Thursday, November 30 12:00–1:30
Blessing Our Food with Rabbi Rachael
Thursday, December 14 12:00–1:30
V'Shamru with Cantor Adesnik
Thursday, January 25 12:00–1:30
Az Yalla Bye - Israeli Culture Through Hebrew Slang with Rabbi Max
Thursday, February 15: 12:00–2:15
Viewing and Discussion of the film, “Women in the Balcony” with
Cantor Adesnik and Rabbi Rachael
Thursday, March 22: 12:00–1:30
Add an Orange - Preparing for Passover with Rabbi Max
Thursday, April 26: 12:00–1:30
Millennials and Israel - What's the Deal? with Rabbi Rachael
Thursday, May 17: 12:00–1:30
Connecting to God Through Food and Nature with Cantor Adesnik
During this education series we study Torah stories that are often skipped or rarely addressed. These texts may make us uncomfortable, and yet they are a part of our Jewish canon, our sacred texts. What do we do when these pieces of text describe something so far from sacred? Why have we spent so many years passing over these stories? How has the treatment of women in the Bible played out in modernity today? Explore these questions and more as we delve into “The Torah Stories We Skip.”
This learning and conversation will be elevated by the presence of both male and female voices. Texts include images of sexual assault and rape. Please reach out to Rabbi Rachael if you have any concerns.
Thursdays, 7:30-9:00pm
Jan. 18
“MACoM & Sojourn-Two Jewish Agencies You Should Know About”
Alice Wertheim & Rebecca Stapel-Wax
Feb. 22
“Voting in a Polarized Era:
The Outlook for the 2018 Midterm Elections”
Professor Abramowitz
March 8
“Jewish Ethics in an Autonomous Age:
Some Challenges of Driverless Cars”
Rabbi Jonathan Crane
“And how was the Torah written? With black fire upon white fire, as it rested on the knee of the Holy One, blessed be Adonai…”
Look past the black strokes of quill against parchment and discover a whole new world of meaning. Learn how music makes up a fundamental core of our Torah and writings, and how different musical settings and artistic expressions allow us to explore the stories beyond the black fire of the quill, hidden within the white fire surrounding each stroke.
What is the Jewish response to the use of modern medicine, abortion, vaccinations, and treating the terminally ill? We explore the ethics and rules of these topics through Jewish and modern medical approaches in our day.
We begin with the stances of the Reform movement and trace our position back through the sources. We will study how ancient religious decisions come to bear on our lives today!
Judaism has a long tradition of augmenting medicine in the midst of sickness and tragedy. This class explores how Midrash, metaphor and parables can aid healing; as well as how Judaism can inform and enrich one’s personal response to health, aging, loss & suffering.
We explore situational medical ethics alongside Jewish bioethics, and delve into the jewels of inspiration essential for purpose, meaning and hope during an illness.
We explore how fist fights, wars, platforms, and Zionism have led to what we call Reform Judaism. For nearly 200 years, from Germany to Atlanta, Reform Judaism has become the largest Jewish domination in the United States in 2017.
We learn about the crucial people, places, and events which have influenced our Reform Jewish movement of today.
What is Jewish Spirituality and what makes it Jewish? What does it mean to “be spiritual?”
Perhaps you are someone who is already engaged in a spiritual or mindful practice. Maybe you are someone who senses that there is something bigger than each of us, but you are not quite sure what that “thing” is. Whether you have an established practice, or are at the very beginning of your journey, let me help you open up even more, enhancing God’s presence in your life.
Together we learn how to encounter divine moments within the ups and downs of every-day life; we connect to something deeper within us and something bigger than ourselves.
From secular court cases to the Israeli law of return, biblical and talmudic interpretations, and modern response, understanding Jewish identity is a complicated and important topic to study.
We dissect the convergence of religion and state, we explore questions surrounding Judaism as a religion, race, and ethnicity, and we try to unpack the complicated answers that bring together and divide the Jewish people.
Encountering challenges, inter-personal conflict, and suffering is part of the human condition. Yet, all of us have an innate capacity to cultivate equanimity and courage, even in the face of major stress and pain.
Together we explore the tradition of mindfulness meditation, or meeting each moment with an open heart and mind. Blending mindfulness with Jewish wisdom, we begin to develop a practice of noticing our experience and getting reacquainted with our true selves.
Each session will begin with a guided sitting or moving meditation and conclude with a short teaching of Jewish text, as well as time for inquiry and reflection.
Rabbi Spike Anderson and Bob Bahr examine excerpts from four films by one of the greatest producers and directors in screen history, Steven Spielberg. Over his long career Spielberg has also developed, in his work and life, a strong identity with his Jewish heritage. Now in, this, his 70th year, we examine Spielberg's Jewish roots and the creative Jewish journey he has taken during one of the most productive careers in Hollywood.
Bob Bahr lectures and writes frequently
about film and modern culture.
