NBC's David Gregory to 'Explore Jewish' on Sunday
From a parts of speech perspective, one doesn’t normally “explore Jewish.” You explore Judaism. You can explore Jewish activities. But as a word, “Jewish” is an adjective (she is Jewish / a Jewish wedding). Using the word otherwise—as a noun—is what many Israelis I know do. “Moses led the Jewish out of Egypt.” Coming from them, it sounds sort of cute. For Americans, it doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. It’s like saying you’re exploring Christian or exploring Muslim. It’s like a scientist exploring biological instead of biology.
Yet on Sunday, "Exploring Jewish Together” is exactly what’s on the agenda for David Gregory and the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning. Routes, billed as a community-wide day of learning, presents an eclectic lineup of sessions on all things Jewish, regardless what iteration of the J word you choose to use.
If you’re one to Meet the Press with Gregory on Sunday morning, you may love getting to "Meet the Text" with him on Sunday afternoon. The NBC News heavyweight engages in regular Jewish text study and will be leading such a discussion. If it’s current events you seek, David Makovsky (featured expert at just about every Jewish themed conference I've ever been to) will "Analyze Middle East Challenges Facing the Obama Administration." Expect to be scared stiff by his predictions on the immediacy of a nuclear Iran. But then breathe easy with a Jewish meditation session, and take the edge off by "Getting to Know the Wines of Israel."
Okay, so you’ve had kosher wine before. But have you talked about sex in a Jewish context? I mean besides joking about whether Hasidim really use a sheet with a hole cut out. For you, there is "Jewish Teachings on Sex and Psychology’s Teachings on Sex." It’s enough to make your bubbe blush. We’re not sure how she would feel about the "Rabbi’s Panel on Interfaith Relationships," either. So just tell her you were at "Bagel and Challah Baking" and learning the art of "Making Jewish Marriage Work." With 60 sessions over seven one-hour time slots, there’s enough to satisfy just about anyone’s interests and sensibilities.
Routes: Exploring Jewish Together takes place at the Marvin Center on GW’s Campus, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $36 until Friday, but $40 at the door, with several discounts available. Groups of four or more get a reduced rate $25 a person.
Jewish Networkingpocalypse
It seems to be the time for exploring Jewish networking. This evening’s ParnasaFest—or livelihood fest—is being held in “reaction to the news of mass layoffs in the Jewish non-profit world.” Hiring managers, good leads, and kind words are all said to be welcome. Monday evening’s Building Bridges: A Networking Mixer for Young Professionals at the DCJCC looks to serve the same purpose. And those 60 sessions at Routes? Yeah, Speednetworking is 4-5 p.m. Bring your business cards!