Watch JconnecT Session on the Ingathering of Exiles

View recorded JconnecT sessions with Yecholya, our Chinese guest speaker (second from left, pink sweater), who made aliyah 5 years ago from Kaifeng, China.  View it here!  Password is Jconnect. Click the icon of the video camera in the corner of the screen to see Mrs. Goldstein, and hear Jconnecters Yoni Brande, Jordan Rich (Birmingham, AL) and Ariel Schwarzer (NJ).  (PLEASE NOTE: In an actual JconnecT session all participants can see live video of each other.  In the recording, however, only the video of the presenter is visible.)

In the beginning of the lesson, Mrs. Goldstein introduces natural vs. miraculous redemption of Kibbutz Galuyot, the gathering of the exiles, to Israel.  The interview with Yecholya begins at 27:12. Too Funny: Yoni's sister, Sara, came to the camera to practice her Chinese online with Yecholya, as she studies it in school. Yecholya gave her a thumbs up!

Virtually  'meet' Michael Freund, Chairman of the Shavei Israel Organization, who assists Jews from far flung regions of the world to rediscover their Jewish roots and often make the move to Israel. Their stories are moving and inspiring. As Freund states, "instead of us strengthening them, it is they who strengthen us."

Have a look at the Chinese and Indian communities in Israel. 

Inaugural Shabbaton a BIG Success!

Although we would have liked to have had more of the 18 current Jconnecters join us for last week's inaguaral JconnecT shabbaton in Memphis, those who came had a blast.  From the filming of our Jconnect promo video on Friday afternoon to the lively zemirot with our the Memphis Middle and High School students on Friday night, and from Mrs. Goldstein's special class for teens on shabbat afternoon to the overtime Grizzlies-Celtics game on Saturday night, a great time was had by all.

We plan on getting everyone together for another memorable weekend in the Spring.  If it's anything like this past shabbat, it's not something you'll want to miss!  Details will be forthcoming in the coming weeks.

 

Shabbaton Schedule

The schedule for our upcoming shabbaton is set!  Click here to get all the details.  Make sure you notice the Saturday night activity: Grizzlies vs. Celtics at the FedEx Forum!

Shabbaton Sign Up

Join your fellow Jconnecters from across the country for a fun-filled weekend in Memphis November 12-14. The program begins at 2:00pm on Friday at the Margolin Hebrew Academy.

All costs (other than transportation to and from Memphis) will be covered. All you need to do is sign up below!

JconnecT is Live!

JconnecT had its official launch on Sunday with students from Kansas City and Birmingham joining teachers from Israel in stimulating sessions about Judaism, Jewish texts, and the Jewish world.  Additional students from Nashville and New Jersey will be joining this coming week as the program shifts into high gear.

If you know someone interested in joining, it's not too late!  Just encourage them to fill out the form below and we'll take care of the rest.

Gemar Chatimah Tova!

Shabbaton Update

In order to accommodate the wave of new students just now joining our program we've decided to delay the first JconnecT shabbaton.  Instead of Labor Day weekend, we are now looking at a shabbat in November.  Please stay tuned as we hope to finalize the date shortly.

New Program Options

Due to a flurry of interest in our program from various parts of the country, we have slightly altered our course offerings to meet a diverse set of student needs. The program options now are as follows: (Please note the start date for each course)

Day of program	Time CDT	Subject	Grades	Starting date	Cost
Sunday Morning	10:00-10:50	Talmudic Lessons for Today, Introductory Level	7-9	Sept. 19, 2010	$800
Sunday Morning	11:30-12:20	Talmudic Lessons for Today, Intermediate Level	7-9	Sept. 19, 2010	$800
Sunday Morning	10:00-10:50	Parshat Hashavua	8-10	Sept. 12, 2010	$800
Sunday Morning	11:00-11:50	Contemporary Jewish Issues	8-10	Sept. 12, 2010	$800

Pre-recorded Sessions	Subject	Post Date	Grades	Starting Date	Cost
At your convenience	Sefer Bamidbar	Every Monday	7-9	October 4, 2010	$500
At your convenience	Mishnah	Every Monday	7-9	October 4, 2010	$500

If you have not yet done so, please register using the form below and submit your payment via the secure PayPal link located on the right hand margin.