Parents and Jewish teens who are currently sophomores or juniors in high school and reside in one of the 23 cities or towns in Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation’s service area are invited to learn about the 2013 Youth to Israel Adventure (Y2I), which includes the fully subsidized community teen trip to Israel from July 7 through 19. Informational meetings will be held Sunday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. at Temple B’nai Abraham, 200 E. Lothrop St., Beverly, and Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m, at the JCC, 4 Community Road, Marblehead. In addition to the trip, Y2I 2013 includes educational programs for teens and parents about Israel, leadership training opportunities for teens and more. For more information or to register for an informational meeting, contact Sharon Wyner at 978-565-4450 or swyner@rilcf.org, or visit Y2I.org.
North Shore Players will present “Prairie Lights,” a holiday musical, on Dec. 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, running Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the Hogan Regional Center Auditorium, 6 Hathorne Circle, Danvers. “Prairie Lights” tells the story of a Jewish brother and sister who journey west on an Orphan Train in 1905. Arriving with other homeless youths in a tiny Nebraskan town just before the holidays, the siblings are adopted by Wellspring’s only Jewish couple. As Christmas and Hanukkah approach, orphans and residents alike are on a quest to reunite Wellspring after being threatened by a fearful banker. For more information and directions, visit www.northshoreplayers.org.
Family Promise North Shore Boston, a new interfaith nonprofit, hired its first executive director, Elise Sinagra. Sinagra will lead the organization’s work in addressing the growing problem of homelessness among families on the North Shore by enabling volunteers to provide shelter and care for families in houses of worship while helping them find permanent housing, employment and services. The interfaith coalition spans congregations throughout the North Shore, including in Beverly, Danvers, Hamilton, Ipswich, Salem, Swampscott, Topsfield and Wenham. Also, a benefit concert for the organization, titled “A Tribute to the Beatles” with Peter Stewart and Friends, is set for Sunday, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m. at the First Church in Wenham, 1 Arbor St. For more information, visit www.familypromisensb.org, or email familypromisensb@gmail.com.
Torah Hub, a North Shore Adult Jewish Education Collaborative, is a free program that explores Judaism and Social Justice. The program begins Thursday, Oct. 18, at the NSJCC in Marblehead, with a keynote lecture by Rabbi Jill Jacobs titled “Jewish Social Justice: New Fad or Ancient Tradition?” The Monday night portion of the series, led by Temple Sinai’s Rabbi Fine, will be held at Aviv Center in Peabody on Oct. 29, Nov. 12 and 19, and Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Topics focus on “Jewish Food Ethics for the 21st Century.” The Thursday night portion of the series, led by Rabbi Margie Klein of Congregation Sha’arei Shalom, will be held at the NSJCC in Marblehead at 7:30 p.m., on Oct. 25, Nov. 8 and 29, and Dec. 6, focusing on “Transforming Ourselves, Transforming the World.” The final session, featuring a symposium led by local rabbis, is set for Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the NSJCC in Marblehead. All sessions are free. Registration is required and can be done at www.jfns.org/torahhub.aspx, or contact Alanna Cooper at acooper@jfns.org or 978-224-4096.
The Jewish Federation of the North Shore and Cohen Hillel Academy are partnering to offer “Routines and Rhythms of Parenting,” a program designed to address the practical challenges of the daily parenting routine, and the possibilities that Jewish structures can offer for creating a life of purpose. The course is a program of “Parenting through a Jewish Lens,” developed by Hebrew College and Combined Jewish Philanthropies. The course will be taught by Alanna Cooper, JFNS director of Adult Jewish Education, cultural anthropologist and program designer. Four Sunday morning sessions will take place at Cohen Hillel Academy, 6 Community Road, Marblehead, on Oct. 14, 21 and 28 and Nov. 8 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Free baby-sitting is available. The course costs $40 for individuals and $65 for couples. For more information or to register, contact Barbara Tanger at btanger@cohenhillel.org or 781-639-2880, ext. 215.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Hall presents an adult education scripture program on Oct. 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the church, 80 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. The theme of the program is the “Book of Genesis.” The speaker will be professor Steven Fahrig, pastoral associate of St. Bridget of South Boston and professor at St. John’s Seminary and Blessed John XXIII Seminary. For more information, visit www.staroftheseamarblehead.org.
Congregation Shirat Hayam of the North Shore will host a celebration of 36 years of “Looking at the Law” with Neil Chayet on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 55 Atlantic Ave., Swampscott. Chayet, a Tufts University and Harvard Law School graduate, is best known for his nationally syndicated radio program, “Looking at the Law.” Chayet will discuss how “Looking at the Law” began, what he’s learned from broadcasting and interacting with the public, and his views on the need to change the way people think about anger and conflict. The cost is $118 per person and includes an hors d’oeuvres reception at 7 p.m., priority seating, listing in program guide and dessert; or $36 for general admission/$40 at the door, which includes a dessert reception following the presentation. General admission is at 8 p.m. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.ShiratHayam.org.
Gordon College in Wenham launched a new Center for Faith and Inquiry that will oversee the college’s Center for Christian Studies and the annual student-led spring symposium. The center will also host panelists, visiting scholars and guest lecturers through its Faith Seeking Understanding lecture series and Respectful Conversations initiatives while also facilitating various conferences and Oxford-style debates. The center’s mission is to promote first-order scholarship, reflection, creativity and conversation, drawing from Christian intellectual and spiritual traditions, the various academic disciplines, and the wisdom found in societies and cultures at large. For more information, visit www.gordon/cfi.
The Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation invites families with young children, infants to age 6, to participate in PJ Library Shabbat Circles, an engaging and educational Shabbat prayer experience for young children, parents and grandparents. PJ Library Shabbat Circles are interactive, last about an hour and include prayers, songs, stories, Torah study, creative movement and snacks. More than 30 PJ Library Shabbat Circles are scheduled from September through June, in partnership with local temples and made possible by an allocation from the Jewish Federation of the North Shore. October meetings include Oct. 13, 10 to 10:45 a.m., Temple B’nai Abraham, Beverly; Oct. 19, 5 to 6 p.m., Temple Emanu-El, Marblehead; Oct. 20, 10 to 10:45 a.m., Temple Ahavat Achim, Gloucester; and Oct. 27, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., Temple Ner Tamid, Peabody. For more information, visit rilcf.org or contact Phyllis Osher at 978-740-4404 or posher@rilcf.org.
The Christian Women’s Connection October Brunch is set for Monday, Oct. 15, from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m. in the Lighthouse Point Room at the Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St., Danvers. Guest speaker Beverley Marini will present “God’s Blessings in a Rebellious Life.” Brunch is $13 inclusive, and all women are welcome. Free child care is available for children up to age 5. Reservations are required by Saturday, Oct. 13. For more information, to make a reservation, for child care or for a cancellation, call Jan at 978-532-1379 or 978-303-7873 or Laura at 978-532-2157.
Rekindle Shabbat invites Jewish and interfaith families with children and teens to celebrate Shabbat at home with family and friends beginning in November. Rekindle Shabbat provides everything families need to celebrate Shabbat with a buddy family, including fully cooked traditional Sabbath meals four times a year and a fully stocked Shabbat kit stocked with a silver wine cup, beautiful challah cover, Shabbat candlesticks and candles, and a Shabbat blessings guide. Rekindle Shabbat dinners will take place Nov. 30, Jan. 11, March 8 and May 3. Families new to the program may participate on their own or with a buddy family. Interactive Rekindle Shabbat educational sessions will be held on Sunday, Oct. 14, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Temple B’nai Abraham, Beverly; Sunday, Oct. 28, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. at Temple Emanu-El, Marblehead; Monday, Oct. 29, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Woodbridge Assisted Living, Peabody; or by appointment. Participants learn the basics of Sabbath candle lighting, reciting blessings and more; at least one parent from new families is required to attend. Rekindle Shabbat is free and sponsored by the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation. For more information or to register, visit www.rilcf.org or contact Phyllis Osher at 978-740-4404 or posher@rilcf.org.
Mothers of the PJ Library are invited to participate in Connections, a free book group that provides mothers with opportunities to meet, socialize and engage in lively and rich discussions about Jewish identity and Jewish family life. The program is free and includes two books and desserts. Connections is offered at Panera Bread in Swampscott on Mondays, Oct. 22 and March 11; Hardcover Restaurant in Danvers on Mondays, Oct. 15 and March 4; and Temple Ahavat Achim in Gloucester on Wednesdays, Oct. 17 and March 13. Groups meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Connections is open to mothers who have children currently or formerly enrolled in the PJ Library. Connections is a program of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation. For more information or to register, contact Phyllis Osher at 978-740-4404 or posher@rilcf.org.
