Death and life are in the power of the tongue.—Proverbs 18:21
The PJCC is proud to embark on a multidisciplinary exploration of the weight of words and their consequences. Join us for learning, conversation, and a renewed commitment to contemplate our words, and stand up against hateful speech.
Group Gallery Show
September 11–November 24, 2019
Words have always had the potential to be a catalyst for civil discord. In the current climate, hate speech is increasingly prevalent, tearing apart the fabric of our communities in ever more violent and destructive ways. It passes from generation to generation by written and spoken word, inculcating attitudes of intolerance, antisemitism, racism and discrimination in both children and adults. This exhibit illuminates hate speech, its historically destructive manifestations, and its consequences for humanity. The exhibit also advocates the antidote: educating ourselves and taking responsibility to condemn hate speech in any form. In this respect, the show is both timely and timeless, resonating across ages and cultures.
Curated by: Robin Atlas and Nancy Current
In partnership with Jewish Art Salon
Opening Events
Wednesday, September 11 · Lobby and Board Room
6:30 pm: Art Reception and Gallery Tour
7:30 pm: Sticks, Stones, and the Power of Words
A panel discussion with exhibition curators/artists Robin Atlas and Nancy Current; activist/president of Pittsburgh Interfaith Evolution (2 for Seder), Marnie Fienberg; Pacifica Institute Northern CA Branch, Fatih Ferdi Ates; and co-director, PICO California Rev. Ben McBride. Moderated by Rabbi Lavey Derby. Advance registration highly recommended.
Monday, September 2 · Prayers begin at 11:00 am · Twin Pines Park, Belmont
11:00 am: Prayers – Representatives from seven faith traditions (Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Baha’i) willshare their prayers with the intention of showing how deeply we respect our diversity and honor our shared commitment to creating and living in a peaceful world.
12:00 pm: Potluck – Bring your favorite food to share. Presented by Peninsula Multifaith Coalition.
Tuesday, September 17 · 9:30–11:00 am · Lobby
Sign petitions, pick up materials that will educate you on how to talk about the refugee crisis with friends, and learn how to communicate with your congressperson about this issue.
Thursday, November 21 · 9:30–11:00 am · Lobby
Decorate a rock with a word of chesed—lovingkindness—and spread a little love today.
Saturday, September 14 · 3:30–5:30 pm
Unplug, slow down, and share a screen-free Shabbat with family and friends. Experience the power of words that heal, setting intentions for the new year afloat with Riveropolis™ at this Rosh Hashanah edition of Unplugged.
Thursday, September 26 · 7:00 pm · Wornick Ulam Gadol · Free
Our children live in a world that is increasingly more unpredictable and frightening. How can parents help them cope with this new reality? This workshop will focus on how to discuss recent events with your children in a developmentally appropriate way while also gaining an understanding of how they may perceive violent events depending on their age and temperament. Co-sponsored by PJCC and Wornick Jewish Day School.
Monday, September 23 · 2:00 pm · Board Room · Free for Members / $5 Public
“You can’t change your beginnings, but you sure can put a nice, beautiful ending to the story.” – Edythe Boone
Celebrated Bay Area muralist, Edythe Boone, paints walls to build bridges toward unity, when the chokehold death of her nephew Eric Garner, and his final words ignite a national outcry for racial justice. Edy’s reaction shows the depth of her clear-eyed, compassionate commitment to building a just and peaceful community. Jane Skinner will lead a discussion based on information provided by the director, Mo Morris.
Monday, November 4 · 2:00 pm · Board Room · Free for Members/$5 Public
Julayne Lee is an overseas, adopted Korean American poet, essayist, activist, and educator. Her collection of poems Not My White Savior has been on the list of 15 Books Feminists Should Read and was included in the 2018 Poets House Showcase in New York. This “memoir in poems” explores what it means to be a transracial and inter-country adoptee. Julayne has curated readings and hosted writing workshops for adopted people of color and foster alumni throughout the U.S., and has volunteered with the Adoptee Rights Campaign to ensure citizenship for all adoptees. She has spoken on adoption at universities and symposiums throughout the U.S. and Korea.
Wednesday, November 20 · 7:30 – 9:45 pm · PJCC Board Room · $10 Members/Public
In 1946, Kielce, Poland was the site of Europe’s last Jewish pogrom in which townspeople murdered over forty Holocaust survivors and injured eighty others. In the 1990s Dr. Bogdan Bialek, a Catholic journalist and psychologist, became determined to heal this historical wound and launched a nation-wide campaign to memorialize the Jews killed in Kielce and to reconcile Poles and Jews. His efforts have become even more important as the Polish government is again denying the history of Polish antisemitism.
Following the screening of the film Bogdan’s Journey which documents Dr. Bialek’s work, Dr. Bialek and the film’s co-directors, Michal Jaskulski and Lawrence Loewinger will discuss his work. (The film includes subtitles and Dr. Bialek will speak through an interpreter.)
To register, call 650.378.2703 or use the link below. Sponsored by Peninsula Temple Sholom, Peninsula Temple Beth El, Congregation Beth Jacob, Peninsula Sinai Congregation, Wornick Jewish Day School, and Peninsula Jewish Community Center.
Thursdays, September 26 and October 31 · 1:30–2:30 pm · Board Room · Free
In the practice of Lovingkindness Meditation, we call to mind four individuals—first ourselves, then someone who loves us, then a neutral person, and finally a person who we find to be difficult or challenging for us—and we silently repeat four phrases of lovingkindness for them over a period of thirty minutes. Led by Rabbi Lavey Derby.
Words Hurt | Words Heal serves as an overture to upcoming winter programming of which the PJCC is honored to be part. Stay tuned for:
Violins of Hope · Winter 2019-2020*
Scholar-in-Residence: Antisemitism Today—It’s Different Than You May Think · January 8-15, 2020
The PJCC is proud to be a part of the Initiative on Jewish Peoplehood presenting educational and cultural programs that explore Jewish heritage, identity,
and community. This initiative is co-funded by the Koret Foundation and the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture.
Programs at the PJCC are made possible in part through generous contributions from individuals and organizations. To learn more, visit pjcc.org/donate
or contact development@pjcc.org.
* This program is part of Violins of Hope San Francisco Bay Area presented in association with Music at Kohl Mansion, Burlingame, CA and is made possible by the Koret Taube Initiative on Jewish Peoplehood.
