel.

Rabbi Maas is the director of Timura-IISH [International Institute for the Secular Humanistic Judaism] in Israel. In 2003, she was the first Israeli to be ordained as a rabbi in Humanistic Judaism. Her thesis was "How to build and develop a Secular Humanistic Jewish community in Israel."

She is the daughter of Yaakov Malkin, the Secular Humanistic Jewish role model for 2021/5782.

Maas founded the Institute for Training Secular Humanistic Rabbis and Jewish Leadership in Israel, which ordained its first group of secular rabbis in Israel in 2006 (five men and two women). She views a rabbi as "an educator, a counselor, an expert in Jewish culture . . . and an initiator and organizer of community events and a person involved in people's life-cycle events."

Jewish Public Opinion: A Review of Two Surveys, Friday, May 27, 7:30 PM

BJCC members Fred Pincus, Arlene Ogurick, and David Korn will discuss the results of two national opinion surveys that were recently released: “National Survey of Jewish Voters” (Jewish Electorate Institute) and “Jewish Practices and Customs (Pew Research Center).

Fred is a retired sociologist, Arlene is a retired librarian, and David is a federal government employee.

An Annual Update on Israeli Politics: Rabbi Jeremy Kridel, Friday, May 13, 7:30 PM

Rabbi Jeremy Kridel will share his thoughts about political developments in Israel via Zoom. A close observer of Israel, Jeremy is the Rabbi of Machar, our sister SHJ organization in Bethesda.

In-person Secular Passover Seder, Sunday, April 24, 5:00 PM

We will be holding a secular humanistic seder on Sunday, April 24, 5 PM at the Summit Chase Clubhouse, 2405 Green Summit Rd. in Pikesville (see below for directions).

IMPORTANT: Only people who have received anti-Covid vaccines and booster shots will be admitted. People will be expected to wear masks when not eating or drinking. If you have already RSVP’d you do not need to again. If you have not already RSVP’d, please do so by April 21 to baltimoresecularjews@gmail.com.

Admission is free (donation accepted). Everyone attending is asked to bring a dish to share. We will provide the entrée of Peruvian chicken and also beverages. If your dish needs heating, please bring a warming device.

Directions:

From the north: Take the Beltway or Old Court Rd. SOUTH to Greenspring Av., toward the City. Pass Quarry Lake on right. Take a left at the 2nd light onto Green Summit Rd.

Pass Chasemount, Stablemere, fields and swimming pool on the right, then right into the parking lot next to a one-level building. If you come to Diana Rd. you’ve gone a bit too far.

From the south: Take Greenspring Av. NORTH toward the Beltway. Just past Lighfoot, right onto Green Summit Rd., then follow directions above (lines 3 – 4).

“The Weaponization of Critical Race Theory,” co-sponsored with the Baltimore Ethical Society, by Fred Pincus, Sunday, April 3, 10:30 AM

Judy Jacobson will speak on several Torah portions, Friday, March 25, 7:30 PM

“Jews of the Land” by Rabbi Judith Seid, Friday, March 11, 7:30PM

When you think of Jewish farmers, you might think of the early pioneers and kibbutzniks in Israel. Or you might think of the chicken farmers in California or New Jersey. But did you know there was a Jewish agricultural settlement in Baltimore County? Not to mention dozens of other places throughout the world. Come take a peek at the world of Jewish farmers through the centuries and help figure out why we aren’t farmers any more. The program begins at 7:30PM.

Judith is a secular rabbi and the founder of the BJCC who now leads a similar community in northern California.

The Expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal: What Happened Next?, Friday, February 25, 7:30PM

Presentation by Bob Jacobson on “The Expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal: What Happened Next?”

The Secular Humanistic Jewish Role Model, Friday, February 11, 7:30 PM

Arlene Ogurick will lead a program on Yaakov Malkin, the Secular Humanistic Jewish Role Model for this year.

“Examining the Fetus in Jewish Texts: Implications for the American Abortion Debate,” presented by Rabbi Rory Katz, Friday, January 28, 7:30 PM

According to the American Journal of Public Health, one in four women have had an abortion by the time they are 45. Abortion is a safe, essential component of health care and a basic human right. Sadly, we are living in a time where this right is being severely threatened. As we listen to the debate about abortion on the national stage, we are often given language that hampers discourse and that dehumanizes people who have abortions. In this session, Conservative Rabbi Rory Katz will guide us through a variety of Jewish texts which will provide us with a richer vocabulary for talking about abortion with greater nuance, sensitivity, and compassion.

Rabbi Katz is the spiritual leader of Baltimore’s Chevrei Tzedek Congregation. She was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 2019

BALTIMORE JEWISH CULTURAL CHAVURAH