We look forward to a meaningful weekend together! Details related to each event are provided below. Please arrive early to ensure there is enough time to check-in and get settled so the presentations can begin on time.
If your plans have changed, please email events@huc.edu to modify your registration. If you have any questions on the day of the event, please call 212-824-2207.
Visit huc.edu/berkshires for general information about the sessions offered, event partners, speakers, and more.
Thursday, July 27
“I Created the World”: Humans and the Environment in the Bible and Contemporary Art
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Presenters: Adriane Leveen, Ph.D. and Robert Wisenberger, Ph.D.
Pick up your entrance ticket from the HUC-JIR team at the Visitor Service Desk in the Manton Research Center. If you would like to arrive earlier in the day to enjoy the grounds and exhibits, please check in with a Clark representative at the Visitors Service Desk and let them know you are part of the HUC-JIR in the Berkshires event.
The discussion will take place in the auditorium, followed by a short shuttle ride to the exhibition in the Lunder Center at Stone Hill building. Please note, the full program will likely run until 4:00 due to the large number of attendees.
We hope you will stay after the program to enjoy the grounds of the Clark Institute. See a map of the many walking trails that traverse the property, including trails up historic Stone Hill, whose summit offers a spectacular view of Williamstown and the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Venue Location, Contact, and Parking:
The Clark – Auditorium at 227 South Street Williamstown, MA 01267
Visit the Clark’s website for additional information about the campus
Main Phone at Venue: 413-458-2303
Friday, July 28
Loaves of Torah: A Challah Shaping Workshop
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Presenters: Rabbi Vanessa Harper ’22 and Daniel Fisher-Livne, Ph.D.
Bring your curiosity and creativity, we’ll bring the dough! Following a conversation with Rabbi Vanessa Harper and Daniel Fisher-Livne, guests will shape their own challah. You will have the option to bake the dough at home or have Hevreh’s team bake it for you on site, with pickup available at the front desk between 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or following services that evening. Dough is being provided by Pittsfield Rye.
Guests can pre-order Rabbi Vanessa Harper’s upcoming book, Loaves of Torah: Exploring the Jewish Year through Challah (Published by CCAR Press, Copyright 2023), directly through the publisher with anticipated publication of December 2023. Use code LOAVES20 to receive 20% off through Monday August 7 at 11:59 CT.
Venue Location, Contact, and Parking:
Hevreh of Southern Berkshire (270 State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230) in the Sanctuary
Main Phone at Venue: 413-528-6378
Kabbalat Shabbat Worship Service and Shabbat Dinner
Service: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Presenters: Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch ’10, Rabbi Jodie Gordon ’14, and Cantor Jill Abramson ’02
Shabbat Dinner: Beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Presenters: President Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Ph.D. ’93, Rabbi Shirley Idelson, Ph.D. ’91, and Cantor Jill Abramson ’02
Friday night service, followed by a delicious and engaging community Shabbat dinner featuring a panel discussion. Guests staying for service and dinner will be seated at tables; guests attending the service only will be seated in chairs at the front of the Sanctuary. A kosher-style, buffet dinner is being catered by Marketplace Catering.
Venue Location, Contact, and Parking:
Hevreh of Southern Berkshire (270 State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230) in the Sanctuary
Main Phone at Venue: 413-528-6378
Saturday, July 29
Trails and Torah
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Presenters: Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Ph.D. ’93, Rabbi David Adelson ’99, D.Min. ’16, Daniel Fisher-Livne, Ph.D.
View the new Pleasant Valley map, including recent updates to the All Persons Trail. Upon arrival, find the HUC-JIR check-in table outside the education center (the green building at the beginning of BlueBird Trail, down the hill from the barn). The group will spend a few minutes together before separating for two sessions: hiking or meditation. The hike will be on the ADA compliant All Persons Trail, however the torah study will be outdoors and we cannot guarantee seating.
Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle, sunscreen, a hat, bug spray, and any other items you prefer for outdoor activities. Note that visitor services staff will open the visitor center and bathrooms at 9:00 a.m. A filtered water bottle station and water fountain are available in the barn.
Note: If the location needs to change due to inclement weather, an email will be sent by 7:15 a.m. on Saturday morning. Please make sure to check your email provided during registration.
Venue Location, Contact, and Parking:
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA 01240
Main Phone at Venue: 413-637-0320
Parking is available in front of the sanctuary entrance or in the overflow lot up the road
Israel at 75: Why Reform Judaism in Israel Matters Now More Than Ever
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Presenter: President Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D.
Join us for a conversation with HUC-JIR President Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D. about the influential, transformative work of the students, faculty, and alumni of HUC-JIR’s Israeli programs who are committed to creating dynamic, inclusive communities and inspiring Israelis to embrace their Judaism, while working hard to promote justice and democracy in Israel.
The event will be hosted in the Library. Please use this form to submit questions by July 27 for consideration in the Q&A portion of the discussion, about HUC-JIR’s work in Israel and why reform Judaism matters now more than ever in Israel.
Venue Location, Contact, and Parking:
Ventfort Hall (104 Walker St, Lenox, MA 01240)
Main Phone at Venue: 413-637-3206
Havdalah and Concert
6:00 p.m.; concert begins 8:00 p.m.
Presenter: Cantor Jill Abramson ’02
If you haven’t yet purchased your entrance ticket, make sure to visit the Tanglewood website to purchase. We recommend bringing your own lawn chairs, although a limited number are available for rent.
Before the concert, find the HUC-JIR team on the Music Shed Lawn – look for a table with blue, green, and white balloons. Join us between 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., for a 6:30 p.m. Havdalah start. Craft packages and activities for children will be available, in collaboration with PJ Library.
Note: All concerts at Tanglewood take place rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, we will adhere to decisions and recommendations of the venue. Should our plans change, an email will be sent by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Please make sure to check the email you provided during registration.
Venue Location, Contact, and Parking:
Tanglewood Music Center (297 West Street, Lenox, MA 01240)
Main Phone at Venue: 617-266-1200
Sunday, July 30
Justice Shall You Pursue: A Dialogue on Making Change, Followed by Tour of Tzedek Boxes Pop-up Exhibition
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Presenters: Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel, Ed.D. ’23 and Rabbi Shirley Idelson, Ph.D. ’91
Join us in the Sanctuary for discussion and viewing of the pop-up exhibition. If you’re staying for the writing workshop, bagels and spreads will be provided between sessions.
Venue Location, Contact, and Parking:
Hevreh of Southern Berkshire (270 State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230) in the Sanctuary
Main Phone at Venue: 413-528-6378
Connect and Create: WRJ and Lilith Salon and Writing Workshop
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Presenters: Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch ’15 and Sarah Seltzer
The conversation will jump off from Sarah Seltzer’s story “Ironing” in Lilith’s brand-new fiction anthology, should you want to read it in advance of the discussion.
Venue Location, Contact, and Parking:
Hevreh of Southern Berkshire (270 State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230) in the Library
Main Phone at Venue: 413-528-6378
American Values, Religious Voices: Speaking Religious Truth to Political Power
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Presenters: Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Ph.D. ’93, Daniel Fisher-Livne, Ph.D., Marc Z. Brettler, Ph.D., and Casey Bohlen, Ph.D.
Check-in with guest services in the main lobby to receive your ticket before proceeding to the terrace for the event.
Please note that the museum closes at 5:00 p.m. If you would like to tour any exhibitions or take a 20-minute guided tour of Rockwell’s Stockbridge studio where he spent the final two decades of his life at work, please plan accordingly. The last guided studio tour prior to the event is 3:00 p.m., and tours are limited to 15 people and typically sell out in advance. If interested, you can reserve a guided studio tour and note that you do not need to purchase your own museum entrance ticket as HUC-JIR is providing that as part of the event.
Venue Location, Contact, and Parking:
Norman Rockwell Museum (9 Glendale Road / Route 183, Stockbridge, MA 01262)
Main Phone at Venue: 413-298-4100
Important note: Many GPS and online maps do not accurately place Norman Rockwell Museum. Please use the directions provided here and this map image for reference. Google Maps & Directions are correct!