Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations is an acclaimed discussion series of the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston - brings together distinguished scholars, artists and activists to engage in unique exchanges around the current moral and social issues of our time. Nationally, and often internationally, renowned panelists are led by expert moderators through respectful and thought-provoking discussions. Through this series the JCC serves as a community living room; that is, a place where people who hold divergent opinions and perspectives come together, share ideas and gain understanding. Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations is ground-breaking in that it creates an opportunity for intellectual and emotional exchange, and makes a space for passion, insight and creativity to take root. The Jonathan Samen Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations Discussion Series is underwritten by generous donor support. All JCC arts and humanities offerings are programs of the Ryna Greenbaum JCC Center for the Arts.
An expert panel will explain how Israel's electoral system works, break down the key parties and issues shaping the race, and explore what the results could mean for Israeli society, U.S.-Israel relations, and the Middle East.
Arno Michaelis, a former Neo-Nazi and author of "My Life After Hate," and Mubin Shaikh, a former jihadist supporter turned counterterrorism expert share their journeys from radicalization to redemption. They 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.
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.
Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, sat down with former news editor Marty Baron to discuss a life in politics, as outlined in his new book, "Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service."
An expert panel will 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 today.
Join a dynamic panel of top journalists as they dive into a spirited discussion on the impact of Donald Trump’s policies on the Jewish community. From Israel and antisemitism to core American Jewish values, this thought-provoking conversation will examine the shifting political landscape and how Trump’s presidency has shaped, challenged, or reinforced Jewish interests.
Are his policies ultimately beneficial, harmful, or somewhere in between? Expect candid insights, compelling arguments, and a lively exchange of perspectives.
Dr. Robert Waldinger 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 been viewed more than 47 million times and is one of the ten most-watched TED talks ever. Join JCC Greater Boston as Dr. Waldinger shares important lessons on how to build a fulfilling, long life.
It has been nearly one year since the attacks on October 7th, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. That day, and the war that ensued, has led to an explosion in antisemitism worldwide and terrible suffering on both sides of the war. Our Hot Buttons Cool Conversations panel of American, Israeli and Palestinian experts will explore the war’s impact in Israel and its political reverberations in this country, including the war’s influence on our looming elections and how the election results could influence the conflict in Israel, Gaza and the rest of the world.
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.
It's been more than a year since Russia launched its devastating invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has challenged the world order and fueled geopolitical and economic uncertainty around the world. We examine the U.S. role in the War in Ukraine, providing more than $30 billion in military aid since the conflict began, but stopping short of deploying American forces. Panel of experts discusses how to continue to support Ukraine without inching closer to a direct U.S.-Russian confrontation and if we are at risk of World War III.
Photo credit : Envato
