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High Holiday Hebrew: In The Original Level 1
Michal Nachmany
Mon Wed 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Sep. 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24
Do you go to synagogue faithfully every Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur but hardly understand a word? Or do you stay away from synagogue because you don’t understand the liturgy? Either way, we are here to help! Come to this intensive three-week session where you will pick up the essentials for reading and understanding the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur liturgy
in the original Hebrew.

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High Holiday Hebrew: In the Original Level 2
Michal Nachmany
Mon Wed 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Sep. 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24
Do you go to synagogue faithfully every Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur but hardly understand a word? Or do you stay away from synagogue because you don’t understand the liturgy? Either way, we are here to help! Come to this intensive three-week session. Level 2 is designed for those who have completed Level 1 and for anyone else who can read Hebrew phonetically and wants to begin to understand it.

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Three;s a Crowd: Sarah, Abraham, and Hagar
Wendy Amsellem
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Sep. 10, 17, 24
As Sarah approaches the age of 90, she begins to despair of ever conceiving a child. Perhaps unwisely, she matches up her husband, Abraham with her maidservant,Hagar. Jealousy, cruelty,and betrayal ensue. Sift through the many layers of this story from Genesis in an attempt to understand each character’s machinations and motivations. Using the biblical texts as well as medieval and modern commentaries, explore the relationships between Hagar, Sarah,and Abraham and reflect on why this story was chosen as the
Torah reading for Rosh Hashanah.

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Sephardic High Holiday Piyutim: Musical Prayer Poetry
Galeet Dardashti
Wed 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Sep. 10, 17, 24
This interactive workshop will introduce students to some of the
most beautiful piyutim (religious poems) from the High Holiday prayer services of Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur, from the Middle East and North African traditions.Hear and learn a few of these beautiful poetic songs, and acquire cultural and historical lenses for understanding them in context. Learn piyutim representing the Iraqi, Sephardi-Jerusalem, Moroccan, and Iranian traditions utilizing song sheets with both the original Hebrew and modern English translations. No Hebrew or musical background is required or expected.

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High Holiday Liturgical Highlights
Dr. Neil Gillman, Rabbi Leon A. Morris
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Sep. 10, 17, 24
Was Jonah really swallowed up by a big fish? Does God really hold court and determine “who will live and who will die” on these days? Did our ancestors really dispatch a scapegoat into the wilderness on Yom Kippur? The liturgies for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur include passages that are distinctive for these days alone. We anticipate them, recall their melodies, and from time to time, we listen to sermons on them. But we rarely submit them to a close reading and study their origins. Why are they recited on these days specifically? What might they mean for us today? In this workshop, we will study three such passages: the Unetaneh Tokef, the Book of Jonah, which is the haftarah for the mincha (afternoon) service on Yom Kippur, and the Avodah (the recreation of the Yom Kippur Temple ritual).

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Repairing the World from the Inside Out: Tikkun Midot
Rabbi Jan Katzew
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Sep. 10, 17, 24
“Tikkun olam,” often rendered “repairing the world,” may seem to be an exclusively observable, empirical task. However, it is not necessarily so. There is a world inside us in addition to the world around us. This interior world requires its own mending, and consequently, Jewish thinkers as diverse as Solomon Ibn Gabirol, Moshe Hayyim Luzzato, and Rebbe Nachman of Bratzlav spoke and wrote about tikkun middot (repairing morally) and tikkun ha-nefesh (repairing soulfully) as complementary counterparts to tikkun olam. Together, we will consider their collective wisdom along with that in the Machzor (prayer book for the Days of Awe). Even though tikkun in all of its forms can and should take place at any time, it is especially timely as we prepare for the High Holidays.

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Return, Return, Return: The Art of Repentance in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Mishael Zion
Wed - 9:00 PM
Sep. 10, 17, 24
How can one change the past? How can one hope to change for the better in the future? Jewish tradition has given us the powerful tool of teshuva, repentance, as a way to return to the path we’d like to choose for ourselves. Examine the development of the idea of repentance. Begin with the Rabbis’ revolution of teshuva, replacing external sacrificial rites with internal repentance. Explore Maimonides’ belief in the possibility of radically changing oneself. Encounter the softer, more flexible Hasidic perspective of teshuva as self-acceptance. Finally, look at models of repentance in Christianity and Islam, comparing them to Judaism for some surprising insights.

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Why Is This Vote Different from All Others: A Look at the “Jewish Vote,” Historical and Present
Daniel M. Bronstein
Sun 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Oct. 26
Is there such a thing as the “Jewish vote”? What makes any given political issue a “Jewish issue”? And is it possible to pinpoint historical generalities about American Jewry’s involvement in American political life? This one-day seminar preceding the November elections will confront these questions from various perspectives including an examination of who Jews voted for in presidential elections from the early 20th century through the present, as well as provide a historical study of Jewish involvement in the world of American politics, from the Colonial era through the Holocaust, the birth of the State of Israel, and beyond.

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Genesis III: The Garden of Eden
Dr. Neil Gillman
Sun 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Nov. 2
One of the iconic narratives in all of Scripture, the very enigmatic third chapter of Genesis tells the story of the Garden of Eden. This chapter deals with the central issues of life: gender, sexuality, work, childbirth, the acquisition of knowledge, the evil impulse, and death. Interpretations of this chapter in world literature are endless, but they all begin with a close reading of the text itself. From there, they go on to ask: What does it mean? What did it mean to the author(s)? What does it tell us about ourselves?

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Reim Ha’Ahuvim: Lovers and Friends in their First Year of Marriage
Dasee Berkowitz, Dr. Barry L. Stern
Sun 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Nov. 16
Are you in your first year of marriage? While the honeymoon might (literally) be over, come and learn about the ways that you can use the rhythm of the Jewish year to continue to sustain and build your relationship and your Jewish home. Explore questions that many couples deal with in their first year of marriage—from dealing with in-laws, to developing communication skills, to understanding the values that exemplify the way you want to live your lives as a couple. Deepen your understanding of Jewish symbols of the home as they reflect on your relationship in this new phase.

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B’Tipul/In Treatment: Israeli and American Therapy Cultures Collide and Complement
Dr. Jill Salberg
Sun 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Nov. 23
View episodes from the Israeli television show B’Tipul and HBO’s adaption for the American screen, In Treatment, looking at the ways that psychotherapy is portrayed in both Israeli and American pop culture. Does it translate across cultures or does it diverge? Is there a “culture of therapy” and in what ways does it refract, or is it embedded within each country’s popular culture? Two different patients and episodes will be screened from each series, to be followed by analysis and discussion.

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Rivalry and Redemption in the Bible
Dr. Diane M. Sharon
Sun 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Dec. 7
What makes you think you’re so special? Explore biblical stories of rivalry and chosenness, favoritism and competition, and the surprising message they tell us about ourselves, about what God wants of us, and about the nature of humankind. Starting with the earliest stories in Genesis about Cain and Abel, and concluding with the prophetic vision of Ezekiel, move from rivalry to redemption in the story of Israel, and, in the process, discover insights into our own, modern dilemmas.

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“What’s Wrong With Our Children?” Parents and Children in Jewish Short Stories
Anne Roiphe
Sun 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Dec. 14
Jewish mothers, sisters and brothers, fathers and daughters fight with each other, find each other, and lose each other in some of the Jewish short stories that reflect our experience in America. Our private problems and our cultural skirmishes are often reflected in Jewish short stories. Old or new, there always seems to be something wrong with the children. What do our writers tell us about the generational ache? Read and discuss stories by Malamud, Roth, Isaac B. Singer, Grace Paley, Cynthia Ozick, and others.

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The Book of Deuteronomy: High Stakes and High Drama on the Plains of Moav
Arlene Agus
Mon 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
Deuteronomy is, perhaps, the least known of the Five Books of Moses, as it is typically read during the summer months. Organized as a recapitulation of the code of law and the 40 years of wilderness wanderings, it is far more than a repetition of the first four books of the Torah. Instead, through sweeping rhetoric, moral exhortation and evocative linguistic changes, Moses attempts to recreate the power and immediacy of the Sinai revelation, rekindle faith and faithfulness to the God of Abraham, and inspire collective commitment to the Covenant. Compare the original and Deuteronomic versions of the narrative. Read about the anguish of Moses as he is denied permission to enter the Promised Land, his farewell “sonnet” to his beloved flock, and his poignant blessing of the People Israel, as he dies “by the kiss of God.”

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Making Sense of Judaism: A Sophisticated Re-introduction
Arlene Agus
Mon 4:15 PM - 5:45
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
What spiritual message links rituals of mourning with Succot? Yom Kippur with the Sabbatical Year? How is the belief in Messianic redemption expressed through both the Passover seder and the circumcision of a son? Surprisingly, many of the keys to decoding Judaism–its philosophy, beliefs and practices-are embedded within the twin pillars of holidays and life-cycle events. Study the intricate relationship between these two systems of meaning through biblical and rabbinic texts, historical documents, law, science, folklore, and religious literature from Jewish and non-Jewish sources. Master the art of “making sense of Judaism” through this novel, atypical approach.

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Israel’s Changing Collective Identity: From David Ben Gurion to Ethiopian Immigrants
Dr. Fred Lazin
Mon 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
Examine Israel’s collective identity starting from the 1950s when Ben Gurion tried to mold diverse immigrants into a monolithic, modern secular Jewish society by excluding Israeli Arabs and Ultra-Orthodox Jews. Study the significant changes that occurred as a result of the Six Day War in 1967 and the War in 1973, which ultimately created a very different Israeli society and identity. Focus on the political rise of the Jews from Arab lands and their search for cultural roots; the changing identity of the Ultra-Orthodox within Israel and of Israeli Palestinians; and the messianism of the religious Zionists. In addition, look at the “Americanization” of Israel, the impact of Soviet Jews on Israeli culture, and the place of Ethiopian immigrants in Israeli society.

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Hebrew Level 1: In the Original
Michal Nachmany
Mon 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
“In the Original” is designed for those who want to read the Bible and other Hebrew texts. This course is appropriate for those who don’t know the aleph-bet or how to read phonetically with or without vocalization. By the end of this class, aided by a dynamic, patient, and masterful teacher, you will know how to read Hebrew and follow the service at any synagogue.

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Bagels and Lox Judaism: “Jewish Peoplehood” and the American Jewish Experience
Rabbi Eliyahu Stern
Mon 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
“Jewish peoplehood” is currently perhaps the most commonly invoked term in American Jewish life. It has been understood as the great idea that has unified Jews over the ages. Explore the idea of Jewish peoplehood, its biblical and Talmudic origins, and the way in which it has been re-understood in the 20th century by figures such as Mordecai Kaplan and Ahad Ha’am. Most importantly, explore how the idea of Jewish peoplehood has created what we consider today to be American Jewry.

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Jews and Christians Read the Bible
Yoram Bitton
Mon 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
Both Jews and Christians believe that the Bible is a holy text. It was through the Bible—the text they have in common—that the two religions have often communicated their differences, especially during the early centuries of Christianity. Study texts and stories from the Bible that incorporate a controversial theology for both Jews and Christians. These include stories of the forefathers, the Exodus from Egypt, the giving of the Torah, and parts of the Song of Songs, Psalms, and Isaiah. Discuss the theological implications revealed in each religion’s reading of these key texts.

NOTE: This is an upper-level course.The prerequisite for registering is the Skirball Center’s three-year IYUN certficate program or basic familiarity with the Bible. Call 212-507-9580 with questions or concerns.


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Classical Hebrew Grammar and Practical Application
Dr. David M. Posner
Mon 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Sep. 15, 22, Oct. 6, 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8, 15 Jan. 12, 26 Feb. 2, 9, 23 Mar. 2, 16, 23, 30 Apr. 20, 27 Mar. 4, 11
During the first hour, the regular and irregular verb, which was covered in last year’s intensive Classical Hebrew Grammar, will be reviewed. The second hour will focus on the Joseph story in Genesis, using Dr. Isaac Jerusalmi’s The Story of Joseph: A Philological Commentary (Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, 1981), giving textual application to the grammar.

NOTE: This is an upper-level course.The prerequisite for registering is familiarity with essential Hebrew grammar, including both the regular and irregular verb, as explicated in A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew, by J.Weingreen.

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Havruta: A New Study Experience at the Skirball Center
Mishael Zion
Mon 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
“Havruta” means partnership and refers to one of the classic learning experiences in Jewish life, that of paired study. With a study partner (or two), you are invited to read, question, argue, make mistakes, free associate, and conceive of new ways to understand the text. It is your study partner—a friend, a peer, or a partner—who is your best travel-mate for a journey through Jewish texts. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, the Havruta program is open to you. Study some of the most beautiful texts of Jewish tradition with the study partner of your choice or come alone and we will help to pair you up. Each session will open and conclude with some illuminating words by our facilitator, who will answer questions and challenge study pairs to dig deeper and hone the issues raised by the text.

Our theme this year is Give Me Companionship or Give Me Death: Relationships in the Talmud. Our lives can be understood as a history of the relationships we have maintained: those that succeeded, those that failed, and those that roll on through the highs and lows of life. The Talmud and Midrash provide a wonderful repository of stories and discussions that provide deep insight into our relationships: between friends, parents and children, women and men, and teachers and students. Unpack these stories, noticing the literary structures, the metaphors, and the dramatic conflicts, as we use the stories to enrich our own relationships and to discover contemporary wisdom in ancient texts.

NOTE: All texts will be available in English and the course is appropriate for students of all levels.

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Jews in American Politics: Refugee and Immigration Issues in the 20th Century
Dr. Fred Lazin
Mon 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 24 Dec. 1, 8, 15
Look at Jews in American politics through an analysis of refugee and immigration issues in the 20th century. What do these issues tell us about the Jewish influence in American politics? Examine the 1930s and 1940s,when America shut its gates to German and European Jews seeking refuge from Hitler and persecution. During this time, the American Jewish community was unable to influence its government to act on behalf of German Jews. Compare that period to the 1970s and 1980s, when American Jews, through political activism and sustained lobbying, obtained special status and preferential treatment for persecuted Jews from the Soviet Union who sought refuge in the United States.

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Artists' Beit Midrash
Tobi Kahn, Rabbi Leon A. Morris
Mon 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
Apply your artistic talents to the theme of “Depicting God: In Search of the Divine Image” as you explore Jewish sources, inspiring you to create new visual commentaries on the ancient texts of our tradition. Together with other artists, share previously created work and explore, individually and as a group, the imaginative and creative possibilities of Jewish teachings. Now in its seventh year, this unusual experience is co-facilitated by a rabbi and a renowned artist whose own work blends modern art with the life of the spirit. This course is made possible, in part, by a generous grant from Targum Shlishi, a Raquel and Aryeh Rubin Foundation.

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Tractate Sanhedrin: The Ancient Jewish Court System, Ideally Imagined
Dr. David Kraemer
Mon 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
This course, for those already familiar with the basics of rabbinic literature (what is the Mishnah? the Talmud?), will examine Tractate Sanhedrin of the Mishnah and Talmud as it describes the ancient Jewish court system—its procedures, assumptions, and values. What can we learn from this idealized vision of justice? What critiques might it imply concerning the system of justice that we take for granted?

NOTE: This is an upper-level course.The prerequisite for registering is the Skirball Center’s three-year IYUN certificate program or basic familiarity with rabbinic literature. Call 212-507-9580 with questions or concerns.

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From Amalek to David: The Six Most Morally Challenging Biblical Texts and What They Mean Today
Rabbi Eliyahu Stern
Mon 7:45 PM - 9:15 PM
Oct. 27 Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec. 1, 8
The Bible gave the world the seven Noahide laws, the Ten Commandments, and an ethical system that shelters the oppressed, cares for the widow, and gives a home to the orphan. Yet, when we look more closely, we are forced to grapple with the fact that this same Bible also seems to allow for genocide, the killing of seemingly innocent human beings, and the ownership of slaves, among other morally challenging behavior. Analyze the way in which both earlier exegetes and modern philosophers grapple with these uncomfortable texts. Explore how we, in our own lives, negotiate our own sense of what is just and right with traditions and forms of authority from the past.

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Openings: Judaism in an Age of Choice
Rabbi David Hoffman
Mon 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Nov. 17 Dec. 15 Jan. 26 Feb. 16 Mar. 16 Apr. 20 May. 11 Jun. 8
For most 21st-century American Jews, the importance and meaningfulness of Judaism is not self-evident. The world is moving and changing at an almost unimaginable speed. Technology, along with its many gifts, has redefined the notion of community. In this new world, we look for frameworks to create meaning in our own lives and to connect to others. There is renewed interest in the gym, yoga classes, meditation groups, alternative medicine, and a host of spiritual practices. These frameworks are unquestionably healthy. But we also need, more than ever before, conversations about our responsibility to others, to society, and to humanity. We need to be saved from the plague of indifference.

And yet, ours is a generation that is suspect of organized religion. We are troubled by how much pain is inflicted in the name of God. Christopher Hitchens’s God Is Not Great:How Religion Poisons Everything resonates with an increasing number of people. How might religious traditions become part of the solution that the world desperately needs?

A monthly study experience with other 30- and 40-somethings at a downtown café is our response to these challenges. Discover the ways in which Jewish learning is a spiritual practice that potentially cultivates joyful, meaningful living and a greater responsibility for humanity.


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Recalling the Holocaust: Theology, Liturgy and Ritual
Dr. Neil Gillman
Tues 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
Have we come to terms with the Holocaust? Will we ever come to terms with the Holocaust? It depends on what we mean by “coming to terms.” Six decades later, we have not yet been able to create a liturgy or a ritual that captures the distinctive meaning of the experience. This is probably because we have been singularly incapable of integrating the monstrosity of those years into our faith as Jews. The core theological issues remain, and that is where we must begin. Read from the extensive body of post-Holocaust theological writings from authors such as Elie Wiesel, Emil Fackenheim, Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, and Richard Rubenstein, and evaluate preliminary efforts to compose a standardized Holocaust memorial service.

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Six Decades of Israeli Literature
Basmat Hazan Arnoff
Tues 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
By reading a diverse selection of short stories and book chapters, learn about the reality of Israel from a completely new angle. Familiarize yourself with the fiction, poetry, and plays of Israel’s first six decades and the dialogue they create with the Israeli history. Get to know Rachel, Zelda, Leah Goldberg, Hayim Nachman Bialik, Natan Alterman, S.Y. Agnon, Nissim Aloni, Ronit Matalon, David Grossman,Amos Oz,Yehuda Amichai,Dan Pagis,Yona Volach, and others. All literature will be read in English translation.

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Hebrew Level 2: In the Original
Michal Nachmany
Tues 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
“In the Original” is designed for those who want to read the Bible and other Hebrew texts. This course is designed for those who know the aleph-bet and how to read vocalized Hebrew, and are beginning to identify the roots of the words that they know. Aided by a dynamic, patient, and masterful teacher, learn how to conjugate verbs in the past and present tense and start to build a vocabulary of nouns and verbs. By the end of this class, you will be able to read and understand large sections of the Shabbat prayer service.

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Navel of the Universe: The Temple in Jewish History and Imagination
Rabbi Leon A. Morris, Dr. Mark W. Weisstuch
Tues 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
During the most formative centuries of Jewish history, the ancient Temple and its service was central to the life and imagination of Jews everywhere. The Temple, considered to be not only a national shrine but also God’s house, was considered the very center of the universe. In the aftermath of its destruction, Judaism reinvented itself, but the memory and myth of the Temple continued to live on in Jewish consciousness. Through prayer and study, architecture and philosophy, mysticism and poetry, the Temple remains a vital referent to many aspects of Jewish life. Explore the history of the First and Second Temples through the literature that sought to reflect their significance and compensate for their loss. Analyze the fascinating record of the human longing for sacred space.

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Contemporary Jewish Theologians, Part I
Dr. Neil Gillman
Tues 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
The enterprise of Jewish theology did not end with the passing of the giants of the last generations: Buber, Kaplan and Heschel. In fact, contemporary thinkers have pushed speculation on the central issues in Jewish thought—the nature of God, the problem of human suffering, covenant, revelation, and law—in original, unanticipated, and often controversial directions. In part one of this course, read the writings of Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, David Hartman, and Eugene Borowitz, and discuss their relevance to our own concerns as caring Jews.

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Movements, Denominations, and Sects: The Americanization of Judaism
Daniel M. Bronstein
Tues 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
Explore how the intersection of Jewish tradition and American culture birthed new forms of Jewish practice, prayer, theology, and religious leadership. From Orthodoxy to Reform, Conservatism and Reconstructionism, to the Havurah movement and Renewal Judaism, examine the factors leading to the contemporary structure of American Jewish life. Also consider the diverse and sometimes contentious relationships, historical and contemporary, between and among the various religious segments of American Jewry.

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Writers’ Beit Midrash: Creative Non-Fiction
Shelly R. Fredman
Tues 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
Join a group of creative non-fiction and memoir writers to explore texts that inspire and amaze us, encourage us to wrestle with meaning, and stimulate the connections between our writing and our lives. “The Writers’ Beit Midrash” includes text study in which we will delve into the theme of “Depicting God: In Search of the Divine Image”, and a workshop in which students will receive critique and support from a professional writer and fellow students. Engaging discussions will spur creativity and spark imaginative exchange. Interested applicants should submit a writing sample with their registration to sample@adultjewishlearning.org.

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Reading Talmudic Stories: God and the Rabbis
Basmat Hazan Arnoff
Tues 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
What is the place of God in the Rabbinic world? In the era after the destruction of the Temple, the Rabbis had to create a whole new religious reality. In doing so, they forged a new type of relationship with the world, people, and especially God. How did they do it? Through a guided reading of rich and surprising Talmudic stories, eavesdrop on the dialogue the Rabbis conducted with God and analyze the ways they reestablished the covenant in a newly constructed world.

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“Let’s Spend the Night Together”: Redemption through Ruth
Dr. Freema Gottlieb
Tues 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
The book of Ruth has an unlikely heroine in Ruth—not only is she a woman, but she is also a gentile. As a Moabite, Ruth was not even eligible to become Jewish, yet not only is she welcomed as a convert, but she goes on to become the mother of the Davidic line and ancestress of the messiah. A close reading of Ruth, with insights from the Midrash, Zohar, and Hasidic texts, will highlight the great complexity and importance of its heroine.

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Israeli Politics and Culture
Michal Nachmany
Tues 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
Are you interested in Israeli politics but frustrated by your inability to read Israeli newspapers? Do you have a burning desire to understand what a coalition government is and why Israeli elections seem to happen at random intervals? Working from Hebrew words you already understand, broaden and deepen your knowledge of Israeli politics and culture. This class will be taught to students with a range of skill levels with the use of different independent work and homework assignments. It is appropriate both for students who can read and understand simple Hebrew and for those who are a bit more advanced and want to improve their comprehension. Texts will include Shaar Lamatchil and articles from Yediot Acharonot and Ma’ariv, depending on your proficiency.

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Heritage: Civilization and The Jews -- A People Is Born
David Wachtel
Tues 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9
This year-long history course combines the remarkable technology of the Heritage: Civilization and the Jews Interactive DVD-ROM, based on the groundbreaking PBS video series hosted by Abba Eban, with the dynamic presentations and expert teaching of David Wachtel. Investigate the amazing history of the Jewish people—from the Exodus through the tragedy of the Holocaust and the birth of the State of Israel. The focus throughout will be on Jewish communities’ interactions with the civilizations in which they developed—from Asia and Africa to Europe and the Americas. Uncover intriguing explanations and insights on each topic in this survey course, using digitally projected maps, multimedia presentations, and primary documents to enhance both the learning and discussion process. Enter the 21st century in adult Jewish education, where learning is a vivid, exciting, and immensely enriching experience!

The first semester entitled "A People is Born" will, after a brief introduction to the methodology and technology of the course, look at the beginnings of civilization in the ancient Near East, recount the transformation of an early people into the biblical Israelites, examine the birth of monotheism, and explain how the Israelite kingdoms were destroyed and the Jews sent into exile in Babylonia. There, the Jews compiled the literary legacy of their people into the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. Chronicle the consolidation of Jewish identity based on ideas, laws, and traditions, as well as the exchange of ideas with the classical worlds of Greece and Rome.

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Heritage: Civilization and the Jews
David Wachtel
Tues 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec. 2, 9 Jan. 27 Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24 Mar. 3, 17, 24 May. 5, 12, 19, 26 Jun. 2, 9, 16
This year-long history course combines the remarkable technology of the Heritage: Civilization and the Jews Interactive DVD-ROM, based on the groundbreaking PBS video series hosted by Abba Eban, with the dynamic presentations and expert teaching of David Wachtel. Investigate the amazing history of the Jewish people—from the Exodus through the tragedy of the Holocaust and the birth of the State of Israel. The focus throughout will be on Jewish communities’ interactions with the civilizations in which they developed—from Asia and Africa to Europe and the Americas. Uncover intriguing explanations and insights on each topic in this survey course, using digitally projected maps, multimedia presentations, and primary documents to enhance both the learning and discussion process. Enter the 21st century in adult Jewish education, where learning is a vivid, exciting, and immensely enriching experience!

You may register for all three semesters now.
Semester 1: A People is Born
Semester 2: The Shaping of Tradition
Semester 3: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow



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Apocalypse Now: Visions of the Hebrew Prophets
Basmat Hazan Arnoff
Wed 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Oct. 29 Nov. 5, 12, 19 Dec. 3, 10, 17
Several times each century, people claim that the world is coming to an end. The Greek word apokalypsis (from which the English word “apocalypse” is derived) literally means “something uncovered” or “something revealed.” How did the Hebrew prophets imagine the end of the world? How did they form words from their visions to express revelations of mysteries encountered beyond the ordinary range of human knowledge? Who are the marvelous “beasts” of the apocalypses, the angels, and the devils? Study biblical sources and ancient literature as well as newer sources and commentary, diving into a wonder world of apocalyptic visions that still mezmerize hearts and minds around the world.

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Mitzvah Means What?-- Theology in Midtown Manhattan
Dr. Neil Gillman
Wed 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Oct. 29 Nov. 5, 12, 19 Dec. 3, 10, 17
Is mitzvah a law? A command? A folkway? Whichever term we prefer, by common consent, the hallmark of authenticity in Jewish religion is the conviction that to be a Jew is more a matter of behaving than believing. But can that claim survive serious scrutiny? Is it even possible to behave as a Jew without some belief system to support the legal code? How we deal with the issue of authority will determine how we align ourselves with our community’s different religious groups and how much or how easily our practice can be adapted to changing times. An even more basic question: Why, from the very outset, has law been such a central form of Jewish religious expression? Study some classical (biblical and Talmudic) sources on these issues and writings from more modern Jewish thinkers such as Martin Buber, Franz Rosenzweig, Abraham Heschel, Mordecai Kaplan, and their younger disciples.

NOTE: This course takes place at a Times Square office location.
Specific address will be provided prior to the start of class.


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Exporing Genesis through Rashi’s Commentary
Dr. Ruth Gais
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Oct. 29 Nov. 5, 12, 19 Dec. 3, 10, 17
A careful reading of the book of Genesis raises many troubling questions: What was so special about Noah? Why did God appear to Abraham as he sat under a tree? Did God really want Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? These are just a few questions that the commentary of Rashi, the beloved 11th-century French scholar and winemaker, will attempt to answer.

NOTE: Some basic knowledge of Hebrew will be helpful

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Creating Personal Prayer
Debbie Friedman, Joe Septimus
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Oct. 29 Nov. 5, 12, 19 Dec. 3, 10, 17
Authentic prayer comes from a creative and hopeful place inside each of us. Study biblical and rabbinic sources that discuss aspects of personal prayer. With inspiration from Talmudic texts and the music of prayer, participants will be guided to find their voices and write a prayer of their own to share with the group. Together, we will attempt to reclaim the ancient tradition of personal prayer and overcome constraints of the fixed liturgy that often make it difficult to experience prayer as a conversation with God. Examine the interplay and tensions that influence the ability of our prayers and liturgy to be both communal and personal, time bound yet spontaneous, formatted yet individualistic, required ritual yet filled with love.

NOTE: Debbie Friedman will lead the first and last session to create a meaningful personal environment to begin the journey and help us share our personal prayers with one another.

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“Like Animals in the Night”: The Intense Life and Teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav
Mishael Zion
Wed 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Oct. 29 Nov. 5, 12, 19 Dec. 3, 10, 17
One of the most remarkable Hasidic teachers, Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav, continues to excite and challenge our hearts and minds even 200 years after his death. Who is this rabbi who ignites the imagination of dancing Hasidim and philosophers alike? Study his teachings, tell his stories, sing his niggunim (wordless melodies), and recount his life story, while trying to discover what it is about his message that resonates so strongly in others and in ourselves.

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Israeli Music and National Culture: An Ethnomusicological Exploration
Galeet Dardashti
Wed 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 29 Nov. 5, 12, 19 Dec. 3, 10, 17
The changes in Israeli music over the past 60 years serve as significant markers of historical and social processes. A cultural “reading” of new forms of Israeli music can point us toward current conceptions of Israeli identity. Listen to songs (with English translations) and watch films on Mizrahi (Middle Eastern Jewish) infused pop music, Palestinian hip hop, Israeli rock, Arab fusion, and forms of contemporary religious music. Discuss articles on Israeli music and national culture to provide a unique historical and cultural lens for understanding these phenomena.

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Jews and Native Americans
David S. Koffman
Wed 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Oct. 29 Nov. 5, 12, 19 Dec. 3, 10, 17
How did early American Jews imagine and experience Native Americans, and what do these experiences and imaginings teach us about Jews in America? Using a wonderfully diverse set of historical primary sources, explore a range of encounters that occurred between these two groups from the “discovery” of the New World and its inhabitants in the 16th century, up to the late 20th century. Jewish agendas, aspirations, anxieties, and identities are visible in the relations of Jews with Native Americans. Analyze the ways Jews in the American West understood and encountered Native Americans, theories connecting American Indians to ancient Israelites, and connections between Jewish spirituality and the Native American shaman.

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Early Morning Talmud Cruel and Unusual: The Talmudic (De-) Construction of the Death Penalty
Mishael Zion
Thurs 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Oct. 23, 30 Nov. 6, 13, 20 Dec. 4, 11
“If we were on the high court, no one would ever receive the death penalty!”, said R.Akiba and R.Tarfon.

“In that case murderers will run rampant among Israel!” R. Shimon son of Gamliel responded. (Mishna Makkot 1:10)
This short exchange epitomizes the challenges of creating a policy regarding capital punishment in any society. The Torah commands the death penalty for numerous transgressions and crimes, but many of the Rabbis felt that this institution should itself be put to rest. Study Chapter 6 of Tractate Sanhedrin, in which the Talmud discusses the complex ritual of legal murder, including the discussion of the execution of one famous rabbi from Nazareth, in a portion of Talmud that has been censored for centuries. See how the Rabbis constructed and deconstructed this punishment. Ponder the uses of discipline and punishment in society—then and today.


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Who Is My Neighbor? A Special Lecture
Dr. Moshe Halbertal
Thurs 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Nov. 20
In this increasingly “flat world” we are connected to people around the globe. Who is the neighbor we are commanded to love? Is our neighbor defined by faith, ethnicity, geography, common language, or experience? While experiencing an affinity to one’s own community and culture, how is it possible to distinguish between particularism and exclusivism?

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