Events

History of Zionism

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Taught by Rabbi Michael Holzman
Tuesdays, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 8, May 6
7:00-8:30pm, in person and on Zoom

The idea of Jewish autonomy and self-determination in the land of Israel pervades and structures Jewish thought for most of our history as a people.  In the modern era this concept gets turbo-charged, leads to the formation of the State of Israel, and continues to evolve through our present day. This course will trace the major ideas of Zionism and explore how over time, the emphasis of Zionism has shifted between different aspects of this line of thought. No prior knowledge required.

Click here to register.

Foundations of a Thoughtful Judaism: Faith

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Taught by Rabbi Holzman
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm, on Zoom only
January 28, February 25, March 18, April 22, May 20

In our next section of the four-part Foundations curriculum from the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, we explore big ideas about faith. Where does faith come from? What are the models in Jewish tradition for a complex relationship with God which includes reverence and joy, but also anger and argument? Where does doubt fit into a life of faith? Where do Jews who do not believe fit in? Join us as we delve into these questions and more.

Click here to register.

Judaism Is About Love

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Taught Rabbi Holzman
Thursdays, February 6, 20; March 6, 27; April 10, 17; May 1, 22; June 5
12:00-1:00pm, On Zoom Only

This lunch ‘n learn is named after Shai Held’s recent, masterful volume of Jewish thinking, Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Together we will seek to understand how Held’s ideas manifest in our lives and contemporary Jewish practice. Independent purchase of the book is required, and e-book copies should be paginated like the print edition. (No handouts will be provided.)

Click here to purchase the book and Click here to register.

Judaism Is About Love

in

Taught Rabbi Holzman
Thursdays, February 6, 20; March 6, 27; April 10, 17; May 1, 22; June 5
12:00-1:00pm, On Zoom Only

This lunch ‘n learn is named after Shai Held’s recent, masterful volume of Jewish thinking, Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Together we will seek to understand how Held’s ideas manifest in our lives and contemporary Jewish practice. Independent purchase of the book is required, and e-book copies should be paginated like the print edition. (No handouts will be provided.)

Click here to purchase the book and Click here to register.

Judaism Is About Love

in

Taught Rabbi Holzman
Thursdays, February 6, 20; March 6, 27; April 10, 17; May 1, 22; June 5
12:00-1:00pm, On Zoom Only

This lunch ‘n learn is named after Shai Held’s recent, masterful volume of Jewish thinking, Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Together we will seek to understand how Held’s ideas manifest in our lives and contemporary Jewish practice. Independent purchase of the book is required, and e-book copies should be paginated like the print edition. (No handouts will be provided.)

Click here to purchase the book and Click here to register.

Dirshuni: Contemporary Midrashim

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Taught by Rabbi Barrett
Wednesdays, May 7, May 21, and one additional date TBD – Please note the April 30 class has been cancelled.
7:00-8:15pm, in person and on Zoom

In recent years, there has been a burgeoning interest in contemporary midrashim authored by Israeli women and focused on female figures in scripture. These Midrashim have been collected into a volume called Dirshuni meaning seek for me.  Midrash is an ancient rabbinic form of exegesis, often seen as “stories” that fill the narrative gaps in biblical texts. Join us for this engaging study, where we will explore a different midrash in each session. Throughout the course, we will enhance our textual skills while also opening our hearts and minds to our foremothers’ poignant and emotional stories, viewing them through a fresh lens, and dive into this beautiful new collection.

Click here to register.

Dirshuni: Contemporary Midrashim

in

Taught by Rabbi Barrett
Wednesdays, May 7, May 21, and one additional date TBD – Please note the April 30 class has been cancelled.
7:00-8:15pm, in person and on Zoom

In recent years, there has been a burgeoning interest in contemporary midrashim authored by Israeli women and focused on female figures in scripture. These Midrashim have been collected into a volume called Dirshuni meaning seek for me.  Midrash is an ancient rabbinic form of exegesis, often seen as “stories” that fill the narrative gaps in biblical texts. Join us for this engaging study, where we will explore a different midrash in each session. Throughout the course, we will enhance our textual skills while also opening our hearts and minds to our foremothers’ poignant and emotional stories, viewing them through a fresh lens, and dive into this beautiful new collection.

Click here to register.

Comparative Diaspora

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Taught by Andrew Stein
Sundays, October 20, 27; November 10, 17; December 8, 15; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23; April 6, 27; May 4, 18
9:15-10:30am, in person and on Zoom

Synopsis: Many American Jews, though not all, trace their roots to ancestors who came to the United
States of America before 1945, with subsequent waves of Jews from the former Soviet Union and
Islamic world, Holocaust survivors, Israelis and others. This course will take a new look at the experience
and evolution of the Jews in America over time and topically with a different lens. We’ll compare and
contrast the American Jewish experience with that of other English-speaking Diaspora communities like
the UK, Canada, and Australia, as well as France, Argentina, and Brazil. We will explore a series of
themes such as efforts to achieve civic equality and Jewish participation in each country’s politics and
the military, the history of immigration and ghetto life from the 19th century up to the present, Jewish
demography, and the history of Judaism in its varieties. The course will also address the experiences in
diverse communities with Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, and different communities’ ties to Zionism
and Israel.

Click here to register!

Comparative Diaspora

in

Taught by Andrew Stein
Sundays, October 20, 27; November 10, 17; December 8, 15; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23; April 6, 27; May 4, 18
9:15-10:30am, in person and on Zoom

Synopsis: Many American Jews, though not all, trace their roots to ancestors who came to the United
States of America before 1945, with subsequent waves of Jews from the former Soviet Union and
Islamic world, Holocaust survivors, Israelis and others. This course will take a new look at the experience
and evolution of the Jews in America over time and topically with a different lens. We’ll compare and
contrast the American Jewish experience with that of other English-speaking Diaspora communities like
the UK, Canada, and Australia, as well as France, Argentina, and Brazil. We will explore a series of
themes such as efforts to achieve civic equality and Jewish participation in each country’s politics and
the military, the history of immigration and ghetto life from the 19th century up to the present, Jewish
demography, and the history of Judaism in its varieties. The course will also address the experiences in
diverse communities with Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, and different communities’ ties to Zionism
and Israel.

Click here to register!

Strengthening the Self (Mussar) Through the Psalms

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Taught by Cantor Caro
Wednesdays, 12:00-1:15pm, in person and on Zoom
November 13, December 18, January 15, February 12, March 12, April 23, May 14

Mussar is a virtues-based approach to Jewish ethics and character development, giving us how to live a most meaningful and ethical life.

The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 prayers, hymns, and meditations from Israel that are addressed to God, whose content expresses the breadth of the human experience of emotions.

In this monthly session, we will examine selections from the Book of Psalms that raise up various character traits (middot), offering us opportunities for personal growth and transformation through this Jewish lens.

Click here to register.