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About Rabbi Herbert Tarr • Courses in Jewish Studies • Lecture Series •• Participating Congregations • Registration • Past Speakers & Lecturers •
COURSES IN JEWISH STUDIES
MONDAY October 29, November 5, 12 and 1
9 at 7:30PMCourse # 1
Instructor: RABBI ROBERT D. BLOCK, ROSLYN SYNAGOGUE
At a time when there is much conversation about “The Erosion of the Nuclear Family,” can we look to our Jewish tradition for guidelines? Are the Jewish models outdated? Can those models help lead us to a more meaningful life?
Topics for discussion will include children’s obligations to parents, parents’ obligations to children, and spousal obligations including financial and emotional support, sex and sexuality.
Course # 2
Title: “OLAM HABAH” – THE WORLD TO COME
Instructor: RABBI TODD CHIZNER, TEMPLE JUDEA
This class will focus on the Jewish views of life and death. We will study texts from Bible, liturgy, mishnah, midrash, modern literature and legend. We will also be afforded an opportunity to discuss and share our own personal experiences on this subject. You may be surprised to learn just how important a belief in life eternal is!
Course # 3
Title: READING APPELFELD
Instructor: RABBI MARTIN S. COHEN, SHELTER ROCK JEWISH CENTER
Aharon Appelfeld is one of Israel’s finest authors and the single greatest expositor of Shoah fiction. Born in the Ukraine, he was deported with his father to a concentration camp after his mother was murdered. Amazingly he escaped, spent several years on his own in the forest and managed to join the Red Army as a cook. When the war ended, he was sent to a DP camp in Italy from where he made
aliyah to British Palestine–while still only 14 years old. Appelfeld’s war experiences are the backdrop for his exceptional literary work which features fictional characters who embody his own wartime experiences. Each short book is a gem in terms of its understated, yet stark, willingness to face evil squarely on and to learn about life, about the destiny of the Jewish people and the Zionist dream. This is an opportunity to be introduced to one of the greatest living Jewish authors by one of his most devoted fans. Each evening will be devoted to one single book which should be read in advance of each class. The books are: Blooms of Darkness, All Whom I Have Loved, The Iron Tracks, and For Every Sin. Participants are also urged to consider reading Appelfeld’s memoir, The Story of a Life.
Course # 4
Title: CALLING WOMEN TO THE TORAH: A STUDY OF HISTORY AND TEXT
Instructor: RABBI IRWIN HUBERMAN, CONGREGATION TIFERETH ISRAEL
One of the greatest divides between Orthodox Judaism and the Conservative and Reform movements revolves around the issue of calling women to the Torah and counting women in a
minyan (a prayer quorum). How did this evolve?In an attempt to separate emotion from fact, we will study thousands of years of history and text which have fueled the discussion of egalitarianism within Judaism and, in the end, you will decide: Is there a true basis for either position?
Course # 5
Title: “THE OBSERVANT LIFE: THE WISDOM OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM
FOR CONTEMPORARY JEWS”
Instructor: RABBI ALAN B. LUCAS, TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM
A study of this groundbreaking new book – what does Judaism, and specifically Conservative Judaism, have to say about issues such as: Prayer, Israel, Personal Integrity,
T’zniut, Same-Sex Relationships, Interfaith Relations, Medical Ethics, Individuals with Disabilities and so much more. How will this new book contribute to creating an observant life and is there a place for Conservative Judaism in the 21st century?
Course # 6
Title: THE SEX OF JUDAISM
Instructor: RABBI MICHAEL STANGER, OLD WESTBURY HEBREW CONGREGATION
There is a general assumption amongst many today that Jews tend to be very liberal regarding most political and perhaps even personal issues. In truth, what does our tradition, dating from the time of the Torah, have to say about personal intimacy between a husband and a wife? What about an unmarried couple? What are the parameters that our tradition places on conjugal relations between two individuals? How comfortable was the Torah, our holy codes, and their Rabbis with the very notion of sex and what might be permitted or prohibited? It might surprise you to find out! This class will explore a fascinating and relevant piece of Jewish tradition not often discussed around the Shabbat dinner table!
Course # 7
Title: THE INSPIRING MAJESTY OF THE PSALMS
Instructors: RABBI MICHAEL WHITE AND
RABBI ANDREW GORDON, TEMPLE SINAI
Together we will study several selections from this magisterial biblical book and be elevated by its beautiful poetry and emotion. See how these timeless selections have enabled our people to respond to tragedy, fear and loneliness, and to appreciate life’s joys and triumphs.
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