Dr. Rebecca Cypess, most recently Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Mason GrossSchool of the Arts and associate professor in the music department at Rutgers University, will speak about coping with antisemitism on college campus on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Ohav Emeth in Highland Park.
Cypess became the Mordecai D. Katz and Dr. Monique C. Katz Dean of the Undergraduate Faculty of Arts and Science at Yeshiva University in Manhattan on July 1. She was a longtime staff member at Rutgers, where Cypess was founding co-chair of J-FAS (Rutgers Jewish Faculty, Administrators and Staff), which combats antisemitism and anti-Israel bias on campus. This past academic year Rutgers had been the scene of pro-Palestinian encampments and anti-Israel protests, which have included antisemitic threats and incidents against Jewish students.
The disturbing rise in antisemitism at Rutgers and elsewhere in higher education led Cypess to begin publishing and speaking widely on the purposes of academia and how it can be reclaimed as a site of reason and understanding. Her work on these issues has appeared in Tablet, Inside Higher Ed, and other nationally recognized venues.
There is no admission charge, but attendees are asked to contribute to the Rabbi’s Tzedakah Fund. For information, contact the synagogue at (732) 247-3038.
Come make a beautiful piece of jewelry that shows your support for Israel and Jewish pride on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. when the Women’s Circle of the Chabad Jewish Center in Monroe hosts jewelry artist Shifra Kessel. Those attending will create a resin pendant incorporating a Star of David and flowers to wear in the face of anti-Israel sentiment as Israel fights its war against Hamas. The Israel-born Kessel, who is of Iraqi ancestry, creates a wide range of jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets and pins, using beads, macrame and other materials as well as designs mezuzahs. She is also an educator working as a teacher’s aide at the Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth.
The cost is $36. To RSVP or for more information, call (609) 610-8264 or contact Chanie Zaklikovsky at chanie@chabadmonroe.org.
The Chabad of the Shore in Long Branch will hold its Hand In Hand summer camp program for special needs youngsters. Aug. 19-23 from 9:45 a.m.-3 p.m. The camp involves children in a full range of Jewish and social experiences while providing an exciting growth opportunity for its teenage volunteers by training them to become friends and mentors to the campers. By giving special needs children friendship, acceptance, and participation in socially bonding activities, the volunteers give them the opportunity to be part of their community in a more enlivening and inclusive way.
Hand in Hand’s unique approach offers unconditional friendship rather than the goal-oriented therapeutic care offered by many organization helping those with special needs. This reaches children in a way that professionals, and even family members, have not.
Cost is $200 and scholarships are available. Application at chabadshore.com/camp or by calling (732) 229-2424 or yaakov@hhnj.org.
Learn about the Secret Jews of Majorca at the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County in Edison on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 1:30 p.m. The Spanish island had been home to Jews for centuries who were involved in its maritime trade and as craftsmen. However, papal decrees and riots forcing Jews to convert to Christianity—they became known as conversos–began in the 13th century. Officially in the Spanish Inquisition took hold in Majorca in 1488, resulting in hundreds of Jews being burned in the stake and others being forcibly converted. The converted Jews lived in separate quarters and all social and public advancement were denied to them for many years. They formed a closed society where most secretly observed Jewish rites, for which they were often brought to trial. Today about 100 Jews live on Majorca and there is a synagogue, a Jewish museum and resident rabbi.
Although the program is virtual, attendance is in-person. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, cost to attend is $8 for JCC members and $11 for others. Advance registration is required at https://jccmc.org/jewsofmajorca or by calling the front desk at (732) 494-3232. For information, contact JCC Adult Enrichment and Engagement Manager Eliana Druce at (732) 593-5959 or edruce@jccmc.org.
