Elul Program   Sept 6-16^, 2010 / 27 Elul 5770 – 8 Tishrei 5771

Fall

Oct 4 2010 - Jan 6 2011 / 26 Tishrei – 1 Shevat 5771 (excl Channuka week of Dec 5)  

Mondays 9-10:45

Rabbis: Their lives and ideas

Reuven Grodner

Talmudic sages had not only interesting things to say, but, they also lived interesting lives. This class will study the lives and wisdom of heroes such as: R. Akiva, Hillel and Shammai, R. Shimon bar Yochai, etc.

Mondays 11 am-12:45 pm

Souls On Fire: Hassidic Masters And The Wellsprings Of Kabbalah
Reuven Grodner

This class will survey writings of the great Chassidic masters and explore the wisdom of Kabbalah that influenced their thought.

Tuesdays 9-10:45 am

The ‘Other’ in Judaism

Hindy Ginsberg

In Judaism, various situations arise in which people are excluded. Women, homosexuals, and non-practicing Jews are just some of the groups who may find themselves excluded. In this class we will explore classic Jewish texts in order to understand how Judaism relates to one who is different.

Tuesdays 11 am-12:45 pm

David: Sin, Revolt and Repair

Alex Israel

We shall study the latter stories of King David (Samuel II ch.10 to Melakhim ch.2). These include many of the lesser known and more “scandalous” narratives of David’s life: The sin of Bathsheva, the rape of Tamar, Avshalom’s revolt, the story of the Gibeonites, the census. Why did David have such a troublesome life? What character does David project during this turbulent period in his life?

Thursday 9-10.45 am

Parsha with a twist of Talmud
David Levin Kruss

Is it a Talmud class or a class in the Torah portion of the week? Both, actually. Each week we will learn a legal or narrative passage from the Babylonian Talmud that deals with an issue raised in the coming Shabat's parsha. A wonderful way to learn gemara that is immediately relevant. Suitable for all levels.

Spring & Omer (courses carry through to the Omer session.)

Spring             Jan 10- March 31 2010/ 5 Shevat – 25 Adar II

Omer              May 2-June 2 2010/ 28 Nissan-29 Iyar

Mondays 9-10:45am

Pearls in our prayers 

Reuven Grodner

Many Jews pray year after year without having a clear comprehension of their prayers. The goal of this class is to give the student a deeper understanding and an enhanced appreciation of the history, meaning and religious experience of prayer.

Insights will be drawn from the writings of Rabbis Solovetchik and Kook, ztz”l, as well as, Kabbalistic explanations of the ARI, z”l. 

Mondays 11-12:45pm 

Principles Of Faith; What Should A Jew Believe? 

Reuven Grodner

This class will focus upon basic tenets of Judaism such as: God, Free Will, Torah From Sinai, Reward and Punishment, Afterlife, etc.

Sources will include Talmud, Midrash, Maimonides, Rabbi Yosef Albo, and other Jewish philosophers.  

Tuesdays 9-10:45am

From Adam to Abraham: Literary Psychological Readings of Foundational Stories

Shmuel Klitsner

Taking a new look at familiar stories in the book of Genesis a new way to read the Bible, in which unusual word choices, odd syntax, and striking parallels conspire to reveal profound new meanings.

Tuesdays 11am-12:45pm

Book of Kings I / Sefer Melakhim

Alex Israel

The Book of Kings describes Israel’s history from the building of the Temple to its destruction. We shall begin with the grandeur of Solomon’s majestic  reign, and follow the contours of history through the division of the Kingdom. Was Solomon loyal to God? Why did marry 1000 wives? And why did the kingdom come crashing down after his death? What is the prophetic assessment of the split of Israel into two separate countries? The last segment of the course will address the polar opposition of the great prophet Elijah and his arch enemy, the evil Ahab.

Thursdays 9-10:45

Parsha and Midrash

Nechama Barash

Study the weekly Torah reading through the prism of Midrash. Midrash is one of the most misunderstood genres of Jewish Literature and a treasure store of wisdom and insight. In  this course, you will receive and introduction into the world of Midrash, its sophisticated technique, its sources and methods.