|
Join us in Jerusalem June 28 to July 2, 2009
The Pardes Executive Seminar is geared to business executives,
professionals and community leaders who wish to combine the experience
of visiting Israel with an immersion into the study of classical Jewish
sources.
The Pardes Executive Seminar provides the opportunity to
discover the relevance of these ancient texts, within the inspirational
setting of Jerusalem.
"Last year's seminar surpassed even our highest expectations. Each lecturer was more impressive than the last, the tours were excellent, and getting to know the other participants was a pleasure. We'll be back!"
Debbie and Chaim Abramowitz, Executive Seminar 2007
"A must do week for the serious adult learner - with world class teachers, ancient texts and good old fashioned fun!"
Marlin Barad, Pardes Executive Seminar 2006, 2007
Elijah: The Prophet of Fire, Fury, and Faith
Elijah is simultaneously one of the most appealing – and intimidating – Biblical characters. As a religious firebrand, fighter for social justice, miracle maker and devoted mentor, he sets the tone for the great prophets of the Bible. Elijah is the quintessential “man of truth” who is destined to be the harbinger of the Messiah.
Beginning with the Biblical narrative, we will examine Elijah’s one-man battle against a powerful regime that is corrupt, charismatic prophets that are false, and a thriving society that is in existential crisis. We will examine Talmudic stories, Kabbalistic teachings and a variety of Jewish rituals to learn how Elijah transmits his legacy to future generations and how he lives on after his ascent to heaven. Among the issues that we will explore:
- Religious Zealotry & Diversity: Can they coexist?
- Miracles & Faith: Is one a pre-requisite for the other?
- Corruption & Power: Can King Ahab and his wife Jezebel be reformed?
- Elijah's Cup: Why is it on our Seder table if we don't drink it?
This year’s seminar includes a visit to Mount Carmel, the setting of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Ba’al, and to Elijah’s cave in Haifa. There will also be an option for a short night hike in the desert, the “second home” of Elijah.
Join us for an exciting week of exploration at the Pardes Executive Seminar,
as we confront these and other questions and responses.
The Pardes Executive Seminar is planned for both the beginner student, and
for those with Hebrew knowledge and experience with texts.
|
Dates
June 28 to July 2, 2009
Program
Click for 2008 Program Schedule
Featured Guest Speakers
Admissions Page
Courses
Each day's learning will include Beit Midrash Havruta study, classroom
teaching, and group discussion. No previous Jewish text study is
required.
Mornings will be devoted to the exploration of biblical narratives and
rabbinic sources that reflect on the difficult situations that we must
deal with at so many junctures in our daily lives. Using the Pardes
study method, we will see how our Jewish heritage deals with issues of
importance in our individual lives. Afternoons will offer speakers on
modern historical and current issues related to the Seminar theme.
There will be several special evening programs.
How We Study: Pardes pioneered the renewal of Havruta - the classic
style of rabbinic study - for the contemporary age. Unlike the formal
classroom setting of "frontal teaching," Pardes is alive and vibrant
with the give-and-take between participants. In groups of two's and
three's, you will learn to grapple with the texts, with careful guidance
from Pardes master teachers.
Our learning sessions together are interactive and dynamic, with
participants contributing from their own diverse experience to the study
of the texts of our tradition.
Faculty
The Educational Coordinator of the Seminar this year is Rabbi Meir
Schweiger, who has led many past Seminars. Meir is the mashgiach ruchani
(spiritual guide) of Pardes, and has been a full-time teacher here for the
last 27 years, teaching Chumash, Mishna, Talmud, and Halacha.
Rabbi Daniel Landes, Director and Rosh HaYeshiva, BA (Philosophy) Yeshiva
University; MA (Jewish Philosophy and Talmud) Bernard Revel Graduate School;
Rabbinic Ordination Rabbi Isaac Elhanan Theological Seminary, Yeshiva
University.
Rabbi Landes has been a faculty member of the Simon Wiesenthal Center,
Yeshiva University of Los Angeles, Loyola Law School, prominent think tanks
such as The Rand Corporation and major Jewish educational institutions such
as the Brandeis Bardin Institute and CLAL. He has also been a long term
faculty member for the Wexner Heritage Foundation and the UJCY Young
Leadership and is known for his struggle to create Jewish unity. He has
written widely in the area of social ethics, theology and mysticism and is
the Jewish law commentator for the recent series My People's Prayerbook, a
multi-denominational effort
Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is the Director of the Pardes Educators Beit Midrash
Program. He holds an M.A. from Harvard in Medieval and Modern Jewish
thought, and received his ordination from Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel. He
was Director of Judaica at the JCC of Cleveland and instructor at the
Cleveland College of Jewish Studies for many years. He also serves as
Director of Education of the Nesiya Institute.
Admissions Page
|
