Fall 2019 “ Fix a P Eri Od F Or Th E Stud Y of Torah” Pirk Ei Avot 1: 15

Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County THE RABBI SAMUEL SCOLNIC ADULT INSTITUTE FOUNDED IN 1977 IN MEMORY OF SAUL BENDIT Fall 2019 “ Fix a p eri od f or th e stud y of Torah” Pirk ei Avot 1: 15

SIX TUESDAY MORNINGS October 29; November 5, 12, and 19; December 3 and 10

SIX WEDNESDAY EVENINGS October 30; November 6, 13, and 20; December 4 and 11 No classes November 26 and 27

All classes are open to the public. There is no prerequisite–only a desire to participate, learn, and enjoy. The Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute, founded in 1977 in memory of Saul Bendit, is one of the leading synagogue-based adult education programs in the Washington, DC area. Now beginning its 42nd year, the Insti- tute has received national and international recognition. The Fall program, running for six weeks, comprises 10 courses offered Wednesday evenings beginning October 30, and four classes offered Tuesday mornings, beginning October 29. We are confident that you will find the courses interesting and informative.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

Wednesday Night Schedule with Minyan/refreshment break from 8:20-8:40 pm 7:30 - 8:20 pm 8:40 - 9:30 pm

The Jewish Wedding Davening with the Divine Rabbi Fabián Werbin Hazzan Asa Fradkin

The Two Ayelets: Ayelet Tsabari and Observing Shabbat at Home Ayelet Gundar-Goshen: Rabbi Avis Miller Contemporary Female Israeli Writers Adjunct Rabbi Mindy Avra Portnoy

Reinterpreting Biblical Stories: Our Talmudic Sages Comparing Josephus and The Quran Were Real People Gideon Amir Adjunct Rabbi David Abramson

#MeToo Stories of King David from A New Fascism? the Book of Samuel Dr. Naomi Daremblum Dr. Elliot Wilner

Perspectives on Aging and Sage-ing Evolving Zionist Ideologies Rabbi Evan Krame Dr. Jerome Copulsky

Tuesday Morning Schedule with refreshment break from 10:50-11:10 am 10:00 - 10:50 am 11:10 am - Noon The Two Ayelets: Ayelet Tsabari and The Dynamics and Diversity Ayelet Gundar-Goshen: of Jewish Music Contemporary Female Israeli Writers Hazzan Abraham Lubin Adjunct Rabbi Mindy Avra Portnoy

Reinterpreting Biblical Stories: Observing Shabbat at Home Comparing Josephus and The Quran Rabbi Avis Miller Gideon Amir Class Descriptions

The Jewish Wedding Instructor: Rabbi Fabián Werbin, Wednesday evening What happens under the Chuppah is more than the “breaking of the glass.” It is a connection to God, our history, and our Jewish diversity. Most of us are moved by its traditions, customs, and halachot that make it a profound, awesome, interesting, and complex ceremony. We will learn about the different steps of the wedding, the legal requirements, the origin of the customs, the similarities with other Jewish rituals and more. Chuppah in the Beth El Sanctuary

Observing Shabbat at Home Instructor: Rabbi Avis Miller, Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening This course will explore the history, development, and contemporary meaning of the home rituals of Shabbat, from candle lighting through Havdalah. Why do we say “who had commanded us to light” the Shabbat candles and where is it found? Why wave hands three times and cover our eyes? May a man light candles? What are we really doing when we “bless” our children? How does this relate to the original purpose of the “priestly blessing”? Why does Birkat Hamazon need to be so much longer than “rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub, Yay God!” We also will discuss the evolution of Shabbat observance, such as use of Shabbat timers/elevators, whether it is OK to use e-readers on Shabbat, and why we sing Eliyahu Ha-navi as part of Havdalah.

Reinterpreting Biblical Stories: Comparing Josephus and The Quran Instructor: Gideon Amir, Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening It is fascinating to look at authors who retell the Biblical stories (in particular, the Torah stories) that we are all familiar with. We will look at the way Josephus Flavius, a Jewish historian of the first century, retells the Biblical stories in his book,The Antiquities of the Jews, and compare it with the way the Quran retells these stories 500 years later. At the time of Josephus, the Jewish Midrash had not been developed yet and therefore could not have influenced his writings. By the time Muhammad retells the stories and tailors them to his theology, the impact of Jewish Midrash is substantial. What was Josephus’ motivation? Was he writing to defend Judaism? Was he writing Woodcut engraving of as a polemic with Jewish tradition? What were the sources for Josephus Flavius (1817) Muhammad’s knowledge of the Bible? How is Midrash reflected Wikimedia Commons in Muhammad’s version of the stories?

continued on next page A New Fascism? Instructor: Dr. Naomi Daremblum, Wednesday evening The recent rise and increasing popularity/power of neo- fascist movements in Europe are disturbing. Are these a revival of the fascism of the 1920s and 1930s? Do they represent a coherent new ideology or are they simply a rebranded version of the historical model? What is the relationship between the rise of anti-Semitism and the power of these movements? We will begin with a consideration of basic conceptual issues related to fascism, 21st century sovereignty, modernity, and a comparison to Eagle clutching a fasces, a common symbol used on the fascist movements of the twenties and thirties. Next Italian Fascist uniforms, we will explore these groups’ intellectual origins, their Wikimedia Commons reach and the scope as well as their embrace of political violence, anti-Semitism and totalitarian models. We will look at particular cases including France, Austria, Norway, Hungary, and Poland, compare them to note any similarities and differences, and explore what each national experience can illuminate about the rise of these movements.

Perspectives on Aging and Sage-ing Instructor: Rabbi Evan Krame, Wednesday evening Getting older can either be scary or an opportunity. Jewish tradition offers deep insights into how we can live our best lives even as we age. As we study texts together and share our thoughts, we transform our ageing into sage-ing. The goal of the class will be to define your legacy of wisdom to share it with the ones you love.

Davening with the Divine Instructor: Hazzan Asa Fradkin, Wednesday evening There was a time when the cantors were not only facilitators of prayer, but the vessel through which all the Jewish people sent their most fervent desires. Each had a unique style, a way of approaching their davening, that transcended the text and took people to a different spiritual plane. In this course, we will explore the styles of great Hazzanim including Rosenblatt, Koussevitzky, Oysher and others. Lectures will be illustrated with audio and visual musical examples.

Moshe Koussevitzky, courtesy of the Milken Archive of Jewish Music The Two Ayelets: Ayelet Tsabari and Ayelet Gundar- Goshen: Contemporary Female Israeli Writers Instructor: Adjunct Rabbi Mindy Avra Portnoy, Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening Books of a new generation of Israeli writers are becoming available in English. We will focus on two Ayelets (connected only by their identical first names). Both writers deal with the feelings and experiences of being both “outsiders” and “insiders” at the same time. First, we will discuss Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, a clinical psychologist and writer (born in 1982), whose works include: Left: Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, photo One Night, Markovich (2012); Waking Lions (2014); courtesty of Katharina Lütscher. Right: Ayelet and Liar (2018). Then we will look at Ayelet Tsabari, photo courtesty of ayelettsabari.com. Tsabari, a journalist and writer (born in 1973), an Israeli of Yemenite background, whose works include: The Best Place on Earth (2013; published in the U.S. in 2016) and The Art of Leaving (2019). No prerequisite reading is required for this course, although the reading of Waking Lions and The Best Place on Earth would enrich one’s experience of the classes.

Our Talmudic Sages Were Real People Instructor: Adjunct Rabbi David Abramson, Wednesday evening Many of us have heard of some of the luminaries of the Talmudic period—Hillel and Shammai, Rabbi Akiva, Yehudah Ha-Nasi, and others. What can we learn about these people— their stories, personalities, and values? How many people have heard of Beruriah, the daughter and wife of illustrious rabbis? She was also known for being a brilliant scholar herself. Was Hillel really so patient and tactful? Was Shammai really so harsh and unyielding? What else can we learn about—and from—Hillel and Shammai? Should Beruriah be known primarily for her bright mind and her sharp tongue? Young Akiva and Rachel, courtesy of Drop by Drop: A Story of What does Beruriah have to teach us today? Rabbi Akiva, written by Jacqueline Jules and illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg #MeToo Stories of King David from the Book of Samuel Instructor: Dr. Elliot Wilner, Wednesday evening Notwithstanding the book’s title, the Book of Samuel is first and foremost the story of David – told as an historical novel. Among the many characters who are depicted in this great work of literature are a number of memorable females, all portrayed in an admirable light, but all betrayed by David. We will focus on these women’s stories as we seek to understand both the historical David and the mythological David.

David and Bathsheba, Illuminated manuscript, courtesy of The Free Library of Philadelphia continued on next page Evolving Zionist Ideologies Instructor: Dr. Jerome Copulsky, Wednesday evening What does Zionism mean in the 21st Century? Is Jewish nationalism still rooted in the theories of the 19th and early 20th century? Or have more recent developments changed how Jews in Israel and the Diaspora understand the nature and meaning of the Jewish state? This course will explore the transformations of Zionist ideologies from the 1967 War to the present. We will learn about classical Zionist theorists such as Leo Pinsker, Theodor Herzl, Ahad Ha-Am, Martin Buber, and Rav Kook. We will then turn to consider a Theodor Herzl, Wikimedia number of recent explorations of Zionism by Ari Shavit, Peter Commons Beinart, and Yoram Hazony. We will contrast modern religious Zionism, which regards Jewish settlement of the Land of Israel to be a messianic task, and liberal Zionism, which sees withdrawal from the West Bank and a “two-state solution” as the means to secure Israel’s character as a Jewish and democratic state. We will also look at challenges to classical Zionism as diverse as secular post-Zionism and the Kahanist movement.

The Dynamics and Diversity of Jewish Music Instructor: Hazzan Emeritus Abraham Lubin, Tuesday morning Jews have lived in every corner of the world. From Spain to Morocco, from Eastern to Western Europe, Italy, Yemen, and Ethiopia, Jews have developed distinct folk and liturgical musical traditions. These traditions have been influenced by acculturation and local musical traditions. Colorful examples will be illustrated with live and CD performances.

EARLY ALERT FOR SPRING 2020 Spring 2020 semester dates are Tuesday/Wednesday, March 17-18 through May 5-6 (no classes April 8-9 and 15-16).

If you need assistance or special accommodations in order to participate in the Adult Institute, please call 301-652-2606, ext. 349. A member of the Institute Committee will contact you. Designated parking spaces are available for persons with disabilities. Wheelchairs are available at the entrance to Beth El. Instructors

RABBI DAVID ABRAMSON, currently serving as an Adjunct Rabbi at Beth El, also works as a chaplain for the Jewish Social Service Agency and at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, and is a teacher at Shoresh Hebrew High School. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) and served in pulpits in Arizona, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Minnesota for twenty-five years. He recently served as Tikvat Israel Congregation’s interim rabbi. Rabbi Abramson has taught extensively in adult Jewish education programs including our Adult Institute as well as Hebrew high schools.

GIDEON AMIR, born in Holland to Holocaust survivors, grew up in Israel. After serving in the military, he received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Hebrew University and the Weizmann Institute of Science. He has taught extensively at the college level in Israel and in the U.S. He completed a Master's Degree in Judaic Studies at Baltimore Hebrew University. Mr. Amir has been teaching Bible and a variety of Jewish subjects at area synagogues and churches, the Osher Program at JHU, Oasis, the Melton program, and the Foundation for Jewish Studies. He has taught in our Adult Institute.

DR. JEROME COPULSKY is a former Special Advisor at the Office of Religion and Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. His essays, stories, and reviews have appeared in such places as The New York Times, The New Republic, Religion Dispatches, Tablet, and The Jewish Review of Books. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago’s Divinity School. Dr. Copulsky has taught in our Adult Institute.

DR. NAOMI DAREMBLUM, originally from Costa Rica, is a specialist in Latin American culture, art, and politics. After completing her Ph.D., she held teaching appointments at New York University and the New School. She has taught and written on a wide range of subjects, from the rise of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela to the literature of Isabel Allende. Her pieces have been published in magazines such as The New Republic and Letras Libres, one of the premier literary journals for Latin America. She is currently teaching courses on Latin American culture and politics at Montgomery College’s Life Learning Institute and has taught in our Adult Institute.

HAZZAN ASA FRADKIN joined Beth El in July 2017. He was ordained by the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of JTS in May 2007, where he earned the degrees of Hazzan and Masters in Sacred Music. At the Miller School, he was class president and founder and Chair of the School's Tzedakah Concert Committee. Hazzan Fradkin holds an undergraduate degree in Vocal Studies with a minor in Jewish Studies from Indiana University's School of Music. At IU, he became continued on next page actively involved in Hillel and also graduated with a Certificate in Jewish Studies. He previously served as Hazzan at Temple Shalom in Greenwich, CT. Hazzan Fradkin has taught in our Adult Institute.

RABBI EVAN KRAME was ordained by the ALEPH rabbinic program in January 2015. He has also completed training as a spiritual advisor through the ALEPH Hashpa’ah program, developing skills in spiritual direction and engaging adults and seniors. Rabbi Krame has been a service leader and educator throughout the Maryland Jewish community and he has taught in our Adult Institute. His first and continuing career is as an estates and trusts lawyer. He is a graduate of the National Law Center at The George Washington University and holds a Master’s degree in taxation.

HAZZAN ABRAHAM LUBIN, the Hazzan Emeritus of Beth El, continues to be active in the wider Jewish community. He has officiated at High Holiday and other services for the past several years in Cincinnati, Annapolis, and Washington, DC. He is Secretary of the Cantors Assembly Foundation and a past president of the Cantors Assembly. Hazzan Lubin was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree by JTS. He holds a "hazzan" degree from Jews' College, London, and a Master of Music degree from DePaul University. He lectures on Jewish music, has performed in the U.S., Canada, Israel, Spain, Argentina, and the former Soviet Union, and has taught in our Adult Institute for many years. Hazzan Lubin served as editor of The Journal of Synagogue Music for ten years.

RABBI AVIS MILLER is President of the Open Dor Foundation, Inc., which reaches out to unaffiliated and marginally active Jews. She is also Rabbi Emerita at Adas Israel Congregation, Washington, DC, where she had the longest pulpit tenure of any woman in the Conservative movement. Past president of the regional Rabbinical Assembly (RA), she has twice chaired the national RA Committee on Outreach and Conversion. Rabbi Miller conducts High Holiday services at 6th and I Historic Synagogue in Washington, DC, and also teaches classes elsewhere in the area as well as in our Adult Institute. In July 2010, the Forward named Rabbi Miller on its initial list of the most influential women rabbis in the United States.

RABBI MINDY AVRA PORTNOY, currently serving as an Adjunct Rabbi at Beth El, was a rabbi with Temple Sinai for 25 years, and is now Rabbi Emerita. She previously was Director of the B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation at American University, and an originator and former national co-coordinator of the Women’s Rabbinic Network. Rabbi Portnoy, a graduate of Yale University, was ordained in June 1980 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, where she also received an MA in Hebrew literature. She was among the pioneers for women in the rabbinate. Among her various publications are five children's books, including Ima on the Bima: My Mommy is a Rabbi. She has taught at American University, our Adult Institute, the Beth El Sisterhood’s Rosh Chodesh program, and at other local venues.

RABBI FABIÁN WERBIN joined Beth El as Associate Rabbi in the summer of 2015. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he completed two undergraduate degrees, in Bible and in Jewish Thought, at Haifa University in Israel. Rabbi Werbin received his rabbinic ordination in 2003 from the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires. He also holds certification as elementary and high school teacher. Most recently, Rabbi Werbin served for seven years as Rabbi of Beth Israel Synagogue in Roanoke, Virginia. At Beth El, he teaches adult classes in Bible and Introductory Judaism and has taught in our Adult Institute.

DR. ELLIOT WILNER, a long-time member of Beth El, has taught classes on Talmud and lectured on other subjects at Beth El. He credits both Camp Ramah and the Teachers College of the Jewish Theological Seminary for much of his Jewish literacy. Before his retirement, he was a practicing neurologist in the District of Columbia and Montgomery County. Dr. Wilner has taught in our Adult Institute.

RABBI SAMUEL SCOLNIC (1923-2012) z”l served as Beth El’s first full time Rabbi for 32 years, and as Rab- bi Emeritus until his death in 2012. He founded the Saul Bendit Adult Institute and taught in the Institute from its inception in the Fall of 1977. The Institute is now known as the Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute. Rabbi Scolnic held advanced degrees from the Jewish Theological Semi- nary. He was the founder and first President of the National Association of Retired Conservative Rabbis. He taught and lectured widely at area synagogues and at the Isaac Frank Jewish Public Library and other venues. Rabbi Scolnic received the Sheva R. and Marver R. Bernstein Master Teacher Award from the Foundation for Jewish Studies.

Saul Bendit (1913-1976) z”l was a resident of our Washington community for 37 years and an active participant in both Jewish and non-Jewish affairs. He had a deep love for Jewish culture and was very proud of his people and his faith. We are deeply indebted to his late wife Tanya and their family for underwriting the Adult Institute for many years after its inception. The Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute Committee Founded in 1977 in memory of Saul Bendit Jack Ventura, Chair Ken Feigenbaum Rita Kopin David Florin Rhoda Nichaman Hazzan Asa Fradkin Nancy Rosenthal Steven Frank Mark Schifrin Judy Gann David Schultz Hilda Getz Judy Scolnic Linda Goldsmith Maury Sterns Marilyn Hammerman Ginger Teitel Rabbi Gregory Harris Stephanie Ventura Miriam Israel Rabbi Fabián Werbin Marcia Jeffries Lew Winarsky Marci Kanstoroom

REGISTRATION AND OTHER INFORMATION DATES FOR FALL TERM: Classes will meet at Beth El on six Tuesday mornings, October 29; November 5, 12, and 19; and December 3 and 10; and six Wednesday evenings, October 30; November 6, 13, and 20; and December 4 and 11. No classes November 26 and 27. All classrooms are fully accessible by elevator. REGISTRATION FORM: Please register online at: http://www.bethelmc.org or complete and return the form below with your remittance. Online registration is available for members and non-members. REMITTANCE: If registering online, follow payment instructions. If registering by mail, please make check payable to BETH EL. IMPORTANT: FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT, PAYMENT FOR REGISTRATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY October 17 EITHER ONLINE, BY MAIL, OR HAND-CARRIED TO THE BETH EL OFFICE. Advance registration helps to ensure that: -The course you want will have sufficient enrollment. -Classrooms of adequate size will be assigned for your course. PLEASE MAKE A NOTE of the courses for which you register; registration acknowledgments are not sent. MINIMUM REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: Ten students. IF WEATHER IS SEVERE: Classes will not meet when Montgomery County Schools are closed because of inclement weather. Information on Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute closing will be available on a taped message after 7 AM for Tuesday classes and after 5 PM for Wednesday classes; call 301-652-2606. As soon as the message starts, press “3” to retrieve closing information. THE EVENING MINYAN WILL START AT 8:20 PM (rather than 8:00) on evenings when Institute classes are scheduled. QUESTIONS? Call 301-652-2606, Ext. 349, or send an email to [email protected]. The Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute Founded in 1977 in memory of Saul Bendit Course Fee Information— Early Bird registration – payment must be received by October 17, 2019: Wednesday evening classes: • Each 6-week, 50-minute course……………………………$40/member; $50/nonmember Tuesday morning classes: • Each 6-week, 50-minute course……………………………$35/member; $45/nonmember

Regular registration – payment received on October 18 or later: Wednesday evening classes: • Each 6-week, 50-minute course ……………………………$45/member; $55/nonmember Tuesday morning classes: • Each 6-week, 50-minute course ……………………………$40/member; $50/nonmember

REGISTRATION INFORMATION REGISTER ONLINE OR COMPLETE THIS FORM — Please Print Registrant(s) home address: Address City State Zip + 4 - Home Phone Please register me (us) for the following course(s) 1. Registrant’s name______Beth El member? ____ Course(s) Tues, AM $ _____ Tues, AM $ _____ Wed, PM $ _____ Wed, PM $ _____ For urgent class information: E-mail Phone: 2. Registrant’s name______Beth El member? ____ Course(s) Tues, AM $ _____ Tues, AM $ _____ Wed, PM $ _____ Wed, PM $ _____ For urgent class information: E-mail Phone: Enclosed is a check, payable to BETH EL, for a total of: $ ______PAID Non-Profit U.S. Postage U.S. Suburban, MD Permit No. 7007 No. Permit

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y a d s e u T n i g e b s e s s a l C ! R E D N I M Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute Adult Rabbi Scolnic Samuel Saul Bendit of memory 1977 in in Founded County Montgomery El of Beth Congregation Road Georgetown 8215 Old MD 20814-1451 Bethesda, E R