Northeast

JRF Legacy Project

Victoria Cangelosi — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:02:34 -0400

As the JRF and the RRC continue to restructure our movement for a better future, JRF has created a timeless Legacy Tribute Book in honor of our congregations. This keepsake memento will walk our members through the years of Reconstructionist history and highlight each of our communities in story and pictures. We are looking for your help to make this once-in-a-lifetime tribute book a reality. Would you consider making a gift to the JRF to support our lasting legacy?

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the Kaplan Legacy Sponsorship $5,000 level, we will send you a Legacy Tribute Book, the accompanying Legacy DVD, and commemorative leather bound editions of Judaism as a Civilization and Reconstructing Judaism.

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the Eisenstein Legacy Sponsorship $1,800 level, we will send you a Legacy Tribute Book, the accompanying Legacy DVD, and one commemorative leather bound edition of either Judaism as a Civilization or Reconstructing Judaism - your choice.

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the Patron Sponsorship $720 level, we will send you a Legacy Tribute Book and the accompanying Legacy DVD.

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the Friend Sponsorship $360 level, we will send you a Legacy Tribute Book.

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the $118 level, we will send you a complimentary Legacy DVD.

Please consider contributing to this special project and receiving these special, limited edition items you will always treasure for your personal library. These also make wonderful, unique gifts for a friend or loved one.

Make your gift online.

Felice Yeskel, z"l, JCA Member and Social Justice Activist

Rabbi Shawn Zevit — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 23:04:53 -0500

The Member Communities, staff and lay leaders of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation mourn the loss of Felice Yeskel, a member of JRF affiliate Jewish Community of Amherst, longtime activist for social justice causes and founder of the University of Massachusetts' Stonewall Center for gay students and staff, who died Jan. 11 at 57.Yeskel grew up in New York, lived in San Francisco and moved to the Amherst area in the 1980s, where she worked to start the university's gay center. "I really think of campus life for the LGBT community as 'Before Felice' and 'After Felice,' " said Pat Griffin, a former UMass professor. Yeskel was an adjunct professor in the university's social justice education program and co-authored "Economic Apartheid In America: A Primer on Economic Inequality & Insecurity," among other works. She was a founder and co-director of Class Action of Northampton, Mass. Longtime friend Betsy Leondar-Wright wrote on the group's website that "Felice was a tireless activist working to bring about social change. Through fearlessly sharing her personal story, first as a lesbian and later sharing her working-class history to help break down the walls of classism, she touched the lives of thousands of people."Felice was also a presenter with Rabbi Shawn Zevit of JRF's past workshop on Money and Jewish Values, and led mini-courses in class and economics at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College at various times- an area she paid great attention to. Yeskel was remembered at her funeral and memorial service as "a champion of the underprivileged, a challenger of the status quo, a devoted mother and life partner … who touched the lives of many with her energy, compassion and commitment to social justice." Rabbi Ben Weiner, rabbi of JCA, officiated at the funeral.Rabbi Julie Greenberg of Philadelphia said Yeskel "could engage so many people, and from community she created social change" and that she was a "great mom" to her 11-year-old daughter, Shira, whom she was raising with her "awesome life partner".Full JTA article for the above: http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/01/13/2742537/the-eulogizer-chasidic-musician-social-activistArticle from Amherst Bulletin: http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/195133/

Temple Hillel B’nai Torah Celebrates Rabbi Barbara Penzner

Lisa Tuttle — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:37:45 -0500

On Saturday evening, December1st, Temple Hillel B’nai Torah, a JRF affiliate in Boston, MA, celebrated the 20th anniversary of Rabbi Barbara Penzner’s ordination. Rabbi Penzner, one of four RRC graduates of the class of 1987, has been the spiritual leader of Temple Hillel B’nai Torah for 10 years and is a former president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis.

The Temple HBT community was joined in celebration by a range of community and spiritual leaders, reflecting the broRabbi Barbara Penzner views the World's Largest Tallitad range of Rabbi Penzner’s interests and activities. Special guests included Rabbi Richard Hirsh, the Executive Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, Rabbi Amy Small of Congregation Beth Hatikvah in Summit, NJ (also a graduate of the RRC class of 1987), Nancy Kaufman, the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, and Massachusetts State Senator Marian Walsh.

Cantor Jeff Klepper and Peter and Ellen Allard provided the musical entertainment for the evening. Guest speaker, author Anita Diamant, provided a moving tribute to her long-time friendship with Rabbi Penzner. And, the newly-formed (and mythical) HBT “Candy Committee” performed a humorous skit demonstrating to the gathered guests the application of values-based decision-making as it relates to throwing candy at b’nai mitzvah services, with HBT President Robin Fox starring as Rabbi Penzner.

The evening culminated in the presentation to Rabbi Penzner of the World’s Largest Tallit – 26 feet x 40 inches – composed of the blessings and good wishes of over 120 friends, family members and congregants. This gift was designed and quilted by Amy Gerber, an HBT congregant and VP of Leadership.

Temple Hillel B’nai Torah Celebrates Rabbi Barbara Penzner

Lisa Tuttle — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:02:59 -0500

Rabbi Barbara Penzner views the World's Largest Tallit made in her honor (photo by Michael Massey)On Saturday evening, December 1st, Temple Hillel B’nai Torah, a JRF affiliate in Boston, MA, celebrated the 20th anniversary of Rabbi Barbara Penzner’s ordination. Rabbi Penzner, one of four RRC graduates of the class of 1987, has been the spiritual leader of Temple Hillel B’nai Torah for 10 years and is a former president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis.

The Temple HBT community was joined in celebration by a range of community and spiritual leaders, reflecting the broad range of Rabbi Penzner’s interests and activities. Special guests included Rabbi Richard Hirsh, the Executive Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, Rabbi Amy Small of Congregation Beth Hatikvah in Summit, NJ (also a graduate of the RRC class of 1987), Nancy Kaufman, the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, and Massachusetts State Senator Marian Walsh.

Boston's The Bulletin Newspaper reported on the event.