Events

Introduction to Reform Responsa

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Taught by Rabbi Barrett
Thursdays, November 14*, December 19, January 9, February 6, and March 6
7:00-8:15pm, in person and on Zoom
*Class on November 14 will take place from 6:00-7:00pm

Responsa is a genre of Jewish literature focused on legal decisions and rulings made by rabbinic authorities. These texts typically present questions and answers regarding various aspects of Jewish practice and cover nearly every facet of Jewish life. Each monthly session will explore a specific theme in Jewish tradition, accompanied by a relevant responsum on the topic. This class merges Jewish learning with practical application, encouraging participants to reflect on their own relationship to Jewish observance. Join us as we dive into a new legal topic each session, enhancing both your textual skills and your understanding of Jewish knowledge along the way.

Click here to register.

Introduction to Reform Responsa

in

Taught by Rabbi Barrett
Thursdays, November 14*, December 19, January 9, February 6, and March 6
7:00-8:15pm, in person and on Zoom
*Class on November 14 will take place from 6:00-7:00pm

Responsa is a genre of Jewish literature focused on legal decisions and rulings made by rabbinic authorities. These texts typically present questions and answers regarding various aspects of Jewish practice and cover nearly every facet of Jewish life. Each monthly session will explore a specific theme in Jewish tradition, accompanied by a relevant responsum on the topic. This class merges Jewish learning with practical application, encouraging participants to reflect on their own relationship to Jewish observance. Join us as we dive into a new legal topic each session, enhancing both your textual skills and your understanding of Jewish knowledge along the way.

Click here to register.

Dirshuni: Contemporary Midrashim

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Taught by Rabbi Barrett
Wednesdays, April 30, May 7, and May 21
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, April 30, May 7, and May 21
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.

Beginning Hebrew

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Taught by: Neta Litvin
Textbook: Hebrew Alfon Primer
Mondays, 12 weeks beginning October 28, 7:00-8:00pm
Online only
$136/members, $160/non-members

You’re about to start learning Hebrew and immersing yourself in this unique language and culture. Our beginners course will give you a strong foundation in Hebrew. We start by learning the use and sound of all the Hebrew letters and vowels, which paves the way to reading, speaking, and writing. We teach Hebrew with an Israeli flavor, making learning an enjoyable and successful experience for all!

Click here to register!

Shabbat Singing (Just Because You Like to Sing!)

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Taught by: Cantor Caro
November 21, January 23, March 20, 7:00pm

Come join us to be able to sing along more easily with our vast musical repertoire for Shabbat. We will be learning by ear and with words (no music reading). Just bring your n’shamah- your breath and your spirit!

Click here to register.

Short Story Discussion Group

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Short Story Discussion Group

First Monday of each month

7:30-8:30pm, on Zoom

Join us for a fourth year of monthly lay-led discussions of Jewish short stories. Four
NVHC members have selected the stories and will take turns leading the discussions.
Each session will stand on its own – you can attend whenever you have the time and
interest. We’ll meet on the first Monday of the month on Zoom at 7:30pm for 45 minutes
to an hour. Participants will receive the story and meeting links in advance. To sign up
for this year’s discussion group, email shortstories@nvhcreston.org. Even if you
participated last year, we’d like you to sign up again so that we can gauge interest in the
program and ensure that we have the correct email address for you.

Short Story Discussion Group

in

Short Story Discussion Group

First Monday of each month

7:30-8:30pm, on Zoom

Join us for a fourth year of monthly lay-led discussions of Jewish short stories. Four
NVHC members have selected the stories and will take turns leading the discussions.
Each session will stand on its own – you can attend whenever you have the time and
interest. We’ll meet on the first Monday of the month on Zoom at 7:30pm for 45 minutes
to an hour. Participants will receive the story and meeting links in advance. To sign up
for this year’s discussion group, email shortstories@nvhcreston.org. Even if you
participated last year, we’d like you to sign up again so that we can gauge interest in the
program and ensure that we have the correct email address for you.

Advanced Hebrew

in

Taught by Neta Litvin
Textbook: Brandeis Modern Hebrew
Wednesdays, 12 weeks beginning October 30, 6:45-7:45pm
Online only
$136/members, $160/non-members
Prerequisites: Intermediate Hebrew II, Prayer Hebrew II, or equivalent. Comfort with reading Hebrew fluently and intermediate knowledge of Hebrew grammar.

In this course you will continue to expand your vocabulary, advanced grammar, adjectives, and verb tenses. The textbook reflects some of the main principles that have shaped the Brandeis Hebrew curriculum during the past decade. These include: an emphasis on the learner’s ability to use the target language in all four skills areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing; an effort to contextualize each unit within a specific subject or theme; exposing the student to authentic and semi-authentic materials (texts written by native speakers); and exploring different elements from Israeli and Jewish culture in the language drills, reading passages, and in selections of sources from the Hebrew literary canon. The text in this edition comprises 11 units, supplementary Hebrew proficiency guidelines, and a vocabulary list. Audio-visual components for all reading passages are available online for download.

Click here to register!

Advanced Hebrew

in

Taught by Neta Litvin
Textbook: Brandeis Modern Hebrew
Wednesdays, 12 weeks beginning October 30, 6:45-7:45pm
Online only
$136/members, $160/non-members
Prerequisites: Intermediate Hebrew II, Prayer Hebrew II, or equivalent. Comfort with reading Hebrew fluently and intermediate knowledge of Hebrew grammar.

In this course you will continue to expand your vocabulary, advanced grammar, adjectives, and verb tenses. The textbook reflects some of the main principles that have shaped the Brandeis Hebrew curriculum during the past decade. These include: an emphasis on the learner’s ability to use the target language in all four skills areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing; an effort to contextualize each unit within a specific subject or theme; exposing the student to authentic and semi-authentic materials (texts written by native speakers); and exploring different elements from Israeli and Jewish culture in the language drills, reading passages, and in selections of sources from the Hebrew literary canon. The text in this edition comprises 11 units, supplementary Hebrew proficiency guidelines, and a vocabulary list. Audio-visual components for all reading passages are available online for download.

Click here to register!