2010 Archives

Friday, March 19, 6:00pm: Vegan Shabbat Dinner and talk: "Naturalistic Sprirituality: Uplifting and Deepening the Experience of Our Humanity and Our Jewishness"

Following a Humanistic Shabbat service, Rabbi Biber will discuss naturalistic approaches to spirituality that draw upon humanistic and transpersonal psychology and living as Jews in 'this-world' here and now.

Naturalistic spirituality is found in diverse forms: the sense of belonging in family, friendship, and community; personal growth through acts of responsibility, constructive action, and creativity; experiences of 'self-actualization' and of transcending the ego through love and compassion; feeling connected to the planet and its diverse inhabitants, engaging in struggles for peace, justice, freedom, and ecological balance; encountering the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the cosmos; transforming our understandings of life through the arts and sciences....

Come hear Rabbi Biber speak on these and other natural ways of expanding our humanity and our Jewishness.
Come to share your own experiences and hear about those of others.

A vegan dinner will be provided at 6pm (free to members; $5 per non-member, $10 per non-member family). Service and discussion promptly at 7pm. To make a reservation, contact Lori Sonken.

Saturday, March 20, 3:00pm: "Promises" film sreening

“Promises” is a movie about children who live in a place where Jewish people and Palestinian people have been in conflict for many years. It is the story of how young people can bridge the gaps that separate us. It is the story of how two groups of children from very different communities struggle to communicate. It is the story of how to find common ground.

This film was made a few years ago. It presents a picture of an experiment, an attempt to work toward understanding and peace. It is appropriate for older children and teens. Kol Haverim offers this movie as one step toward understanding a very difficult situation in the Middle East.

Mark Silverman and Rabbi Biber will introduce “Promises.” Mark will lead a discussion session afterward. Rabbi Biber will refer to it when he meets with our 6th/7th grade class the following morning at Cultural School.

Saturday, March 20, 3:30pm: "Humanistic Jewish Parenting: Identity and Values Development in a Multicultural Society" workshop

Come explore with Rabbi Binyamin Biber the subject of Humanistic Jewish parenting and the development of Jewish values and cultural identity among our youth in our multicultural society and, for many of us, in our intercultural families. This workshop will survey social science research on parenting and development as well as the spectrum of different families' approaches. Participants are invited to ask questions as well as to share and discuss these subjects.

Please RSVP so that we have an estimate for handout materials.

Saturday, March 20, 7:30pm: Talk on "Toward Peace and Reconciliation in Israel, Palestine, and Beyond: Jewish and Secular Humanist Approaches"

Rabbi Binyamin Biber will examine how progressive Jewish and secular humanist values can guide us to the best possible solutions to the problems of intergroup hostility and violence.

The movement for Secular Humanistic Judaism (sometimes also called "Cultural" Judaism) was founded on the ideals of universal social progress through democratic pluralism and empowerment.

Find out more about how the perspectives and efforts of Secular Humanistic Jews are contributing to problem-solving and human advancement at all levels—from the personal and local to the global.

All Saturday events are free and open to the public. Childcare will be provided.

Contact Joyce Frank for more information.

About Rabbi Biber MSW

Kol Haverim is looking forward to this opportunity to meet with and learn from one of the foremost rabbis in the humanist movement. A social activist, Rabbi Biber is an inspirational speaker committed to the Jewish principal of Tikkun Olam - repair of the world.

Rabbi Binyamin Biber serves Machar, the Washington DC Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism, a community celebrating diversity and learning, and engaging in progressive social action and service.

In addition to his pulpit with Machar, Ben operates Rabbinic Community Services, conducting public advocacy and education, social change organizing, counseling, and Humanistic life-cycle ceremonies, including weddings for intercultural and same-sex couples.

He is currently the Vice President of the Association of Humanistic Rabbis, and led that group in writing its statement in support of full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. He also serves on the rabbinic cabinet of J Street, the largest US Jewish group working for a two-state solution for Israeli-Palestinian peace and self-determination.

Rabbi Biber earned his master's degree in social work (MSW) from the University of Michigan, and his rabbinic ordination from the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. The American Humanist Association also accredited Ben as a Humanist Chaplain to serve the needs of the non-Jewish Humanist community. As a social worker and teacher experienced in working with all age groups, he serves as a veteran community organizer and educator on peace and justice issues, particularly focusing on the Middle East, on sexual minority equality and AIDS prevention, as well as on low-income housing and community economic development.

2009 Archives

We have many sellers already! (And procrastinators welcome—you can decide to sell right up until the day of the sale!)

If you will be selling:
Make a note to tag your stuff with prices (pieces of masking tape work well and permanent marker) and get some change at the bank during the week ($5s, $1s, nickels, dimes and quarters.)

If you have some great stuff (specifically, stuff that could bring in lots of $$), but really cannot be there to sell it, please contact me. I have room to store it until the Fall and will try to sell it for you.

Nothing to sell? Come and BUY! Surely, you've had your eye on some members' boots, a lamp in their house, their books...

Contact Carole Shiffman for more information.

Friday, October 16, 6:00pm: Shabbat Dinner and talk: "The Role of a Humanistic Rabbi"
Charge for non-members

Saturday, October 17, 12:30pm: Torah study, informal gathering at a private residence. Please RSVP to Barb Behrmann. Natan will introduce the "Documentary Hypothesis" and discuss the origins of the Hebrew bible through an historical and archeological perspective.

Saturday, October 17, 7:00pm: Havdalah service. 7:30pm lecture: "3 People 4 Opinions: Jewish Debate" A humanistic view of the Torah, the Talmud, and Halacha. Humanistic Judaism and different movements today. FREE to all

Sunday, October 18: Cultural school teacher in-service training; B'nai Mitzvah class; lunch with B'nai Mitzvah parents and education committee; debrief session with Kol Haverim board.

Contact Joyce Frank for more information.

About Natan Fuchs

Natan Fuchs came to the U.S. with his parents at age of 15 after being raised in Tel Aviv. In Israel and the United States he attended Orthodox Jewish schools, including yeshivas, with the expectation of becoming an Orthodox rabbi. However, by the age of 18 Natan joined the civil rights movement and moved farther and farther away from the Orthodox world. From 1969 to 1986 Natan returned to Israel where he served in the Israel Defense Forces while also participating in the Israeli peace movement. He is a founding member of the Israeli Peace Now (Shalom Achshav) movement.

Natan's formal education spans history, psychology, and education. He retired from teaching in Detroit Public Schools three years ago to become a rabbinic student at the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. He specializes in Bible study from a humanist perspective and Jewish history, including the origins of the Jewish Bible.

Hope to see you during the weekend! If you are interested in meeting with Natan on a casual basis during other parts of the weekend please let me know ASAP. He is welcoming interaction of a less structured nature in addition to the scheduled events.

We will meet at 12:30 for a 1:00 presentation by one of their members, tour the museum/birthplace, then picnic on the grounds.

Please bring whatever you need for your family including a picnic and drinks, as we will have faciliities but no lawnchairs, etc. A grill can be made available if needed. Please advise if you would like use of one.

Contact Joyce Frank for more information.

Rain date is Sunday, July 12.

Long-time members of Kol Haverim will remember that many of our holiday events used to take place at Cayuga Nature Center. After a long time, we are returning there to celebrate 10 years of being a community and maintaining a Humanistic Jewish presence in Ithaca. Come enjoy dinner, live music, schmoozing, images of the past, and thoughts for the future. And, of course, birthday cake.

Childcare provided.

A unique Kol Haverim event:
Rana Bose is a novelist, playwright, and political activist, born and raised in Calcutta. While a student in the late 1960s, he was imprisoned for his political views. He now lives in Montreal. Bose is currently traveling through India. He will be coming to Ithaca for a reading and signing of his new book, The Fourth Canvas, at Barnes & Noble on January 10th. We are fortunate that while here, he is willing to discuss the radical, often violent, political movements in India, and their relation to the US and Israel. He'll discuss the Mumbai attacks from a social, political, and historical perspective.

Come for the discussion. Stay to nosh on desserts afterward.

Childcare provided.

Please join us for observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. We'll honor the victims of the Holocaust and of other genocides in a non-theistic memorial service, followed by a viewing of the newly-released documentary film The Last Witness by local, internationally acclaimed film-maker Slawomir Grünberg.

There were only 3 armed mutinies in the history of the Nazi death camps. The first one was at Treblinka, the second one at Sobibor in October 1943 and the third at Birkenau (Brzezinka) in October 1944. The Last Witness is the first film to tell the story of the Treblinka revolt. This documentary spins a tale of Samuel Willenberg's life. He was 20 at the outbreak of the armed revolt on August, 1943 in the death camp of Treblinka in Poland. As a result of the revolt 400 of 1000 inmates managed to escape Treblinka. 67 of them survived the war. The film narrative is here and now, against the background of today's Poland and Israel. Running Time: 58 min.

There will be supervision for children in another room.

All are welcome.

The Lab of Ornithology will host a series of activies that will help you learn more about birds and natural selection, with games, puzzles, and even the chance to isolate your own DNA and take it home with you! If you've ever been interested in learning more about the intricacies of evolution, join us for this day of fun and learning!

2008 Archives

We welcome all new and prospective members to join us for bagels and munchies at Carole's house.

Childcare provided to further your enjoyment :)

If you would like directions or more information, please contact Caren at chair@kolhaverim.net.

Birthday Cake, Discussion, Games, Stories, Fun for all ages! This event is free and open to the public For more information contact Caren at chair@kolhaverim.net.

Ann Druyan, writer and producer of Cosmos and Contact will speak on "The Menschlekeit of Charles Darwin."

Our most important meeting of the year.
Come to vote on next year's board, approve the budget and find out what's going on!

Dinner and childcare provided.

More information to come.

Everyone is invited to the brunch we've arranged at Juna's Cafe [Note: Location may be changing--watch this space for new details]. New members are especially encouraged to attend to meet one another, ask questions, and learn more about the Kol Haverim community. "Old" members are encouraged to come and introduce yourselves and meet the "newbies." Please RSVP to Barb at membership@kolhaverim.net.

DARWIN DAY
Celebrate Darwin Day: An International Recognition of Science and Humanity

Join Kol Haverim, the Finger Lakes Community for Humanistic Judaism in this world-wide celebration. The festivities will be on February 10 at 3:00pm at Lifelong Center (119 W. Court St, Ithaca). This event is free and open to the public.

We'll celebrate Darwin's Birthday with a deliciously evolved and naturally selected cake, followed by a discussion led by Will Provine, Professor in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at Cornell. Dr. Provine will talk about the relationship between Darwin and Asa Gray, a plant taxonomist and founder of the botany department at Harvard. Gray was very religious and many of the issues discussed between Darwin and Gray are still discussed today between the religious and the non-religious.

For children, there will be some natural selection games to play, and a reading of the evolution children's book "Tree of Life".

There will be information about legislative issues concerning the role of science in public policy from the Secular Coalition for America and the new Center for Inquiry in DC.

Our Annual Membership Meeting is our MOST IMPORTANT gathering of the year!

I hope that you will make time in your busy schedules to attend this gathering. We've made it easy - dinner and child care will be provided.

Dinner will include vegetarian and meat options (wraps from Juna's), pasta, salad, fruit, and dessert! Please RSVP (indicate number of adults attending) by Thursday so that we can order the right amount of food.

Please review agenda sent by email. Also see the attached evaluation form. During the past year, many new people have joined our community. Now we want your feedback so that we can focus the upcoming year on meeting the needs of our members.

We'll have evaluation forms at the meeting too, or you can print and fill out the attached one ahead of time. To encourage every adult to provide this valuable feedback, you'll receive a numbered entry into a raffle when you hand in your evaluation form. Near the end of the meeting, we'll draw some lucky numbers and YOU could win a prize!

2005 Archives

Children's Chanukah party:
Sunday, December 18, 2005, 11am-1pm, Lifelong.

We lit the menorah, enjoyed a play on the story of Chanukah performed by the Sunday school children, and had a participatory service with music and singing. Afterwards, we enjoyed latkes and other traditional holiday foods and had story-telling and dreidel games for the children - gelt provided.

Cost was $5 for adults and $3 for children or $10 for a family. Free to all-inclusive members.

Join us Saturday December 17 at 2:15 at Fall Creek Cinema

Please join the members of the Social Action Committee, this Saturday, Dec. 17th, 2:15 p.m. at Fall Creek Cinema for the matinee showing of Paradise Now. Following the movie we shall gather at a nearby home for tea and a short discussion.

PARADISE NOW (90 PG 13)
"Of all the shocks in the riveting and timely political thriller PARADISE NOW, the most unsettling may be the dignity bestowed on a pair of prospective Palestinian suicide bombers - not horrified condemnation, not rabid support, just calm regard for a couple of young men prepared to kill themselves and others for what they believe is a just cause. Is there room and time for such neutral consideration of terrorism? Saïd (Kais Nashef) and Khaled (Ali Suliman), West Bank car mechanics and friends since childhood, prepare overnight for their 'holy' mission to murder Israelis the next day in Tel Aviv (the rituals of readiness are depicted with precision, and sometimes with jolting humor). And Palestinian director and co-writer Hany Abu-Assad suggests that taking the time to understand the grievances of angry young men like Saïd and Khaled is time well spent. Abu-Assad, who also made the lighter but no less politically engaged 2003 drama 'Rana's Wedding,' doesn't condone the murder the bombers think they are ready to commit - whether they will or not is the nail-biter - but he also empathizes with what could fuel such desperate frustration. (An attractive woman friend of Saïd's argues for positive political change and articulately abhors the escalation of violence.) Shooting with energy and a great sense of storytelling, Abu-Assad gambles, astutely, that disappointing those who demand complete condemnation - or support - is a risk worth taking if it furthers the causes of peace and justice, not to mention exciting filmmaking." (Lisa Schwarzbaum, EW)

Contact Brian Eden at action@kolhaverim.net if you have questions.

 

2006 Archives

Family Game Night Social
Saturday January 21, 2006, 5:00pm-8:00pm, Lifelong

After a short Havdalah service, we'll eat dinner (pizza and other less important food groups will be provided!) and play games that will challenge your wits, spark your imagination, and keep you laughing. All ages are welcome! Some games we'll play as one large group and for others we'll split into smaller groups. Do you have a favorite game? Bring it to share in the large or small group setting.

Note that we're starting at 5:00 to accomodate families with younger children.

Please help us get a ballpark figure of how much food to order by sending a RSVP to Penny penny@kolhaverim.net if you might come. We are not asking for a commitment, and we do not want to discourage anyone from last-minute decisions - we just don't want to eat cold pizza for the entire next week.We'll accept any donations to help offset costs of the food.

For more information or to make a request for games to be included, email Penny at penny@kolhaverim.net

United Nations Holocaust Remembrance
Friday January 27, 2006, 7:00pm-9:00pm, Lifelong

Kol Haverim invites you to a secular service to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Following the service, we will sponsor a viewing and discussion of the film Paper Clips. Paper Clips is a documentary about how middle school students in a small, primarily white Christian community in Tennessee, responded to lessons about the Holocaust.

January 27 marks the date that an advancing Soviet army liberated the largest Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, in Poland. The United Nations declared January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day to encourage teaching about the horrors of genocide, to condemn religious and ethnic intolerance, and to honor the 11 million victims of the Holocaust.

The Committee of Conscience at the US Holocaust Museum is urging action to stop the current genocide in Darfur, Sudan. At the showing of Paper Clips, we will accept donations to support relief efforts in Darfur, Sudan and provide information on current actions to stop the genocide.

Childcare and refreshments provided.

For more information, please contact Brian at brian@kolhaverim.net

Family Food Traditions
Saturday February 25, 2006, 5:00pm-8:00pm, Lifelong

Bring a special dish-to-pass that demonstrates your family's historical culinary traditions. After our Shabbat service we'll share the stories behind our foods. We're starting at 5:00 to accomodate families with younger children.

Childcare will be provided.

Bring place settings for you and your family if possible--paper plates will also be available and drinks will be provided.

For more information, email Penny at penny@kolhaverim.net

Shabbat/Yom Hashoah after-dinner event
Friday April 28, 2006, 7:00-9:00pm Lifelong

After dinner come by for a "dessert and schmooze" shabbat in honor of Yom HaShoah. Enjoy a quiet social evening after dinner and reflect on this memorial holiday.

For more information, please contact Stacia at stacia@kolhaverim.net

Shabbat Dinner and Travel Log
Friday May 19, 2006, 6:00-9:00pm Lifelong

We'll begin with a short Shabbat service at 6:00pm, followed by dinner (main dishes, salad, and cookies provided, but feel free to bring additional side salads or desserts!). We'll be learning a new tune to accompany the Shabbat service and our Sunday School music teacher will help lead the kids in the songs. Then we'll view slides and hear about the travels of several members, including Wilson's trip to the Galapagos, the Eden's trip to Costa Rica, and the Wests' in Belize!

Come and experience the relaxing, vicarious enjoyment of sitting in a cozy room with a full stomach viewing the tropical travel adventures of others.

As usual, the gathering is at Lifelong, 119 W. Court Street, Ithaca. To minimize waste, please bring your own table settings (though we'll provide various paper and plastic ware for those who forget).

For more information, please contact Caren at membership@kolhaverim.net

Community Beautification on the Ithaca Commons

Sunday, May 21, 11:00am-1:00pm

Kol Haverim will be volunteering with Chrys Gardener for the Tompkins County beautification brigade; planting, weeding and otherwise beautifying on the commons. Adults and children of all ages are welcome. Gardening gloves and shovels will be provided.

Last year this was a fun event helping to make our community more beautiful and welcoming. This year, KH is also donating a planter. We will be meeting on the commons: exact location TBD.

Please RSVP to Jonathan so that we can get a rough headcount, so that Chrys will know how much equipment/plants/mulch/etc. to bring.

Hope to see you there!

Program Committee Meeting
Wednesday, July 26, 7:30-9:00pm at 309 The Parkway (corner of the Parkway and Northway Rd, across from the upper entrance to Cayuga Heights School, park on Northway Rd).

This meeting is for anyone interesting in being part of programming this coming year--for people who would like to be on the program committee, people who would like to run a particular program, or anyone who just has thoughts or ideas they would like to share.

Dessert will be served.

If you are interested in participating in programming, but can't attend the meeting, please let me know, so that I can get your input and be sure to include you in future planning.

For more information, please contact Abby at 272-7170 or programs@kolhaverim.net

Havdalah Dinner: Create Your Own Humanistic Mezuzah!
Saturday September 9, 2006, 4:00-7:30pm Lifelong

4:00 - Discuss, Learn, Create

• Discuss - What makes a home feel like a home? What makes a culturally Jewish home? Come join an interactive discussion about these and similar questions.
• Learn - Hear about the tradition of mezuzot and discover both the past religious significance and current humanistic interpretations.
• Create - Decorate your own beautiful mezuzah and inscribe a text that is meaningful to you. (these are great house-warming gifts!)

This program will begin at 4:00 pm and is suitable for children age 6 and up accompanied by parents.

Child care for 2-5 year olds will be available.

All materials provided, along with sample alternative texts for inserting inside the finished mezuzah (poems, songs and sayings) or you can bring your own samples to share.

5:30 - Havdalah Service and Dinner

At 5:30 pm we'll enjoy a short Havdalah service, followed by dinner. Ess! ess! Kol Haverim will provide the main course. Please bring desserts or side dishes (that can sit at room temperature) to share. Please contact Abby Cohn programs@kolhaverim.net if you have questions. We hope to see you there!

Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur 2006
Adult Rosh Hashannah Service:
Friday, September 22, 2006, 7-9pm, Lifelong.

This will be an adult-oriented humanistic service with a potluck dessert and reception to follow. The service will be held at the Lifelong Center located at 119 W. Court St. Off-street parking is available in front of the building on Court St. as well as behind the building, accessed from Buffalo St.

Child-care will be available for children 18 months to 10 years at no charge. Please contact Jonathan Joseph at holidays@kolhaverim.net or 277-9744 to confirm a childcare space for your child or children.

For our evening Rosh Hashanah reception, we ask everyone to contribute a dessert or snack. We ask people with last names beginning with letters A-M to please bring a savory snack or finger food; those with last names beginning with letters N-Z, to please bring a dessert or fruit. We will provide wine, juice, and ice tea for everyone to enjoy.

Holiday events are free to members. Non-members will be charged $5 per person or $15 per family

For questions or additional information please contact Jonathan Joseph at (607) 277-9744 or e-mail holidays@kolhaverim.net.

Family Rosh Hashannah Service:
Sunday, September 24, 2006, 11am-1pm, location: Stewart Park Large Pavillion

Bring the children together to celebrate the New Year!

Kol Haverim invites you to our Rosh Hashanah family service appropriate for children over age 3. This New Year celebration for children too young to attend the adult service will take place on Sunday, September 24, at 11 a.m. in the large pavilion at Stewart Park in Ithaca.

The celebration includes crafts, a brief service, singing, story-telling, a Tashlikh ceremony, honeycake and other traditional holiday foods.

The event is free for members. The cost for non-members is $6 per child (free for accompanying parents).

Please contact Caren Cooper at caren@kolhaverim.net (or 257-4231) for more information about the event. Please RSVP to Caren by September 21 if you plan to attend.

Yom Kippur Services:
Monday, October 2, 2006, 6-9pm, locations: Dee Thaler's house and Caren Cooper's house.

Our traditional break-the-fast Yom Kippur service with a time for reflection and discussion followed by a pot-luck meal. You need not have fasted to join us.

Adults will enjoy quiet reflection at Dee Thaler's house, while those who don't mind having young children around will gather at Caren Cooper's.
Space is limited; please contact Jonathan Joseph at holidays@kolhaverim.net or 277-9744 to reserve a space and/or to get directions or more information.

The services are free for members and there is a $3 charge for non-members.

Sukkot
Sunday, October 8, 2006, 11:00am, location: Silverman Residence

Sukkot is the Jewish fall harvest festival. In the spirit of the holiday, we always try to hold our Sukkot celebration in an outdoor venue with nearby shelter in case of inclement weather. In the past, we have gathered at an apple orchard to celebrate this holiday, but this year, we are delighted to be able to hold our celebration at the home of our members Dierdre and Mark Silverman. As a bonus, after the Sukkot festivities, the Silvermans will be giving a tour of their new wind turbine to those who are interested (at about 1pm)

This year we will have a Sukka that the children (and adults) can help decorate. Unless we have bad weather, everything will take place outside in and around the Sukka - so please dress appropriately. After decorating the Sukka, we will have a short service followed by a brown-bag picnic lunch. Kol Haverim will provide challa, apples and cider. Please bring your own picnic lunch. .

The Sukkot celebration will start at 11 am.
The wind turbine tour will start around 1pm.

Help needed! We could use a couple of adults to help erect the Sukka on Sunday before the event. If you would like to help put up the Sukka and can arrive early (around 10am), please contact me (Jonathan) by Saturday at 277-9744.

Decorating the sukka: We hope to decorate the sukka with branches and leaves found nearby, but if you would like to hang something special, please bring it along.

Directions to the Silvermans: 100 Travor Rd. Danby

Head South on 96-B about 9 miles from the commons (about 7.5 miles past Ithaca college).
Turn Right on South Danby Rd.
Go about 3/4 mile and turn left on Trabor Rd.
Go about 1/2 mile and turn left into the Silverman's driveway (100 Trabor Rd.)
Go 1/4 mile uphill to the house.

For more information, contact Jonathan Joseph at holidays@kolhaverim.net or call 351-7116

Oneg Shabbat: Meet the Secular Coalition of America's Lobbyist
Friday October 13, 2006, 7:30-9:00pm Lifelong

FRIDAY, Oct 13, Kol Haverim is hosting a visit by Lori Lipman Brown, the director and DC-based lobbyist for the Secular Coalition for America. Admission is free and a dessert reception will follow the discussion.

Ms. Brown will speak about "Freedom of/from Religion." Come hear about her experiences fighting for the separation of church and state in a political environment dominated by the religious right. Come to show your support and learn what you can do to help!

Brown, a lawyer and former Nevada State Senator, has spent the past year on Capitol Hill, lobbying Congress to stop attempts to establish social policy based on selective dogmatic religious views. These attempts include not only the myriad of faith-based initiatives, but also opposition to accurate birth control education, full reproductive rights, gay marriage, stem-cell research, euthanasia, and many other social programs that are supported by most nontheists (and many theists).

The Secular Coalition for America (SCA) is the new Washington-based lobbying organization for atheists, humanists, freethinkers, and other nontheistic Americans. Their mission is to increase the visibility and respectability of nontheistic viewpoints in the United States and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all. The Society for Humanistic Judaism is a member of this Coalition.

For more information contact Caren at chair@kolhaverim.net

Oneg Shabbat: A Conversation with Marty Luster
Friday November 3, 2006, 7:30-9:00pm Lifelong

Can Politics as Usual Protect Our Constitutional Heritage?

Marty Luster, former representative of the 125th Assembly District between 1989-2002, will review the major anti-terror legislation (e.g., Patriot Act, Military Commission Act) that has impacted a wide range of our constitutional and humanist values. From our basics freedom of speech and protection from intrusive search and seizures to justifying the use of torture and detainee abuse and authorizing indefinite detention without trail, Luster will demonstrate how these laws affect both our view of ourselves as a just people as well as our ability to portray ourselves as the world’s leading force for democratic principles.

Luster will lead an interactive discussion about how the U.S. can devise a much more targeted approach to protect our interests without sacrificing the liberty we claim to be defending. Drawing upon his experience in state government, Marty will also lead the group in exploring a series of strategic alternatives to oppose and reverse the recent erosion of our constitutional rights.

• Dessert reception to follow.
• Child care provided (please rsvp to reserve a spot for the childcare)
• Don't forget to bring gently used children's books for the BOOK DRIVE
• For more information contact Brian at action@kolhaverim.net or 255-9372 (w)/272-8595(h).

Marty Luster

Luster served as the elected representative of the 125th Assembly District (formerly Tompkins-Tioga Counties) for seven terms (1989-2002). He was the first Democrat elected in this District in 75 years. Among his principal interests in the legislature were education, mental health, libraries, energy, real property taxation, and the environment. Prior to his election, he was an attorney in private practice who gave freely of his time to represent many public interest groups. He also served on the Boards of the Tompkins County Economic Opportunity Corporation, Alpha House Drug Rehabilitation, and the Cayuga Nature Center. Marty is currently pursuing his interests in photojournalism.