Jewish Studies & Hebrew Classes
Summer 2010
Jumpstart your Jewish learning in the summer with Rabbi Graetz & Rabbi Greninger!
To sign up for these free classes, please contact Nathan Bellet at (925) 284-9191 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Questions? Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
What is Sacred Jewish Literature? with Rabbi Roberto D. Graetz
Wednesdays 6:45-7:45 p.m. – June 23, 30, July 7 in the Adult Lounge
We have all heard about the Torah but what about all those other books? Come and learn how Jews in different lands and at different times contributed to the expansion of Torah. The MIshnah and the Talmud, the midrash and codes, yesterday’s responsa and today’s thinking will be on the plate.
Building Blocks of the Diaspora with Rabbi Roberto D. Graetz
Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 p.m.– June 23, 30, July 7 in the Adult Lounge
How did the dispersion come about? What did the Jews bring to the host cultures? What did they borrow from them? We will look at history and geography to better understand how Jews survived persecution and assimilation, and how the experience made them wiser and kinder, to each other and towards the ‘other.’
Longing for Zion with Rabbi Nicki Greninger
Wednesdays 6:45-7:45 p.m. – July 14, 21, 28 in the Adult Lounge
For thousands of years, Jews have been “longing for Zion.” Israel plays an important role in Jewish liturgy and culture, although some of us may wonder why and how Israel matters today. In this class, we will look at Israel through three lenses: cultural Zionism, political Zionism, and religious Zionism. We will explore the question, “Why is Israel important to Jews?” as well as the more personal, “Why might Israel be important to me?”
Contemporary Issues in the State of Israel with Rabbi Nicki Greninger
Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 p.m. – July 14, 21, 28 in the Adult Lounge
This class serves as a “Taste of Israel” for those who want to know more about Israel and what is happening there today. In order to grapple with the complexity of the modern State of Israel, we will explore three contemporary issues: the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, the religious / secular divide, and denominational tension regarding the question, “Who is a Jew?”
These summer classes are free of charge. To register please contact Nathan Bellet at (925) 284-9191 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Questions? Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
In the Recent Past…
Below you will find our course offerings for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Wednesday Evening Jewish Studies Courses
The History of Reform Judaism
Crown and Mystical Kabbalah
Who is the Wise Person? Discovering Pirkei Avot
Sunday Morning Jewish Studies Courses
Encountering Judaism
Above and Beyond Kashrut: A Contemporary Look at Jewish Eating
Experiencing the Exodus: A Study of the Passover Haggadah
Sunday Morning Hebrew
Intermediate Prayerbook/Biblical Hebrew 2B
Wednesday Evening Jewish Studies Courses
THE HISTORY OF REFORM JUDAISM
Jan 13: The emergence of “Religious School” in the early 20th century with Rabbi Nicki Greninger
Jan 27: Historical background to the emergence of Reform Judaism with Rabbi Roberto D. Graetz
Feb 3: The liturgies of the early reformer with Rabbi Judy Shanks
Feb 10: The Music of the early reformers with Cantor Leigh Korn
4 sessions: Wednesdays, January 13 – February 10 (no class 1/20)
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in the Adult Lounge
$10/members; $25/non-members
CROWN AND MYSTICAL KABBALAH
Beginning with a brief discussion of the meaning and definition of mysticism, we will quickly focus on the unique characteristics and history of Jewish mysticism before looking more intensively at the great thirteenth century classic of Kabbalah, the Zohar. After an overview of the architecture and literary qualities of this enormous library of esoteric books, we will begin reading passages from the Zohar with an emphasis on understanding the theosophical constructs of the book, how it views the life of God in the universe and how we are included in that life. Using the ten sefirot of the Tree of Life as a key should open up this abstruse and mythic text to any interested reader.
Instructor: Ira Steingroot is the author of Keeping Passover (HarperSanFrancisco, 1995), All-Purpose Yiddish Knowledge Cards, Jewish Mysticism: the Language of the Kabbalah Knowledge Cards, Jewish Ceremonies and Holidays Knowledge Cards, The Ten Sefirot of the Kabbalah Classic Poster, and All-Purpose Yiddish Calendar 2002 and 2003. He has been writing about music, especially jazz, since 1973 and giving classes on Kabbalah since 1978.
4 sessions: Wednesdays, February 24 – March 17
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in the Adult Lounge
$55/members; $65/non-members
WHO IS THE WISE PERSON? DISCOVERING PIRKEI AVOT
The answer to the question in our title is “the one who learns from every person.” It is but one example of the masterpiece of aphorism that is Pirkei Avot, or Ethics of the Fathers. Pirkei Avot appears towards the end of the Mishnah (the foundation text of Talmud) which was first compiled in the 2nd century CE by Judah HaNasi. Our class will explore the sayings of sages, focusing on the meaning of the text as well as its historical context. Recommended readings will be provided by the instructor.
Instructor: Nitzhia Shaked holds a degree in law from Hebrew University and worked for the Israeli Supreme Court. She has a Master’s Degree in Jurisprudence from Harvard and is a member of the California Bar. Nitzhia is a Wexner scholar. In addition to being an adjunct professor of Jewish Studies at San Francisco State University, she is also joining Sonoma State University as adjunct professor this spring.
4 sessions: Wednesdays, April 14 – May 5
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in the Adult Lounge
$55/members; $65/non-members
Sunday Morning Jewish Studies Courses
ENCOUNTERING JUDAISM
This is a year-long introduction to the history, beliefs, and practices of the Jewish people. This course will be of value to those just beginning to explore Jewish studies, those considering choosing Judaism or becoming bar/bat mitzvah, those in an interfaith relationship, and those who may (or may not) have had a Sunday school Jewish education and are looking for a more mature understanding. We will discuss the sacred literature, Jewish theology & ritual, and modern Jewish history. Students are encouraged to expand their Jewish literacy by taking this course in conjunction with one of the beginning Hebrew courses.
Required text: Living Judaism by Wayne Dosick
Instructor: Rabbi Samuel Broude is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Sinai, Oakland, where he served his congregation for 23 years.
21 sessions: Sundays, October 4 – April 25 (no class 12/20, 12/27, 1/3, 1/17, 2/14, 3/28, 4/4)
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
$150/members; $190/non-members
Note: This is a full academic year (21-session) course.
ABOVE AND BEYOND KASHRUT: A CONTEMPORARY LOOK AT JEWISH EATING
Jews love food. We care deeply about food. Our earliest texts describe what to eat an what not to eat—and when. We celebrate with food, joke about food, and pass down recipes through the generations to make sure our Jewish holidays taste the way they are supposed to taste. For centuries, the laws of Jewish eating (kashrut) set the boundaries for how and what Jews ate. Today, other important concerns have arisen. Is the kashrut industry ethical? Is eating meat a moral choice in a world of shrinking resources? If ‘kosher’ food means ‘fit for eating,’ should we Jews not also consider the use of pesticides, the benefits of locally-grown foods, the working conditions in the fields?
In this class we will study traditional Jewish texts about eating, learn how Jews use blessings to sanctify our thrice-daily activity of eating, and think about and perhaps reevaluate our own food choices as we consider contemporary ideas of Jewish ethical, healthy and sustainable eating. The class will culminate with a potluck of Jewish foods that represent the choices we have made and feel great about eating. Yum!
Instructor: Rabbi Judy Shanks
4 sessions: Sundays, January 10, 24, 31 & February 7
11:15 – 12:15 a.m.
$10/members; $25/non-members
EXPERIENCING THE EXODUS: A STUDY OF THE PASSOVER HAGGADAH
The Mishnah states “In every generation a person is obligated to see her/himself as if s/he actually came out of Egypt.” How is the Exodus from Egypt told and passed from one generation to the next? The Haggadah does not simply pass on history in the form of facts, dates and routes traveled. Nor does it tell a simple story in the style of a fable or tall tale. In order to answer this question, we will explore the Haggadah through three lenses: laws of the Passover Seder, the sacred narrative of the Exodus experience, and ritual process and methodology of the Haggadah. This class will be a great way to prepare for your Passover Seders this year.
Instructor: Rabbi Alissa Forrest
2 sessions: Sundays, March 14, 21
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
$10/members; $25/non-members
Sunday Morning Hebrew
INTERMEDIATE PRAYERBOOK/BIBLICAL HEBREW 2B
A continuation of our introductory Prayerbook Hebrew course, designed for those who can sight-read Hebrew texts with vowels and understand noun-adjective relationships. This course will focus on developing the foundation for reading comprehension and a basic Hebrew vocabulary. We will cover the basic grammar and vocabulary of the Siddur (prayerbook), and begin translating passages from the Siddur and the Hebrew Bible.
Prerequisite: Lehrhaus Judaica’s Prayerbook Hebrew 1A-1B or equivalent.
Required text: Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way (available for purchase at first class session).
Instructor: Muni Schweig (See bio above)
19 sessions: Sundays, October 18 – April 25 (no class 12/20, 12/27, 1/3, 1/17, 2/14, 3/28, 4/4)
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
$135/members; $175/non-members
Note: This is a full academic year (19-session) course.