Southern Arizona will take part in the fourth annual “Global Day of Jewish Learning” on Sunday, Nov. 17, joining Jewish communities in more than 40 countries across six continents. A project of the Aleph Society and Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, the day is an opportunity for people in Southern Arizona to experience global Jewish unity by delving into this year’s theme: “Creating Together: Jewish Approaches to Creativity and Collaboration,” says Sharon Glassberg, director of the Coalition for Jewish Education at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona.
The CJE, in partnership with the Tucson Jewish Community Center and local synagogues, will host a free day of learning for people of all ages. Beginning at 10 a.m., a book discussion of “Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey Between Genders” will take place at Temple Emanu-El with author Joy Ladin, Ph.D., and Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon. Ladin, a professor of English at Yeshiva University, is the first openly transgender employee of an Orthodox Jewish institution. The discussion is cosponsored by the JFSA LGBT Jewish Inclusion Project and Temple Emanu-El (see page 1).
The afternoon’s programs are geared toward families and tweens with a Shabbat Family workshop sponsored by the PJ Library for families with children through age 7, which will include stories, songs, crafts and a take-and-bake challah, and a Hanukkiah (Chanukah menorah) Factory for children ages 8-12, both at the JCC at 3 p.m.
Rounding out the day will be a screening of the documentary “Fringes: New Adventures in Jewish Living” at 6:30 p.m. at the JCC, followed by a panel discussion. The film tells three stories of
spiritual innovation and cutting-edge Judaism in the 21st century. Edward J. Wright, Ph.D., director of the Arizona Center for Judaic Studies, will moderate the panel.
“We are excited and honored to answer Rabbi Steinsaltz’s call for Jewish learning and unity by hosting a Global Day of Jewish Learning program,” says Howard J. Schwartz, co-chair of the CJE. For more information, contact Glassberg at 577-9393 or sglassberg@jfsa.org.
