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Lunch and Learn: Israel: Snapshot from a December Visit — plus: OZ’s Participation in the ADL’s “Kulanu” Antisemitism Program & How You Can Be Involved
January 18, 2024 @ 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

Because of a serious health issue facing a member of her family, our planned January Lunch & Learn speaker, Janie Cohen, will need to reschedule her talk on Holocaust related art and photography until later in the year.
Fortunately, we have two speakers who will be filling in — both of whom will be sharing information we feel you’ll find both informative and quite timely in nature.
Israel: Snapshot from a December Visit. An illustrated talk by Naomi Barell.
Naomi Barell, OZ’s Director of Youth Education, recently returned from a week-long visit to Israel. While there, Naomi was able to get a first-hand sense of everyday life during these challenging times. Her visit included volunteering; visiting Hostage Square; and having lots of conversation and cooking with her son who is currently serving with the IDF on Israel’s northern border. Naomi will share her experiences and photos.
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OZ’s Participation in the ADL’s “Kulanu” Antisemitism Program & How You Can Be Involved. A short informational presentation by Lila Shapero.
OZ member Lila Shapero is helping coordinate the synagogue’s participation in Kulanu, a program sponsored by the ADL that aims to empower OZ (and other participating synagogues) in combatting antisemitism. Lila will give you an overview of Kulanu, and explain how you can be involved.
As usual, lunch by chef Valerie Philmus will be served promptly at NOON, with the talks (including time for some Q&A) running from 12:15 till about 1pm. Remember, we suggest a cash donation of $10 per person, or whatever works best for you, to cover our food costs. Hope to see you at OZ on Thursday, January 18th.
Please be sure to register to attend so we can know how much food needs to be prepared.
Register for Lunch & Learn Talks
About OZ’s Lunch and Learns
We gather at Ohavi Zedek’s Social Hall as an in-person event from noon to 1:15. (We are not using Zoom unless conditions change.)
A delicious lunch will be offered. Monthly speakers will cover a wide range of topics. Seating will be available for those who want to stay masked and not join us for lunch. Our goal is for everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy the talks.
The program is free, with an option to make a donation to support our programming.
Upcoming Lunch And Learns:
Lunch & Learn // Jewish Life & Antisemitism in Today’s Germany
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United StatesPalestinian flags by Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. credit Times of Israel // a talk by UVM Professor Alan Steinweis Germany is today home to about 120,000 people who identify as Jews:... Read More
Lunch & Learn // Working to Advance Legal Protections for Animals
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United States// a talk by Animal Law lawyer Laura Ireland Students and faculty volunteering to paint chicken coops at VINE farm sanctuary. Join Laura Ireland, Associate Director of the Animal Law... Read More
Lunch & Learn // From Berlin to Hollywood: the Life and Times of Ernst Lubitsch, Fritz Lang, and Billy Wilder
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United States// a talk, with film clips, by UVM Lane Series Director Natalie Neuert Director Billy Wilder Natalie Neuert will discuss how these Weimar Era Jewish directors became three of the... Read More
Lunch & Learn // An Introduction to the Me2 Orchestra
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United States// a presentation by Me2 Orchestra Manager and Cellist Phoenix Crockett The Me2/ (“Me, too”) Orchestra -- which involves 50 Burlington musicians and over 200 musicians in all of New... Read More
Lunch & Learn // Supporting Kids & Families — the Work of the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United States// an illustrated talk by Development Manager Pamela Unsworth Boys & Girls Club group photo. Serving 250 kids a day, the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington plays a critical... Read More
Lunch & Learn // The Kurdish-led Local Democracy Revolution in the Middle East
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United States// an illustrated talk by author and translator Janet Biehl Graduation day at the women's academy in Raqqa, a place where ISIS once sold women it captured as sex slaves.... Read More
Lunch & Learn // Ernest Bloch’s Sacred Service
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United States// an exploration by Choral Conductor Nathaniel G. Lew 1917 photo of Ernest Bloch. Wikipedia. In May, the Vermont Choral Union will perform the Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh) by Swiss-American composer Ernest Bloch... Read More