Events

Our Only Adamah (Earth): Exploring the Jewish Connection and Responsibility to the Earth

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Taught by Rabbi Barrett
Wednesdays, December 11, January 29, March 5, March 19, April 16
7:00-8:15pm, in person and on Zoom

In the early chapters of the Torah, we learn that humans are called to “till and tend” the earth. This command resonates powerfully as we witness the profound changes affecting our planet today. Join us in exploring the Jewish imperative to protect the environment, enhancing our understanding of the Jewish relationship with the earth and our response to climate change from both religious and spiritual perspectives.

This course is structured in three sections: We will begin with a scriptural exploration, followed by an examination of the rabbinic period and the evolution of our holidays dedicated to the land. Finally, we will engage in a theological reflection on how to observe these holidays and maintain our faith in a time of dramatic change.

Click here to register.

Our Only Adamah (Earth): Exploring the Jewish Connection and Responsibility to the Earth

in

Taught by Rabbi Barrett
Wednesdays, December 11, January 29, March 5, March 19, April 16
7:00-8:15pm, in person and on Zoom

In the early chapters of the Torah, we learn that humans are called to “till and tend” the earth. This command resonates powerfully as we witness the profound changes affecting our planet today. Join us in exploring the Jewish imperative to protect the environment, enhancing our understanding of the Jewish relationship with the earth and our response to climate change from both religious and spiritual perspectives.

This course is structured in three sections: We will begin with a scriptural exploration, followed by an examination of the rabbinic period and the evolution of our holidays dedicated to the land. Finally, we will engage in a theological reflection on how to observe these holidays and maintain our faith in a time of dramatic change.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!