Chabad of the North Shore’s Jewish Learning Institute presents “The Kabbalah of You: A Guide to Unlocking Your Hidden Potential,” the institute’s new, six-session fall 2012 course, led by Rabbi Yossi Lipsker. Sessions meet for six consecutive Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., beginning Nov. 7 at Chabad Community Shul, 44 Burrill St., Swampscott. Through the examination of the entire spectrum of what it means to be human, “The Kabbalah of You” offers recipes, tips, and techniques for discovering where one’s true meaning lies, and making it a part of one’s daily existence. Sessions help participants see life as the mysterious, challenging, and satisfying wonder that it really is. The program is designed for people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those with no prior experience or background. Courses are open to the public. For more information or to register, call 781-581-3833, or visit myjli.com.
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.
Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church’s Social Action Committee will sponsor a Fair Trade Boutique after Sunday services during coffee hour on Nov. 4, 11, 18 and 25, at the church, 323 Locust St., Danvers. This year’s boutique features unique and hand-crafted items for everyone, including mobiles, scarves, wind chimes, jewelry, tree ornaments, baskets and more, made by artisans from 32 countries. Proceeds from handicraft sales support low-income artisans and farmers. All items come from SERRV, a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide. For more information, contact the church at 978-774-7582, or visit www.nsuu.org.
Swampscott Church of Spiritualism will hold a Fall Spiritual Festival on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 59 Burrill St. The festival will include private readings with mediums, psychics, angel and tarot card readers, Reiki, chair massages, and vendors with jewelry, meditation music and crafts. Readings cost $25 and include coffee and refreshments. To reserve a reading in advance, call 781-595-6972 or visit www.swampscottchurchofspiritualism.org for more information.
The Christian Women’s Connection November Brunch will be held Monday, Nov. 12, from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m., in the Lighthouse Point Room at the Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St., Danvers. The brunch features the group’s annual country fair and auction with handmade treasures and homemade treats. Also, Marion Dickinson will speak about looking for love in all the wrong places, but then finding it. Brunch costs $13 all inclusive, and all women are welcome to attend. Free childcare is available for children up to age 5.
Reservations are required by Friday, Nov. 9. For more information or to reserve a spot, call Jan at 978-532-1379 or 978-303-7873, or Laura at 978-532-2157.
Cohen Hillel Academy will host PJ Library Kiddie Make and Take, a program for 3 and 4-year-olds, on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., at 6 Community Road, Marblehead. The program includes a fun story and craft hour around Jewish themes. The program is free and held monthly. Snacks will be served. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reserve a spot by Monday, Nov. 12 by contacting Phyllis Osher at 978-740-4404 or posher@rilcf.org. The program is made possible by the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation.
The Israeli Festival of the Arts exhibit and sale at Congregation Shirat Hayam, 55 Atlantic Ave., Swampscott, features 1,500 works of art by more than 100 Israeli artists from the Safrai Gallery in Jerusalem. Artwork includes original oil paintings, watercolors, lithographs and etchings. Festival hours are Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Nov. 17, daytime viewing only following Shabbat Cafe until 2 p.m., and again from 7 to 10:30 p.m.; and Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A gallery opening and patron preview party is set for Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person and include wine, cheese, music, a guided gallery tour and a coupon for $25 off a purchase of $250-$499, or $50 off $500 or more. For more information, contact Marla Gay, director of congregational life, at 781-599-8005 or Marla@ShiratHayam.org. To purchase preview party tickets, visit www.ShiratHayam.org.
Torah Hub, a North Shore Adult Jewish Education Collaborative, is a free program that explores Judaism and Social Justice. The Monday night portion of the series, led by Temple Sinai’s Rabbi Fine, will be held at Aviv Center in Peabody on 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 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.
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
