2012 Speakers

April 19 - Holocaust Remembrance Program
featuring local residents:
Bianca Rosenthal & Irving Klein

To be announced:
Speaker from the Israeli Consulate
MCLE credit Speakers Program

2011 JCCSLO Speakers Series

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Sirak Sebhat at the SLOJFF, January 23, 7pm at the Palm Theatre

Sirak Sehbat is an Ethiopian Jew.  In 1991, his family left for Israel, through "Operation Solomon" in which 15,000 Ethiopian Jews were brought to Israel in 3 days. Sirak will tell his mesmerizing life story, and relay what it is like to be an Ethiopian Jew in Israel. 

Sirak will talk before the screening of his film ‘Live and Become,’ a part of the San Luis Obispo Jewish Film Festival at the Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo.

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Sheilah Kaufman, “The Sweet Tale of Jews and Chocolate” February 13, 3pm at Salisbury Winery      
$18 per person, includes wine and chocolate tasting
Discount for JCCSLO members

Sheilah Kaufman – outstanding cook, author of 26 cookbooks, and culinary instructor – details the interesting connection of chocolate and Jewish history at Salisbury Winery in Avila Valley.  

Bringing the flavors of the world into homes and kitchens is Sheilah Kaufman’s greatest gift. As the author of delectable cookbooks and a culinary instructor for more than 40 years, Sheilah has shared her great passion for richly flavored, no-fuss food and cooking with thousands of home chefs across the nation.

 Known as the spokeswoman for all things "fearless and fuss less," Sheilah brings to the table uniquely refreshing and creative recipes that are practical and easy while maintaining a delicious elegance.
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Helena 2 years after recovering in Swedish hospital

Holocaust survivor, Helena Weinrauch
Thursday, April 28, 7pm
at Congregation Beth David

Each year JCCSLO invites a Holocaust survivor to share their story with our community.  The stories inspire audiences of all ages to see life from a new perspective, and deal with a world still filled with cruelty, violence, and genocide.  Please join us this year as Helena Weinrauch tells her story of survival and strength at Congregation Beth David in San Luis Obispo.

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Dan Davis, local historian of Modern Israel
Zionism:  Past, Present and Future
Monday, May 9, 6:30pm
SLO County/City Library Conference Room

A discussion of Zionism as it relates to Israeli history: What was the original idea? What is it today? Why is "Zionism" now under attack?

A bibliography of materials and sources is available on Dan’s website at:  http://www.IsraelMustLive.org/images/Bibliography.pdf 

Suggested readings: Walter Laqueur’s “A History of Zionism” 2003. the enhanced edition; , Rafael Medoff and Chaim I. Waxman’s “Historical Dictionary of Zionism”, 2000.

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Rabbi Scott Corngold on Jews in the Civil War
Tuesday, May 31, 7pm
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art

This is the 100th year commemoration of the Civil War.  Spend a night learning about how Jews were involved and enjoy some Southern comforts!
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Fred Friedman at Boo Boo Records

Fred Friedman on "Jews and Jazz"
Sunday, July 10, 3pm
at Congregation Beth David

Join us as local jazz aficionado and radio host, Fred Friedman, tells us the history of jazz.  Jewish musicians, songwriters, and composers are abound, as open your ears and mind to the history of Jews and Jazz.

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Rabbi Janice Mehring on  One Rabbi’s Interfaith Journey
Sunday, Sept. 18, 4pm
at Steyberg Gallery in SLO
Followed by: 
Beyond the December Dilemma:  A Workshop for Parents/Grandparents of Interfaith Couples
(December 8, 7:30pm at the SLO County/City Library)

“Enlarge the size of your tent and extend the size of your dwelling.  Spare not!  Lengthen the ropes and drive the pegs firm”…. (Isaiah 54:2)

Join Rabbi Janice Mehring as she shares her thoughts on intermarriage and raising children in intermarried families.  Her experience as an educator and a rabbi affirm that the family is more whole and the community strengthened when we welcome everyone within the tent.  When we follow the universal principle, expressed in Genesis, that every individual is intrinsically sacred and created b’tzelem Elohim – in the image of God – we must embrace every person in our community as holy and accepted 
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Jon-Erik Storm
Moses to Madison: Jewish Influences on American Law
December 7, 12pm-1pm
 The Madonna Inn, The Round Room

This lecture will cover the ways traditional Jewish law has shaped American law, including Constitutional principles. This study will help practitioners and others interested understand current law at a deeper level. Includes discussion of influences and conflicts of Jewish law on the California Rules of Professional Conduct.    
Cost:  $30 ($25 JCCSLO members).  Includes lunch.

.75 hours of MCLE general credit and .25 hours of ethics credit.
 Open to everyone, including non-lawyers.