9:30-10:30 Presidents’ Hall

Justice for All
Crime, Punishment, and Justice
Speaker: Dr. Peter Parilla, Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice, University of St. Thomas

The American criminal justice system administers punishment to millions of criminal offenders each year. The stakes in doing so are enormous for both the offender and society at large. Parilla will address this issue and whether sentences are proportional to the crime and administered equally. -Joyce Luckfield

10:45-11:45 Presidents’ Hall

Social/Cultural Change
Pop Culture and Youth
Speaker: Dr. Stephen West, Executive Director of Educational Services, Eden Prairie Schools

West will help us understand the influence of popular culture and media on today’s youth who are bombarded with technology and media of all types. While trying to make the most of these innovations, how are our children and grandchildren coping with exposure to extreme violence and coarse language? -Jan McLandsborough

11:45-12:15

Business Meeting

12:15-1:15

Luncheon
Luncheon Hostess: Beth McCabe
Guest Hostess: Karen Landro

Marionettes – Minneapolis Room
Nominating Committee – Porch
Program Committee – Association Room

1:15-2:15 Presidents’ Hall

Political World Landscape
Israel in the 2012 Elections
Speakers: Ron Garber, Co-Chair of J Street Minnesota
Maggie Thurer, J Street Minnesota Steering Committee member
jstreet.org

Our speakers will discuss their work for J Street, the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans fighting for the future of Israel as the democratic homeland of the Jewish people. J Street believe that Israel’s Jewish and democratic character depends on a two-state solution resulting in a Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security. They will explain the need for expanding the conversation about what it means to be Pro-Israel in the American Jewish community. -Catherine Abbott