Connie Spear Birnbaum Foundation
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Despite the closing of the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts, the annual Connie Spear Birnbaum Memorial Lecture is alive and well under the auspices of the Connie Spear Birnbaum Foundation. This nonprofit is headed up by Dr. Herbert Birnbaum and Alan Teperow, bringing the tradition of excellence and creativity that distinguished the Birnbaum Lecture for close to 20 years.
OUR MISSION
Here at the Connie Spear Birnbaum Memorial Foundation, we are driven to foster unity within the extended Jewish family - in the splendor of its diversity - through education and the impact of bringing the community together. Through our work, since 2004, we have strived to model for the Jewish community and beyond how much can be gained by embracing what we have in common rather than allowing our differences to divide us. Please join us in our quest to shape the best possible tomorrow through the building blocks of understanding and shared connection, pride and respect.
Pictures by Larry Sandberg, unless stated otherwise.
ABOUT
Connie Spear Birnbaum, z"l
The Connie Spear Birnbaum Memorial Lecture honors the legacy of a woman committed to Jewish unity and the Jewish People. A genuine presence with a magnetic personality, she was a natural at building relationships. Everything she did, she did with sensitivity, composure, and a sense of humor. Connie Spear Birnbaum z”l was a leader with vision and a genuine concern for all people. She showed us all how to live.
The Coordinator of Unity Programming at the Synagogogue Council of Massachusetts for seven years, Connie coordinated educational programs, facilitated dialogue and led an annual two-day Mission to centers of Jewish learning and leadership in New York City.
The annual Connie Spear Birnbaum Memorial Lecture celebrates Connie's commitment to Jewish education and K'lal Yisrael, the Jewish People.
HOLD THE DATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S 23rd ANNUAL BIRNBAUM LECTURE
In Partnership with CJP and Congregation Kehillath Israel (KI), Brookline
SUNDAY EVENING, MAY 31st
beginning at 7:30 pm
at KI, 384 Harvard Street, Brookline
FEATURING AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL MASTERS
National Director & CEO of the Secure Community Network (SCN)
Former Executive Director of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for Cook County, Illinois
As National Director and CEO of the Secure Community Network (SCN), Michael Masters (pictured here) is responsible for the overall leadership, operation, and growth of the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America.
He is a current appointee of the US Secretary of Homeland Security to the federal Homeland Security Advisory Council and Faith-based Security Advisory Council.
Watch your email for further details.
Sponsored by the Connie Spear Birnbaum Foundation, AJC New England, Temple Beth Shalom of Needham, CJP, JCRC, and ADL New England
And 40 co-sponsoring synagogues and organizations
Connie Spear Birnbaum Memorial Lecture Speakers
2004-2025
PAST SPEAKERS
The richness and diversity of the Jewish people is reflected in the array of distinguished speakers - leading figures from the the United States and Israel; from the right, left and center and from the different streams of Judaism; from positions of leadership in religion, diplomacy, thought, government, academia, journalism, and the battlefields of military conflict and social justice - who have inspired and united us through their actions and words.
2004: Dr. Norman Lamm, z”l
2005: Richard M. Joel
2006: Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg
2007: Rabbi David Ellenson, z”l
2008: Rabbi Harold Kushner, z”l
2009: Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
2010: Rabbi Steven Weil
2011: Rabbi Steven Wernick
2012: Natan Sharansky
2013: Malcom Hoenlein
2014: Nancy Kaufman
2015: Ofir Shaer & Rabbi Rick Jacobs
2016: Leon Wieseltier
2017: Rabbi Dr. Meir Soleveichik
2018: Ron Dermer
2019: Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin
2020: 55th Anniversary Celebration of the Voting Rights Act
2021: Yossi Klein Halevi
2022: Major General Amos Yadlin
2023: Anita Diamant, Josh Foer, Rabbi Charlie Schwartz, and Rav Hazzan Aliza Berger (moderator)
2024: William Daroff in Conversation with Campus Activists from Harvard and MIT
2025: Ted Deutch
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DONATE
All gifts $36 and above will be gratefully acknowledged at the event. Please consider a contribution in one of the following categories:
Pillar - $250.00+
Patron - $100.00-$249.00
Sponsor - $54.00-$99.00
Friend - $36.00-$53.00
Selecting PayPal allows you to either use your credit card, or PayPal.
Prefer to pay by check? Please send your gift payable to the Birnbaum Foundation, PO Box 610125, Newton MA 02461.
CONTACT US
We are here to make sure that you are informed about our annual event.