Jewish Learning Festival held at Cal Poly May 17-19
–The JCC-Federation of San Luis Obispo and Hillel San Luis Obispo partner to create the first annual Central Coast Festival for Jewish Learning to be held on the Cal Poly Campus May 17 – 19.
It will be a weekend of celebrating the gems of Jewish civilization by learning from various scholars, authors, rabbis, and artists with keynote addresses, interactive break-out learning sessions, social events, Sabbath services, and community meals. This experience is for everyone, not just the Jewish community, to celebrate and learn about Jewish culture from around the world.
Highlights include keynote address from Professor Aaron Tapper, Jewish Studies Chair of University of San Francisco, on the amazing diversity of Jewish identity (yes, Aaron happens to be a successful author and the brother of the well known Jake Tapper); Hussein Aboubaker Mansour, an Egyptian researcher of Jewish and Middle Eastern history and Hebrew literature who shares his personal story of growing up in Egypt to becoming a teacher of Hebrew and Israel; and, Holocaust survivor, Gitta Ryle, along with former Nazi war crimes prosecutor Judge Bruce Einhorn.
Part of the JCC-Federation’s mission is to unify the Central Coast community with programs and services based on Jewish values. With no Jewish Studies department currently on campus this festival will help supplement campus life by bringing a diverse perspective and opportunity of learning to the Cal Poly community. It is a chance for the students and Jewish community at large to come together and be supported by one another. In an ever-polarized, divided world, it is imperative we strengthen our understandings of one another and connect in peaceful ways.
Anti-Semitism is on the rise in this country and according to the Anti-Defamation League Jews are the most targeted group of hate. Lauren Bandari, Executive Director of the JCC-Federation commented “the need to educate and tell our stories is ever-present. The Festival for Jewish Learning provides such an opportunity by allowing people to understand the diversity of the Jewish experience, expand their base of knowledge, and advocate against anti-Semitism.”
Registration opens in mid-March and is expected to fill quickly. Special student rates and scholarships will be made available; donations toward these scholarships are welcome. For tickets and more information, visit www.jccslo.com/learning.
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