Jewfolk, Inc

Now presented by Jewfolk, Inc’s FolkLab, TTSP Hineni’s annual keystone event invites Jews of all Jewish affiliations, denominations, backgrounds, and ages to an in-person afternoon of Jewish study, contemplation, and creative expression centered around the theme of Arevut: Interconnectedness and Mutual/Shared Responsibility. Customize your experience by registering for individual sessions facilitated by a diverse roster of Jewish educators, clergy, artists, and changemakers, or sign up for a full-day intensive program to take a deeper dive into spiritual practices and shared learning.

Advanced registration is encouraged. Walk-in participants are welcome but may be limited to sessions with available seats remaining.

Schedule:

12:00 – 12:30 PM: Check-in and Registration

12:30 – 12:45 PM: Welcome and Dedication

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Block א‎

2:15 – 3:15 PM: Block ב‎

3:15 – 4:00 PM: Closing in Unity

Session Descriptions: 

SESSION ALEPH Options:

Compassion as Shared Responsibility: A Mussar Practice for Today with Julie Dean

How do we stay connected and respond with care to one another in a world that often feels divided? Mussar, a Jewish practice of ethical and spiritual growth, offers guidance for cultivating rachamim — compassion rooted in shared responsibility. In this workshop, you’ll engage in practical exercises that help you show up with awareness, courage, and steadiness, and leave with reflection, insight, and a simple practice to carry into your daily life.

Julie Dean is the Founder and Executive Director of Living Mussar. With a background in education, facilitation, and Jewish spiritual leadership, Julie brings decades of experience supporting individuals and communities as they grow through meaningful learning and practice. She is passionate about returning the language, wisdom, and practice of Mussar — inner work for a better world — to the heart of Jewish life. Julie’s dedication is fueled by her firsthand experience witnessing how Mussar transforms not only how we live our values, but also how we deepen our connections with ourselves, with others, and with Judaism.

Go Down, Moses: A Somewhat Personal Introduction to Jewish Cross-Cultural Collaboration with an Emphasis on Music with Dr. Alex Lubet

“Go Down, Moses” is a short history of American Jewish collaboration across cultures, with an emphasis on, but by no means limited to, music. In addition to performance, the musical discussion also includes the recording industry and concert production. Additional topics include Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the Civil Rights Movement. No attempt will be made to claim that such collaborations have been consistent, perfect, or lacking in controversy. Discussion is welcome. Professor Lubet will include examples from a lifelong engagement with cultural collaboration: personal, political, and artistic. These will include both recorded music and a live performance. The presenter is the dad in a biracial Jewish family and a long time student of Asian (and other world) musics.

Alex Lubet, Professor of Composition at the University of Minnesota, was born and raised in Chicago. A composer and multi-instrumentalist, he performs on mountain dulcimer, acoustic guitar, ukulele, resonator guitar, and acoustic and electric bass. His compositions have received hundreds of performances on six continents. The acknowledged founder of the field of disability studies in music, Lubet is the author of Music, Disability, and Society and dozens of articles and book chapters, mostly on disability issues within and beyond music and music in vernacular culture, especially the music of Bob Dylan. A dedicated educator, Lubet was among the first faculty to win both of the University of Minnesota’s highest teaching recognitions: the Horace T. Morse Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education and the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education. In addition, he was the recipient of the Access Achievement Award, for service to the university’s disability community.

 Know It. Own It. Live It.: An Interactive Exploration of Jewish Identity with Iola Kostrzewski

Join a facilitated, participant-centered conversation focused on helping people know their Jewish story, claim it with confidence, and stop living in reaction to what others say about Jews, Judaism, or Jewish life. Through guided reflection, small-group discussion, and practical exercises, participants will acquire a stronger internal sense of ownership over their Jewish story and the skills to articulate their Jewish identity by using precise and effective language, setting clear boundaries, and finding and embracing self-definition in their personal narratives.

Iola Kostrzewski is the Minnesota community engagement manager for the ADL. Her work as a writer, organizer, and Jewish community advocate explores faith, identity, and civic life, weaving politics, Torah, and personal storytelling to ask what it means to lead, parent, and belong in complicated times.

Changing Uses of the Word חבר (ḤAVER): A Path Through Jewish History with Earl Schwartz

Explore varied uses of the Hebrew word חבר (ḥaver — “friend”) over the course of Jewish history, uses that indicate both bonds and bounds. In reflecting on the evolution of the term, we have the opportunity to consider how particular environments have given rise to shifting usage, and lessons for our own communities, here and now.

Earl Schwartz is a retired Talmud Torah of St. Paul and Hamline University faculty member. His most recent book, Arc of the Covenant: Jewish Educational Success on the Upper Mississippi, is a study of Jewish education in St. Paul.

SESSION BET Options:

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?: A Facilitated Group Study and Discussion of Texts with Rabbi Sholom Brook

Do we have responsibilities to others simply because we share this world with them? Are we meant to move through life passively, or are we called to actively make a positive difference? Jewish teachings offer unique insights into these questions, but how can we live these values in a way that touches our own lives and inspires the next generation? There can be multiple valid answers! In small breakout groups, we will read different sources together, reflect on the questions that follow, and share our thoughts.

Rabbi Sholom Brook is a devoted spiritual leader, educator, and family man based in the Twin Cities. Alongside his wife Mushky, he co-directs YJP (Chabad’s Young Jewish Professionals), creating an inclusive and vibrant Jewish community for young adults from all backgrounds. Raised in New York, Rabbi Brook’s diverse educational journey includes studies in Argentina, Israel, and New York, culminating in his Rabbinical ordination from the Rabbinical College of South Africa in Pretoria. Together, Rabbi Sholom and Mushky Brook are known for their warm and open home, serving as a welcoming hub for Jewish young adults. They also co-founded Jewish Beginnings, a flourishing preschool in Minneapolis that nurtures the next generation of Jewish children. As a father of four, Rabbi Brook’s dedication to community, education, and family life is at the heart of his work and mission.

Mikveh for the Moment: Creating the Jewish Water Rituals Our Communities Need with Lucy Marshall

Dive into the rich traditions — ancient and contemporary — of Jewish water ritual, from handwashing and immersion to Miriam’s Cup and beyond. Consider the power of water as a ritual technology that connects us to each other, to ourselves, and to all of creation. Together, we will co-create new water rituals as offerings of community care, healing, and interdependence. All learners and teachers are welcome!

Lucy Marshall is a queer, Ashkenazi Jewish educator, facilitator, and ritualist. Passionate about Jewish belonging, she is the Director of Engagement & Education at Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Minnesota. Previously, Lucy directed Mayyim Hayyim’s Rising Tide Open Waters Mikveh Network and served as the Twersky Education Fellow at the Jewish Women’s Archive. She recently launched Neshama Mama, a new library unearthing Jewish rituals around pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. A proud ema (mother), Lucy lives in Whittier, Minneapolis, with her partner Jake and her babies Lazer and Raizel.

Responsibility and Its Limits: AREVUT Through a Rabbinic Lens with Sara Lynn Newberger

Together we will explore a few Rabbinic texts about responsibility and consider how far we have to go.

Sara Lynn Newberger remembers receiving her first chumash (volume of Torah) in 3rd grade – and thus was born a life-long love of studying Torah. Born in Chicago, she landed in St. Paul in 1989 where she came to work at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul Day School because the mission and vision resonated with her soul. In addition to her many roles at TTSP, Sara Lynn served as the Founding Director of Hineni from its inception in 2014 to 2022. She believes passionately in the importance of Jewish learning and the impact it can have on people’s lives. She loves exploring Jewish texts, customs, values, and ideas with students.

Stoking the Eternal Flame, One Lantern at a Time: An Artist Talk and Retrospective with Claude Riedel

Stained glass artist and sculptor Claude Riedel provides insight into the inspirations, approaches, and experiences acquired over four decades of designing and crafting custom Ner Tamid installations for synagogues, schools, memorials, and private chapels — beginning with his first commission from his own congregation, Bet Shalom of Minnetonka, MN.

Claude Riedel has been creating stained glass windows and sculpture for more than 40 years. His first Ner Tamid was crafted for his own congregation, Bet Shalom, Minnetonka, Minnesota in 1995. He has since designed beautiful glass Ner Tamids for temples, synagogues, shuls, schools, memorial walls, and private chapels, as well as glass sculptures for other religious and spiritual communities.

Torah for Tough Times: A Shared Study with Rabbi Sharon Stiefel

This session offers wisdom from our tradition for those seeking support during challenging and uncertain times, in our own lives and in the wider world. Through shared study, we will draw on seeds of hope and resilience and create space for care and connection for those facing difficult moments. All are welcome.

Rabbi Sharon Stiefel is rabbi of Mayim Rabim, the Reconstructionist congregation in the Twin Cities, and also the Pastoral Care Rabbi at Shir Tikvah.