Pamela Rothstein serves as Director of Lifelong Learning at the Falmouth Jewish Congregation. From the original appointment as Religious School Director in 1999, her position has expanded to better reflect her own, this congregation’s, and the Union for Reform Judaism’s commitment to lifelong Jewish learning.
Ms. Rothstein was born in Chicago, IL in 1961 and raised in Worcester, MA, where her family belonged to Temple Emanuel. She attended Brown University and was graduated in 1983 with a B.A. in Russian Studies, magna cum laude. After living for several years in Yugoslavia, Ms. Rothstein pursued graduate study in the Ph.D. program in history at Yale University, where she earned an A.B.D. in East European and Balkan history (specializing in Yugoslavia) in 1991.
After leaving academia and moving to Falmouth in 1994, Ms. Rothstein first became involved in Jewish learning as a member of the Religious School Committee before accepting the invitation to serve as Religious School Director. Since becoming Director of Lifelong Learning she has expanded learning opportunities for members of all ages. The continuing obligation of Jewish learning is reflected at the FJC by its seamless integration into all aspects of congregational life and activities, from holidays to worship, committee meetings to Social Action. It is Ms. Rothstein’s view that Jewish learning has the potential to transform one’s Jewish identity and engagement, deepening both the individual’s and collective’s relationship with Jewish tradition. By providing opportunities for all ages, abilities, and interests, she aims to maintain a vital, creative, and stimulating connection to Judaism for all members of our congregation.
Ms. Rothstein’s interests are wide-ranging, but areas of special concern that are often reflected in programming include: literature, film, history, the Shoah, German-Jewish relations, cooking, and the arts. She is active professionally, having participated in URJ conference panels and written book discussion guides for the URJ’s Significant Jewish Books.
Ms. Rothstein’s passion for tikkun olam has most recently taken the form of her work on the Steering Committee of No Place for Hate – Falmouth, her service on the Town of Falmouth’s Bikeways Committee, her service on the Neighborhood Falmouth Advisory Committee, and her role on the committee that established and maintains Falmouth’s first dog park. In recognition of her civic engagement, Ms. Rothstein was honored as “Citizen of the Year” in 2017 by the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. In January 2018, based on her leadership in No Place for Hate – Falmouth, she will be among the recipients of recognition for Human Rights work by the Church Women United of Cape Cod.
In her non-working and non-service time, Pamela is usually found outdoors in nature, on foot or on bicycle, sometimes with her beloved dog.
To reach Pamela Rothstein by e-mail: pbrothstein@comcast.net
From the desk of Pamela Rothstein
Jewish Book Council Author Talk with Rabbi David Jaffe (“Changing the World from the Inside Out”)
Jewish Book Council Author Talk by Rabbi David Jaffe focuses on a Jewish approach to Personal and Social Change September 14, 2017 at 7 p.m. Falmouth Jewish Congregation invites you to a Jewish Book Council author talk and book signing on Thursday, September 14 at 7 p.m. Rabbi David Jaffe will speak about his new book Changing the World from the Inside Out: [...]
Supporting the Falmouth Service Center
A new year frequently brings change, sometimes welcome, sometimes less so. As the new Jewish year 5,778 approaches we have learned of a change that will impact an institution near and dear to the hearts of our congregation and to thousands of people on the Upper Cape and beyond...the Falmouth Service Center. Some background: the Falmouth Service Center’s mission [...]
Jewish Ways to help After Hurricane Harvey
The following link provides helpful suggestions as to how we might respond, as members of Jewish communities, to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey: http://reformjudaism.org/blog/2017/08/28/4-jewish-ways-help-after-hurricane-harvey
Falmouth Jewish Congregation Hosts “Spiritual Intelligence” – A Breakfast Talk by Dr. Richard Wolman, Psychologist and Author of “Thinking with Your Soul: Spiritual Intelligence and Why It Matters,” Thursday, September 7 at 9:30 A.M.
Breakfast Talk by Dr. Richard Wolman, author of Thinking with Your Soul: Spiritual Intelligence and Why It Matters September 7, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. Falmouth Jewish Congregation welcomes the public to a breakfast talk on Thursday, September 7 at 9:30 a.m. This special event features an interactive talk entitled “Spiritual Intelligence” by Dr. Richard Wolman, psychologist, teacher, and author [...]
Open House!
If you missed the Open House.... Please contact us to learn more about this vibrant congregation! We'd be happy to speak with you or send you information; we can also explore the possibility of your attending our beautiful High Holy Days services.
Tea and Talk with Joan Burstyn: Growing Up as a Jew In London during World War II – on Thursday, August 10 at 3:30 P.M.
Growing Up As A Jew in London, England during World War II Come for a British Tea and Talk by FJC Member Joan Burstyn Thursday, August 10 at 3:30 p.m. We’ll serve tea and treats to honor Joan’s British heritage On August 10, 2017 at 3.30 p.m. FJC member Joan Burstyn will give a presentation titled “Growing Up in London, England [...]
Boomer Shabbat (and the Prayer of Exuberance!)
Jewish tradition identifies three basic categories of prayer: petitionary, thanksgiving and awe. (Someone suggested that these three categories might be better identified as “Gimme, Thanks & Wow!”) I’d like to suggest a fourth prayer category, one that I call “Exuberance”. For me, prayers of exuberance are always wrapped up with music and singing. While the language of our liturgy [...]
FJC’s Summer Jewish Film Festival Closes on August 15 with Fanny’s Journey
FJC 2017 SUMMER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL Tuesday in July and August, starting July 11 2:00 P.M. and 7:30 P.M. Doors open 30 minutes prior to start time Eye-opening, entertaining films, thoughtful discussion, & free refreshments Open to the community / discounted for members of the congregation Get ready for another summer of engaging film viewing and discussion. FJC’s Jewish Film [...]
A Note of Thanks on Being Honored as Citizen of the Year by the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce
A Note of Thanks from Pamela Rothstein Being honored by the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year allowed me to reflect: on my various activities in the town, on the rewards of partnering with extraordinary individuals on meaningful projects, on my past 22 years in Falmouth, and on causes and projects that might lie in the [...]
A day filled with k’dusha!
On Saturday, June 24, I will have the opportunity to experience four sacred experiences, three of which you, too, can experience! It will begin with Torah Study, from 8:30-9:30 AM. If you’ve never experienced Torah Study at FJC, it is a wonderful amalgamation of text study, wonderful digressions, spirited exchange of opinions, and laughter...lots of laughter! Join us! At [...]