Videos Archive
Zionisms: Different Meanings for Different People
October 20, 2024
Presentation & Discussion with Rabbi David Fox Sandmel, Ph.D.
Zionisms”: the word “Zionism” means different things to different people – it always has. In this presentation, I will explore the origin of the word “Zionism” and the many ways it has been understood in the past and continues to be contested today.
Rabbi David Fox Sandmel, PhD is an independent scholar specializing in interreligious/interfaith relations and is chair emeritus of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations, the consortium that is the official Jewish dialogue partner of the Vatican. He served for seven years as director of Interreligious Engagement at the Anti-Defamation League; held the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago; and was the Jewish Scholar at the Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies in Baltimore. While working in Baltimore, he directed the publication of “Dabru Emet: A Jewish Statement on Christians and Christianity.” Rabbi Sandmel presently resides in Portland and is currently serving as Scholar in Residence at the Maine Jewish Museum. He was a visiting professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome this spring.
Pious Ali “Finding Compassion and Empathy in a Diverse and Divided World”
July 22, 2024
Join Pious Ali as he shares his inspiring journey from photographer/photo journalist in Ghana to become actively involved a number of programs in Maine:
– Leading programs, with our own Sarah Rubin, at the Seeds of Peace Program in Otisfield, Maine, and presently on their Board of Directors
– Holocaust Human Rights Center Board member
– Created an interfaith youth program – Works with unhoused youth and those in conflict zones A dedicated public servant (city councilor) in Portland, Maine.
Anti-Semitism After October 7:
Should We Be (More) Afraid
February 25, 2024
Presentation & Discussion with Rabbi David Fox Sandmel, Ph.D.
Discussion of anti-Semitism has been a central component of the global response to the unfolding of events on and after October 7. In America and around the world, reports of anti-Semitic incidents are up. Jews are feeling afraid: For many, this is a new experience. Has something fundamentally changed, or is this a momentary spike that will eventually subside?
Should we be afraid, and, if so, how afraid should we be? Rabbi David Fox Sandmel, Ph.D., is an independent scholar specializing in interreligious/interfaith relations. He is past chair of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Relations, served for seven years as director of Interreligious Engagement at the Anti-Defamation League; held the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago; and was the Jewish Scholar at the Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies in Baltimore. While working in Baltimore, he directed the publication of “Dabru Emet: A Jewish Statement on Christians and Christianity.” Rabbi Sandmel presently resides in Portland and is currently serving as Scholar in Residence at the Maine Jewish Museum.
He will be a visiting professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome this spring.
This event is sponsored with Community Education funds from the Sam L. Cohen Foundation.
Joseph Rosenstein “Hints of Yom Kippur in Pirkei Avot”
August 3, 2023
Rosenstein is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Rutgers University and a founding member of New Jersey’s 50+ year-old Highland Park Minyan — a peer-led, egalitarian, post-denominational and inclusive chavurah (prayer group). He is the author of the Siddur and Machzor (prayer books) used by Congregation Etz Chaim for Shabbat and High Holidays, respectively; and Reflections on Pirkei Avot, used in our Pirkei Avot class.
Growing Up Jewish In Southern Maine:
The Mid-Century Experience
January 8, 2023
Join us for a panel discussion with a special group of people who spent their childhoods and teen years as part of the Congregation Etz Chaim community in the mid-1940s through the mid-1960s.
Moderated by fourth-generation Etz Chaim member and local Jewish historian Jennie Aranovitch.
Panelists include Leah Aranovitch, Sharon (Sneider) Canner, Ellen (Haas) Levine, Stuart Ruben, Phillip Saperia, Ed Simensky, and Cary Sneider.
Guest Presentation by Joseph Rosenstein
January 4, 2023
Rosenstein is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Rutgers University and a founding member of New Jersey’s 50+ year-old Highland Park Minyan — a peer-led, egalitarian, post-denominational and inclusive chavurah (prayer group). He is the author of the Siddur and Machzor (prayer books) used by Congregation Etz Chaim for Shabbat and High Holidays, respectively. His presentation will include the history of Pirkei Avot, the section of the Talmud that deals with ethical values, the major themes of Pirkei Avot, and his process in writing his latest book.
The Genesis of Creation:
New Art and Commentary on the Days of The Creation
May 26, 2022
Chuck Lisner’s eight image series is the culmination of his ever evolving interpretation of the days of creation. The presentation includes thoughts from Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch and learned thinkers both past and present as the series progresses from what existed before creation through the process to God’s finished work.
The eight images in the series are composite photos from Chuck’s photography database along with images specifically captured to support his understanding of each day. Some images are digitally produced using little photography at all. All are encouraged to add to the discussion.