The Search: Identity. Community. Purpose.

The Search event has been postponed. In light of recent events in Pittsburgh, CJP has made the difficult decision to postpone The Search event featuring Christian Picciolini originally scheduled for this Sunday, Nov. 4. This Shabbat will be an opportunity for the community to come together to focus on healing. We are working on arrangements to host Christian Picciolini at a later date.

Christian Picciolini was searching for meaning and purpose. As a teenager, in his pursuit of community and identity, he found himself in a very dark place: deep inside America’s violent, dangerous hate groups. By 16, Christian was operating skinhead cells across the U.S. that called for a “race war” against Jews.

A few years later, still in his early 20s, he lost everything — his family, home, business, and his sanity. Today, he is a peace advocate, helping others leave the white supremacist hate movement.

A musician, author, record label founder, and music video director, Christian has devoted his life to social activism. Next Sunday, he will kick off the morning and inspire us to engage in eye-opening workshops exploring identity led by young adult members of our community — from music and drama to Jewish learning and yoga.

Join other young adults from across Greater Boston for a day of self-exploration, discovering new ways that Jewish life, values, and community can enrich our individual journeys.

[Art] Visualize Your (Jewish) Values with Sarah Rubenstein

Channel your inner artist! In this workshop, we’ll share traditions we celebrate within our communities and discuss values that keep us going every day. We’ll take all that inspiration and create a work of art that blends our identity, purpose, and Judaism—with the help of some colored pencils.

[Yoga] Mindful Movement and Self Love with Abby Zwetchkenbaum

Through mindfulness and yoga, we will reflect personally and as a community. How can positive energy, gratitude, and presence help unite us? Arrive at your mat for a fun all-levels flow!

[Music] Songs for Change – Your Voice Has Power with Michael Harlow

Come lend your voice and share your thoughts! Music has a rich history with regard to community organizing and protest movements. Explore how music and lyrics can inspire and push agendas of social change and how our Jewish values manifest in community singing and moral development.

[Text] Out of the Text Box: A Spiritual Reset with Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen

Journal, discuss, decompress. Take some time for a spiritual reset through words and silence. Using our own writing and texts from our tradition, we’ll process Christian’s talk together, exploring what it means to forge one’s own path, to “unlearn” that which we’ve been taught, and to find the courage it takes to do so.

[Drama] Hineini: Here I Am! Finding Yourself by Finding Your Ensemble with Becky Price

Using a variety of theatrical techniques, we’ll engage in understanding our surrounding world and the role we play in it. We’ll step into characters similar and different from ourselves and explore what it means to be a diverse ensemble. No acting experience necessary!

[Food and Culinary History] From Adafina to Zaatar: Crafting Jewish Identity, Culinarily with Sara Gardner

If you could pick one food that represents your Jewish identity, what would it be? In this session, we’ll be learning about and tasting Jewish food from across the diaspora while exploring the ways we express our Jewish identities through food. Come one, come all, come hungry!

Featuring espresso from Peddling Caffe, hot cider, and plenty of noshes throughout the morning. Dietary laws will be observed.

For any questions or additional information, please contact Becca at rebeccag@cjp.org or 617-457-8862.