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
The arrival of flannel-shirt weather….
OCTOBER Helen Hunt Jackson Bending above the spicy woods which blaze, Arch skies so blue they flash, and hold the sun Immeasurably far; the waters run Too slow, so freighted are the river-ways With gold of elms and birches from the maze Of forests. Chestnuts, clicking one by one, Escape from satin burs; her fringes done, The gentian spreads [...]
Like summer lightning…
Several years ago I wrote a song whose chorus runs like this: Like summer lightning Beyond the horizon You know the storm is coming You just don’t know when..... That’s the way I’m feeling at this moment....unsettled, expectant, fearful of a storm of hitherto unknown proportions which may break over our heads on the night of Tuesday, November 8th, [...]
At summer’s end…
I don’t think that I will ever fully leave behind memories of my childhood summers in Baltimore which were characterized, primarily, by swampy, relentless humidity. Hence the appeal of a poem about an icehouse and, hence, my deep appreciation for New England’s clement climate! Wishing you a pleasant end of summer.... THE ICEHOUSE IN SUMMER Howard Nemerov A door [...]
“What do WE stand for?”
As I sat down to write this column, word of the horrific terrorist act in Orlando was spilling across the news. We’ve been told that it was a record-setting act of gun violence in our nation and we are left reeling, angered, frustrated and –perhaps– frightened. It is all too easy for us to imagine one of our own [...]
Social Action Committee Activities this Fall
Updates from FJC’s Social Action Committee (September 2016) Update on Belonging to Each Other: Do you have time to volunteer one morning a month from December through March? Belonging to Each Other (BTEO), the Falmouth community wide initiative to provide our homeless neighbors with shelter, is in need of drivers to transport people to medical appointments. If you are only [...]
Beit Sefer Raises Tzedakah for Three Great Non-Profits
Tzedakah Recipient Organizations – Mitzvot through Bicycling: Cyclekids and the Israel Ride (supporting both Hazon and the Arava institute) Beit Sefer has two terrific Tzedakah causes and three recipient organizations! We'll learn more about these organizations and efforts throughout the year and raise Tzedakah through weekly giving and special events such as Tuesday Sinai Sundaes, our annual Tzedakah Fundraiser Dinner, Tzedakah [...]
FJC Co-Sponsors a Benefit Concert Providing Relief for Victims of Louisiana Flooding, Sunday, Sept. 11, 4-6pm at Waquoit Congregational Church
The Waquoit Congregational Church and the Falmouth Jewish Congregation have teamed up to host a concert Sunday, Sept. 11, 4-6 p.m. at the Waquoit Church to benefit the Louisiana flood victims. The band Ok Cajun featuring Amy and Jon Larkin, and Max Cohen will provide music; Cajun food will be available for sale. All proceeds from donations and food sales [...]
The Bay State: A Multicultural Landscape
The Bay State: A Multicultural Landscape Photographs of New Americans by Mark Chester Opening Reception and Artist Talk on Thursday, September 29 at 7:00 P.M. Exhibit runs through October 31 Orders for Mark’s companion book will be taken Portraits of more than 300 naturalized U.S. citizens of the Commonwealth benefitting The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). Mark [...]
All-Gender Restrooms and Signage from “My Door Sign” at FJC’s Beit Sefer
This spring, FJC introduced new signage to its two restrooms in the Beit Sefer wing. In keeping with changes in society at large and with the Reform Movement’s affirmation of transgender rights at its December 2015 Biennial, we installed “all-gender restroom” signs in these single-use restrooms. Children gathered for a brief installation ceremony in which we explained, in child-friendly words [...]
Beit Sefer Begins on Sunday, September 11, 2016
Beit Sefer begins on Sunday, September 11 with a welcome breakfast for all - new and returning families, starting at 9:15 A.M. At 10:00 A.M. there will be parent and student orientations that review the upcoming year and provide an opportunity for parents to meet briefly with Ms. Rothstein and sign up for volunteer shifts. Students then spend the morning [...]