Culture, Global, Identity, Justice, Politics, Religion

Live free or die

After much anticipation, registration is open for the National Havurah Committee‘s 28th Summer Institute!  Download the full brochure and registration form at www.havurah.org .  Register soon for your first choice of classes, and register by April 15 for free cancellation insurance!
The Institute theme is Ve-hayah im shamoa’ tishme’u / If you really listen…”, and the Institute will be August 7-13, 2006, at Franklin Pierce College in the mountains of southern New Hampshire, 90 minutes from Boston.
The National Havurah Committee is a network of diverse individuals and communities dedicated to Jewish living and learning, community building, and tikkun olam (repairing the world).  For nearly 30 years, the NHC has helped Jews across North American envision a joyful grassroots Judaism, and has provided the tools to help people create empowered Jewish lives and communities.  The NHC is nondenominational, multigenerational, egalitarian, and volunteer-run.  The NHC’s flagship program, the week-long Summer Institute, is a unique opportunity for serious study, moving prayer, spirited conversations, late-night jam sessions, singing, dancing, swimming, meditation, and hiking — all in the company of more than 300 people from a wide range of backgrounds.
This year’s courses range from “Men, Women, and Sex in the Talmud” to “Prayer in Judaism and Islam” to “Jewish Conceptions of War Ethics” to “Reading the Talmud as Shakespeare”.  See the full list of courses!  The Institute will also feature special workshops on Friday and Saturday with Ruth Messinger of American Jewish World Service, and community-wide arts programs with our Poretsky Artists-in-Residence, visual artist Kathy Hart and dancer Andrea Hodos.  Every day there is a wide range of traditional and creative prayer options.  The NHC is based on the idea that every teacher is a student and every student is a teacher, so in addition to the full-week courses, any participant can offer a workshop on any topic.
“This sounds great,” you’re saying, “but I’m in my 20s to mid-30s and I can’t afford to go away for a whole week!”  Have no fear!  The Everett Fellows Program provides scholarships to a limited number of first-time Institute participants in their 20s to mid-30s, so you can go for less than $18 a day!  The Everett application information is on page 3 of the brochure (pdf).  Apply soon:  the Everett application deadline is May 1, less than a month away!
“This sounds great,” you’re saying, “but I can’t take that much time off work!”  Again, have no fear.  All are welcome to join the Institute community for a rocking and restful Shabbat.  (However, be aware that the Everett Fellowship is only available to people who are coming for the whole week.)
“This sounds great,” you’re saying, “but I have children, and I can’t afford to bring all of them!”  Yet again, have no fear.  The Albin Family Foundation is providing a generous subsidy to make it possible for families to attend the Institute.  The young ones can participate in the NHC  Children’s Camp during the day.
Full disclosure:  I’m co-chairing this year’s Institute planning committee.  And I’m hoping that the Jewschool community will be well-represented there, to continue these online discussions in person, and to work together to catalyze all the independent Jewish projects that we’re working on.  Register now!

7 thoughts on “Live free or die

  1. I would love to go… but the price is prohibitive. It seems odd that the “post-college” crowd can apply for funding while those of us in school cannot. And if it comes to putting my meager summer pay cheques towards tuition or what would be a rockin’ Institute… Well, sadly, the former wins.

  2. Feygele, are you who I think you are? If so, then you’re totally eligible for the Everett Fellows. It’s for post-“college age” (defined vaguely), regardless of whether one is currently enrolled as a student. (And just in the way of explanation, I think the Everett Foundation chose to target the grant the way they did is because there were already a lot of Jewish opportunities available for the 18-22 set, but not as many for the next demographic up. Now there are more things going on for that age group, many of which have been catalyzed by the Everett program.)
    And if you’re not who I think you are (or for anyone else out there), there are other opportunities for work-study and financial aid. No one should be kept away from the Institute for financial reasons. Email [email protected] to work something out. I hope to see you this summer!

  3. Yup, BZ, I am who you think I am… Thanks for clarifying it for me (and whoever else reads these comments).

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