2023 LECTURE
Thank you for helping make the 2023 Birnbaum Lecture an evening of optimism and hope
Photo by Alan Shepro
"Establishing a non-profit to keep the Birnbaum Lecture alive, along with a dream team of visionary leaders, has been an absolute labor of love. Add to that an appreciative audience enjoying the thoughtful and optimistic round table conversation - interspersed with uplifting music - to ensure that the 20th annual Connie Spear Birnbaum Memorial Lecture would be an historic moment in the history of our Boston Jewish community."
Alan Teperow
Photo by
Alan Shepro
"The day before Connie left this world, she greeted our rabbi by telling him how blessed her life was, even if not endowed with the gift of good luck. While everybody else was already grieving, looking at the shortness of her days as a tragedy, she was declaring victory.
I like to believe that precious souls like Connie never leave the world of the living, and have the ability to live on as a blessing and inspiration by those whose lives were intertwined with theirs and who continue to channel their energy and spark."
Dr. Herbert Birnbaum
"What a joyful tribute to Connie, her commitment to Jewish unity and the power of optimism. Aliza Berger did a masterful job moderating the panel and the roundtable discussion gave me hope for the future involvement of the younger generation."
Dawn Ringel
Roundtable photos by
Bonnie Greenberg
WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER
Jewish Identity and Renaissance on the Horizon
Josh Foer, co-founder of the Somerville-based LEHRHAUS Tavern for Jewish Learning, engaged in animated conversation.
Anita Diamant, founder of Mayyim Hayyim, shows her apparent joy and agreement with the interesting and dynamic conversation.
Rabbi Charlie Schwartz, co-founder of the LEHRHAUS Tavern for Jewish Learning, explains the fundamentals and aspirations of the newly opened public space on the Cambridge-Somerville line.
Temple Emanuel's Rav Hazzan Aliza Berger, moderator for the evening, closes the discussion by asking each panelist to share their prayer for the future of our Jewish community.
Thank You, Herbie!
After 20 years of maintaining what he lovingly calls the "Connie Lecture," Dr. Herbert Birnbaum receives a well-deserved ovation for his unwavering commitment to Connie and the Boston Jewish community.
"What an amazing evening. I can imagine how meaningful it was to you to have worked with such a light in our community all those years ago and to be able to still honor her all these years later. There is so much hope for our future!"
Bonnie Greenberg
Photo by
Bonnie Greenberg
The themes of harmony, friendship, and unity merge and find expression in the musical performances of Drs. David Fisher and Mark Kuperwaser, which set the tone for the evening, and the Zachor Choral Ensemble, which offered beautiful melodies to mark the 75th anniversary of Israel and to emphasize the significance of L'dor VaDor, from Generation to Generation.
Photo by
Alan Shepro
The two Alans, "Tep" and "Nellie"
Photo by
Bonnie Greenberg
Dr. David Fisher
Photo by
Alan Shepro
Zachor members sing from the depths of their hearts
Zachor Choral Ensemble
Photo by Alan Shepro
"Thank you, Zachor, for the love, talent and dedication you individually and collectively exhibit; this is the essence of the art of choral performance and the joy of collaboration!"
Cantorial Soloist Howard Worona
"May Connie's memory continue to be for a blessing, and may the Lehraus's thriving portend the thriving of Jewish engagement of our rising generations."
Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz, Temple Emanuel, Newton
We Thank Our Generous Donors
Pillars - $250.00+
Anonymous
Herbert Birnbaum
Nathan & Robin Birnbaum
Barry Caplan & Judith Freedman Caplan
Jonathan & Renee Delatizky
Bruce & Mady Donoff
David & Claire Fisher
Alan Teperow & Suzanne Hanser
Law Office of Bruce Linsky
Joshua & Amelia Katzen
Scott & Joan Merlis
Brian & Judy Miller
Rabbi Daniel & Ruth Pernick
Larry & Jill Sandberg
Rabbi Shayna Rhodes
Michael Strunk & Fiza Singh
Temple Emanuel, Newton
Patrons - $100.00-249.00
Michael & Joyce Bohnen
Rabbi Oksana Chapman
David & Carole Decter
Bernard & Debra Friedland
Joseph & Rae Gann Charitable Foundation
Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills
David & Jody Gastfriend
Ron & Liz Gluck
Rebecca Hecht
Joshua & Ronda Jacobson
Robert Karasov
John & Randi Lapidus
Phillip & Robin Levy
Tzion Levy & Nina Teperow-Levy
Murray & Barbara Miller
Alan & Debbie Nelson
Marvin & Judith Packer
Richard & Margaret Primack
Jay & Daphnah Sage
Richard & Leslie Saltzberg
Rick & Rabbi Ma’ayan Sands
Sephardic Congregation of Newton
Temple Beth Shalom, Needham
Temple Beth Zion, Brookline
Jon & Ruth Tepper
Michael & Carol Wasserman
Sponsors - $54.00-$99.00
Solomon Friedberg & Karen Siller
Dina Goldman
Payson & Janyce Greene
Arthur & Barbara Greenberg
Sally I. Kaitz Trust
Carl & Naomi Lopkin
Rami & Ursula Mangoubi
Lockie Milner
Robert & Leslie Perlman
Alan & Eva Radding
Brian Rossman & Rabbi Barbara Penzner
Adrienne Ruch
Andrew & Rachel Schwartz
Rachel & Mark Seliber
Phillip & Robin Steinberg-Gendelman
Elliot & Adrianne Sternthal
David & Carol Stollar
Paul Tatelman
Cantor Stephen Thompson
Daniel and Abby Wyschogrod
Matthew Zizmor
Friends - $36.00-$53.00
Steven & Renee Bellin
Roselyn Garber
Michael & Riselle Hirsch
Adam & Judy Rin
Mike Rosenberg
Phyllis Werlin
Victoria Zissman
Rabbi Henry Zoob