Adult Engagement Programs 5778
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Adult Engagement Programs 5778 Introduction We have now had several years in our new building, enjoying and making good use of our Lipsey Family Adult Wing and learning spaces: the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning, and Conference Center, the Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash and the Frank Nathanson Adult Lounge. This year we offer an equally stimulating and wide range of adult courses and programs designed to appeal to anyone with a curious and open mind, from Jewish thinkers of the 20th Century to an exciting author series; from introductory Judaism and prayer to parenting support; from spiritual discovery to interfaith exploration; poetry, film groups, book clubs, and much more… Our excellent congregational staff, other recognized experts and fellow congregants with specialized knowledge and experience teach all of the classes. We wish to thank Dr. Arnold Brenner, Michael and Barbara Erlichman, Derek Fields, Phil Kruger, Dara Horn, Max Kleinman and others for volunteering their time and teaching talents to our program. Please note that the time frames for classes vary; some are ongoing, some are a full academic year, some are limited sessions, and some are just one semester – either fall or spring. We need a minimum of four people to provide a class. No CAI member will be denied participation in CAI classes due to financial concerns. Please speak to Rabbi Silverstein about financial aid opportunities. We invite you to choose something from this brochure and join us for an exciting and involved year as we continue to take full advantage of our Adult Learning Center. We seek to make new friends and expand our individual and group understanding of relevant issues and topics. If there is something else you would like to see included, please let us know. We look forward to a great year! Shana Tova, Rabbi Alan Silverstein and Susan Werk, Education Director 2 Courses Talmud Class Jewish Second Temple Literature Discussion This is a lively, interactive, and insightful Reading scripture and other sacred literature in discussion of the Talmud, in English. No prior Second Temple Times: Congregant Phil Kruger knowledge needed to share and learn. leads a discussion of the Books of Enoch, the Book Instructor: Dr. Arnold Brenner of Jubilees, the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Time: Saturdays at Mincha, candle lighting time the Gospels and other Second Temple literature and Location: Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash/Toby how these writings relate to the Jewish sacred Shapiro Library canon. The class takes place each week, starting one half hour after the beginning of the Shabbat Instructor: Dr. Arnold Brenner Kiddush; is open to all and no experience or Time: Sundays at 8:15 am familiarity with the material is required. The Location: Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash/Toby discussions are held in the Sidney Feinstein Beit Shapiro Library Midrash/Toby Shapiro Library, unless Phil is away or there is a specially scheduled lunch and learn. The class is presently completing its study of the Torah Study Class First Book of Enoch early this fall and will begin its How does the weekly Torah portion relate to our study of First and Second Maccabees thereafter. All lives today? Study the meaning behind the are welcome to join. weekly Torah reading with other adults. Lively conversation and meaningful insights occur each Instructor: Phil Kruger week. Time: Every Saturday, one half hour after services end/Kiddush begins (held every week unless there Instructor: Susan Werk is a scheduled lunch and learn) Time: Saturdays at 9:00 am Location: Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash/Toby Location: Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash/Toby Shapiro Library Shapiro Library The Ethical Life: Jewish Values in an Age of Choice A Turnkey Curriculum in Jewish Ethics from JTS From political and financial scandals to rapid progress in biomedical science and technology, the complex issues of modern society are, at their core, issues of ethical and moral concern. Now more than ever, we require a solid understanding of how Jewish ethics can inform our discussions and decisions about the critical questions of the day. Judaism has a long history of wrestling with moral questions, responding to them in a way that considers all sides of an issue. Instructor: Rabbi Michael Jay Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Dates: October 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20, 27; December 4, 11, 18 and January 8, 22, 29 Location: Frank Nathanson Adult Lounge Cost: $120 CAI member, $240 non-member 3 Courses Continued Shabbat Meditation Shabbat Meditation - Begin Shabbat in stillness. Shabbat is the time for quieting, stepping back from the hectic workday world, and entering a time of peacefulness and communion with nature and spirit. Begin your Shabbat with meditation on ten Saturday mornings this year. You will feel a sense of peace, tranquility, and awareness that will enhance your Shabbat experience. Instructor: Karen Frank, RN, Congregational Nurse Time: Saturdays at 9:30 am Dates: October 7, November 4, December 2, January 6, February 3, March 3, April 14, May 5, June 2 (First Saturday of every month through June) Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Tuesday Adult Ed with Nancy Caplan 9:15 - 10:15 am: Conversational Hebrew Advance Beginner to Intermediate level 10:30 - 11:40 am: Text and Coffee – Torah text through many lenses. Together let’s explore Torah text with an eye towards how it can be interpreted by different, sometimes conflicting approaches: from ancient to modern from Jewish to other religions. We will begin with the book of Exodus. 1:00 – 2:00 pm: Where and When - Looking at where and when laws and customs originated. Is it ancient or modern, and where in the world did it begin? Instructor: Nancy Caplan Dates: First Semester: October 10, 17, 24, 31; November 14, 21, 28; December 5, 12, 19; January 2, 9 Second Semester: January 23, 30; February 6, 13, 27; March 6, 13, 20; April 10, 17, 24; May 1 Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost Per Class: $120 CAI member, $240 non-member - for either one of the above classes Wednesdays With Rabbi Silverstein 10:00 am - Book of Job; Why Do Good People Suffer? 11:00 am - Great Zionist Thinkers – Herzel, Ahad Ha’am, A.D. Gordon, Jabotinsky, Louis Brandeis, Eliezer Ben Yehuda and others Instructor: Rabbi Silverstein Dates: Wednesdays, Fall Semester: October 25; November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; December 6, 13, 20; January 3, 10, 17 Spring Semester: March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free for CAI members, $240 non-member per semester 4 Courses Continued Thursdays With Rabbi Silverstein and Susan Werk 9:30 am - Rabbi Silverstein presents: Contemporary Jewish Thinkers, Musicians, Artists. Periodic session with Cantor Joel Caplan and CAI artists 10:30 am - Susan Werk presents: The Drama of King David and How It Relates To Contemporary Issues. Taught through text, art and literature Instructors: Rabbi Silverstein and Susan Werk Dates: Thursdays, October 26; November 2, 9, 16, 30; December 7, 14, 21; January 4, 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free for CAI members, $480 non-member Fridays With Rabbi Richard Hammerman Sighing and Soaring in the Psalms - Can the Psalms in the Siddur Speak to Us, Today? An examination of the Psalms of Kabbalat Shabbat and the Morning services Instructor: Rabbi Richard Hammerman Dates: Fridays, October 20 through Friday, May 18; 7:45 – 8:15 am Location: Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free Fridays With Max Kleinman Monthly Current Event Discussions Instructor: Max Kleinman Dates: Fridays at 10:30 am (Please verify the dates on the calendar at Agudath.org.) Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free Fridays With Derek Fields Weekly Rambam class Instructor: Derek Fields Dates: Fridays at early service Cost: Free Fridays - Spring Semester Buddhism, Hinduism and Eastern Religion Instructor: Professor James Flynn, Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy from Caldwell University Dates: Fridays at 10:30 am for 6 sessions (Dates to be determined) Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free 5 Michael and Barbara Erlichman Film Series Thanks to the generous donation of Dr. Michael and Barbara Erlichman, we have an opportunity to celebrate our rich Jewish heritage through film. Screenings of dramas, comedies, and documentaries will be followed by discussions. On The Map Wednesday, October 25 at 7:45 pm How much do you know about The Maccabi Tel Aviv Israeli basketball team? Why is it important for us to know this story? It is an unbelievable, inspirational, and a must see for Jews worldwide to recognize this majestic event. A prideful story, which recounts the arousing tale of the Israeli national basketball team’s 1977 win of the European Cup; how this one group of teammates literally put Israel on the map. It changed the confidence of a country to one of Israel as a distinguished sports competitor, now recognized on the world stage. Tal Brody, a hotshot New Jersey ball player, ditched a potential NBA career to anchor the team in its early days. Yitzhak Rabin, the prime minister of Israel, put off announcing his resignation so it did not interrupt the broadcast of this championship game and Natan Sharansky, the one-time Soviet dissident, recalls being imprisoned the day after the Maccabis beat the Soviet red team.