HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2026 LECTURE
Sponsored by Connie Spear Birnbaum Foundation, AJC New England, Temple Beth Shalom, CJP, JCRC, and ADL New England
And 40 co-sponsoring synagogues and organizations
Photo by Alan Shepro
In a time of escalating global tensions and a renewed focus on the safety of our communal spaces, the Connie Spear Birnbaum Foundation, in partnership with CJP and KI, was proud to have featured Michael Masters, National Director and CEO of the Secure Community Network (SCN) at our May 31st lecture. As the leader of the official safety organization for the Jewish community in North America, Mr. Masters shared a vital perspective on maintaining a secure, resilient, and thriving Jewish future.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE THIS YEAR'S BIRNBAUM LECTURE AN EVENING OF LEARNING AND HOPE
A LIFE-FORCE FOR THE DIGNITY OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
Photo by Alan Shepro
The evening kicked off with a moving chamber group prelude followed by a welcome from Rabbi William Hamilton, pictured here, who brought greetings on behalf of Congregation Kehillath Israel (KI) to the more than 300 people in attendance, both in person and online.
Rabbi Hamilton also spoke about his connection to Connie during her Synaggoe Council years, recalling that "when I first arrived in town, I called the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts with a question. Connie wasn’t sure about the answer. But within 15 minutes, she called me back to clarify the issue for me. That’s who Connie was."
"Any event that truly honors Connie is an event that mobilizes, activates, and propels a new sweep of momentum. Done right, it’s a call to each of us: to get to work, to execute. Not the testimonial, but the outcome of it. How can I have a share in being a life-force for the Dignity of the House of Israel?"
Rabbi William Hamilton
ENSURING OUR VALUES FOR THE FUTURE
Photo by Alan Shepro
Rabbi Marc Baker, President and CEO of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston spoke about CJP's special role in securing the safety and security of Boston area congregations and communal buildings. Marc then introduced his friend and colleague, Michael Masters, reporting that "CJP has been in the security space since the early 2000s, and for nearly a decade we’ve partnered closely with SCN to strengthen and evolve this work."
"The work of communal security is itself an act of community building as we engage thousands of people across every background and Jewish affiliation, as well as friends and allies beyond the Jewish community in a collective effort that only works because we are in it together."
Rabbi Marc Baker
A SECURITY FIELD OVER THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
In Michael Masters' forceful address, he asserted that while Jews have lived in relative safety in the U.S. for centuries, recent events have shown that anti-Semitism is increasing. He reported that "58% of all religiously motivated hate crimes have been directed against our community, despite the fact that American Jews are just 2% of the total population."
"Just like Israel has an iron dome, we have built - together - a security shield over the Jewish community of North America."
"Our Mission is to ensure the safety, security, and resiliency of our Jewish community in North America. But the job is not merely to secure facilities. It is to ensure that Jewish life is secure. That it can not only exist, but flourish. And, with it, so too can our values, traditions and culture. For our children, grandchildren, and those yet to come."
Michael Masters
Photo by Ken Turkewitz
“Several members from our synagogue, B'nai Tikvah of Canton, came together to watch the live stream of Sunday's lecture, which was incredibly informative. It was a great community building opportunity. Thank you for your role in putting the event together.”
David Kaplan
Watch Party Hype (not NBA, but CSB)
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
Photo by Ken Turkewitz
Dr. Herbert Birnbaum, lecture Co-founder and President reflects on the lecture's longevity and critical mission.
"Thank you to the dear friends and family members through whose generosity we have been able, for 23 years, to sustain the "Connie Lecture" as a free to the public community event. While it is humbling to see my friends and family come forth with above and beyond generosity, year after year for so many years, I can tell you that these are the very same people who have been the greatest source of encouragement, insisting that the lecture must continue on, going from strength to even greater strength."
Photo by Ken Turkewitz
Alan Teperow, lecture Co-founder, is presented a gorgeous work of art by his friend and Co-founder, Herb Birnbaum, to mark Alan's "retirement" from Connie Spear Birnbaum Lecture leadership.
According to Herbie, "Alan's supreme chesed shel emet, throughout the journey of these 23 years, has afforded me the privilege of collaborating with him. Tonight's program is the culmination of a career of extraordinary impact."
Photo by Larry Sandberg
We are grateful to this year's Chamber Duo, Suzanne Hanser and Sarah Dinin, for kicking off the evening with a musically beautiful and haunting rendition of "Nocturne for flute and piano."
Photo by Larry Sandberg
"Tep" holds up an umbrella just like the one he presented to Natan Sharansky, 14 years earlier, with the words "Proud to Be Under the Umbrella of the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts" emblazoned on it.
HARMONIUS INTERLUDES
Photo by Ken Turkewitz
The Zachor Choral Ensemble, made up of more than 30 of the Birnbaum family's friends and relatives, presented luscious harmonies of Finkelstein's L'dor Vador, Burger's Tefillah, and Berlin's Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor. Under the direction of Alan Nelson, who wrote a magnificent arrangement of Give MeYour Tired, Your Poor, Alan explained his rationale for choosing this song with which to end an evening devoted to the safety and security of the Jewish people.
"Some say that, because of the mistakes made during the Roosevelt years we shouldn't highlight this music. All the more reason that we NEED to do the song."
"It is now for all of US to make sure those mistakes are never repeated."
"I want to thank the choir for that beautiful music, reminding us what it feels like to be connected, grounded, and part of something larger.
Rabbi Marc Baker
Photo by Alan Shepro
Alan Teperow (left) and Herbert Birnbaum (right) stand proudly at the event's conclusion with Alan promising that Shalom U'l'itraot for him means "I plan to be back each year, singing with the Zachor Choral Ensemble, and in the audience as one of the Jews in the Pews."
We Thank Our Generous Donors
Pillars - $250.00+
Herbert Birnbaum
Nathan & Robin Birnbaum
Jonathan Delatizky
Mady Donoff
Joseph & Rae Gann Charitable Foundation
Ilanna & Noam Heller
Joshua & Amelia Katzen
Robert & Joyce Kerwin
Andy & Myra Majewski
Joan & Scott Merlis
Brian & Judy Miller
Alan & Debbie Nelson
Rabbi Dan & Ruth Pernick
Rabbi Shayna Rhodes
Jill & Larry Sandberg
Rick & Rabbi Ma’ayan Sands
Fiza Singh & Michael Strunk
Jerry & Erica Silverman
Temple Beth Shalom, Needham
Alan Teperow & Suzanne Hanser
Patrons - $100.00-249.00
Michael & Joyce Bohnen
Barry Caplan & Judith Freedman Caplan
Rabbi Oksana Chapman
Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills
Barbara and Arthur Greenberg
Ron & Debby Iken
Robert Karasov & Hannah E. Bloomfield
John & Randi Lapidus
Phillip & Robin Levy
Tsion Levy & Nina Teperow Levy
Murray & Barbara Miller
Jeremy & Linda Nussbaum
Adrienne Ruch
Jay & Daphnah Sage
Arielle & Solly Silverman
Danny Silverman
Jonathan Stone
Paul Tatelman
Cantor Stephen Thompson
Carol & Ken Turkewitz
Sponsors - $54.00-$99.00
Maureen Brodoff and Ellen Wade
Solomon Friedberg & Karen Siller
Debbie & Bernard Friedland
Rebecca Hecht
Ronda & Joshua Jacobson
Sally I. Kaitz Trust
Lockie Milner
Alan & Eva Radding
Rachel & Mark Seliber
Elliot & Adrianne Sternthal
David & Carol Stollar
Matthew Zizmor
Friends - $36.00-$53.00
Steven & Renee Bellin
Roselyn Garber
Steven M. Greenberg
Mike & Rissy Hirsh
Steven Lesser
Robert & Lesley Perlman
Adam & Judy Rin
Jinny Sagorin
Andy & Rachel Schwartz