A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer

About The Event:
The climate crisis and its challenges need no introduction. But what of medieval kabbalists whose mystical contemplations may be more relevant in the age of the Anthropocene than ever before? Learning how specific kabbalists perceived inanimate objects as hopeful beings will forever change the way we view even a plastic bottle.

About The Speaker:
Jonnie Schnytzer is probably the only PhD in Jewish Philosophy focusing on medieval kabbalah, who can say that he once beat the head of Israeli Naval Commandos in a swimming race? His dissertation focused on the scientific kabbalah of Rabbi Joseph ben Shalom Ashkenazi. Jonnie’s forthcoming book is about Ashkenazi’s Kabbalah as well as a critical edition of the Kabbalist’s majestic commentary on Sefer Yesira. Jonnie’s also the author of Mossad thriller, The Way Back, which paints a picture of contemporary Israel. Jonnie also orchestrated the publishing of an English edition of ‘The Hitler Haggadah,’ an important piece of Moroccan Jewish history from the Holocaust. Jonnie has also taken on several leadership roles in the Jewish world, including advisor to the CEO of Birthright and executive manager with StandWithUs. He lectures on a wide variety of topics relating to Judaism and Israel, especially about the untold stories and unspoken heroes of Jewish history. Jonnie is happily married with four gorgeous little kids, lives in Israel, and thinks that Australian Rules Football is the greatest sport ever invented.

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Haim Ovadia

The event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ

About the Event:

Sephardic Halakha does not necessarily come from Spain – Sefarad, nor is it practiced solely or by all Sephardic rabbis. It is a way of life that balances religious behavior and knowledge with general sciences and with the necessities of life. It is the product of cross-cultural fertilization with Islam in its early and formative years, and it is markedly different from the Ashkenazi approach, which evolved under Catholic influence and which currently dominates Jewish religious life. This discussion will explore the historical roots and expressions of the Sephardic approach, as well as the potential it holds for a better future for Jews in Israel and abroad.

About the Speaker:

Rabbi Haim Ovadia was born in Jerusalem. His family has roots in Baghdad and Damascus, with ten generations of rabbis, poets, and authors. He holds a BA in Talmud from Bar Ilan University, MA in Near East Languages and Cultures from UCLA, and is currently a doctoral student at Bar Ilan cept. of Contemporary Judaism. Rabbi Ovadia has been a pulpit rabbi in Israel, South America, and both coasts. A faculty member at AJRCA. Founder of Torah VEahava – Torah with love. Teaching at Ramaz High School in Manhattan. His research focuses on finding practical solutions for halakhic problems, making Judaism accessible to all, and bridging gaps within the Jewish people.

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Suzanne Singer

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel

About the Event:

Did Eve tempt Adam to eat the fruit of the tree? Was Hagar a victim or a prophet? Who were the women warriors? Through biblical stories and midrash (rabbinic interpretations), we will uncover how these women challenged the patriarchy.

About the Speaker:

Rabbi Suzanne Singer served Temple Beth El in Riverside, CA, for 15 years before retiring in 2023. She now serves Congregation Havurim in Temecula monthly, in addition to teaching Introduction to Judaism for the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and serving on the board of End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA), among other activities.

As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, she is keenly aware of the need to make our world a better place. She recently served as a member of the Reform movement’s Commission on Social Action, as President of PARR (Pacific Area Reform Rabbis), as a member of the City of Riverside’s Task Force on Police Reform, and as a commissioner for the City of Riverside’s Human Relations Commission. She has led advocacy efforts through local interfaith organizations and succeeded in helping pass alternatives to jail and aid-in-dying legislation. She was named a Riverside “Champion of Justice” in 2010 and a Riverside “Woman of Distinction” in 2015. In addition to an OpEd in The New York Times re. Rikers Island, her essays have been published in The Torah: A Women’s Commentary, the CCAR Journal: The Reform Jewish Quarterly, and in several CCAR Press collections.

Before coming to Riverside, Rabbi Singer served at Temple Sinai in Oakland, CA. She also served both as Director of the Introduction to Judaism Program for the Pacific Southwest Council of the Union for Reform Judaism and as Coordinator of a leadership initiative at Hebrew Union College’s (HUC) Los Angeles campus.

Rabbi Singer grew up in New York City and attended the Lycée Francais de New York from elementary through high school. She holds three Master's Degrees: Before attending HUC, Rabbi Singer spent twenty years as a television producer and programming executive, primarily for National Public Television (PBS) and primarily in news and public affairs. As executive producer of a national documentary series, POV, she won two national Emmy awards. She also co-created and produced a national preschool series, The Puzzle Place, designed to help children respect and appreciate diversity. Rabbi Singer is married to actor/acting teacher Jordan Lund. She is also the aunt of seven nieces and nephews with whom she is very close.