FROM DRAMA QUEEN TO SHABBAT QUEEN

Kaila Lasky

Rubbing shoulders with royalty, attending inaugural balls and jet setting to exotic places still left a void that no adventure or excitement seemed to fill.  Kaila Lasky, a former actress and Manhattan luxury real estate broker raised in a secular unaffiliated home, began exploring her Jewish roots as an adult and is now passionate about empowering Jews of all ages and backgrounds to connect with their Jewish identities. Come and hear the amazing story of Kaila’s journey to Judaism which has inspired countless Jews to explore their heritage.

Sunday morning Nov. 6          Breakfast: 9:30          Lecture: 10:00  

“HELP, MY SPOUSE IS BECOMING MORE RELIGIOUS THAN ME!” DEALING WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF OBSERVANCE WITHIN A MARRIAGE

Rabbi Yaacov and Abby Lerner

Often marriages don’t proceed the way we anticipate they will when we first get married. Life is complex and our needs and feelings change over time.  One area that sometimes causes tension in a marriage is when a couple experiences religious growth unevenly, or where only one spouse is changing while the other is perfectly happy to remain where he/she is.  Can the relationship be helped?  Can the marriage be saved?  This hands-on workshop will focus on ways and techniques to bring couples closer together and, hopefully, allow their Judaism to be the glue that unites them rather than driving a wedge between them.    

Thursday evening Nov. 10, 8:00 – 9:00

HAVING THE TALK WITH YOUR KIDS – IDEAS AND INSIGHTS FOR THEM AND YOU

Rabbi Shmuel Ismach

With access to the world around through media and internet, today’s children are exposed to what were once “adult” issues earlier than we sometimes suspect. As parents, we want to help navigate our children through this stage and create a nurturing dialogue with them. This lecture will explore today’s new reality and offer practical advice based on ancient Jewish wisdom to prepare you for your own conversations.

Sunday morning Nov. 13          Breakfast: 9:30          Lecture: 10:00

THE BATTLE FOR ISRAEL AND JEWISH MINDS

Rabbi Elliot Mathias

Anti-Israel propaganda and demonization of the Jewish State are being promulgated on campuses across North America.  This virulent effort poses a grave danger not only to Israel but also to the thousands upon thousands of Jewish students on these campuses who fall victim to the lies and distortions. They turn against Israel, while often becoming hostile to their own Jewish roots and identity, not wanting to be associated with a people that would oppress another people.  

PROJECT IDENTITY is proud to cosponsor an eye-opening Israel advocacy event in conjunction with HASBARA FELLOWSHIPS, a leading group which trains university students to become ambassadors for Israel on campus.  The event will include the screening of the film Crossing the Line: The Intifada Comes to Campus, a powerful 30 minute documentary.  Following the film, Rabbi Elliot Mathias, the Founder and Director of Hasbara Fellowships, will present a seminar on The Battle for Israel on Campus.

Sunday morning  Nov. 20          Breakfast: 9:30          Presentation: 10:00

THE STORY OF JUDAH AND TAMAR – A ROYAL SEDUCTION

Sandra Rapoport

The Biblical story of Judah and Tamar is rich, complex and disturbing.  Tamar disguises herself as a harlot and seduces her father in law, Judah.  Oddly, that act transforms the two of them into the progenitors of the royal family, the House of David which began with King David and will culminate in the coming of Mashiach ben David, the true Messiah. Who was Tamar?  Why did her first two husbands die so suddenly?  Was her seduction of Judah a permissible act?  How culpable was he in what happened?

Sunday morning  Dec. 4          Breakfast:  9:30          Lecture: 10:00

HISTORY AND GENETICS: TRACING JEWISH HISTORY IN THE GENOME

Professor Lawrence Schiffman

New discoveries in the study of the genetics of the Jewish people are beginning to intersect with progress in the study of their history throughout the ages.  The study of the genome is fast becoming one of the new methods for the study of the history of the Jewish people as the boundaries between what were very different fields are eroding.  This illustrated lecture will explain the results of genetic studies for understanding Jewish demographic development.

Sunday morning Dec. 11          Breakfast:  9:30          Lecture: 10:00