Monday, January 31, 2011

Jewish Radio Online - Tuesday morning with Josh Broide

A morning show that will look at current events in a fun and entertaining way. It's Tuesday and Josh has a big meeting scheduled with the Federation of Greater Miami and is then Scheduled to fly to New York to receive an award at the National Jewish Outreach Programs (NJOP) Annual Dinner. There is so much to talk about and you will get a chance to see behind the scenes. already one flight has been cancelled because of the snow storm that's expected in New York.
Go to www.blogtalkradio.com/broide to join the newest Jewish online radio program called Jewish Pride from 6:00 - 6:30am.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Jewish Radio with Josh Broide - Live on www.JewishPrideRadio.com

Rabbi Josh Broide
Host of Jewish Pride Radio
Known for his enthusiastic outlook, energetic character, and engaging personality, Rabbi Josh Broide has attracted thousands of listeners throughout the United States with his Jewish Pride radio show. Josh Broide offers his unique take on the day's topics with comedy and satire and has built a place where people can come to find and discover Jewish Pride. The daily 30-minute talk show also features Broide taking listener calls, as well as interviewing high-profile special guests. His mission is to help people find meaningful avenues to connect with Judaism by linking Jewish people to their passions, their communities, and the world. The live radio program is heard each morning on the Internet on www.JewishPrideRadio.com and www.blogtalkradio.com/broide. Archived shows can be found on podcast on iTunes, just click http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/josh-broide-blog-talk-radio/id418939698. Finally an exciting, relevant and inspirational Jewish radio program that will make you feel proud to be Jewish.

People have asked why radio and why now. Well first of all among my many dreams I have always wanted to be on radio and now the technology that's out there has finally allowed that dream to turn into a reality. I also also hope that this program will show the positive side of Judaism, the side that often doesn't make the headlines. My goal is simple unite the Jewish people and radio is just another vehicle I am using.

I hope you enjoy the new sound of Jewish radio and please help spread the word.
Also for even more Jewish Pride visit www.JewishPrideFilms.com.

Friday, January 28, 2011

The NJOP Dinner at the New York Hilton

The National Jewish Outreach Program is justifiably proud of the profound impact it has had on the lives of an unusually large and diverse group of people. This diversity is reflected in the honorees who will be featured at NJOP's upcoming 17th Annual Dinner, which will take place on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at the New York Hilton. This year's Guests of Honor will be the world renowned artists, Beryl Korot and Steve Reich. Beryl and Steve were not only founding members of Rabbi Buchwald's Beginners Service at Lincoln Square Synagogue, but actually helped create the service itself—and thereby deserve much credit in the very formation of NJOP. Beryl Korot is a pioneer in the field of video-art. Steve Reich is a world renowned composer. Both are proud Jews who take their Judaism seriously. Without question, Beryl and Steve are role models for many young Jews who are passionate about both Judaism and art.

This year's Carl &Sylvia Freyer Young Leadership Award will be presented to Shaina and Ari Moses. In 2006, at the outset of NJOP's Young Leadership Board initiative, Ari immediately stepped forward. Eager to excite young Jews about their heritage, Ari became a regular at NJOP events and even sponsored an edition of NJOP's renowned Hebrew primer, Reishith Binah, in memory of his father, Irwin S. Moses. Since their marriage, in July 2009, the Moseses have established themselves as a devoted NJOP team, chairing the Young Leadership Ping Pong and Perrier event at Spin NY. They have also set new standards for hospitality, hosting hundreds of seeking Upper West Side Jews at their elegant Shabbat table.

This year's Leslie Nelkin Special Service Award will be shared by two very successful outreach practitioners from Southern Florida, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Josh Broide. These two outreach powerhouses, who are active in the Boca Raton area, work effectively together and have the results to prove it. Rabbi Goldberg is the rabbi of Boca Raton Synagogue, which offers many of NJOP's programs and works in tandem with Rabbi Broide's Boca Raton Jewish Experience (BRJE). BRJE offers the entire line of NJOP programs. By utilizing NJOP's free programming, Rabbis Goldberg and Broide have been able to maximize their own programs' impact on their local Jewish community. Not only are the materials inspirational and educational, but by utilizing NJOP’s ready-made programs, the rabbis are able to more fully focus on furthering their relationships with the members of their community.

In addition to highlighting the many Jewish lives that have been touched by the National Jewish Outreach Program, the 17th Annual NJOP Dinner will also honor the memory of a man who, since NJOP’s infancy, did much to help it achieve what it has thus far accomplished. Carl Freyer passed away on September 21, 2010. He and his wife, NJOP Board Member Sylvia Freyer, have been extraordinarily generous and enthusiastic friends of NJOP for many years. This year, the Dinner will include a memorial to this great man whom NJOP and the Jewish people will profoundly miss.

So, mark your calendars and air out the tux...join us on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, as we celebrate the many ways in which the National Jewish Outreach Program is working to assure that the Jewish community in North America, and Jewish communities throughout the world, will continue to grow and flourish.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

TJJ - The Jerusalem Journey with JSU South Florida

Join Josh Broide - Director of JSU South Florida and hundreds of teenagers from around the country for an incredible 4 week Israel summer experience from July 3 - July 31, 2011, WAS $6,000 NOW $2,499!!

Join the Jewish Student Union (JSU) this summer on The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ), an incredible opportunity for public school teens to explore all of the exciting sites that Israel has to offer. During the four weeks of the program, you will travel from the Golan Heights to the shores of Eilat and everywhere in between. Swim in the Kineret, visit archeological digs, participate on incredible hikes, experience a magical Shabbat in Tzfat, visit the Kotel (the Western Wall) and float in the Dead Sea. You’ll see history come alive while learning about your Jewish heritage. Come and see how Jewish society in Israel has evolved from the time of David, Solomon and the Temple to Herzl, Ben-Gurion and the Knesset. Come and experience The Jerusalem Journey for yourself. TJJ (The Jerusalem Journey) is an incredible opportunity for public school teens to explore all of the exciting sites that Israel has to offer.

Open to students that are currently in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade. To see the video promo, please visit www.youtube.com/JSUsouthflorida. For more information please contact Josh Broide (561) 702-3864 or email JoshB@jsu.org or visit http://www.jsusummer.com/.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Jewish Radio has a new voice

At least I think it has... and I have had a great time each time I broadcast a new show. Everybody has a dream (I usually have new ones everyday) but this is one of those things that I have always wanted to do. However, there were always a number of obstacles:

First - I have no budget or sponsor to have a start up Jewish radio program.

Second - How could I broadcast beyond my local neighborhood?

Third – What time could I broadcast the show? I have so many other commitments; there is no way to get on the air with any set/regular schedule.

Well thanks to technology; the time couldn’t be any better. I found a new affordable broadcast platform and I found a time that doesn’t conflict with anything other than my sleep, at 6:00am.

The show is archived after each broadcast so anyone can hear and enjoy it all over the world, as long you understand English. I have so many exciting ideas for interviews, bits, contest and fun commentary. I know that I enjoy it and hope you will too. This is anything but your classic Jewish radio…. Tune in and you be the judge.

Just click on www.BlogTalkRadio.com/broide and the show is called Jewish Pride.

Josh

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Free Jewish Classes at the Boca Raton Jewish Experience

For Beginners of All Ages:
The Boca Raton Jewish Experience (http://www.myjewishexperience.org/) recognizes that everyone leads extremely busy lives. We also know that there are some important subjects that you would love to learn but don’t have the time to invest. That’s why we teamed up with the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP) a pioneer and leader in Jewish education. This year, Boca Raton Jewish Experience is offering the signature Crash Courses that will enable you to understand the basics of Judaism, Jewish history, and how to read Hebrew. All classes are taught by outstanding, energetic and enthusiastic staff in five easy lessons and are free with advance registration. More at http://www.njop.org/

MONDAY
Crash Course in Hebrew Reading - Part 1
Part 1/5 Monday, February 7, 2011 8:00 pm
Part 2/5 Monday, February 14, 2011 8:00 pm
Part 3/5 Monday, February 21, 2011 8:00 pm
Part 4/5 Monday, February 28, 2011 8:00 pm
Part 5/5 Monday, March 7, 2011 8:00 pm

TUESDAY
Crash Course in Basic Judaism
Part 1/5 Tuesday, February 8, 2011 8:00 pm (Belief in God)
Part 2/5 Tuesday, February 15, 2011 8:00 pm (Prayer)
Part 3/5 Tuesday, February 22, 2011 8:00 pm (The Sabbath)
Part 4/5 Tuesday, March 1, 2011 8:00 pm (Jewish Observance)
Part 5/5 Tuesday, March 8, 2011 8:00 pm (Sexuality)

WEDNESDAY
Crash Course in Jewish History
Part 1/5 Tuesday, February 9, 2011 8:00 pm (Biblical Times)
Part 2/5 Tuesday, February 16, 2011 8:00 pm (Kingdom to Exile and Diaspora)
Part 3/5 Tuesday, February 23, 2011 8:00 pm (Jewish Epicenter Moves West)
Part 4/5 Tuesday, March 2, 2011 8:00 pm (Enlightenment to World War I)
Part 5/5 Tuesday, March 9, 2011 8:00 pm (Holocaust & Renewal)

THURSDAY
Crash Course in Hebrew Reading - Part 2
Part 1/5 Thursday, February 10, 2011 8:00 pm
Part 2/5 Thursday, February 17, 2011 8:00 pm
Part 3/5 Thursday, February 24, 2011 8:00 pm
Part 4/5 Thursday, March 3, 2011 8:00 pm
Part 5/5 Thursday, March 10, 2011, 8:00 pm

To sign up for any of the classes please contact Erika at Boca Raton Synagogue (561) 394-0394

Join Josh Broide on the all new daily Jewish radio program airing this Monday morning at 6:00am, just click on www.blogtalkradio.com/broide. Hear a special program about JSU South Florida - (Jewish Student Union) and a bunch of fun stuff and a look at current events.

Monday, January 24, 2011

March of the Living student's hear from a true hero

Tonight the teenagers who are going with me on the March of the Living got to hear from a real hero, my dear friend, Norman Frajman. I have had the good fortune to go to Poland with Norman twice and each time he taught me things that I will never forget. Please read Norman’s story.
Josh Broide

'After the liquidation of the Ghetto, together with my mother, sister and other members of my family I was deported to the extermination camp of Majdanek. We had no idea where we were being taken, we thought that we are being resettled to a better place with better conditions.'

Norman Frajman was born in 1929 in Warsaw. ‘My mother and her brothers and sisters attended the ORT school after going to regular schools. My grandmother insisted that all of her children learn a trade. She was very smart, we came from a well to do family and she foresaw the necessity that the offsprings should be prepared for life’- he recalled.

Norman Frajman was from an observant family and attended private, mostly Jewish school. However, his schooling ended when he was not even ten years old as in September 1939 the German troops entered Warsaw. In November 1940 the whole family was locked in the Warsaw ghetto- the largest ghetto in Europe, where over 400,000 Polish Jews were crowded in inhumane conditions. Tens of thousands of them died while still in the ghetto, of hunger and various diseases. After enduring the horrors of life in the ghetto, Norman Frajman’s family, like many others was deported to a death camp in Majdanek. 'After the liquidation of the Ghetto, together with my mother, sister and other members of my family I was deported to the extermination camp of Majdanek. We had no idea where we were being taken, we thought that we are being resettled to a better place with better conditions.'- he recalled. His mother and sisters were murdered and he, at the age of twelve, was sent alone to further camps in Skarzysko, Buchenwald and Schlieben. When he was liberated by the Russian Army during the death march in Germany on 8 May 1945, he was still only fifteen years old. After liberation Norman Frajman worked for a year as an interpreter from Russian to German. He then went to Berlin to the Schlachtensee DP camp followed by Bamberg in Bavaria, Neu Freimann and finally the Children's Emigration Centres in Landshut and Prien. In Prien he joined ORT course in photography. Soon after, he found an uncle who lived in the United States and in 1948 managed to emigrate. Though he never practiced the trade in a professional way, he remained a keen amateur photographer.’ I still have my graduating certificate which is a little worn to say the least. It certainly has been looked upon favourably by the US consulate making my emigration easier’- recalled Norman Frajman.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Boca Raton JSU Students Learn About Anti-Semitism On College Campuses

Matt Weisbaum (Jerusalem Online University) , Josh Broide and Raphael Shore (Director of Crossing the Line)
Students at the screening

Following the movie, the Director answers questions from the audience
More than a hundred people gathered at Boca Raton Synagogue tonight to watch the community screening of Crossing the Line: The Intifada Comes to Campus, produced by acclaimed filmmaker Raphael Shore and directed by Wayne Kopping, explores the proliferation of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incidents on North American college campuses. In particular, the film explores the rapid growth of such incidents following the launch of Operation Cast Lead by Israel’s military into Gaza in late December 2008 and January 2009. The documentary demonstrates the blurring of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic lines, showing how the War evoked deep anti-Jewish sentiments amongst college students and professors.

The film explores the context of these hostilities, by demonstrating the financial ties between Middle Eastern Studies departments and Arab states; the often biased and Pro-Palestinian education received by students in college classes; and the historical connection between the Muslim Student Association and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Interspersed with accounts from Jewish Students and campus professionals, the film offers a glimpse into the experiences of Jewish college students who are actively involved in the daily struggle of supporting the State of Israel and fighting against biased misinformation both in and out of the classroom.
For more information on the film please click on the following link: http://campusintifada.com/

Co-sponsored by: JSU South Florida, the JCC, Boca Raton Synagogue and the Boca Raton Jewish Experience.

Raphael Shore is a Canadian-Israeli film writer, producer, and Rabbi. He is the founder of The Clarion Fund, a non-profit organization that seeks to advance the idea that the United States faces a threat of radical Islam. Shore wrote and produced the documentary films Relentless: The Struggle for Peace in the Middle East, Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West, and The Third Jihad: Radical Islam's Vision for America, scheduled for release in May 2009. Shore's documentary about radical Islam, Obsession, became a controversial part of the 2008 presidential campaign when he distributed copies of it to 28 million voters in U.S. swing states in an apparent attempt to convince them of the dangers of Islamic terror in the run-up to the election. Shore has declined to reveal who funded both the production of the film or dissemination of the DVDs. Shore is also a regular critic of the media coverage on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, coverage which he alleges is regularly anti-Israel. Shore previously worked for Aish HaTorah, an Orthodox organization devoted to promoting Jewish learning, and has collaborated with its sub-organization, Honest Reporting, a pro-Israel media watchdog site. Raphael Shore is the twin brother of Ephraim Shore, the former head of Honest Reporting. In 2010 Shore released the documentary film, Crossing the Line: The Intifada Comes to Campus.

Friday, January 21, 2011

At Ben Gurion Airport in Israel

Today is Tu B'Shvat, the New Year for the Trees. This is technically the day when trees stop absorbing water from the ground, and instead draw nourishment from their sap. In Jewish law, this means that fruit which has blossomed prior to the 15th of Shvat could not be used as tithe for fruit which blossomed after that date. The custom on Tu B'Shvat is to eat fruits from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised: "...a land of wheat and barley and (grape) vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and (date) honey" (Deut. 8:8). So although the Holiday has just ended here in Israel I want to wish all of you in America a happy Tu B'Shvat.

I am actually writing to you from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and my flight is scheduled to leave around 11:00pm. I just spent the last five days visiting with the staff and students at a program called Year Course. It's a gap year program that's run by Young Judaea for students who have just graduated high school and are about to begin college. As the Director of JSU South Florida I am constantly meeting with teenagers who would really enjoy a program abroad and also receive college credit for the year. Year Course is a fantastic program that has so many tracks and electives so that students can engage in learning about Judaism and also participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities. They actually spend time living in Israeli neighborhoods, where they are responsible for their own cooking and cleaning. It's a real maturing experience and I was very impressed with the program.

I hope that you will be able to join me at Friday Night Live tomorrow night at 6:00pm, where I will share some of my reflections on the Israel experience and you can also tune into the "Jewish Pride" radio show on Monday at 9:00am to hear even more.

Last Shabbat we hosted twenty students from Yeshiva University and Stern College in New York. They attended all of our new Shabbat outreach programs that we have initiated and had a special lunch with twenty of our group's participants. It was a great opportunity for everyone to learn about each other's experiences. I am confident that through meetings like these, the future teachers and Rabbi's will not only NOT be afraid to engage Jews that are different than them, but will make an effort to respect them as well.

Shabbat Shalom and may God bless you.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

JSU South Florida Goes Israel To See Young Judaea’s Year Course – Day 5

(from left to right) Ido Amar (Israel) , Jamie Sistino (Florida), Michael Duke (Texas), Josh Broide (Florida), Dalia Orion Oz (California) & Yael Gavronsky (New York) - The group that got to see Young Judaea's Year Course program and had a great experience.
The final day of this fantastic Young Judaea Israel experience is here and now that it’s Tu B’shvat we spent the morning celebrating the holiday planting trees with Year Course students. As it turns out we all participated in a JNF tree planting program along with dozens of other schools with more than a thousand children from neighboring communities. Most of the children were in elementary school and it was amazing to see their ruach and enthusiasm for the exercise. They were all signing and cheering as they approached the mountain and each of them had the opportunity to plant their own tree. That is something that has been lost in many of the Jewish educational programs outside of Israel. I could just picture and American teacher quieting down their students and making sure that no one stepped out of line. I can’t even describe the children’s excitement for what some American children would have been considered boring and mundane. The children were not concerned about getting their hands dirty while planting; they all had a sense of purpose.

From there we headed to the next program, a hike through the mountains and fields of Israel. But the beauty of the hike is unlike hiking in America or any other part of the world. This hike was in a very significant location. Anyone who is a student of Jewish History and is familiar with the Bible knows the famous story of David and Goliath. Well the students got to walk the trail and see the location where that battle occurred. In Israel everyone can literally see Jewish history comes alive. You are no longer looking at the lesson in a history book or watching a show on the History Channel, but you are walking in our ancestor’s footsteps. The hike ended in the area that has the hidden caves and tunnels that were used during the Bar Kochba revolt during the 2nd century. It’s great to see the teenagers doing an activity such as walking the length and breadth of the land of Israel, but it’s even more impressive when their teachers and tour guides teach them about the significance of a particular place. Some of the students are actually excited to finally see the places that they had often looked at as stories, others who did not have the background and were not familiar with the story, were know interested in learning more about the events that had unfolded.

We then headed back to the main Year Course campus in Jerusalem where we had a final wrap up session with the leadership of the program. This trip really opened my eyes to an incredible experience that I didn’t know much about. Every professional plays such an important role in ensuring the success of Year Course and I know that this is a great choice for the students that I meet in the JSU Clubs in South Florida.

If you would like to hear more about the experience, tune into my radio show at 9:00am Eastern Time in America – just click on the following link www.BlogTalkRadio.com/broide
Inspire yourself to inspire others….

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

JSU South Florida Goes Israel To See Young Judaea’s Year Course – Day 4

Planting tree's on an army base on Tu B'shvat with Young Judaea teenagers
One of the great things that Year Course does is that it takes students on a number of experiences that the average tourist will never be able to do on their own. Some of these programs are not easy to plan and because of their nature could change on a moment’s notice. This morning we traveled to an army base to meet with Year Course students who were participating in a ceremony with border patrol soldiers. Among those that had gathered at the ceremony were families who had lost loved ones in battle. It was good to see the students interacting with the Israeli families at the event and learning about the soldiers that had been lost. Most Jewish American teenagers have no concept of war or what it means to engage an enemy in order to protect your country. When they meet with the soldiers they see that they are human and often the same sage. All of the preconceived notions and misconceptions that they have seen on the news automatically disappear as they see that this is not a brutal army but rather a very human army. An army that is here to protect its citizens and at the same time engages an enemy with compassion and concern.

Since tomorrow is Tu B’shvat we also planted tree’s with the soldiers on the army base. Afterwards they performed a weapons demonstration and also showed us how they use different tactics in a number of different combat scenarios. They even demonstrated how they use different types of camouflage to blend into their environment. There were soldiers stationed on a hill right in front of us and I couldn’t tell a soldier from a rock or a soldier from a bush. One by one they stood up and we were all amazed by the demonstration. Afterwards we met up with Adam Jenshil, the Director of Year course for a lunch in Jerusalem at Burgers Bar. Once again we got to share our experiences with him and its great to know that we are all on the same page.

This afternoon we went to meet with Rabbi Yossela Ote, the Rosh Yeshiva of Shalem, the orthodox component of the Year Course and who also overseas Shevet, a less formal Jewish Educational program that is open to students of all backgrounds. He explained the challenges that he has faced since joining the program, but that he wants to strengthen the formal learning that takes place. He explained that Shalem had evolved over the last decade and there are a lot of misconceptions about the program. As a graduate of Gush, he takes his job very seriously and is only concerned for the students’ physical and spiritual wellbeing. He travels to American Yeshivas to meet with principals to explain that Shalem is the perfect choice for an Orthodox student who cannot sit in a Beit Midrash all day. Shalem allows students to spend four hours engaged in serious learning but then provides ample time and plenty of opportunities to volunteer in the local community.

Finally, we went to two of the students apartments to see how they live in their respective communities and we also attended one of the classes along with the students. Another amazing day with the folks at Year Course! Stay tuned for the final day…



Year Course participants watch the soldiers demonstate their gear.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

JSU South Florida Goes Israel To See Young Judaea’s Year Course – Day 3


Young Judaea students working at an urban farm
After returning to Jerusalem we went to dinner with dinner with the Director of Young Judea Israel, Dan Krakow at the home one of the two mothers who acts as a liaison and ombudsman between the students and the staff. In addition she and another mother, Kami, contact parents with regular program updates and let parents know what their children are up to in the various cities. It was a great opportunity to let the staff know what we had heard from the students that we had met with and also let them know what we had observed. This morning I davened at the shul next to the Great Synagogue and had a great breakfast at the hotel. Right now I’m in the car with my colleagues and we are on the way to Tel Aviv and I continue to learn more about Jewish history from Ido, our personal guide on the trip.
Today we traveled to Bat Yam and met with students who are working on an urban farm, in fact one of the students was a former WYHS student who is currently on their Shalem program. We also spent time visiting the new culinary program in Jaffa and had lunch with one of the program’s coordinators. Finally, we met with a two girls who are volunteering in a school for teenagers that have discipline issues. Most of the students have already been thrown out of a number of schools and have had issues with the police. This is a last attempt to try and prepare them for life in Israel and hopefully get them into the army. They work with the teenagers (who are almost their age) as mentors and help them with their English language development. We just arrived at the hotel in Tel Aviv and we are getting ready for tonight’s main event.

We just returned from a very unique experience, something that I have never ever done before. We went to a restaurant called “Blackout” where the room that you eat in is pitch black. You can’t see your food or drinks, you can’t see the person sitting next to you, and you can’t even see your hand that you are holding right in front of your face. But that’s not even it. The waiters that serve you are blind, that’s right they can’t see anything at all! So you sit in a room that you struggle in, realizing that the person who is serving you lives like this all of the time. You are given a few choices for the meal and dessert or you can order a surprise, which you have no idea what it is that you are eating. We decided to wash before we entered, because how would we know what brocho to make if we couldn’t see the food. To say that I was a little nervous is an understatement, but I must say that after we all finished we were all amazed at the experience. After the dinner we saw a show put on by a cast was both deaf and blind, all I can say is that we were all amazed by the show. I can’t event figure out how they were able to perform in a show that lasted an hour and a half. We just got back to the hotel and it’s almost 11:00 pm.

I am really beginning to understand that JSU South Florida has access to a number of students who would really enjoy Young Judaea’s Year Course.
Stay tuned for Day 4!!!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Pictures from Masada

Eitan Campbell, Director of Masada National Park
Young Judea students working on Masada

JSU South Florida Goes Israel To See Young Judaea’s Year Course – Day 2

Kotel at sunrise this morning
After clearing customs at Ben Gurion Airport I grabbed my carryon luggage and headed for the airport exit. Just at that moment two photographers ran over and started snapping pictures, I thought maybe the new radio show had reached Israel, but of course they weren’t taking pictures of me, there must have been some celebrity standing next to me. I looked over and I didn’t recognize him at all, it must have been some European guy. Anyway I found the driver and met up with the group at a restaurant in Baka. After meeting and getting to know each of the other participants, we headed to the famous Kings Hotel and went to check into the room. I was already confused about the time and I am not even sure if I slept last night, all I know is that I called in a wakeup call for 6:30am and woke up at 4:30am to cancel it. I just couldn’t fall back asleep so I watched the Late show with Jay Leno and decided to go to the Kotel for a Netz Minyan. On the way to the Kotel, I passed the Waldorf Astoria construction site and walked through the outdoor Mamila Mall. The place was empty, because why would anyone be there at 5:30 ib the morning. When I arrived at the Kotel I found a nice mix of people to Daven with outside and at the moment that the sun rose, everyone that was gathered in the dozens of Minyanim were silent. It’s a truly remarkable experience, the only time of the day where everyone that is gathered at the Kotel is literally on the same page!

After breakfast, we departed for Ein Gedi and Masada to meet with students on Year Course that are volunteering at each of these places. As we were driving past the Dead Sea, we received word that there was a change of plans and the students that were supposed to meet us at Ein Gedi wouldn’t be able to, so we headed right to Masada instead. I have been to Masada almost a dozen times but this time was going to be different, because for the first time I had questions about the historical event. Over the past year I have begun to study Jewish History and I was trying to understand the context of the events that occurred, both for the Jews who lived there and also Herod and the Roman Empire. We have a great tour guide and we had a great discussion on the mountain top and everything seemed to fall right into place. We also received VIP treatment while at Masada. First, we had a private meeting with Eitan Campbell, the Director of Masada, the man who is literally the king of the mountain. Besides being a very nice guy and also a good friend of the Struhls from our community in Boca Raton. He took us up to Masada to meet three of the students that are currently working on the mountain on a number of projects. They told us exactly what they were each responsible for and also what makes the experience so meaningful. Next we headed to Bedouin tent, it was actually the same one that we had visited on the the March of the Living this past May. Year Course sent their students to this site to help teach the children in their local schools and also be on hand to assist with chores, such as tending to the animals and building fences. We heard how the students have a new appreciation for what they have in America but also have anew found love for Israel. So much of their lives have been spent with a preoccupation about their lives, but in this environment they are forced to think about others. Finally, we stopped at one of the Year Course apartments where we met with another six students. Year course rents apartments for all of the students and they are given the freedom and responsibility of an adult. They have to clean their apartment, they have to go shopping for food and make arrangements for meals. Another benefit of living in an apartment building is that you have neighbors. Many of the students have befriended their neighbors who have intern invited them over for dinner. This environment certainly forces a teenager to mature at an accelerated rate over their friends in America. The flip side is that this option is not for everyone. I am already beginning to build a composite of who this program would be good for and once again I want to thank Young Judea for letting me come to see their program. We are back in the car and heading back to Jerusalem for dinner.

Stay tuned for Day 3.

JSU South Florida Goes Israel To See Young Judaea’s Year Course

One of JSU’s missions is to expose students in our local public schools to other Jewish programs in America and abroad. There are now many different organizations that run programs all over the world, but nothing can compare to a trip to Israel. In addition to great summer programs, like The Jerusalem Journey, there are some great gap year programs for students that have just graduated from high school. Taking the opportunity to experience life in Israel before staring college is a transformative experience and will make the college experience so much more meaningful. I personally spent two years in Israel at a Yeshiva call Ner Yaakov and then Toras Moshe, both of which were located in Jerusalem. Just having the opportunity to be away from home, on your own is very exciting, but to do it with friends and even with new friends makes it even better. But a Yeshiva environment is not always for everyone and certainly not for someone with any Jewish background. I am a huge fan of Aish Hatorah and Ohr Sameach and each of those Yeshivas have smaller affiliate programs for beginners. I also have friends that run Judaic tracks at two of the most famous universities in Israel. Rabbi Tully Bryks started a program last year at Bar Ilan University and a new program has just begun by Rabbi Glazer at Hebrew University. I’ve heard a lot about those programs, but haven’t seen them personally, but they are all on my radar. I hope over the next few months I will get to see those programs as well.

About two months ago I received a message from Danielle Rubinstein, a colleague who works at Young Judea in Florida. She urged me to call back as soon as possible and said she had amazing news to share with me. Apparently Young Judea selects five people from different areas in America to travel to Israel to see their gap year program called Year Course. To be honest, I wasn’t so familiar with the program other than having seen a promotional video and hearing from a few students who had participated. But I was excited to be able to see this famous program first hand. They certainly believe in their program and really want people that are involved with teenagers to come and experience their program. To be honest after I land at Ben Gurion I don’t know where I’m headed. I’m not sure if there is one campus or multiple campuses, I don’t even know what city I’m headed for. But I guess that’s what makes this experience so important. I am always looking for meaningful experiences to add to the list of other great programs that JSU South Florida promotes. I really give credit to Young Judea for sponsoring this trip and I can’t wait to see Year Course. Stay tuned for daily updates!!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

YU Coast To Coast spends Shabbat at Boca Raton Synagogue

Every shabbos at BRS is very exciting. As someone who gets to work on the program along with Rabbi Goldberg and Rabbi Moskowitz, I am still blown away after the events actually take place. Every week seems bring something special that I won’t forget for a very long time. In addition to hearing from Mort Klein, the president of the ZOA, we also got to host college students from Yeshiva University and Stern College. This is not the first time that BRS has partnered with YU, in fact each year we have one Shabbos dedicated to the special connection that we share. But this shabbos was different.

A few months ago I had spoken to Rabbi Phillip Moskowitz, the BRS Assistant Rabbi and a former employee at the YU Center For The Jewish Future, about letting YU’s future community leaders see how important it is to have a synagogue based outreach program. In addition, show them what outreach tools we have used that have worked and let them know what we wouldn’t recommend based on our experiences. I then spoke to Rabbi Brander and Ari Rockoff at the CJF, who suggested that we participate in their Coast to Coast program. This select group of University students would be traveling to see different communities and perhaps one of those stops could be in Boca Raton. Traditionally, the trip was initiated to see smaller Jewish communities in the United States and a place like Boca was already established enough that it didn’t necessarily qualify. After kicking the idea around a little more we all came up with a great program that had never been done before. Instead of the students having a Shabbos lunch with the “regular” members of the community, why couldn’t they sit down and meet the regular participants of the outreach program. They would each gain something from that interaction that could never be taught in a classroom. Just imagine sitting at a shabbos table with people that could tell the students why they began attending beginner programs or services as JSU South Florida students or adults of all ages. Perhaps they could explain why they been turned off or in some cases turned away from Judaism. In turn the students could explain why it is important for them to attend a college like YU and the value of having a dual curriculum. Everyone loved the idea, or at least I did. But to tell you the truth, I had no idea it would work. Maybe the YU students wouldn’t open up to complete strangers and maybe none of the people that I invited to participate would show up for the lunch. But I was determined to get both of these groups to a shabbos table so that they can see that they both exist and more importantly that any negative stereotypes would instantly disappear.

Well after weeks of waiting to see what would happen, the shabbos finally came. I knew the moment that walked into Friday Night Live, our weekly Friday Night beginner service that this would be a special weekend. We had the biggest crowd we had ever had and some of the YU students got to experience their first beginner service/educational program. The next day at lunch, each of the outreach participants got to share their personal experiences and at one moment someone was even brought to tears. Each story was so unique and so special and I only wish that we could have had more YU students participate. All in all there were about twenty student and another twenty participants from the Boca Raton Jewish Experience, ranging in age from teenagers to a grandmother. It just goes to show you that you should never think that someone is to old or too young to start learning about their rich Jewish heritage. I hope that the students will take back the experiences that they had at Boca Raton Synagogue and not only bring it back to their friends at Yeshiva University and Stern College, but that they take the lessons back to their communities that they live in. I hope that each of them are inspired to get involved in programs like JSU, the Jewish Student Union, or ask their Rabbi’s in their hometown shuls, if they can start a beginner service. No more excuses just action and if they need any support I will be happy to put them in touch with the right people at NJOP or Project Inspire, the same people who helped us get started.

Thank you YU and Stern and we hope you send your friends to South Florida to see the magic first hand.

Inspire yourself to inspire others….

I’ll be in Israel this week, but when I get back I’ll be discussing the YU experience on the Josh Broide radio show – Jewish Pride, for more info or to hear archived shows just go to www.blogtalkradio.com/broide

Follow me on Twitter – www.twitter.com/broide
and please check out the following great websites
JSU (Jewish Student Union) http://www.jsu.org/  and like “JSU South Florida” on Facebook
Boca Raton Jewish Experience – http://www.myjewishexperience.org/
NJOP (National Jewish Outreach Program) – http://www.njop.org/
Project Inspire – http://www.kiruv.org/

Friday, January 14, 2011

JSU South Florida co-sponsor of Crossing the Line

Please join us for a community screening of this powerful short film with the producer Raphael Shore exposing the campaign to delegitimize Israel and learn what we can do about it.
  
The Intifada Comes To Campus
CROSSING THE LINE
  
Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 7:30 pm
This is a free program!!
Boca Raton Synagogue
7900 Montoya Circle
To rsvp & more info contact:FloridaCTL@gmail.com or call (646) 233-3211

In Conjunction with Boca Raton Synagogue, Jewish Student Union of South Florida, JCC of South Palm Beach, BRS Social Action Committee and Jerusalem Online University.

Now it's your turn to teach

"If you want something done, your best bet is to ask a Jewish woman to do it. Jewish women have an ability to cut through all the reasons why something should, shouldn't or can't be done and pull people together to be successful." So said an Arizona state senator, Gabrielle Giffords, when she was running for Congress in 2006. Ms. Giffords narrowly won, and became the first Jewishly identified representative from her state. Today, our prayers go out to Rep. Giffords, the other victims and their families. I don't know if you had a chance to see President Obama on television last night, but I must say that for the first time in a long I felt proud to be an American. There have been too many instances where American's didn't react fast enough or with proper judgment. The Gulf oil disaster, the earthquake in Haiti, which marked a one year anniversary yesterday, just to name a few. But this shooting was different, because people reacted right away. The President retold stories of incredible heroism, of people jumping in front of bullets so they would not hit a loved one. Individuals didn't run away from the terrorist they confronted him. For their acts of bravery, that enabled others to escape injury, they will never be forgotten. This week we also lost another famous Jewish lady, Debbie Friedman. Although I had never met her, I had learned to play her famous havdalah song that is sung around the world every Saturday night by thousands. And yesterday marked the second anniversary of the passing of a dear friend of mine, a lady who was taken much too early, Margo Allswang. This past Sunday her daughter Adina, just celebrated her Bat Mitzvah, as she turned twelve. That is an event that one would expect both parents to attend. But like the other victims of the shooting and the untimely passing of Debbie Friedman, we will never truly be able to comprehend Gods ways. We must always make sure to never let the valuable life lessons that we learned from those that were so close to us to evaporate. Their legacy must continue to burn strong through us in all that we attempt to do. And finally if there is a lesson that I have taken away from this past week's events is that we must always take advantage of every moment that we have, because we never know when our time will come.

Now its time for you to become the teachers.... I am so happy that twenty University students are visiting our community from Yeshiva University in New York. They are here on their winter break and have traveled to a number of communities on the East coast to see how different Jewish communities operate. Boca Raton has become synonymous with the Outreach Revolution that's taking place right now. These students will be participating in a number of programs with you! They will attend Friday Night Live and the Explanatory Experience to see how we run a beginner Service and attend a luncheon where a dozen couples from the Boca Raton Jewish Experience will meet with them and tell them what's working in outreach and what needs to be improved upon. I can't wait to see how the weekend unfolds and I will surely report back next week.

This week I will be heading to Israel for a special Young Judea trip and will be back in time for Friday Night Live next week. Also please take a look at all of the new programs that have just been added below including the recording of Rabbi Shuley Boteach's class last week as well as a screening of a movie called Crossing The Line. Finally, I did start my long awaited Radio Show; please see the right column for a link to all of the archived shows.

Inspire yourself to inspire others...
Shabbat Shalom and may God bless you.

Josh

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Yeshiva University students meet with JSU South Florida

YU Students listening to Josh Broide and Steve Schauder
This afternoon undergraduate students from Yeshiva University came to Boca Raton on a special trip to see why South Florida and specifically the area of South Palm Beach is becoming known for it success with Jewish outreach. These students are on their winter break and are visiting Jewish communities on an East coast tour. Today, they got to hear why this community in particular is truly unique. The fact that this is the most densely saturated Jewish community in the United States, coupled with the important relationships that have been developed across the community make the Jewish engagement opportunities almost endless. They heard how JSU South Florida (http://www.jsu.org/) continues to inovate and how BRS created the Boca Raton Jewish Experience (http://www.myjewishexperience.org/). Unfortunately the only thing that we don't have on our side is time. Each day that goes by, there are more and more Jews that we are missing and losing to the winds of assimilation. I am so happy that the students got to hear from Steven Schauder, the Director of Education for South Palm Beach. He expressed how important it is to work with all segments of the community and that there are many issues that he struggles with in trying to satisfy the opinions of both the Orthodox, Reform and Conservative, when it comes to programing. The point is that sometimes we are so quick to criticize an organization, because we automatically assume that the no "Halachik" thought went into the equation, when they planned program. I cant speak for other Federations, but one of the reasons why I always work with our Federation is because they are always concerned and regularly debate the issues.
I hope that this was an eye opening experience for the students and that they can bring back some of the lessons that they learned from this experience to their communities as they become community leaders.
Inspire yourself to inspire others...

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Jewish Radio has a new sound - Josh Broide is Live

It's always been a dream of mine to host a radio program, but up until this point it was very difficult to find the medium that could reach a large audience. Finally, with the growth of the Internet and advances in technology, I finally found the perfect match. So far I have only done two shows, but I have two more lined up and ready to go this Thursday and Friday morning. Were it not for a short trip to Israel, this program would already be a daily show.
The name of the program is Jewish Pride, a personal platform to express my views on current events Jewish lenses. There have also been a few requests for interviews and I will begin lining up some great personalities when I get get back to America.
Until then .... it's just you and me.
Tune in tomorrow at 9:00 am for a thirty minute show that you are sure to enjoy!
Go to www.blogtalkradio.com/broide to hear the Jewish Radio show hosted by Josh Broide and visit the Boca Raton Jewish Experience at http://www.myjewishexperience.org/.
Josh

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

JSU South Florida is taking off

Everyone in South Florida is talking about the important work of the Jewish teen organization called JSU - Jewish Student Union. This past summer two new dynamic individuals were hired to connect more Jewish teens with other local Jewish organizations and youth programs. The new JSU South Florida Director is Rabbi Josh Broide, a veteran Florida Youth Director and the former Executive Director of Boca Raton Synagogue, America’s flagship Modern Orthodox synagogue. Josh is incredibly ambitious and goal oriented and wants to take JSU’s success to the next level. There are currently almost thirty clubs being run in cooperation with the Jewish Teen Initiative of the Palm Beach Federation as well as Southern NCSY. Important partnerships have been developed with the Federation of South Palm Beach, Young Judea, BBYO, USY and NFTY and discussions have already begun with the Federation of Greater Miami. Josh has already identified and targeted a number of additional schools with a high concentration of Jewish teenagers. Daniel Mesa was hired as the JSU South Florida Program Director. Daniel is one of South Florida’s best youth directors and has been hard at work developing original and creative programming for the clubs. In addition JSU will be running a trip to Israel this summer called TJJ – The Jerusalem Journey and Josh will be supervising a bus from our area. This trip is highly subsidized in order to make it appealing to Jewish teenagers that have never been to Israel.


The Jewish Student Union (JSU) is a national organization dedicated to establishing Jewish clubs in public high schools. Founded with 4 clubs in Los Angeles in 2002, JSU has enjoyed rapid growth and now serves more than 220 clubs across North America, reaching more than 9,000 teens annually. By fostering a social atmosphere, presenting engaging and entertaining educational programs, and lowering the barriers to participation, JSU reaches all types of teenagers from the under-engaged to the already involved.

Much like Hillel, the mission of JSU is to involve students in an active Jewish lifestyle. As a stand-alone informal Jewish education tool, the clubs are invaluable for creating a sense of Jewish community in a public school environment. We also provide Jewish teens in public school with an in-school educational experience focusing on issues of Jewish pride, identity, and connection to Israel. However, a larger goal of JSU is to act as a portal for connecting participants to the greater Jewish community.

By facilitating the formation of student run and school sanctioned clubs in Public High Schools, JSU seeks to provide teens with a deeper appreciation for their rich Jewish heritage and inspire them to live a fully committed Jewish life. JSU’s trained professionals present Judaism and Jewish life as appealing and accessible to a previously under-serviced population subset – Jewish teens attending public high school.

JSU helps Jewish teens establish official Jewish clubs in their public high schools which offer specially crafted programs designed to:

• Enhance each teen’s Jewish identity

• Nurture a connection to the State of Israel

• Inspire an enduring relationship with the Jewish people

• Provide a portal for deeper involvement with the Jewish community

JSU (The Jewish Student Union) seeks to enhance teens’ Jewish identity, nurture a connection to the State of Israel, inspire an enduring relationship with the Jewish people and provide for a deeper involvement with the Jewish community, including serving as a portal to facilitate life-long involvement in Jewish inspired expression and organizations. JSU is a non-denominational program, open to all Jewish teens irrespective of background or affiliation.

JSU is a non-denominational program, open to all Jewish teens irrespective of background or affiliation. JSU staff is trained to be inclusive, to work with other youth professionals from all denominations, and to provide opportunities for diverse Jewish experiences. JSU professionals employ the classic social work model of client self-determination, “meeting the client where the client is.” JSU provides educational, fun, and innovative means by which teens take responsibility for their Judaism and relationship with Israel.

Commitment to Separation of Church and State:

In creating and executing Jewish programs in a public school environment, JSU administration and personnel are very cognizant of the sensitivity towards the separation of church and state. Therefore, JSU programs and activities are submitted for review to the public school faculty and administration prior to taking place. If a program is unacceptable to a public school or borders on unacceptability, JSU errs on the side of caution. Without sacrificing educational quality and Jewish content, all programming must conform to ideals of inclusiveness between different types of Jews as well as the many non-Jewish students that attend our clubs. Furthermore, JSU clubs and the advisors that facilitate them have no intention or mission of proselytizing students.

Commitment to the Jewish community:

Fundamentally, JSU is committed to being a portal for Jewish life – a connector between Jewish teens and the myriad of programs, organizations and affiliations that exist in the Jewish community. It is therefore critical that JSU develop, maintain and grow strategic partnerships with organizations and youth groups that can benefit from access and engagement with JSU’s network of teenagers across the country. This commitment is unwavering and shows no bias towards any agency or agenda.

Commitment to Israel:

A new generation of Jewish teenagers has emerged, and their views and opinions about Israel are very different than their predecessors. With sensitivity towards these views, JSU is committed to providing educational content and experiences in JSU clubs that allow the students to take responsibility for their connection to Israel. Connecting to Israel can be done in many ways, and JSU utilizes cultural, religious and political means to develop this connection. It is our responsibility to help create tomorrow’s generation of Israel supporters.
Educational Content

JSU accomplishes its mission by hosting regular Jewish culture clubs in public schools that meet during non-instructional time. This includes the lunch hour, and before or after school. Programs include speakers and presentations from a variety of Jewish organizations, discussions on timely topics of interest to the participants and interactive activities (such as the ever popular “Jewpardy Quiz Game”). Kosher pizza, falafel, holiday foods or other snacks are always on hand in plenty. Club content is driven by several major programming areas:

• Jewish identity, heritage, culture and pride

• Current events, popular culture, and their relation to Judaism

• Social Action/Social Justice

• Religion and Philosophy

• Support and Advocacy for Israel

• Connecting to community during and post high school

JSU South Florida is continuing to grow in all three counties. If you would like to get involved or would like more information, please contact Josh Broide at (561) 702-3864 or email joshb@jsu.org.

Monday, January 10, 2011

JSU South Florida - Students return from vacation

After a two week vacation, public school students around the country returned to their classes. While most Jewish students are not receiving any Jewish content during the school day, there is a growing number of Jewish clubs that have been initiated by Jewish students in their local schools. The largest program is called JSU or Jewish Student Union which helps facilitate almost 250 clubs in the United States and Canada. There are more than 10,000 teenagers that attend these programs on a regular basis. In Florida, Rabbi Josh Broide serves as the Director of JSU South Florida and is working with a number of synagogues and organizations to expand the Jewish clubs. For more information on JSU, please visit www.jsu.org. Or visit the JSU South Florida page on Facebook and become a fan.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Jewish Pride - Live Radio with Josh Broide

Join Josh this Wednesday morning from 9:00am - 9:30am and listen to the best new radio show in America. The live broadcast of Jewish Pride will discuss important Jewish values and offer a valuable and humorous commentary on current events. Tell your friends and help spread the word. Just visit www.blogtalkradio.com/broide and join the program.
 

Friday, January 7, 2011

Meor visits Boca

Here's a letter I just received...
Dear Rabbi Broide,


I wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your involvement in the recent MEOR DC Florida trip! The impact on the students has really been amazing! Through your impactful teaching and your ability to connect with the students, we have been able to see real Jewish growth. All the ladies came up to me to comment on how much they enjoyed your teaching style and how much they liked you! Also, a big thank you for helping to set up our students for sleeping in Boca. Here is what a few students had to say about their experience in Florida: “… I believe the best way to teach is demonstrative; therefore,

seeing the joy which other people have in living according to the spirit and letter of Torah, has encouraged me to find new ways in which I can give of my time and energy towards helping others, and elevating as much potential within a given moment as possible. From this trip, I have come to realize that growing as a Jew does not occur in quantum leaps; it occurs within the moments and opportunities we are given to act and do the Mitzvot; to help and learn from others…” Aaron “The classes were great and all of the speakers were very impressive. I've already begun evaluating my relationship with Hashem and looking for opportunities to improve it immediately. I have also been inspired to begin learning regularly in order to stay connected after the trip…” Mike "My goals for the trip were to take time and really think about where I am now in my Jewish life and practice, where I want to be, and how I can get there. This trip totally invigorated me and re-inspired me to all the things that I love about being Jewish." Dana, we have put together a slide show of the trip. I hope that you are able to take a look.

Thanks again,

Josh Hollander

Campus Coordinator FOR DC

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Make this year count

2011 is finally here and we all closed the chapter on another decade of world history. Y2K, 9/11, the war, the economy, healthcare... just to name a few of the major events that each of us personally witnessed. So what's in store for us over the next ten years or even the next twelve months? That's a question that I could never answer. We should all continue to pray that the world's issues improve, but there is little you and I can do to change global trends. But on a personal level, now is the time to consider where we will be over the next few months. Most of those decisions are actually within our control. Will this be the year that we finally learn to read Hebrew or begin to attend a Shabbat service on a regular basis? Maybe, just maybe, this will be the year that we go on a trip to Israel for the very first time. There are so many possibilities and I hope that over the next few days we can all take the time to identify and target those areas that we know need improvement.

This Shabbat, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, America's Rabbi, will be coming to Boca Raton Synagogue and will be giving a special class on Saturday night at 8:00pm, THE KOSHER SUTRA - "Eight Sacred Secrets for Reigniting Desire and Restoring Passion for Life". There is a $15 admission, but please let me know if that's a problem and I will take care of it for you. By now you have probably seen the videos that I emailed of the Rabbi and you can see that he is very entertaining.

This past week I also started a new radio show called "Jewish Pride" I didn't promote it before hand because I wanted to make sure that it would work and I'm happy to report that it did. If you would like to hear the 15 minute preview, please click here. It's a great way to continue to teach our messages to people that can't attend our classes in person. As you would expect it's a lot of fun with great messages.

I hope that you have a chance to read the other articles on this newsletter and take a moment to visit our partners that are listed in the right column. Each has added so much to the Boca Raton Jewish Experience and you can learn a lot from each of them.