Paul Root Wolpe 

Jews and Genes or Genes and Jews?

Jews in Space

Learn to Play the Blues – on your SHOFAR!

Paul Root Wolpe is the Director of the Center for Ethics at Emory University, where he teaches Bioethics, Jewish Bioethics and Medicine.  His work focuses on the social, religious, and ideological impact of technology on the human condition.  Paul is the first Chief of Bioethics for NASA, founded the Academic Coalition for Jewish Bioethics, sits on the editorial boards of medical and ethics journals, and is a consultant to the biomedical industry. A dynamic and popular speaker internationally, Wolpe has been chosen as a "Superstar Teacher of America."  He frequently contributes to the media, recently featured on 60 Minutes and in the New York Times. 

 Gabe Goldman

Natural Worship  

Join Gabe for an easy walk through the camp to experience "natural worship" and to explore the intimate connections among prayer, miracles, God and the natural world.  Learn why the entire success of the morning service rests on one’s feelings about, and experience of, the natural world.

What’s “Jewish” about a Moose? Learning about Judaism through Nature

This indoor session explores the role of nature in Jewish life and demonstrates how to see the natural world through Jewish eyes.  Learn what is “Jewish” about a moose; what the purpose of a split hoof is; how the wasp play a vital role in Jewish life; why we eat the traditional holiday foods we eat; and how to see everyday plants and animals in ways that will astound you and remind you that nothing in nature (and no part of anything) was created without purpose. 

An Organic Understanding of the Binding of Isaac 

The Binding of Isaac is one of the best-known Biblical stories – a story that has fascinated and perplexed Jews for generations, raising serious ethical and moral questions.  In the attempt to answer these questions, Torah readers have glossed over key elements found in the detail about the natural setting in which the story takes place.  Examining the Binding of Isaac through the lens of Israeli ecology and ancient wilderness survival skills leads to an understanding that will stun you.       

Gabe Goldman offers opportunities to develop closer relationships with Jewish life through nature.  Gabe is the Director of Experiential Learning at the American Jewish University and an instructor of wilderness survival skills and Jewish environmental philosophy at California State University.  Gabe studied at a Yeshiva of the Bostonner Rebbe, with Native American teachers, and has a PhD in Multicultural Education/Curriculum Development. Gabe is the author of Guide for the Spiritually Perplexed: A Jewish Meditation Primer, JewishNatureCenter.org, Behrman House teachers’ guides, and articles on Jewish life, nature and experiential education.  Gabe lives with his wife Pam, on the Brandeis Bardin Campus and made his TV debut on "Dirty Dancing, Reality TV” in 2007. 

 Joel Chasnoff

The 188th Crybaby Brigade - A Year in the Israeli Army

An entertaining and interactive talk about Joel Chasnoff's year in the IDF, complete with pictures and video clips. He will discuss the challenges of being a 24-year-old American in a platoon of 18-year-old Israelis. He will also talk about how today's IDF soldiers differ from those of previous generations, and the implications of this difference for Israel's future. 

Jewish Comedy, Redefined

Joel Chasnoff is not your grandfather's Jewish comedian. Unlike the Jewish comics of old, Joel's humor is based on actual Jewish experiences— his nine years in Jewish day school, the challenges of Jewish parenting, and his tour of duty in the Israeli Army. Audiences across the spectrum of Jewish observance and knowledge find Joel's poignant—and twisted—view of Jewish life uplifting, positive and hilarious. 

Improv Comedy 101- Comedy for All Levels of Jews

Participants will learn the basics of improv comedy. We will play drama games in a safe environment. Open to all levels of experience. 

Joel Chasnoff is a stand-up comedian and writer with stage and screen credits in eight countries, including a U.S.O. Comedy Tour of Japan and Korea entertaining American Marines, stand-up spots on Israeli late-night TV, and voice work for cartoons. Joel's memoir about his year in the Israeli Army, entitled THE 188TH CRYBABY BRIGADE, recently published by Simon and Schuster is now available. 

 Darshan Music

That’s a Rap!  What do Judaism and Hip-Hop Have in Common?

Hip-Hop Farbrengen! (v. to farbreng) – “Yiddish for spending quality time with friends.  
It's a get-together of nosh, drink, song and inspiration.” 

Darshan is astral rap, liturgical jazz, audio alchemy. Harmonizing Hebrew chant with hip-hop, folk rock with electro-pop, love poetry with kabbalistic psychology, Darshan is a unique and organic weave of world wisdom traditions and modern musical styles.  At its core, Darshan is the creative and contemplative collaboration between Shir Yaakov Feinstein-Feit and Eden “Eprhyme” Pearlstein. Together, these two juxtapose diverse sounds and styles in an artistic act of bridge building.   Check it out at www.myspace.com/darshanmusic.  

Eprhyme Pearlstein spits rhymes designed to refine the mind of the listener. Kabbalah, psychology, politics, andparty rocking are intertwined with elements of jazz, funk, klezmer, and Middle Eastern music to create a powerful and poetic plea for peace, justice, joy, and unity. 

Shir Yaakov Feinstein-Feit weaves a tapestry of Kabbalistic wisdom, contemporary songwriting, and deep personal spirituality in synagogues, yeshivas, and intentional communities around the world; and in Jewish, multi-faith, and non-affiliated spiritual contexts.  He has recorded six albums of original music, and has written over three hundred poems. As a rabbi and spiritual leader, he has led services and ritual in a wide variety of contexts, from Hasidic yeshivas to multifaith, LGBTQ, and earth-based spiritual groups. 

Val Wolpe 

Morning Chanting and Meditation 

New track!!  Our Bodies, Our Souls: Loving Yourself Inside Out