There’s a resurgence of Jewish life in Poland and philanthropist Tad Taube is among those supporting its growth. In this episode of Jewish Thought Leaders, Joanne speaks to Tad about his efforts in Poland and, in particular, the evolution of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews which is scheduled to open next year.

Over 65 years post- Holocaust and more than 20 years after the fall of Communism, there’s a resurgence of Jewish life in Poland. In this episode, Poland’sChief Rabbi Michael Schudrich explains what life is like for Jews in Poland today and why it’s important for Jews in the Diaspora to honor our history and see the exciting changes taking place.

In this presentation, bible scholar Dr. Rachel Havrelock compares maps of ancient Israel and the Second Temple period with maps drawn by Western powers in the 19th and early 20th centuries and the evolving map of the State of Israel. Havrelock, author of River Jordon: The Mythology of a Dividing Line is the 2012 Osher Marin JCC Visiting. Scholar.

All democratic countries struggle with the moral challenge of exercising power in a complex world. Since its inception, Israel has been engaged in violent conflict with its neighbors, and has had to deal with the challenges of occupation. Hartman will explore how can Israel respond to these challenges and use its power in a way that is consistent with the highest standards of morality and Jewish values. He will examine how Israel can balance the legitimate right of self-defense with the values of peace and the rights of others. Hartman is president of the Shalom Hartman Institute and founder of some of the most extensive education, training and enrichment programs for scholars, educators and rabbis in Israel and North America.

On our recent OMJCC Jewish cultural journey to Warsaw, Krakow and Berlin, we had the opportunity to visit JCC Krakow and speak with its director, Jonathan Ornstein. A transplanted New Yorker who had made Aliyah, Ornstein moved to Krakow and found his calling. Providing a meeting place for the older Jewish community and a central address for young people newly discovering their Jewish roots is both a challenge and a privilege. Ironically enough, the JCC was built with initial funding from Prince Charles of Wales.

Co-author of The Jew Within, Steven M. Cohen has a lot to say about shifting Jewish identity. While shared priorities -- protecting Israel, fighting anti-semitism, and preventing inter-marriage – were what strengthened the Jewish community in previous generations, today’s younger American Jews are searching for meaningful Jewish experiences. What that means and how it plays out is the topic of this talk by Cohen, Research Professor of Jewish Social Policy at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and Director of the Berman Jewish Policy Archive at NYU Wagner.

A panel discussion on Anti-Semitism Today and Jewish Community

Responses featuring Profesor Marc Dollinger, of San Francisco State University, Nina

Grotch of the Anti-Defamation League and Rabbi Doug Kahn, of the Jewish Community

Relations Council

Nearly 200 people attended a conference on Anti-Semitism at the Osher Marin JCC on May 15, 2011 to explore anti-Semitism in a series of workshops, a panel discussion and a keynote presentation by Leon Wieseltier, literary editor of The New Republic since 1983. Wiseltier is a writer and cultural critic, a nationally renowned public intellectual and author of several books including Kaddish and Against Identity. His talk is on How to Understand (and Not to Understand) Anti-Semitism.

Author/educator Erica Brown explores the guilt and shame provoked in the Jewish community by reports of Jews committing crimes.

If the first phase of Jewish history was biblical, and the second phase rabbinic, Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg believes that we’re now in the third phase – post Holocaust and the modern state of Israel – where G-d is more hidden and the role of the Jewish people is to truly be a light unto the nations. In this talk he sets this viewpoint in context of all that has taken place and inspires us to behave in acknowledgement that we are all created in G-d’s image.