BESEDA: COJECO Jewish Intellectual Circle “The Story of Jews and Cannabis”

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Adult B'nai Mitzvah Journey

COJECO is excited to launch its Adult B’nai Mitzvah Journey, a program for Russian-speaking Jewish adults in New York! This unique experience encourages and enables the participants to join meaningful Jewish learning, celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and bring the joy of Jewish living to their families.

BluePrint Fellowship

The program empowers RSJ change makers to create their own community-building initiatives, with the support of a network of peers, educational workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and mini-grants for project implementation.

B'nai Mitzvah RSJ Family Journey

A customized, year-long family program for Russian-speaking Jewish parents and their children leading up to Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

COJECO Virtual Academy of Jewish Heritage

The Virtual Academy of Jewish Heritage offers a series of top-notch Jewish and Israel-related educational sessions in English and Russian. Learn more on how to attend these free virtual lectures and help support the academy!

RJKrug

Interested in a unique Jewish learning program co-created by Russian-speaking Jewish families and leading Jewish educators? RJKrug, an Innovative Jewish Learning Program For Children and Parents, will soon begin its cohort for 2023-2024.

Germany Close Up

Bringing Russian-speaking Jewish young adults on a 9-day educational trips to Germany to explore the past and present of Jewish life in Germany, and to experience modern Germany first hand.

COJECO New Jersey

We have launched a successful program for adults, children, teens, and families in Northern New Jersey, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

Ukraine: Refugee Resources & Ways to Help

As the war in Ukraine rages on, our community is welcoming more refugees from Ukraine every day. COJECO has been working tirelessly to help people impacted by the War in Ukraine to resettle in New York and New Jersey. Read more about our efforts and Join!

COJECO Anniversary Gala

Join COJECO in celebrating its annual gala honoring the RSJ Community. Stay tuned for details about the 2025 annual gala!

BESEDA: COJECO Jewish Intellectual Circle “The Story of Jews and Cannabis”

BESEDA: COJECO Jewish Intellectual Circle, “The Story of Jews and Cannabis” with Dr. Eddy Portnoy Long before counterculture figures like Abbie Hoffman and Allen Ginsberg began protesting in favor of the legalization of marijuana, this popular plant had been a part of Jewish life for millenia. From the Bible to the present day, Jews have […]

About Event

BESEDA: COJECO Jewish Intellectual Circle, “The Story of Jews and Cannabis” with Dr. Eddy Portnoy

Long before counterculture figures like Abbie Hoffman and Allen Ginsberg began protesting in favor of the legalization of marijuana, this popular plant had been a part of Jewish life for millenia. From the Bible to the present day, Jews have been buying, selling, and using cannabis for religious and medicinal purposes and as an intoxicant.

This talk will detail the long history of Jews and cannabis – and will delve into aspects that range from religious texts to medieval manuscripts to contemporary artifacts, all of which reveal deep Jewish involvement in the science, the marketing, the legalization, and the usage of cannabis.

Eddy Portnoy, the Academic Adviser and Exhibitions Curator at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, is the author of “Bad Rabbi and Other Strange but True Stories” from the Yiddish Press. Portnoy earned an MA in Yiddish Studies from Columbia University and a PhD in Jewish History from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. In addition to curating exhibits for YIVO, he writes and lectures on Jewish popular culture.

COJECO Adult Jewish Education Programs are generously supported by the UJA-Federation of NY.