The Temple Emanu-El

THE TEMPLE EMANU-EL

WINTER / SPRING 2015 The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center is creating new Jewish experiences. WELCOME. Temple Emanu-El Joshua M. Davidson, Senior Rabbi The past six months have proven very exciting in the evolution of the Skirball community. We have seen an John H. Streicker, President ever-growing number of people respond to a range of new and existing programs and classes, each designed to afford learners opportunities to create new Jewish experiences. Skirball Center

Dr. Gady Levy, Executive Director We invite you to expand your views of Jewish culture, history, traditions and modernity. Study with world- Hadass Attia, Director of Outreach renowned master teachers, attend thought-provoking lectures, uncover meaning in ancient texts and engage Erika Resnick, Program Director in important discussions about contemporary issues. Join us for a class, play, book signing, lecture, film, concert, Jennifer Knobe, Operations Manager food tasting or comedy show and interact with our rich culture. Kemi Allston, Registrar

It is our mission—and privilege—to continue to enhance your Jewish journey through meaningful and innovative Program Committee programs at The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center. Dr. Claudia S. Plottel, Chair Dr. Paula W. Brill I look forward to welcoming you into our community. Andrew H. Chait Dr. Lee R. Robbins Dr. Frederick S. Roden

Leadership Circle Sonia Simon Cummings Skirball Center is Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson Dr. Gady Levy Dr. Neil Gillman Tamie Goldstine Executive Director Martin Kaufman Edward Kerson Robert Schwalbe Andrew D. Stone new Marcia Waxman

Jewish experiences. 2 TABLE OF contents 4 10 15 19 Havdalah Bar Mitzvah: A History The Chutzpah Imperative Studies in Jewish Guest performance by Rabbi Michael Hilton Rabbi Edward Feinstein Mysticism and Theology Idan Raichel Arthur Green The Songbook of Making David into Goliath the Jewish Soul Joshua Muravchik 6 Dr. Michael Fishbane 22 My Promised 16 Winter Semester 11 Land 25 Questions for Classes Ari Shavit A Tale of Hasidism in the Kingdom of Poland a Jewish Mother Timeless Judy Gold 28 Dan Rather with Lucinda Franks A Memoir of Leadership and Robert Morgenthau Spring Semester in the Twentieth Century 17 Dr. W. Michael Blumenthal Jews and Genes Classes 7 Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, PhD A Night of Dr. Laurie Zoloth 35 12 Dr. Arthur Caplan Israeli Cinema Our Class: A Reading Chavurot Featuring the Ma’aleh School of A play by Tadeusz Słobodzianek Letter from an Unknown The Skirball Lounge Television, Film & the Arts Woman: Joseph’s Dream 3 Cardinal 13 Dr. Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg 36 Timothy M. Dolan Enchantress 18 Men’s Club Maggie Anton Saviv 8 Exodus: What Really For the Love of Shmear God, Faith & Identity Happened? 37 Featuring Russ & Daughters from the Ashes Richard Elliott Friedman, ThD Menachem Z. Rosensaft Rabbi David S. Sperling, PhD Tikkun Olam Joseph Berger Moderated by Rabbi Joshua M. 2015 State of Stephanie Butnick Davidson Anti-Semitism Lecture Amichai Lau-Lavie 38 Jeffrey Goldberg Thane Rosenbaum 19 Faculty 9 14 Keeping Faith in 40 Dr. David Kraemer Rabbis: A Community The Bible’s Original Sin Conversation General Information Judy Klitsner and David Wander in Conversation Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson Rabbi David Ellenson

Rabbi Hayim Herring 41 Rabbi Joy Levitt Registration Guest appearance by Idan Raichel

Saturday, April 11 44 9:00 PM $45

REGISTER AT EmanuelSkirballNYC.org Havdalah is a multi-sensory ritual performed at the end of Shabbat using speech, sound, sight, smell and taste to define the boundaries between the sacred and the everyday. Literally meaning “separation” in Hebrew, the traditional ceremony concludes Shabbat by reminding us that a little bit of holiness remains 55 imbued in each weekday.

The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center invites you to celebrate the conclusion of Passover with an extraordinary Havdalah ceremony. Gather with new and old friends for an assortment of wines, hors d’oeuvres and desserts with special guest Idan Raichel.

Israeli superstar Idan Raichel performed last summer with Alicia Keys, India Arie and Palestinian musician Ali Amir as part of Global Citizen Festival. His group, The Idan Raichel Project is internationally recognized for their cross- cultural musical collaborations and is a testament to the power of music in building bridges between hearts and cultures.

Tonight, Idan will guide us through a unique creative process as he discusses the fusing of many different musical traditions and performs a few songs on the piano to best instill his universal message of love and tolerance from a region of the world marred by conflict. Like the Havdalah candle, his music kindles a spark within.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 ARI SHAVIT TIMELESS My Promised Land Love, Morgenthau, and Me Dan Rather in conversation with Lucinda Franks and Robert Morgenthau Wednesday, February 4 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 11 $18 / FREE (Temple Emanu-El members and AIPAC Club members) $75 includes pre-reception and a signed book 7:00 PM In partnership with AIPAC $25 includes a copy of the book Presented by The Jewish Week

Few books capture both the history and essence of Israel while also managing to attract critical praise and popular acclaim. A New York Times best seller, My Promised Land traces the roots of The first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for reporting, Lucinda Shavit’s personal Zionism to 1897 and guides the Franks is a former staff writer for the New York Times and reader through a balanced, decade-by-decade regular contributor to The New Yorker, the New York Times overview of Israel’s founding and subsequent Magazine and The Atlantic. In her second memoir, she reveals 6 boom. private details about her marriage to New York’s leading prosecutor and the second longest serving district attorney in Now published in 30 countries, My Promised U.S. history, Robert Morgenthau. Despite a very well known Land was named one of the best books of the 30-year age difference, Franks paints an enduring portrait of a year by the New York Times Book Review and balanced marriage and divulges many well-kept secrets about The Economist. Within, Israeli-born Shavit offers New York City’s most famous criminal cases. Winner of the accounts of the defining events of the past to Natan Book Award address the issues facing Israel today. Dan Rather will lead a dialogue with Lucinda Franks and Robert Morgenthau, both longtime members of Temple Book signing to follow. Emanu-El, about their lives in the glittering inner circle of Manhattan’s aristocratic Jewish elite. Rather is a notable Peabody Award–winning journalist and was the anchor of the CBS Evening News for 24 years.

Book signing to follow.

Thursday, February 12 7:00 PM $18 / $10 (Temple Emanu-El members)

Jerusalem’s Ma’aleh School of Television, Film & the Arts is the only institution in the world devoted to SHABBAT SERVICES exploring and improving the way Orthodox Jews are represented in with Special Guest film. Joined by Ma’aleh graduates, the school’s director, Neta Ariel, will introduce three short student films Cardinal and discuss the ways in which Jewish traditions, modern Israeli life and Timothy M. Western values build modern Jewish identities. Dolan A panel discussion will feature directors 7 (and Ma’aleh graduates) Nurit and Friday, February 20 Emanuel Cohn. 6:00 PM No RSVP necessary

Be part of a most memorable Shabbat when His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, New York’s Catholic Archbishop, joins Temple Emanu-El for Friday night services. Oneg Shabbat to follow.

Cardinal Dolan previously served as Milwaukee’s Archbishop, until being appointed to New York’s highest Catholic office by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Time magazine named the conservative The Little Dictator Sister of Mine Barriers leader as one of the “100 most influential Directed by Nurit & Emanuel Cohn Directed by Oshrat Meirovitch Directed by Golan Rise people in the world” in 2012. A stifled history professor is forced to A young Orthodox girl deals with A young soldier makes a grueling come to terms with a turbulent family the implications of a mismatched decision under duress. situation. arranged marriage.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 AN EVENING WITH JEFFREY GOLDBERG Simon Wiesenthal Center/ Museum of Tolerance New York The Dorothy Gardner Adler 2015 State of Anti-Semitism Lecture

8 For the Love of Shmear Monday, March 9 7:30 PM Featuring Russ & Daughters Patron Sunday, February 22 $150 includes reserved seating, 10:30 AM listing in the program and private $36 / $25 (Temple Emanu-El members) dessert reception following lecture. includes breakfast from Russ & Daughters General Admission $36 / $45 at the door / $18 students Mark Russ Federman and his family chronicle the legendary 100-year history of Russ & Daughters in an award-winning film festival favorite, The Sturgeon Queens. Timed to coincide with the store’s centennial celebration, the documentary traces four generations of Russ family history into what has become a New York The State of Anti-Semitism Lecture is City institution. The film vividly captures the Jewish entrepreneurial spirit and the rich immigrant history of an era. endowed in perpetuity by Simon Wiesenthal Center Trustee Allen Adler in memory of his Federman will show clips from the film, answer questions and sign copies of his book, Russ & Daughters: mother, Dorothy Gardner Adler. Reflections and Recipes from the House That Herring Built.

Bagels, cream cheese, smoked fish and sweets will be served.

The Bible’s Original Sin: Not in the Garden of Eden

MASTER TEACHER SERIES

Wednesday, March 18 7:00 PM 9 $25 / $18 (Temple Emanu-El members) Jeffrey Goldberg will discuss the most pressing issues regarding America’s role in the Middle East and the challenges facing the United States in the This program invites you to unravel new layers of meaning hidden within the near and long term; Israel’s status as a democratic and Jewish state; and first book of the Bible. Through a lively and interactive text-based examination, the most current insights on Israel-US relations. you’ll learn of the common thread among the Bible’s most familiar stories: the forbidden fruit, the first fratricide and the sibling rivalry between Joseph and his Jeffrey Goldberg is a national correspondent for The Atlantic, a columnist brothers. You’ll soon see how these ancient stories, when viewed in relation to for Bloomberg View and one of America’s leading commentators on foreign one another, reveal deep eternal truths about human interactions. policy, national security and the Middle East. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the National Magazine Award for Reporting for his coverage of Judy Klitsner has taught critical Bible study for more than two decades at Islamist terrorism; the Daniel Pearl Prize for Reporting; the Abraham Cahan the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and holds a visiting Prize; and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Prize for lectureship at the London School of Jewish Studies. Beloved internationally by best investigative reporter. her students and fellow professors, Klitsner famously fuses classic analysis, contemporary studies and her own original readings of biblical text.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 MICHAEL HILTON MICHAEL FISHBANE

Bar Mitzvah: A History

The Song of Songs The Songbook of the Jewish Soul Thursday, March 19 7:00 PM MASTER TEACHER SERIES FREE In partnership with The Jewish Publication Society 10 Monday, March 23 How did the bar mitzvah develop from an obscure 7:00 PM legal ritual into a core component of Judaism? FREE How did it spread into the general pop culture In partnership with The Jewish Publication Society vocabulary? The key to its surprising success is an intriguing mixture of the social and the spiritual. The Song of Songs is a wondrous collection of love lyrics Bar Mitzvah: A History is a comprehensive nestled in the heart of the Hebrew Bible—religious poetry par examination of the ceremonies and celebrations excellence. Its possible meanings range from human love for both boys and girls. It explores the origins and to Divine faith. Renowned scholar and theologian Michael development of the coming-of-age milestone. Fishbane brilliantly draws from four layers of commentary to reveal the fascinating spectrum of interpretations and ideas Michael Hilton is the rabbi of Kol Chai Hatch perceived in this extraordinarily beautiful biblical book. End Jewish Community in London. Michael Fishbane has been described as one of the most Book signing to follow. masterful scholars of our time by England’s Chief Rabbi. He is the Nathan Cummings Distinguished Service Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Chicago and the author and editor of numerous books.

REGISTER AT EmanuelSkirballNYC.org W. MICHAEL BLUMENTHAL A Fire Burns in Kotsk: A Tale of Hasidism in From Exile to Washington the Kingdom of Poland A Memoir of Leadership in the By Menashe Unger, translated by Jonathan Boyarin Twentieth Century

Sunday, March 29 10:00 AM FREE / Light Breakfast Included Tuesday, March 31 Co-sponsored by Cornell University Jewish Studies Program and 7:00 PM The Congregation Emanu-El Department of Lifelong Learning FREE

Menashe Unger, born in Poland to a rabbinic dynasty, abandoned his birthright Former United States Secretary of the Treasury to become a journalist. After the Holocaust, he devoted his life to recording and Princeton resident W. Michael Blumenthal the colorful Hasidic world and the charismatic rebbes at its center. Now, his will read from his new autobiography, From Yiddish-language study of the enigmatic and brilliant Rabbi Menachem Mendel Exile to Washington: A Memoir of Leadership of Kotsk has been translated into English, providing a revealing and intimate in the Twentieth Century. Blumenthal, who fled portrait of Hasidism. Nazi Germany with his family, rose from poverty 11 to roles in the Kennedy, Johnson and Carter Translator Jonathan Boyarin, Mann Professor of Modern Jewish Studies at administrations (the last as the nation’s 64th Cornell University, reads selections from the book, and the author’s two Treasury Secretary) and to the CEO position at two grandchildren, Saul Kaiserman, Director of Lifelong Learning at Temple major American corporations, Bendix and Unisys. Emanu-El, and Rabbi Mark Kaiserman, tell the fascinating story of the author’s journey from rabbinic royalty to New York writer. The Honorable W. Michael Blumenthal served as the Director of the Jewish Museum Berlin from 1997 to 2014. His talk will refer to his experiences in business and government leadership positions, with special emphasis on Jewish life in Germany today.

Book signing to follow.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Our Class: A Reading

Following its tremendous success at London’s National Theatre and great recognition in Israel and Europe, the play Our Class comes to A play by The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center for a one-night-only staged reading featuring a stellar cast including Nina Arianda, Alvin Epstein and Tadeusz Słobodzianek Hunter Parrish. Making its New York City premiere during the week of Holocaust Remembrance Day, this award-winning play unveils the truth Followed by a Q&A session with award-winning behind a massacre of Jews in Jedwabne, Poland, in 1941. writer Tadeusz Słobodzianek. Set in a Polish classroom made up of both Jewish and Christian students, the play exposes the effects of war, betrayal, cruelty and Monday, April 13, 7:00 PM repression. Winner of Poland’s top literary prize, the staged reading $35 / $45 at the door / $18 Students is directed by the Drama League Award-nominated Cosmin Chivu.

Co-presented by the Polish Cultural Institute, New York Profits will be donated to the UJA’s Community Initiative for Holocaust 12 Survivors, which provides funds for agencies supporting survivors, including the significant portion living in poverty.

CAST INCLUDES

Nina Arianda Alvin Epstein Hunter Parrish Tony Award winner for OBIE Award for Lifetime Screen Actors Guild ‘Venus in Fur’ (recently Achievement (also known winner, lead in ‘Spring featured in Woody for ‘Beauty and the Beast’, Awakening’/ Broadway, Allen’s Oscar-winning film ‘Synecdoche (also known for ‘Weeds’, Midnight in Paris, Tom New York’) ‘17 Again’, and ‘It’s McCarthy’s Win Win, Vera Complicated’) Farmiga’s Higher Ground)

Enchantress Tuesday, April 14 7:00 PM FREE

The award-winning author of the mega-popular historical fiction series God, Faith & Identity Rashi’s Daughters joins us with fantastic tales of demons and magic in fourth- from the Ashes century Babylonia from her newest novel, Enchantress. Based on five years Thursday, April 16 of research and characters from the Talmud, Maggie Anton’s book redefines 6:30 PM 13 and empowers ancient Jewish women’s FREE roles through her convincing depiction of In partnership with Jewish Lights Publishing an imagined universe. Almost ninety children and grandchildren of Holocaust Maggie Anton is a Los Angeles native survivors from sixteen countries on six continents who discovered her Jewish roots as an explore faith, identity and legacy in the aftermath adult and immersed herself in Jewish of the Holocaust in this impressive new tribute. On education and especially Talmud study. Yom Hashoah, the official Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust, editor Menachem Z. Rosensaft Book signing to follow. and a panel of contributors, including New York Times reporter Joseph Berger, senior editor of Tablet Magazine Stephanie Butnick, founder of Storahtelling, Inc. Amichai Lau-Lavie and senior fellow at New York University, Thane Rosenbaum, will discuss how memories of the past affect their lives.

Book signing to follow.

Book jacket created by Mirta Kupferminc, daughter of Holocaust survivors and one of Argentina’s foremost contemporary artists.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Herbert & Eileen Bernard Museum of Judaica at Temple Emanu-El

Exhibition on view: Located within the confines of Temple Emanu-El, the Bernard Museum of Judaica features three April 1 – October 29, 2015 galleries of Jewish art, ceremonial objects and congregational memorabilia and archival material. Visualizing the Bible: The museum serves as a broad and inclusive David and David: platform where congregants, New Yorkers and Works by David Wander public visitors can experience Jewish culture and In Conversation history in a familiar and social space. Exhibitions This exhibition explores themes of Jewish have explored diverse elements of Jewish Dr. David Kraemer & David Wander myth, history and biblical narrative through the communities while engaging with the broader works of New York–based artist David Wander. cultural landscape of New York City. The museum Wander’s work is presented in book format that collection includes more than 650 pieces that date Sunday, April 19 melds traditions of medieval Hebrew manuscript from the 14th century to the present day. The illumination and contemporary graphic illustration. collection features the history of Temple Emanu-El 10:30 AM Based on his readings of the Hebrew Bible, and unique Judaica objects. Precious objects and FREE Jewish sacred texts and legends, Wander creates more humble ones are all infused with a value of a dynamic, multi-layered visual narrative that their own. The Bernard Museum of Judaica’s Visualizing allows us to see these texts in a new light. 141414 the Bible: Works by David Wander showcases Admission is FREE. visual renderings of pivotal biblical events. New Visualizing the Bible will feature eight narratives: York–based artist David Wander has studied Esther, Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, A complimentary curator’s tour offered especially biblical texts and narratives with Professor David Jonah, David, Judith and the Golem of Prague. to Skirball students is available by appointment. Kraemer (JTS) for over ten years. The artist’s wonderfully designed re-imaginings of these Museum hours: Monday–Thursday, biblical lessons is at the core of a contemporary 10:00 AM–4:30 PM approach to Bible study and interpretation. Learn about their unique study sessions and For more information, please contact Interim Wander’s creative process in illustrating these Curator, Warren Klein at (212) 744-1400, ext. 259. classic tales anew.

Image: Detail from Megillat Esther. David Wander, 2007. Acrylic on paper.

Making David into Goliath

Wednesday, May 6 7:00 PM FREE

Three quarters of all UN resolutions single out Israel. Since the Six Day War of 1967, Israel has increasingly become the most reviled country in The Chutzpah the world. Initially, oil blackmail produced strong reasons to back the Arab cause, but modern Imperative leftist ideals using class struggles created new grounds to demonize and delegitimize Israel. Monday, April 27 Be here when vocal neoconservative scholar 7:00 PM and professor Joshua Muravchik presents his FREE one-sided support of Israel. Muravchik has 15 In partnership with authored 11 books and hundreds of articles in Jewish Lights Publishing magazines, journals and newspapers touching on international politics, US foreign policy, Chutz-pah (noun): a personal confidence or courage socialism, democracy, political ideology, the that allows someone to do or say things that may UN, and the Arab/Israel conflict. seem shocking to others. Book signing to follow. In Yiddish, “chutzpah” means gall or nerve. In Talmudic literature, chutzpah refers to irrepressible spirit and vitality. Chutzpah represents a revolutionary Jewish concept of human possibility and human responsibility. Chutzpah proclaims the dignity of being human and the possibilities of our redemption. Chutzpah is a uniquely Jewish virtue and a message we urgently need to relearn.

Rabbi Edward Feinstein, noted inspirational speaker, author and educator, is Senior Rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California.

Book signing to follow.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother with Judy Gold

On the eve of Mother’s Day, celebrate with mom… she’s worth it!

Includes: • Israeli wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres pairing • Havdalah, led by Helen Saltzman with her daughter, Rabbi Amy Ehrlich • A live performance of 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother followed by a Q&A with Judy Gold

16 Saturday, May 9 6:00 PM $45

In her stand-up show 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, comedian Judy Gold bridges her own dysfunctional suburban upbringing with candid interviews of 50 Jewish mothers from across the country. The New York Times called her one-woman show “fiercely funny, honest and moving.” And Gold is definitely in on the joke; she readily admits to resorting to similar shtick with her own two children, using heavy guilt trips and Barbra Streisand references to get their attention.

Judy Gold is a writer, social commentator, actress and stand-up comedian. She has appeared on countless TV shows and has won two Daytime Emmy Awards, a GLAAD Media Award and a Cable Ace Award.

Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, PhD, and Dr. Laurie Zoloth Letter from an Unknown in conversation with Dr. Arthur Caplan Woman: Joseph’s Dream Tuesday, May 12 7:00 PM FREE MASTER TEACHER SERIES In partnership with The Jewish Publication Society Thursday, May 14 7:00 PM To celebrate the book release of Jews and Genes: The $30 / $18 (Temple Emanu-El members) Genetic Future in Contemporary Jewish Thought, The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center proudly presents the distinguished authors in conversation with Dr. Arthur Joseph dreams provocative dreams; his brothers’ hatred grows because Caplan. Top leaders of the industry, they will discuss of them; Jacob apparently dismisses them. But according to Freud, all today’s hot topics in genetics and bioethics, including dreams contain a “navel,” a spot that defies understanding, that “reaches new advances in stem cell research and modern into the unknown.” In the midrash, that unfathomable element in the lives diseases, genetic mapping and identity, genetic of Jacob and Joseph is represented by Rachel, the unknown woman in testing, genetic intervention and the role of religion their narrative. Literature, film and psychoanalytic thought will enrich our 17 and ethics in shaping public policy. study.

Book signing to follow. Dr. Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, an internationally renowned Bible interpreter and teacher, draws extensively on classical commentaries, midrash and modern insights from literature and philosophy. Her widely studied books have become classics among readers of all religions. Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, PhD, is a foremost authority on Jewish genetics. He serves as the Rector at American Jewish University and has taught at UCLA for more than thirty years. Rabbi Dorff’s many award-winning publications include over 200 articles on Jewish thought, law and ethics along with 17 books.

Dr. Laurie Zoloth is Director of the Center for Bioethics, Science and Society and Professor of Medical Ethics and Humanities and Professor of Religion at Northwestern University.

Dr. Arthur Caplan is a professor and head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center. He has repeatedly been named one of the most influential voices in the scientific community.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Exodus:

Tuesday, May 19 Richard Elliott Friedman, ThD, and 18 7:00 PM Rabbi David S. Sperling, PhD $30 / $18 (Temple Emanu-El members) Moderated by Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson

No Jewish drama has the great legacy of the Exodus tale. We are commanded to honor and replay its great miracles every spring at the Passover table. Because when Moses led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt, he catalyzed the birth of a nation.

But what really happened?

Find out when Dr. Richard Elliott Friedman, Davis Professor of Jewish Studies, University of Georgia, and Rabbi David S. Sperling, Professor of Bible, Hebrew Union College, who each maintain firm divergent views about the story’s historical truths, deconstruct that fateful night in Egypt long ago.

REGISTER AT EmanuelSkirballNYC.org ARTHUR GREEN Keeping Faith in Rabbis: A Community Conversation The Heart of the Matter:

Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson, Rabbi David Ellenson Studies in Jewish and Rabbi Joy Levitt; Moderated by Rabbi Hayim Herring, PhD Mysticism and Theology

Wednesday, May 20 Thursday, May 28 7:00 PM 7:00 PM $20 includes a copy of the book FREE Presented by The Jewish Week In partnership with Jewish Lights Publishing and The Jewish Publication Society Rabbinical programs are designed to cultivate rabbis who balance transmission of tradition with What does it mean to be a religious human being, and adaptation to contemporary culture. How do what does Judaism teach us about it? Understanding rabbinical programs educate rabbis in the 21st how to open the human heart to God is not always 19 century, a time when instability is the new norm? easy. Green’s book centers on the This far-reaching question calls for a community history of Hasidism and his conversation. personal approach to modern-day Jewish spirituality. By bringing them This program is inspired by the recently published together, he asserts that they are connected volume Keeping Faith in Rabbis: A Community through history, text, language, symbols and Conversation on Rabbinical Education, edited by voices throughout time. Rabbi Hayim Herring, PhD, and Ellie Roscher. Arthur Green is Professor of Jewish Philosophy A conversation with Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson, Senior Rabbi, Temple and Religion and Rector of the Rabbinical Emanuel-El; Rabbi David Ellenson, Chancellor, Hebrew Union College-Jewish School at Hebrew College. Recognized Institute of Religion and Rabbi Joy Levitt, Executive Director of the JCC as one of the world’s preeminent Manhattan. authorities on Jewish thought and spirituality, he is also a prolific author.

Book signing to follow.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 20 classes

REGISTER AT EmanuelSkirballNYC.org Monday Monday Wednesday Thursday January 26 April 27 February 25 February 26 February 2, 9, 23 May 4, 11, 18 March 11, 18 March 12, 19 March 2, 9, 16 June 1, 8 6:30–8:00 PM 6:30–8:00 PM 7:00–9:00 PM 6:30–8:00 PM Anti-Semitism Yesterday, A Land of Milk and Honey? Artists’ Beit Midrash (Winter) Six Nights at the Museum— Today and Tomorrow Environment, Sustainability and Visualizing the Bible Peace in Israel 6:30–8:30 PM February 2, 9, 23 Judaism’s Great Debates The Golden Age of Yiddish Cinema: The Triumphant Right, the Emerging Left and the Soft Middle: Three March 2, 9, 16 7:00–9:00 PM 1936–1940 Trends that Define American Jewry April 27 Artists’ Beit Midrash (Spring) May 4, 11, 18 February 25 June 1 March 11, 18, 25 April 30 6:30–8:00 PM April 1, 29 May 7, 14, 21, 28 Maimonides/Nachmanides Tuesday May 6, 13, 20 12:30–2:30 PM February 24 6:30–8:00 PM Witches, Wives, Victims February 23 March 3, 10 The Dead Sea Scrolls: Answers and Mothers March 2 and Puzzles 10:30 AM–12:00 NOON April 30 6:30–8:00 PM Man, Miracle and Menace— The Transcendence and Immanence The Truth about Elijah April 29 May 7, 14, 21, 28 of God: The Theologies of May 6, 13, 20, 27 June 4 6:30–8:00 PM Hermann Cohen, Martin Buber June 3 Israel’s Collective Changing Identity 7:15–8:45 AM and Franz Rosenzweig 6:30–8:00 PM Early Morning Talmud 21 Jews for Exegesis: Interpreting the Eyewitness to Jewish History Biblical Text 6:30–8:00 PM Yiddish for Dummies

April 28 6:30–8:30 PM May 5, 12, 19, 26 Thursday Lens on Israel: A Society through Cinema 10:30 AM–12:30 PM February 26 Testing, Testing, This Is Just a Test March 12, 19 12:30–2:00 PM April 28 Second Chances, New Chapters, May 5, 12, 19, 26 Bold Choices: Reading the Book June 2 of Ruth 12:30–2:00 PM Malamud’s Magic and Mystery Rediscovered 6:30–8:00 PM Freedom and Responsibility in Jewish Philosophy

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Monday February 23 March 2 FREE

The Transcendence and Immanence of 22 God: The Theologies of Hermann Cohen, Martin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig

Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson 6:30–8:00 PM Together we will explore the philosophies of these pioneering Jewish thinkers and their implications for our relationship to God, one another and the world. WINTER semester

Man, Miracle and Israel’s Collective Menace—The Truth Changing Identity about Elijah Dr. Fred Lazin 23 6:30–8:00 PM Dr. Diane M. Sharon This course traces changes in Israeli society and 10:30 AM–NOON culture from the secular Sabra ethos of the 1940s Rabbinic literature depicts Elijah as a kind of and 1950s to the “multicultural” Israel of the 21st magical, benevolent, jolly figure dispensing century. It begins with an analysis of the new Jews gifts and rescuing those in trouble. The biblical associated with the Chalutzim and founding Elijah is quite different: demanding, vindictive, generations of Israel. It then looks at the arrival passionate and stubborn—not someone you’d of more traditional Jews from Arab lands and like to invite for Shabbat dinner. Come and learn Holocaust survivors in the 1950s. The events of the truth about Elijah, his zeal for God, his 1967 are analyzed in terms of how they changed amazing miracles and his wicked temper. Israeli identity. Here the focus is on the integration and rise of the ultra-Orthodox community, the shift among the modern Orthodox toward messianism, and the settlements and the decline of Sabra culture. The final sessions deal with the influence of the global village on Israel—a land flowing with malls, MTV, McDonald’s, high tech and immigrants from Russia and Ethiopia.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Tuesday February 24 March 3, 10 $120 / $75 (Temple Emanu-El members)

Jews for Exegesis: Interpreting the 24 Biblical Text

Rabbi Molly Karp 6:30–8:00 PM Jews have been interpreting the Torah almost since it was written. Some of our most important and well-known commentators, however, wrote their commentaries in the Middle Ages and very early modern period, and are known as the Rishonim, the early Rabbinic commentators, and the Acharonim, the later commentators. We will meet some of these great Jewish thinkers, learning about their contexts and contrasting thoughts through the introductions that each of them wrote to their commentaries on the Torah. We will read selections from Rabbi Solomon son of Isaac (RASHI), his grandson Rabbi Solomon son of Meir (RASHBAM), Rabbi Moses Maimonides (RAMBAM), Moses ben Nahman (RAMBAN) and Rabbi David Kimchi (RADAK). No prior knowledge is needed for this course.

The Golden Age of Yiddish Cinema: 1936–1940 25

Dr. Eric Goldman 6:30–8:30 PM Yiddish cinema was the product of a changing world and a desire to hold onto traditions and ideals that were being questioned by the majority of Jews. While Hollywood’s filmmakers presented a picture of the American “melting pot” and their own desire to assimilate into American society, Yiddish filmmakers celebrated the beauty and distinctiveness of Jewish life and culture. This course studies the great classics produced in Poland and the United States.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Wednesday February 25 March 11, 18 $120 / $75 (Temple Emanu-El members)

Anti-Semitism Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

26 Mark Weitzman 6:30–8:00 PM Over the past year anti-Semitism once again exploded into the headlines and brought into question the future of Europe’s Jewish communities. In this class, we will unravel the various strands of contemporary anti-Semitism by tracing its historical roots to learn how the past impacts the present. We will also explore efforts taken to fight it, drawing on firsthand experiences and insights.

Second Chances, New A Land of Milk and The Triumphant Right, Chapters, Bold Choices: Honey? Environment, the Emerging Left and Reading the Book Sustainability and Peace the Soft Middle: Three 27 of Ruth in Israel Trends that Define

Dr. Diane M. Sharon Dr. Shahar Sadeh American Jewry 12:30–2:00 PM 6:30–8:00 PM Andrew Silow-Carroll Using close reading and contemporary Despite being a world leader in eco-innovation, scholarship, we will take a modern approach clean tech and cutting-edge water technologies, 6:30–8:00 PM to the ancient text of Megillat Ruth, examining Israel is suffering from an environmental Recent demographic studies suggest that amid soaring intermarriage and assimilation a variety of topical issues covered in the text, crisis. Many of its scarce natural resources rates, the Jewish community is destined to including: who is a Jew and how conversion can are contaminated or depleted. Since its shrink in size and influence. But a closer look at be achieved; how to deal with loss, widowhood, establishment, land and landscapes underwent the data suggests different, even contradictory childlessness, aging and poverty; how to survive massive changes driven by rapid development, trends: Orthodox Jewry is growing, liberal life’s harshest tragedies and emerge from a dead mass immigration, high population growth and Jewish identity is broad but vulnerable, and end into new possibilities and how those on war. Nevertheless, major governmental steps have the Conservative “center” is not holding. Are the margin can forge a path to the center. Learn led the way to a vibrant environmental movement. predictions of the demise of liberal Judaism on these and other timeless lessons from the Book This class will explore Israel’s green technology target, or alarmist? Will the Jewish vote shift to of Ruth. and discuss the way it was influenced by Zionism, the right? This course will examine the data and the Israeli-Arab conflict and the global sustainable focus on the proactive steps all movements are development movement. taking as they face the Jewish future.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Monday February 2, 9, 23 March 2, 9, 16 April 27 May 4, 11, 18 June 1 $350 / $220 (Temple Emanu-El members)

Maimonides/Nachmanides The Leon Finley Course in Jewish Studies

28 Martin Kaufman 6:30–8:00 PM Maimonides is possibly the greatest religious thinker produced by the Jewish people since the Talmudic era, authoring an awesome array of seminal works in Jewish law, theology and philosophy. His works are the example par excellence of the logico-philosophic approach to Judaism. Nachmanides rivals his elder colleague in terms of the influence on the subsequent development of Jewish thought and is the foundation of the dramatic development and spread of Kabbala. He was a towering legal authority and revered leader of Spanish Jewry in his turbulent time. In this course, we textually examine and contrast these two giants’ approach to some of the key religious/theological issues that have resonated until this very day, through

SPRING semester readings from their major works.

6:30–8:00 PM Six Nights at the Museum: The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center offers an original six-part class in conjunction with Temple Visualizing the Bible Emanu-El’s Bernard Museum of Judaica spring exhibition, Visualizing the Bible: Works by David 29 Faculty Wander. Each class in the series will focus on April 27 Rabbi David Saiger teaching Song one specific biblical text shown in conjunction of Songs with one of the artist’s works in the exhibition May 4 Rabbi Amy Ehrlich teaching David (more information on page 14). Wander’s work May 11 Dr. Mark Weisstuch teaching Jonah is presented in book format, melding traditional May 18 Rabbi Ben Zeidman teaching Esther medieval Hebrew manuscript illumination June 1 Rabbi Rachel Ain teaching with contemporary graphic illustration. The Lamentations exhibition features both biblical and later Jewish June 8 Rabbi Melissa Buyer teaching Ruth narratives such as Esther, Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Jonah, David, Judith and the Golem of Prague. Each work also features images from the text and draws from midrashim. Detail from the Golem of Prague. David Wander, 2012. Class sessions will be held in our museum. Acrylic and ink on paper. A wine and cheese reception will take place prior to each class session.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Monday Monday April 27 WINTER: January 26 May 4, 11, 18 February 2, 9, 23, March 2, 9, 16 June 1, 8 SPRING: April 27, May 4, 11, 18 $250 / $170 (Temple Emanu-El members) June 1, 8 The book Judaism’s Great Debates: Timeless Controversies from Abraham to Herzl by Per Semester: $375 Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz is included. $235 (Temple Emanu-El members)

Judaism’s Great Debates Artists’ Beit Midrash The Robert S. and Kimberly R. Kravis Course in Jewish Studies Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses and Tobi Kahn 30 The Harrison S. Kravis Course in Jewish Studies 7:00–9:00 PM Apply your artistic talents to the theme of the Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz biblical triumvirate of Moses, Aaron and Miriam while exploring Jewish sources that inspire visual 6:30–8:00 PM commentaries on ancient Jewish texts. Explore Re-creating six pivotal debates in Jewish history, biblical narratives that reveal the nature of these this course will explore the legacy of timeless three leaders and their complex dynamics as controversies from the Bible and the Talmud, from siblings. Analyze texts that reveal love, protection, Spinoza to Zionism. Each week we will explore a competition (both overt and implicit), leadership different case: The Five Daughters and the Twelve and even betrayal among these characters. Tribes—The Debate over Equal Rights and Inclusion; David and Nathan—The Debate over Accountability Now in its thirteenth year, the Artists’ Beit and Morality; Ben Zakkai and the Zealots— Midrash is co-facilitated by a noted rabbi and an The Debate over Resistance; Spinoza and the internationally acclaimed artist whose collaborative Amsterdam Rabbis—The Debate over Boundaries; work blends modern art with spirituality. Geiger, Hirsch and Frankel—The Debate over Evolution in Judaism; and Herzl and Wise—The Debate over Zionism.

REGISTER AT EmanuelSkirballNYC.org Tuesday April 28 May 5, 12, 19, 26 June 2 $240 / $150 (Temple Emanu-El members) Except where noted.

Testing, Testing, Malamud’s Magic and Freedom and This Is Just a Test Mystery Rediscovered Responsibility in $270 / $165 (Temple Emanu-El members) Diane Cole Jewish Philosophy 31 Dr. Diane M. Sharon 12:30–2:00 PM Dr. Daniel Rynhold In novels and short stories such as The 10:30 AM–12:30 PM Natural, The Assistant and “Angel Levine,” 6:30–8:00 PM In the Hebrew Bible, God tests human beings Bernard Malamud enchanted readers with tales The idea of free will is thought to underpin our and human beings test God. Sometimes they filled with myth, magic and menschlichkeit. As notions of moral and religious responsibility. pass and sometimes they fail. Come and we read his work, we’ll discover his sly humor But challenges from both science and theology examine the tests that God gives us and that and deep humanism. We’ll focus on what make it very difficult to understand what free will we give God—then decide for yourself what his characters and what Malamud himself is and whether we really even have it. Can we grades each of us earns. discovered about what it means to be a Jew. truly be free in a world governed by natural laws of causation? Does the traditional concept of (Class does not meet on 6/2) God leave any room for human choice? Find out what medieval and modern Jewish philosophers have to say about these vexing issues. You may be surprised.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Wednesday Wednesday February 25 April 29 March 11, 18, 25 May 6, 13, 20, 27 April 1, 29 June 3 May 6, 13, 20 $240 / $150 (Temple Emanu-El members) $350 / $220 (Temple Emanu-El members)

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Eyewitness to Answers and Puzzles Jewish History

32 Dr. Mark W. Weisstuch Rabbi Alvin Kass 6:30–8:00 PM 6:30–8:00 PM The momentous discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls This course studies major events in Jewish nearly 70 years ago helped paint a picture of history through the eyes of the men and women early Judaism when many concepts were still in who saw them happen. The events include the formation. Who were the authors and transcribers translation of the Septuagint, the beginning of these manuscripts? Why did they choose to of the Maccabean revolt, the founding of the reside in the remote desert? Examining several academy at Yavneh, the birth of Karaism, the scroll texts in their historical context, find out how Shabtai Zvi debacle, Napoleon’s Sanhedrin, the these ancient documents shed new light on the Warsaw Ghetto’s last stand and the Eichmann Bible and beliefs about the Jerusalem Temple, the trial. The eyewitness accounts are drawn from nature of evil, the calendar, the end of time and books, diaries, traveler’s notes, letters, memoirs, the Messiah. Virtually the only primary sources for poems, newspaper reports and magazine articles. the reconstruction of Judaism during the Second The eyewitness approach to these stories adds Temple era, the Dead Sea Scrolls deepen our flesh to the dry skeletons of history, offering a understanding of Judaism today. matchless experience of living through some of humanity’s most epic happenings.

REGISTER AT EmanuelSkirballNYC.org Thursday April 30 May 7, 14, 21, 28 June 4 $240 / $150 (Temple Emanu-El members) Except where noted.

Early Morning Talmud Witches, Wives, Victims The Hans A. Vogelstein Course and Mothers in Jewish Studies $270 / $165 (Temple Emanu-El members) 33 Rabbi Ysoscher Katz Dr. Diane M. Sharon 7:15–8:45 AM 12:30–2:30 PM Penal codes are subjective and distinct; Learn the lessons of relationships, lineage, they represent a particular community’s sexuality and male and female archetypes values, standards and expectations. The in the Tanakh from the experiences of the Jewish tradition has an extremely elaborate matriarchs, concubines, handmaidens, penal system, offering unique insight daughters, wives, princesses and queens into what values and behaviors Judaism and the men who love them, hate them promotes or disdains. While the Bible’s and save them in the Hebrew Bible. penal code is already quite intricate, the rabbis, nevertheless, expanded upon it, (Class does not meet on 6/4) thereby offering additional insight into their own value system. The evolution of rabbinic understanding of penal codes can be found in tractates Yoma and Sanhedrin. Yoma was our focus in the Fall and we will continue our explorations by studying Tractate Sanhedrin in the Spring.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Thursday April 30 May 7, 14, 21, 28 June 4 $240 / $150 (Temple Emanu-El members) Except where noted.

Yiddish for Dummies Lens on Israel: A Society

Yitzchak Schwartz through Cinema 34 6:30–8:00 PM $320 / $200 (Temple Emanu-El members) What’s the difference between a schlemiel and a schlimazel? A schlemiel spills the soup. A schlimazel Dr. Eric Goldman is the guy he spills the soup on. 6:30–8:30 PM Israeli movies provide an intimate insight into This course covers the basics, from classic jokes Israel’s birth, growth and development as a country. to songs. We will learn some Yiddish vocabulary in Cinema provides an ideal “lens” by which we gain a order to hold a simple conversation and review the visual interpretation of Israel’s history and culture Yiddish alphabet, all while exploring the history of and the challenges to its existence. This course Yiddish culture in America, including Yiddish theater, is an examination of the changing nature of comedy and film. Learn the language that once Israeli society as reflected through its cinema. united Jews across the world, and have fun doing it. Class will include a field trip to a Yiddish-speaking community in Brooklyn.

REGISTER AT EmanuelSkirballNYC.org Chavurot Join our new initiative as we gather in small groups to discuss Jewish texts and traditions in a fun, meaningful and approachable way. Chavurot are small, informal social learning groups of members with similar interests. From the Hebrew word for “friend,” chavurot offer a way for newcomers and long- standing members to develop and strengthen friendships, which in turn strengthens the entire synagogue community.

Specifically designed to accommodate different backgrounds, and led by our clergy and faculty, chavurot enable us to embark upon a Jewish journey of living and learning together outside of typical classroom confines. Each group is limited to 20 participants. The program takes place in private homes. Priority is given to Temple Emanu-El members.

The program is offered to

Post-Introduction to Judaism 35 Monday, March 16 and April 20 / 7:30-9:00 PM For anyone new to Judaism or Jewish studies within the last three years; this group is for singles and couples seeking to explore our rich history and better understand Jewish rituals. The Skirball Lounge

Interfaith Families The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center invites you to enjoy its newly Tuesday, March 10 and April 21 / 7:30-9:00 PM redesigned student lounge. Stop in before class and mingle with teachers Raising Jewish children with parents from different religious backgrounds poses and classmates. Stay for coffee and snacks and charge your phone. Part unique challenges, but you need not experience them alone. Join other interfaith networking space and part study hotspot, this is the place to build ideas families to learn about the beauty of Jewish customs and experience their joys and start new conversations within the Temple Emanu-El community. The together. lounge is open daily, one hour before and after class.

Empty Nesters Wednesday, March 11 and April 15 / 4:00-5:30 PM Meet other women whose children have recently left the nest to form new connections and discuss the challenges of the next stage of their lives.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 Men’s Club Saviv The Temple Emanu-El Men’s Club fosters communal cohesion and Saviv is a Jewish community for young professionals in their twenties cultural conversations outside of regular religious programming. For and thirties seeking to explore their rich heritage in an open, inviting, nearly 100 years, the Men’s Club has strived to promote and expand nondenominational atmosphere. Explore modern, progressive, cultural social, humanitarian, educational and civic causes. Judaism at your own pace and comfort level with Saviv.

Sunday, February 8, 10:00 AM−12:00 noon Come for Shabbat and holiday dinners to schmooze and network with Breakfast with Rabbi Davidson and former Major League Baseball player new and old friends. Saviv welcomes singles and couples—including Bob Tufts. interfaith couples of all sexual orientations and identities. There’s room for everyone on this Jewish journey. Sunday, March 15, 10:00 AM−12:00 noon Breakfast with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Harold Holzer, who will discuss his new book about SHABBAT Abraham Lincoln. January 9, February 13, March 20 April 17, May 8 and June 5 Sunday, April 12, 10:00 AM−12:00 noon Breakfast with noted attorney Mark Zauderer, who will talk about media in Wind down from the workweek and usher the courtroom. in Shabbat together with music, singing, wine and nosh. Doors open at 7:00 PM 36 To join the Men’s Club and volunteer as a Sabbath usher, or for with short services following. more information about our special events this spring, please call (212) 744-1400, ext. 250, or email [email protected].

PASSOVER April 3, Katz’s Deli Celebrate the first night of Passover at a lively and not-so-typical seder at this 126-year-old Lower East Side landmark. It won’t be your bubbe’s matzo ball soup, but it may come close. Katz’s Delicatessen at 250 East Houston Street ©Google

For more information and registration, go to www.saviv.org. Tikkun Olam

Every girl wants to be the belle of the ball. Help young ladies shine at prom by donating dresses, heels, handbags, jewelry, sealed cosmetics and other fashionable accessories.

Your generous donations of gently worn items will mean the world to those less fortunate. By giving back to your community, you replenish the world with kindness. 37 Each year, Temple Emanu-El’s Project Prom coordinates spring and summer fashion success stories for more than 300 girls from 15 schools. By helping those you will never meet, you play a pivotal part in repairing our world (tikkun olam).

There are three easy ways for you to participate:

• Drop donations at the temple lobby • Help set up on Sunday, April 19, 1:00 PM−4:00 PM • Assist girls with dresses Monday through Friday, April 20−24, 11:00 AM−4:00 PM

Questions? Email: [email protected] or call (212) 744-1400 ext. 452. Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses is the Tobi Kahn is an internationally first Syrian rabbi ordained by JTS acclaimed painter and sculptor and named one of the 50 top rabbis whose work has been shown in by the Washington Post online. over 40 solo exhibitions and over She writes, teaches, consults and 60 museum and group shows. He lectures widely and currently serves is the co-founder of Avoda Arts and as Director of Lifelong Learning at has taught at the School of Visual Kehilat Romemu in New York. Arts in New York since 1985.

Diane Cole is the author of After Rabbi Molly Karp is an innovative Great Pain: A New Life Emerges veteran Jewish educator and (New York Times Notable Book) and spiritual leader who is passionate a former contributing editor for about teaching Torah, Hebrew and U.S. News and World Report. She other facets of Judaism. Ordained writes about Jewish culture and at the Academy for Jewish Religion psychology for the Wall Street in Riverdale, New York, Rabbi Journal, the New York Times, Karp holds an MA in Jewish NationalGeographic.com, the Education from HUC-JIR NY Jewish Week and the Psychotherapy and a BA in Judaic Studies from Networker, where she is currently a SUNY Binghamton. Her training in contributing editor. Mindfulness and Jewish Spirituality at the Institute of Jewish Spirituality is at the heart of her work. Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson has been the Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El since 2013. His advocacy Rabbi Alvin Kass is the chief and interfaith efforts earned him chaplain of the New York City Police 38 honors in 2009 from the American Department. A past president of Jewish Committee and the the New York Board of Rabbis, he Westchester Jewish Council. Rabbi is currently the spiritual leader of Davidson was formerly Senior the East Midwood Jewish Center in Rabbi at Temple Beth El of Northern Brooklyn and a popular author and Westchester. lecturer.

Dr. Eric Goldman is the former Rabbi Ysoscher Katz is the Director of the Jewish Media director of the Beit Midrash program Service and past curator of Yiddish, at Yeshivat Chovevi Torah and Israeli and Jewish film for the YIVO Director of Judaic Studies at the Institute for Jewish Research. He is Luria Academy. He lectures widely an adjunct professor of cinema at and teaches adult education Yeshiva University and founder and classes in numerous venues. He president of Ergo Media, a Jewish was a leading teacher of a daf yomi film distributor. Last fall, he co- class in Borough Park for over eight hosted a series about Jewish film years. identities on cable television. FACULTY bios

REGISTER AT EmanuelSkirballNYC.org Martin Kaufman was educated at Dr. Shahar Sadeh is a scholar- Dr. Diane M. Sharon is a scholar Yeshiva University and New York practitioner in the fields of and teacher of the Hebrew Bible, University’s Graduate School of environmental diplomacy and comparative religion and ancient Business Administration. He served environmental peacemaking, Near Eastern literature. Dr. Sharon as the chairman and CEO of Philipp particularly with many NGOs. has published works on the Hebrew Brothers and is currently a global Her research is focused on Bible in its ancient Near Eastern consultant to entities in the financial environmental history and context, comparative religion, literary and natural resource sectors all environmental peacemaking in analysis and women’s studies. She over the world. Mr. Kaufman has shared environmental problems and has served as a scholar-in-residence lectured extensively in numerous opportunities in the Middle East. in congregations nationwide and has adult education programs in the Dr. Sadeh is currently an adjunct lectured and taught extensively. New York area. professor at the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia Andrew Silow-Carroll is Editor- University, where she teaches Dr. David Kraemer is a Professor in-Chief of the New Jersey Jewish environment, sustainability and of Talmud and Rabbinics at JTS, News. He is an alumnus of the peace in Israel. where he is also the Joseph J. and Jerusalem Fellows Program in Dora Abbell Librarian, overseeing Jewish Education and a former the greatest collection of Judaica in Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz is the Spielberg Fellow and Director of the Western world. director of The Jewish Publication Communications of CLAL National Society in Philadelphia and the Jewish Center for Learning and spiritual leader of Congregation Leadership. He has spoken and Dr. Fred Lazin has taught at Adas Emuno in Leonia, New Jersey. taught for numerous Jewish Ben-Gurion University, Hebrew He is the author of the acclaimed organizations and synagogues and University, NYU, UCLA, George textbook Jewish Heroes, Jewish is a regular host at screenings by the Washington University, Cornell, Values and several other works, New Jersey Jewish Film Festival and Tufts and the City University of New such as Judaism’s Great Debates. the New York Film Critics Series. York. In addition, he has served as a visiting scholar at universities in 39 Sweden, France, China, the Czech Yitzchak Schwartz is a graduate Dr. Mark W. Weisstuch has been Republic, Canada and the U.S. He student in history and art history in on the faculty of The Skirball Center has written over 60 scholarly articles New York. His research focuses on since its inception. Over the last and edited 10 books dealing with Jewish religion and how it has been several years he has focused on public policy in the U.S., Israel and understood on a popular level in the Second Temple period, leading developing countries, Israeli politics the modern period. He has worked classes on the Dead Sea Scrolls, and society and Jews in American on various museum exhibitions the Jewish origins of Christianity, politics. focusing on Jewish and Samaritan the early roots of Jewish mysticism art from the ancient to modern and the composition of the Bible. periods. Currently, he lectures Dr. Weisstuch recently retired from Dr. Daniel Rynhold has served and gives gallery tours at the his position as Administrative Vice as Associate Professor of Modern Metropolitan Museum of Art and the President of Temple Emanu-El. Jewish Philosophy at Yeshiva Cloisters about the art of medieval University since 2001. Educated Europe. at the universities of Cambridge Mark Weitzman is Director of and London, Dr. Rynhold was Government Affairs and Director of a fixture on the adult education the Task Force Against Hate and circuit in the United Kingdom and Terrorism at the Simon Wiesenthal is the author of Two Models of Center. He is also the chief Jewish Philosophy: Justifying One’s representative of the center to the Practices and An Introduction to United Nations in New York and was Medieval Jewish Philosophy. the founding director of the SWC’s Museum of Tolerance.

QUESTIONS? Call 212.507.9580 General Information 212.507.9580 EmanuelSkirballNYC.org [email protected] facebook.com/jewishlearning

How to Register Refund Policy Museum Access Online For classes that meet for longer than 6 weeks, a full refund A complimentary curator’s tour for all registered Skirball Please visit our website at may be requested after the first class meeting. After the students is available by appointment at the Herbert & www.EmanuelSkirballNYC.org second class, a credit of 75% will be given that may be Eileen Bernard Museum of Judaica at Temple Emanu-El. used toward any course and is good for one year. No credit To schedule a tour, please call 212.744.1400, ext. 259, or By Phone will be given after the third class. For 3-week classes, a contact [email protected]. Please see page 14 Please call our office at 212.507.9580. 75% refund will be given after the first class, with no refund for further information on the museum. or credit available thereafter. Tuition cannot be pro-rated if By Mail you cannot attend all class sessions. Special events are Please fill out the Registration Form (inside back cover) non-refundable. and mail it with your payment information to:

The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center Enrollment/Cancellation 40 One East 65th Street New York, NY 10065 Policy and Missed Classes The Skirball Center reserves the right to cancel courses for We accept all major credit cards. Checks should insufficient enrollment, as we must meet a minimum be made payable to “The Skirball Center.” enrollment prior to the first class session (full tuition refunds will be issued). The Skirball Center does not permit auditing of classes. If the course you registered for is filled, How to Get Here we will place your name on a waiting list. In the unlikely By Bus event your class is cancelled, The Skirball Center will notify M1, M2, M3, M4, M18, M66, M72 you by email/phone. You may transfer to another class or, receive a credit voucher to apply to any future Skirball By Subway class within the calendar year, or you may receive a refund. N/R/Q 5th Ave./59th St. The Skirball Lounge 4/5/6 59th St. The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center invites you to enjoy or 68th St./Hunter College Library Privileges its newly redesigned student lounge. Stop in before class F Lexington Ave./63rd St. All students enrolled in a Skirball Center course and mingle with teachers and classmates. Stay for coffee have borrowing privileges for one year at the Ivan M. and snacks and charge your phone. Part networking space Classes take place at 10 East 66th Street while Special Stettenheim Library, Temple Emanu-El’s own extensive and part study hotspot, this is the place to build ideas and Programs and Events take place at One East 65th Street. collection. For information, including hours, call start new conversations within the Temple Emanu-El 212.744.1400, ext. 361, or visit EmanuelNYC.org/library. community. The lounge is open daily, one hour before and after class. Amer:er of the written word: “My writing has drawn, out of a reluctant soul, a measure of

Design: MGDPhilly.com REGISTER AT EmanuelSkirballNYC.org Course Registration Events/Programs Registration

page course title faculty tuition te members page event featuring fee date

Monday February 22 The Transcendence and Immanence of God Davidson FREE FREE 6 My Promised Land Shavit $18/FREE $75 Reception Feb 4 28 Maimonides/Nachmanides Kaufman $350 $220 6 Timeless: Love, Morgenthau and Me Rather, Franks, 29 Six Nights at the Museum—Visualizing Rotating Faculty $240 $150 Morgenthau $25 Feb 11 the Bible 7 A Night of Israeli Cinema Ma’aleh School $18/$10 Feb 12 30 Judaism’s Great Debates Schwartz $250 $170 7 Shabbat Services with Cardinal Dolan Dolan FREE Feb 20 30 Artists’ Beit Midrash (Winter) Cohler-Esses, Kahn $375 $235 8 For the Love of Shmear Russ & Daughters $36/$25 Feb 22 30 Artists’ Beit Midrash (Spring) Cohler-Esses, Kahn $375 $235 March Tuesday 8 An Evening with Jeffrey Goldberg Goldberg $36/$45/$18 Mar 9 23 Man, Miracle and Menace Sharon $120 $75 $150 Reception 23 Israel’s Collective Changing Identity Lazin $120 $75 9 The Bible’s Original Sin: Not in the Klitsner $25/$18 Mar 18 24 Jews for Exegesis: Interpreting the Karp $120 $75 Garden of Eden Biblical Text 10 Bar Mitzvah: A History Hilton FREE Mar 19 31 Testing, Testing, This Is Just a Test Sharon $270 $165 10 The Song of Songs Fishbane FREE Mar 23 31 Malamud’s Magic and Mystery Cole $240 $150 11 A Fire Burns in Kotsk Boyarin, Kaiserman FREE Mar 29 Rediscovered 11 From Exile to Washington Blumenthal FREE Mar 31 31 Freedom and Responsibility in Jewish Rynhold $240 $150 April Philosophy 4 Havdalah Raichel $45 Apr 11 Wednesday 12 Our Class: A Reading Słobodzianek $35/$45/$18 Apr 13 32 Eyewitness to Jewish History Kass $240 $150 13 Enchantress Anton FREE Apr 14 32 The Dead Sea Scrolls: Answers 13 God, Faith & Identity from the Ashes Rosensaft FREE Apr 16 and Puzzles Weisstuch $350 $220 14 David and David: In Conversation Kraemer, Wander FREE Apr 19 25 The Golden Age of Yiddish Cinema: Goldman $160 $100 15 The Chutzpah Imperative Feinstein FREE Apr 27 1936–1940 26 Anti-Semitism Yesterday, Today Weitzman $120 $75 May and Tomorrow 15 Making David into Goliath Muravchik FREE May 6 16 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother Gold $45 May 9 Thursday 27 Second Chances, New Chapters, Bold Sharon $120 $75 17 Jews and Genes Dorff, Zoloth, FREE May 12 Choices: Reading the Book of Ruth Caplan 27 A Land of Milk and Honey? Environment, Sadeh $120 $75 17 Letter from an Unknown Woman Zornberg $30/$18 May 14 Sustainability and Peace in Israel 18 Exodus: What Really Happened? Freidman, Sperling $30/$18 May 19 27 The Triumphant Right, the Emerging Left Silow-Carroll $120 $75 19 Keeping Faith in Rabbis Davidson, Ellenson, $20 May 20 and the Soft Middle Levitt, Herring 33 Early Morning Talmud Katz $240 $150 19 The Heart of the Matter Green FREE May 28 33 Witches, Wives, Victims and Mothers Sharon $270 $165 34 Yiddish for Dummies Schwartz $240 $150 34 Lens on Israel: A Society through Cinema Goldman $320 $200 Register: EmanuelSkirballNYC.org

Please fill out the following information: Payment Yes, I want to support Jewish learning at CARD NUMBER The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center. Check off payment method: Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution NAME Credit Card: in the amount of $______MasterCard EXPIRATION DATE SECURITY CODE VISA ADDRESS American Express SIGNATURE Total Enclosed Discover Cost of classes/events PLUS contribution: $______PHONE Check made payable to The Skirball Center EMAIL Send form to: The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center • One East 65th Street • New York, NY 10065 ONE EAST 65TH STREET / NEW YORK, NY 10065

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