TAPESTRY REIMAGINED: AN EXPERIENTIAL DAY OF JEWISH LEARNING

Saturday & Sunday, November 12-13, 2022 

We can’t wait to welcome you to this year’s Tapestry Reimagined: An Experiential Day of Jewish Learning. For this year’s program, we chose to focus on a new model based on experiential learning, offering a series of workshop-based classes from comedy to meditation to arts & crafts, still with some of the traditional educational sessions you’ve come to love. The weekend kicks off on Saturday night with Community Havdalah, leading into keynote speaker Zack Bodner, author of Why Do Jewish? A Manifesto for 21st Century Jewish Peoplehood, setting the tone for a Sunday full of exciting, interactive, and engaging learning.

Check out our session and speaker line-up below and start building your schedule!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
5:45 P.M. ………………………………..Check-in and reception
6:30 P.M. ………………………………..Havdalah
6:40 P.M. ………………………………..Keynote Speaker presentation with Zack Bodner
7:40 P.M. ………………………………..Community Havdalah Dinner (additional price)

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13

10:00 A.M. ………………………………Check-in and light refreshments
11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. …………...Session #1 Select one class to attend
12:10 - 1:10 P.M.. …………………….Session #2 Select one class to attend
1:15 P.M. …………………………………Closing reception

Tapestry Reimagined:
Price: $36 | JCC Members: $30
Ticket includes admission to Saturday evening’s Reception, Havdalah, the Keynote Speaker presentation and Sunday’s program

Community Havdalah Dinner:
Price: $40 | JCC Members: $32

Tapestry staff reserves the right to close or cancel a class depending on attendance. For more information, contact Lauren Luedtke at laurenl@lfjcc.org or (858) 362-1150.


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

6:40 P.M. | KEYNOTE SPEAKER PRESENTATION WITH ZACK BODNER: Doing Jewish and the Meaning of Life
Have you ever wondered how to live a more meaningful life? Have you ever wondered what is the meaning of life? Well, we have! And if you’re like us, you’ll want to join Zack Bodner, author of the book Why Do Jewish? A Manifesto for 21st Century Jewish Peoplehood and CEO of the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto, as he leads us in a conversation and workshop to help us answer the questions WHY, WHAT and HOW to do Jewish in the 21st century.

7:30 P.M. | COMMUNITY HAVDALAH DINNER
After our Keynote Speaker presentation with Zack Bodner concludes, join us for a delicious Community Havdalah Dinner featuring dishes from some of our favorite cookbook authors who will be presented as part of this season's Our Shabbat Tables. Let's welcome the end of Shabbat together with good food and good company!
There is an additional cost to attend this dinner and is not included in the Tapestry ticket price. Click below to register for dinner.



SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13

11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. SESSION #1 SELECT ONE CLASS TO ATTEND

1A. Israeli Jewelry Art Workshop | Rachel Eshkol* - CLASS FULL
Rachel Eshkol, a Jewelry artist from Israel, will be sharing her Jewelry-making expertise during this session, giving students an inside look at her process. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to walk away with their very own piece of Jewelry. Rachel will also be presenting her pop-up jewelry exhibit in the Gotthelf art gallery prior to and during Tapestry. Space is limited - don’t wait to register!

1B. Supporting Self & Others Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually: Experiencing the Multi-Dimensions of “Somaych Noflim" | Rabbi Susan Freeman
Somaych Noflim literally means “supporting [or lifting] the falling.” The words from Psalm 145 appear in the “Ashrei” prayer, part of Judaism’s daily liturgy. In this session---utilizing text study, contemplation, and embodied practices--- we take creative liberties with the meaning, experience, and significance of support, exploring its many dimensions with our bodies, interpersonally, and in relation to our notions of Transcendence.  This session will invite participants to engage in some physical movement, with adaptations offered to those who need to remain seated.

1C. The Future of the San Diego Jewish Community | Heidi GantwerkDarren Schwartz, & Beth Sirull*
In the spring of 2023, the San Diego Jewish community will receive the results of our community’s first demographic study since 2003. This information will help us understand who our community is and what we need to do to build for a vibrant Jewish future. Come hear about the types of things we’re hoping to learn and share what you think are the most pressing issues for our community.

This session will be an interactive conversation with Jewish Federation’s President & CEO and Chief Planning and Strategy Officer as well as the President & CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation. In order to fully participate in this session please bring a smartphone, tablet, or laptop as we will be seeking your feedback in real-time.

The Blueprint for the Future: San Diego Jewish demographics study is conducted in partnership between Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Foundation, Jewish Family Service, Leichtag Foundation, and the Lawrence Family JCC, JACOBS Family Campus.

1D. Jewish Humor: Exploring the History of the Joke | Samantha Goldstein*
This session will explore a multimedia overview of Jewish humor in American culture while acknowledging the impossibility of a definitive or all-inclusive study.  Through examining jokes (separately and in routines), fiction, poetry, memoir, autobiography, TV, radio, film, and more, we will attempt to articulate how Jewish humor has become embedded in what we think of as American humor.

While we don’t need to extract pleasure from this material by trying to pinpoint exactly why we might laugh, we will try to be aware of the historical and cultural context for the jokes, recurrent issues of gender and class, and the themes that emerge. As a group, we’ll watch and discuss some video clips, read and discuss some jokes together, and share personal experiences with this long and varied part of history. 

1E. Telling Your Story: A Jewish Non-Fiction Workshop | Donald Harrison* - CLASS CLOSED
Do you have a short Jewish story that you would like to share with a class?  Bring it in and read it to a session taught by local journalist and author Donald H. Harrison, who recently published his three-volume Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5.  Known to many of us as a writer and editor for Jewish publications in San Diego since 1985, Don will share tips on how to find Jewish stories wherever you travel.

1F. Jewish Mindfulness for Post-Pandemic Time | Dr. Oded Shezifi*
In this experiential workshop led by clinical psychologist and meditation and mindfulness expert Dr. Oded Shezifi we will explore simple, conscious breathing and meditative techniques. We will relate them to the Jewish tradition and to ancient biblical and Talmudic texts. Utilizing these techniques on a regular basis can bring us equanimity, feelings of renewal, self-compassion, and inner peace. Bringing peace to our own minds may also have a slow impact on the minds of the people who surround us. No experience in meditation is necessary.

1G. Water Colors Workshop | Sharon Hinckley* - CLASS CLOSED
Join us for this watercolors workshop with local artist Sharon Hinckley as she leads students through a template, after which they will have their own beautiful piece of art for their home. 

1H. JFEST’s BESTS! | Todd Salovey + Panelists
For 29 years the Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival has dazzled audiences with music, dance, theatre and fine arts that inspire and delight.  Founding Artistic Director Todd Salovey shares his favorite JFEST moments with live in person performances by fiddler Yale Strom, virtuoso actresses Rosina Reynolds & Rebecca Myers and more highlight surprises.

12:10-1:10 P.M. SESSION #2 SELECT ONE CLASS TO ATTEND

2A. Israeli Jewelry Art Workshop | Rachel Eshkol*
Rachel Eshkol, a Jewelry artist from Israel, will be sharing her Jewelry-making expertise during this session, giving students an inside look at her process. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to walk away with their very own piece of Jewelry. Rachel will also be presenting her pop-up jewelry exhibit in the Gotthelf art gallery prior to and during Tapestry. Space is limited - don’t wait to register!

2B. America/Israel: A Partnership of People | Miri Ketayi & Doron Malka
The US-Israel friendship, partnership, and commitment are reflected in countless collaborative projects and innovative initiatives. And, while we are exposed almost daily to defense, economic, and foreign affairs projects and initiatives, we know very little about the myriad of incredible collaborations between the nations in the areas of culture, innovation, social interaction, and common-bond community building. In this special session, Miri Ketayi, Director of Israel & Global Communities of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, will shed a light on ongoing fascinating cultural, economic, and community collaborations and partnerships between San Diego-based organizations and their counterparts in Israel. Miri will be interviewed by Dr. Doron Malka, an LFJCC board member with an audience Q&A session to follow.  

2C. The Future of the San Diego Jewish Community | Heidi GantwerkDarren Schwartz & Beth Sirull* - CLASS CLOSED
In the spring of 2023, the San Diego Jewish community will receive the results of our community’s first demographic study since 2003. This information will help us understand who our community is and what we need to do to build a vibrant Jewish future. Come hear about the types of things we’re hoping to learn and share what you think are the most pressing issues for our community.

2D. Jewish Humor: Exploring the History of the Joke | Samantha Goldstein*
This session will explore a multimedia overview of Jewish humor in American culture while acknowledging the impossibility of a definitive or all-inclusive study.  Through examining jokes (separately and in routines), fiction, poetry, memoir, autobiography, TV, radio, film, and more, we will attempt to articulate how Jewish humor has become embedded in what we think of as American humor.

While we don’t need to extract pleasure from this material by trying to pinpoint exactly why we might laugh, we will try to be aware of the historical and cultural context for the jokes, recurrent issues of gender and class, and the themes that emerge. As a group, we’ll watch and discuss some video clips, read and discuss some jokes together, and share personal experiences with this long and varied part of history. 

2E. Telling Your Story: A Jewish Non-Fiction Workshop | Donald Harrison*
Do you have a short Jewish story that you would like to share with a class?  Bring it in and read it to a session taught by local journalist and author Donald H. Harrison, who recently published his three-volume Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5.  Known to many of us as a writer and editor for Jewish publications in San Diego since 1985, Don will share tips on how to find Jewish stories wherever you travel.

2F. Jewish Mindfulness for Post-Pandemic Time | Dr. Oded Shezifi*
In this experiential workshop led by clinical psychologist and meditation and mindfulness expert Dr. Oded Shezifi we will explore simple, conscious breathing and meditative techniques. We will relate them to the Jewish tradition and to ancient biblical and Talmudic texts. Utilizing these techniques on a regular basis can bring us equanimity, feelings of renewal, self-compassion, and inner peace. Bringing peace to our own minds may also have a slow impact on the minds of the people who surround us. No experience in meditation is necessary.

2G. Water Colors Workshop | Sharon Hinckley* - BACK ON!
Join us for this watercolors workshop with local artist Sharon Hinckley as she leads students through a template, after which they will have their own beautiful piece of art for their home.

*Sessions available in both the first and second hour

 


Shabbat San Diego returns with an important mission for our San Diego community: to celebrate one Shabbat together. This year's celebration kicks off with a community-wide challah bake at different San Diego sites, leading into Shabbat meals and a Unity Havdalah Celebration. The theme of this year's program encourages the San Diego Jewish community to participate in a unique, international Jewish identity event that inspires all Jews to experience Shabbat together.