Jonathan Samen Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations Discussion Series
What is Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations?
If you enjoy a lively exchange of ideas on today’s hot button topics, Jonathan Samen Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations — the JCC’s acclaimed discussion series — is for you.
We bring together distinguished scholars, thought leaders and expert moderators for thought-provoking dialogue on issues of concern to the Jewish community and beyond. The series is named in honor of Jonathan Samen, z”l (of blessed memory), past chair of the JCC Greater Boston Governing Board, to recognize his legacy of leadership.
All JCC arts and humanities offerings are programs of the Ryna Greenbaum JCC Center for the Arts. As a 501(c)(3), JCC Greater Boston does not endorse or oppose candidates for public office or political parties.
Upcoming Events
To Be A Jew Today with Noah Feldman
Thursday, February 12 | 7–8:30pm
What it means to be a Jew today feels more urgent than ever. For some, Jewish identity has become a source of connection and belonging; for others, it prompts searching questions about who we are and how we show up in the world. In this timely and thought-provoking conversation, Harvard Law Professor Noah Feldman sits down with Rabbi Charlie Schwartz, Director of Lehrhaus, to explore this enduring and pressing question. Drawing on a lifetime of deep engagement with Judaism, Feldman offers a wide-ranging and nuanced reflection on Jewish identity, examining how Jews navigate their relationships to God, to Israel, and to one another in an era of profound change and challenge.
About Noah Feldman
Arthur Kingsley Porter University Professor, Chair of the Society of Fellows, Founding Director of the Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law, Harvard University
Noah Feldman
Arthur Kingsley Porter University Professor, Chair of the Society of Fellows, Founding Director of the Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law, Harvard University
Noah Feldman is the Arthur Kingsley Porter University Professor, Chair of the Society of Fellows, and founding director of the Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law, all at Harvard University. A policy & public affairs columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, Feldman also writes for The New York Review of Books and was a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine for nearly a decade. He hosts the Deep Background podcast, an interview show that explores the historical, scientific, legal and cultural context behind the biggest stories in the news. Feldman is the author of 10 books, including his latest, To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel, and the Jewish People.
About Rabbi Charlie Schwartz
Rabbi Schwartz is the director of Lehrhaus: A Jewish Tavern and House of Learning in Somerville, Massachusetts. He is also the director and co-founder of Not-a-Box Media Lab, a leader in the field of Jewish educational technology. Previously, he was the senior director of Jewish Education for Hillel.
Changing Hate to Hope: Conversations from the Front Line
Wednesday, April 29 | 7–8:30pm
Please join us for this powerful and hopeful conversation at a time when antisemitism is on the rise and fear of the “other” is heightened. We will hear from Arno Michaelis, a former Neo-Nazi and author of My Life After Hate, and Mubin Shaikh, a former jihadist supporter turned counterterrorism expert, who will share their journeys from radicalization to redemption. They will reflect on their transformations, the beliefs that once fueled their hatred, and the turning points that led them to turn their lives around and be agents of change. Together, they offer an honest and compassionate exploration of how hate develops, how people change, and how meaningful connections can emerge even in painful and traumatic times. The program is moderated by Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, trauma psychologist and Director of Trauma Training & Services at Parents for Peace.
Meet the Panelists
Author, My Life After Hate, and Co-Author, The Gift of Our Wounds.
Arno Michaelis
Author, My Life After Hate, and Co-Author, The Gift of Our Wounds.
Arno Michaelis is a speaker, filmmaker, author of My Life After Hate, and co-author of The Gift of Our Wounds. Arno draws from his lived experience as a former Neo-Nazi to work as an Exit Peer Specialist at Parents for Peace, helping to lead people away from all violent extremist ideologies, and to support their families. Refuge, his latest film project, is now available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and Tubi. Arno has been a professional public speaker since 2010, and has captivated audiences around the world.
Counter Extremism Specialist, Parents for Peace
Mubin Shaikh
Counter Extremism Specialist, Parents for Peace
Mubin Shaikh is a former supporter of extremism who changed his ways following the 9/11 attacks.
After spending two years of studying Arabic and Islamic Studies in Syria, he self-deradicalized and
returned to Canada where he was recruited to be an undercover operative with the Canadian
Security Intelligence Service. He was also extensively involved in counter-ISIS activities for the U.S. military and Coalition forces between 2012 and 2020, directly engaging with numerous ISIS supporters and members, and supporting deployed elements involved in the fight against ISIS.
He is currently a counter extremism specialist with the renowned NGO, “Parents4Peace” where he conducts interventions in extremism cases and appears before the U.S. Courts as an expert.
Moderator
Clinical Psychologist, Director of Trauma Training and Services at Parents for Peace & Lecturer in Psychology, Harvard Medical School
Miri Bar-Halpern
Clinical Psychologist, Director of Trauma Training and Services at Parents for Peace & Lecturer in Psychology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern is a clinical psychologist, Director of Trauma Training and Services at Parents for Peace, and Lecturer in Psychology at Harvard Medical School, where she supervises psychology interns and psychiatry residents. Dr. Bar-Halpern is a leading scholar on traumatic invalidation, a construct she has helped define through clinical work, research, and large-scale training initiatives. Her work also includes the widely used children’s book Becoming a Superhero: A Book for Children Who Have Been Exposed to Trauma.
Since the October 7 Hamas attack and the global surge in antisemitism and extremist violence, Dr. Bar-Halpern has played a leading role in coordinating mental health responses for affected individuals and communities. In recognition of her public leadership and advocacy, she is the recipient of the Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award from the Jewish Education Project. She is also the co-host of the podcast Our Stories Matter, produced by the Trauma Informed Learning Alliance.
Past Events
Presidential Powers: Past, Present, and Future
CNN Presidential historian Timothy Naftali, and ABC News legal contributor Kimberly Wehle shed light on how presidential authority has evolved over time, the constitutional debates surrounding executive power, and how a historical lens is illuminating and relevant to the present-day. Moderated by Aaron Tang of the emmy-nominated TV series, “Breaking the Deadlock” that brings different voices together for civil debate on America’s toughest issues.
The Trump Effect: Examining the Impact on the Jewish Community
Gabby Deutch, Eli Lake, and Jonathan Weisman—three leading journalists—joined moderator Jane Eisner for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on the impact of Donald Trump’s policies on the Jewish community. Topics included Israel, anti-Semitism, and the evolving landscape of American Jewish values. The panel offered a range of perspectives and insights into how Trump’s presidency has shaped and challenged Jewish interests.
Unlocking the Key to Happiness: It's Never Too Late!
Dr. Robert Waldinger, author of, “The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness” reveals the answers to the question: What makes for a happy and fulfilling life? His TED Talk about the Harvard Study, “What Makes a Good Life,” has more than 47 million views and is one of the ten most-watched TED talks ever.
October 7 One Year Later: The War’s Far Reaching Impact
It has been nearly a year since the October 7th attacks, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. That day, and the ensuing war, sparked a surge in global antisemitism and immense suffering on both sides. Our Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations panel features American, Israeli, and Palestinian experts. They discuss the war’s impact in Israel and its political effects in the U.S.. The panel also explores how the war may influence upcoming elections and how election results could affect the ongoing conflict.
Israel and Gaza: Finding a Way Forward
As we approach six months since the horrendous massacre on October 7, there is no end in sight for the conflict in Gaza. With an incalculable human cost, our Hot Buttons Cool Conversations panel examines if there is another way forward. We look ahead to the time when Israelis, Palestinians and the rest of the world must wrestle with the future Gaza and its relationship with Israel. We examine Israel’s alternative paths and what role the U.S. has to play in managing the crisis.
An Evening with David Brooks
David Brooks is an op-ed columnist for The New York Times and a writer for The Atlantic. He is a regular on the PBS NewsHour. He is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mountain and The Road to Character. David discusses his latest book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Seen. He offers a practical guide to truly knowing others and fostering deeper connections. This topic is especially relevant given the current state of our country and the world.
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