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INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM SPRING 2021 OREGON BOARD OF RABBIS 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland, OR 97239 Table of Contents Course Guidelines .................................................................................................. 2 Shalom Ḥaverim! ................................................................................................... 3 For those seeking conversion to Judaism ............................................................... 4 CLASS SCHEDULE ................................................................................................... 5 Curriculum Codes for Introduction to Judaism ....................................................... 6 Participating Rabbis for Intro Class ........................................................................ 7 Class Meeting Places.............................................................................................. 8 Suggested Reading List for Intro Class .................................................................... 9 Hebrew Alphabet Chart ....................................................................................... 11 Hebrew – English Transliteration Pronunciation Guide ......................................... 12 Jewish Greetings Cheat Sheet .............................................................................. 13 What Comes After (or instead of) Hello? .............................................................. 17 Blessings ............................................................................................................. 18 Shema ................................................................................................................. 21 Timelines of Jewish History .................................................................................. 25 Historical Figures in Judaism ................................................................................ 31 Jewish Holidays 5781 (2020-21) ........................................................................... 40 Jewish Calendar 5781 .......................................................................................... 41 What Is the Torah Portion? .................................................................................. 45 Glossary .............................................................................................................. 59 Evaluation, Unit #1 .............................................................................................. 67 Evaluation, Unit #2 .............................................................................................. 69 Evaluation, Unit #3 .............................................................................................. 71 Course Evaluation ................................................................................................ 73 ~ 1 ~ Course Guidelines Welcome to “Intro to Judaism” Classes begin at 7:00 PM and end at 9:00 PM. On the first night of class, please arrive by 6:30 PM to allow for completion of registration and distribution of materials. Please be prompt in arriving and plan to stay until the end of class. Always sign in before each class you attend. Attendance is tracked and recorded!! Weather related closures follow those of Portland Community College. If evening classes are canceled, Intro to Judaism is canceled. Please check your email for last minute information. Bring your Chumash (Bible) and your notebook (both of which you will receive on the first night of class) to each evening lecture. JoAnn will be happy to speak with students privately after class, by appointment during the week, or by phone (except on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, from sundown Friday to one hour after sundown Saturday evening, or on other major Jewish Holy Days). Your learning will be enhanced if you start building a Jewish Library and reading books suggested on the “recommended reading” pages of your notebook. General Guidelines: Please do not place Bibles or prayer books on the floor. Please do not bring food into the meeting spaces to ensure respect for the kashrut (Dietary Laws) of the synagogues. Bringing water is OK. Turn off cell phones during class. All venues are “non-smoking.” Introduce yourself to your classmates to form discussion groups, carpools, find people with whom to attend services, and form lifelong friendships! ~ 2 ~ Shalom Ḥaverim! (Welcome Friends) You are about to embark on an exciting journey into the heart and soul, the intellect and rituals of Judaism. Whatever your reasons for taking The Introduction to Judaism Class, you will achieve your goals amongst friends---fellow seekers looking to enrich their lives through the understanding of an ancient faith. My role is to be your mentor and guide as you study and learn. I am committed to being an advocate for all students in these classes. Feel free to phone or email me if questions arise outside of class. I am eager to get to know you and share this wonderful adventure in learning! B’Shalom (go in peace), JoAnn Bezodis, Facilitator The Oregon Board of Rabbis Introduction to Judaism Class 971-248-5465 [email protected] ~ 3 ~ For those seeking conversion to Judaism The Introduction to Judaism Course is not a conversion class: rather, it is one of the pre- requisites for converting to Judaism with a rabbi who is a member of The Oregon Board of Rabbis. At some time during the classes, or at their conclusion, you will begin meeting with the rabbi of your choice to further your study on your journey to becoming Jewish. We encourage you to contact the rabbi as soon as you are ready to better understand his or her particular requirements for you. For the purposes of this class, those seeking conversion will be required to: 1. Earn a Certificate of Achievement from The Oregon Board of Rabbis' Introduction Judaism Class. (This means attending at least 15 of the 18 lectures as well as fulfilling your financial obligation to the OBR) 2. You are encouraged to attend services at a variety of Jewish congregations during your course of study. Contact the congregation in which you are interested by phone or online to find out the service times (JoAnn is occasionally able to accompany students to various congregations by pre-arranged schedule). 3. Contact the rabbi of your choice as soon as you have decided with whom you wish to study, to let them know of your intention to convert. (Again, JoAnn is happy to meet you, by appointment, to discuss your follow-up plans). We look forward to assisting you on your path to Judaism. ~ 4 ~ SPRING 2021 SCHEDULE The Oregon Board of Rabbis - Introduction to Judaism ~ 5 ~ Curriculum Codes for Introduction to Judaism 2020-21 A Tikkun Olam: Jewish Ethics, Social Action and Politics B The Hebrew Calendar: Difference between Major and Minor Holidays C Shabbat: A Cathedral in Time, Home and Synagogue Observance D Biblical Judaism. Ancient Hebrews of the Biblical Period; Earliest History of the Israelite Religion E Rabbinic Judaism. Post-Exile: From Nation to Religion, From Sacrifice to Prayer F Halakha and Aggadah: Guides to Life. Talmud and Midrash: the laws and lore of Rabbinic Tradition G Diaspora: Exile and Return, Israel and Communities Around the World H God and Theology: Covenant and Theodicy I Pesakh: The Master Story of Jewish Identity---History and Celebration J Jewish Mysticism: Sefirot, Spirituality and “God Talk” K Prayer: Community and Private Worship L The Jewish Home: Practice and Ritual: Mitzvot/Kashrut/Tikkun Olam/Mazzuzeh/Family Traditions M Anti-Semitism: History of Jewish/Christian Relations in Europe and America: Church Driven Jew Hatred and Modern Political Anti-Semitism N Life Cycle Events: Birth/Bar-Bat Mitzvah/Marriage/Divorce/Death/Mourning O Israel: Zionism/Connection to American Jewish Community P Varieties of Judaism: The Concept of “Movements,” A Panel Discussion Q The High Holy Days: History/Observance/Significance R The American Jewish Community: History, Agencies, and Community Relations ~ 6 ~ INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM Class summaries A - TIKKUN OLAM Jewish people consider themselves “partners with God” in tikkun olam which literally means to “repair the world.” Most people think of tikkun olam as social action, but its values influence our prorities, politics and so much more. B - THE HEBREW CALENDAR Have you ever wondered why Hanukkah can fall anywhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Ever noticed that Passover and Easter don’t always coincide? Learn how the Jewish calendar works and what makes it different from what you are used to. C - SHABBAT Each Friday at sunset the Sabbath begins with Jews around the world practicing the same ritual in their homes with friends and family. It is one of the foundations of Jewish life. This will help explain the steps and importance of this ritual D - BIBLICAL JUDAISM Ancient Jewish identity was built around the Temple in Jerusalem in the Promised Land. Learn how Jewish life, religion, and politics evolved once the chosen people left Egypt. E - RABBINIC JUDAISM Learn how Jewish life and religion evolved after the Roman sack of Jerusalem and expulsion of the Jewish people from Israel. This unit begins at the time of the destruction of the second Temple in 70 C.E. and follows the evolution of Rabbinic Judaism through the Talmud and beyond. F - GUIDES TO JEWISH LIFE: HALACHA & AGGADAH Two components of rabbinic tradition are known as Halacha (laws) and Aggadah (stories, lore), recorded primarily in the Talmud & Midrash. Halakhah addresses behavior through laws, rules, judgments and
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