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.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2025 LECTURE
Sponsored by the Connie Spear Birnbaum Foundation, AJC New England, Temple Beth Shalom, CJP, JCRC, and ADL New England
And 40 co-sponsoring synagogues and organizations
Our Vision for Jewish Unity, As Inspired by Connie
“Sarah and Yaron were thrust on to our radars not by their exemplary service to the Israeli Embassy or by the bridges they were committed to building, rather by the bullets of a cold-blooded murderer. May we leave here inspired by how they lived, rather than allowing those who wish us harm to weaken our Jewish identities by defining them by how they died.”
Photo by Larry Sandberg
The Fight We Didn’t Want: Combating Antisemitism in 2025
Our featured speaker, Ted Deutch, a lifelong Jewish and pro-Israel activist, assumed the role of CEO of American Jewish Committee (AJC) on October 1, 2022. He joined AJC following more than 12 years of service in the United States House of Representatives, representing Broward and Palm Beach Counties in Florida. We are so appreciative that Mr. Deutch took time out of his very busy schedule to join the Boston Jewish community in solidarity and unity, fighting the rise of Antisemitism in Massachusetts, the United States, and beyond.
Photo by David Stollar
“As we know, dangerous rhetoric has led to violence. We must now loudly and clearly call out antisemitism no matter where it comes from. This is the moment for courage. It’s a moment where we need leadership. We need everyone to stand up and say enough. We will not stand for this type of incitement. History has taught us that what happens when hatred is allowed to fester can happen again.”
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.