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Hand-made music, presented live and in real time. In the words of Steve Hurl, the band’s leader, Jumpin’ Juba is New Orleans swamp-rock, classic boogie-woogie, folk, Memphis rock & roll, and a playful use of everything from calypso to country stirred into the one blue stew. If you haven’t heard them yet at Southgate, what are you waiting for?

As we know, the science of evolution has been controversial ever since Charles Darwin first published “The Origin of Species” in 1859. At our Women’s Circle Breakfast on January 9, Professor Owen Sholes will talk to us about exactly that in his presentation titled “Evolution All Around Us.” We see evidence of the long history of evolution in fossils, but living things continue to evolve today, often in ways that matter to us. Influenza viruses, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and even African elephants are changing in surprising and important ways. How do living things evolve and what, if anything, should we do in response? Professor Sholes recently retired from Assumption College. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from Cornell University. He came to Assumption College in 1978 and taught courses in ecology, evolution, invertebrate zoology, environmental science, and botany for 40 years. His book, “Stopping By Woods: Robert Frost as New England Naturalist,” was published this year.

The second of our 4-session subscription series to the BSO Open Rehearsals for 2018-2019. Today’s concert features conductor Sir Andrew Davis with Alessio Bax on piano. The repertoire includes John Harbison’s Symphony No 2, Mozart’s Piano Concert No. 24 in C Minor and Vaughn Williams Symphony No. 5. Previous registration was required.

Starting Friday January 4, at 3 P.M., the Jewish Studies Group will be meeting in the chapel. Rabbi Rachmiel Langer will continue to lead the group, as he has since 2008. Each week, as a d’var Torah – a “word of Torah” – Reb Rachmiel leads a teaching and discussion of Jewish perspective Bible study, history, Jewish thought, holiday traditions, or life-cycle practices. Each week, we welcome the beginning of the Sabbath with blessings over lighting the candles, wine, and challah bread. Reb Rachmiel received rabbinic ordination from a Beit Din (rabbinic court) led by Rabbi Alan Ullman on Tu BiShvat 5776 (2016), culminating fifteen years of Jewish sacred studies and ministry service. He received training as a “mashpia ruchani,” (spiritual guide) at Lev Shomea, Institute for the Training of Spiritual Directors in the Jewish Tradition. Previously, he earned a BA in philosophy at Hampshire College, studying eastern and western spiritual traditions. He has been a member of Kerem Shalom, a synagogue in Concord, MA for thirty years, at times serving on the board as VP of Spiritual Life, assisting with services, and teaching. He is also a member of Spiritual Directors International; Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal; Network of Spiritual Progressives; and T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. He regularly teaches Torah study, biblical Hebrew language, Jewish meditation and prayer, and Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). He is currently engaged in a project translating Torah, making the original Hebrew available to English readers. ALL are welcome to join us in the chapel at 3:00 on Friday afternoons.