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The Civil Calendar with Dr. Fred Messing

Sunday, March 1, 2026 • 12 Adar 5786

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

People sometimes prefer to observe yahrzeits in the “real calendar” rather than the Jewish calendar. The “real calendar”, more properly known as the civil calendar, changed multiple times over almost 3000 years to meet the needs of three tyrants and a pope. It now comprises months with nonsensical names and lengths. The civil calendar’s only virtues are that it aligns well with the seasons and is universally (almost) accepted. The Jewish calendar also aligns well with the seasons. So, which calendar is more real and shall we prefer a calendar constructed by Rabbis or by tyrants and a pope?

DR. FREDRIC MESSING is a physicist whose career spans particle physics research, NASA mission support, and STEM education. He has held academic positions at Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, the University of Maryland, and the U.S. Naval Academy. At NASA, he contributed to Space Shuttle communications, satellite navigation, and lunar-mission planning, earning the Silver Snoopy, Manned Flight Awareness Honoree Award, and a Hammer Award for government innovation. A co-author of 57 scientific publications, he later founded Guidestar Forms to support early childhood programs. A longtime B’nai Israel member and gabbai, he regularly reads Torah and pursues advanced Jewish learning.

Breakfast will be served. Cosponsored with Sisterhood.

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Thu, March 5 2026 16 Adar 5786