Adult Education Winter/Spring Course
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ADULT EDUCATION WINTER/SPRING COURSE CATALOG 2019 CENTER FOR JEWISH LEARNING WHO WE ARE The Center for Jewish Learning (CJL) supports Jewish learning as a critical link in ensuring a vibrant and thriving Jewish community. We strive to support existing learning opportunities within the community and offer compelling pluralistic Jewish educational experiences. We encourage you to explore the CJL Course Catalog and consider diving into something new this winter or spring. Learn more at JFedSTL.org/CJL. WHAT’S NEW? We are excited to feature St. Louis academics who will share their scholarship with the community in a new LOCAL SCHOLARS SERIES. CJL will also hold two Scholars-in-Residence events: a weekend of conversations on Benedict Spinoza with Dr. Steven Nadler and Rabbi Dr. Allan Nadler in March; and Dr. Joy Ladin who will teach over 2-3 days in June. We are also pleased to partner with the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics for the Boniuk-Tanzman Memorial Lecture on Medical Ethics with Dr. David Pelcovitz in April. REGISTER ONLINE JFedSTL.org/Adult-Education See page 11 for additional ways to register. Cyndee Levy, Director of CJL and Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library Rabbi Tracy Nathan, Senior Educator, CJL; Director of Melton/St. Louis Cynthia Wachtel, Shlichut Program Supervisor Shirley Wise, Registrar and Database Specialist Kathy Schmeltz, Resource Assistant, CJL TABLE OF CONTENTS Text and Thought ....................................................................... 2 The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning .... 3 History, Politics, and Current Events ..................................... 4 Arts and Culture ......................................................................... 5 Hebrew Language...................................................................... 6 Local Scholars Series ................................................................ 7 Sh’ma: Listen! Speaker Series ................................................. 9 Registration Information ..........................................................11 1 TEXT AND THOUGHT PHILOSOPHY ROUNDTABLE ON PHILO: THE BOOK OF ISAIAH: ITS IMPACT AND THE CONFLUENCE OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD VS. INFLUENCE ON JEWISH TRADITION FAITH AND HOPE Rabbi Lane Steinger Cantor-Rabbi Ronald Eichaker The poetry and power of the words of the prophet Isaiah Philo was a philosopher from Alexandria, Egypt, who lived continue to challenge and resonate in our day. We will from approximately 20 BCE to 40 CE. He sought to explore and examine texts of Isaiah as they appear in harmonize the Hebrew Bible with Greek philosophy and Jewish liturgy and other aspects of Judaism. influenced early Christian thought. This roundtable 1835. Tue 11 am-noon | 4 classes from 5/7-5/28 | $40 discussion will start with a general background on Philo’s life, and we will study and discuss one or more of his Location: Kaplan Feldman Complex philosophical treatises. Class size limited to 18. 1832. Tue 7-8:30 pm | 4 classes from 2/19-3/12 | $60 CONTEMPORARY JEWISH WRITERS Marcia Moskowitz Location: Kaplan Feldman Complex This reading and discussion-based course explores contemporary Jewish writers’ perspectives on the MUSSAR STUDY AND PRACTICE characters and themes of modern society. Among the Cyndee Levy works will be novels by American writers Philip Roth, E.L. This course is designed as an introduction to the study and Doctorow, and Israeli writer Aharon Appelfeld. practice of Mussar, an ethical philosophy and spiritual Please note: Each unit will stand on its own, so you may practice, which may serve as a guide for facing the sign up for any or all. challenges of daily life. We will explore the following Middot (character traits): 1810. Wed 11:30 am-1 pm Unit 1: patience, forgiveness, and simplicity Unit 4: 7 classes from 2/27-4/10 | $105 Unit 2: loving, kindness, strength, and faith Unit 5: 5 classes from 5/1-5/29 | $75 All materials will be provided through The Mussar Institute. Location: Kaplan Feldman Complex 1833. Tue 7-8:30 pm Unit 1: 6 classes from 2/19-3/26 | $75 A PALACE OF PEARLS: THE STORIES OF RABBI Unit 2: 6 classes from 5/7-6/18 (no class on 5/28) | $75 NACHMAN Location: Kaplan Feldman Complex Dr. Howard Schwartz Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (1772-1810) is BUILDERS BEIT MIDRASH: TALMUD AND LIBERATION widely recognized as the greatest Jewish Rabbi Micah Buck-Yael storyteller of all time. We will read and The Beit Midrash (House of Study) has been the home for discuss his stories from the newly creative, radical, liberating thought in the Jewish world for published A Palace of Pearls, edited by Dr. centuries. The Builders Beit Midrash introduces learners to Howard Schwartz. The course will explore the ongoing conversation about liberation in the Jewish hidden meanings in the stories and the tradition and invites them to be a part of that conversation. Kabbalistic principles that Rabbi Nachman We will read texts through a lens that is feminist, queer- drew upon, so this course will also serve as oriented, and focused on the importance of hearing voices an introduction to Kabbalah. Along the way, we will learn that have too often been marginalized. This is a multi-level about Rabbi Nachman’s life story and his role as the Rebbe course: All texts will be studied in the original Hebrew/ of the Bratslav Hassidim. Aramaic, with the tools and support needed to ensure that anyone who can sound out the aleph-bet will be able to This new unit will stand on its own; new students read and interpret the text for themselves. welcome. If you don’t have a copy of A Palace of Pearls, it Co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Learning and MaTovu will be available for purchase for $35. 1834. Tue 7-9 pm | 6 classes from 3/12-4/16 | $90 1814. Thu 7-8:30 pm | Unit 2: 5 classes from 2/21-3/21 | $75 Location: MaTovu, 4200 Blaine Ave., St. Louis, 63110 Location: Kaplan Feldman Complex Classes are held at the Kaplan Feldman Complex, unless otherwise noted. 2 TEXT AND THOUGHT A BRIDE FOR ONE NIGHT: TALMUD TALES Cyndee Levy SEARCHING FOR MEANING IN THE GREAT Ruth Calderon’s book, A Bride for One STORIES OF OUR TRADITION: LUNCH AND Night, will serve as the text for this LEARN course. Each class will begin with Cyndee Levy study and an in-depth analysis of the These text-based discussions will focus on uncovering the lively Talmudic text that serves as the hidden wisdom in selected stories from our tradition. A inspiration for the original short stories light kosher dairy lunch will be served at each session. in Calderon’s book, which will be 1807. 3rd Tue of the month, noon-1:30 pm followed by a reading and analysis of See online course guide for exact dates | $15/class the accompanying short story. Location: Home of Cyndee Levy in Creve Coeur (address Co-sponsored by the Center for provided after registration) Jewish Learning and B’Nai Amoona This new unit will stand on its own; new students welcome. 1802. Mon 7-8:30 pm | Unit 3: 5 classes from 3/18-5/6 (no class on 3/25, 4/1, 4/22) | $75 Location: B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Road, 63141 FLORENCE MELTON SCHOOL OF ADULT JEWISH LEARNING VAYIKRA (LEVITICUS) – A CALL TO HOLINESS Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh In this study of Vayikra/Leviticus, we will examine themes that include the role of ritual, responding to tragedy, confronting birth and parenthood, seeking forgiveness, balancing the place of the individual and the community, bringing sanctity into one’s daily life, and more. Co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Learning and Temple Emanuel 1837. Thu 7-8:30 pm | 10 classes from 1/31-4/18 (no class 3/21 and 3/28) | $250 plus book fee Location: Temple Emanuel, 12166 Conway Road, 63141 Registration is through the Melton School. A minimum of 15 participants is required to hold Melton courses. A PROJECT OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM Register at Events.org/MeltonStLouis 3 HISTORY, POLITICS, AND CURRENT EVENTS BOYCOTTS AND THE JEWS SCREENING OF ST. LOUIS STORIES: THE Russel Neiss JEWISH AMERICANS Boycotts were a potent and effective political weapon for Dr. Diane Everman the Jewish community in the 20th century. This course will St. Louis Stories: The Jewish Americans is examine primary sources and contemporary news accounts a one-hour documentary exploring the of three of the most notable boycotts of this era: the 1902 rich 200-year history of Jewish people in Kosher Meat Boycott, the anti-Nazi global Jewish boycott of St. Louis. Tracing the history of the the 1930s, and the 1975 American-Jewish boycott of Mexico. St. Louis Jewish community from the arrival of the first settlers to the present Co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Learning and day, the film includes archival material, MaTovu interviews, and current-day footage. Dr. 1838. Wed 7-8:30 pm | 3 classes from 3/27-4/10 | $30 Everman will facilitate a discussion after Location: MaTovu, 4200 Blaine Ave., 63110 the film, which was originally broadcast on KETC9. Co-sponsored by Brodsky Library, the St. Louis Jewish Community Archives, and the St. Louis Genealogical Society-Jewish Special Interest Group 1818. Feb 3 | Sun 1-3 pm | Free Location: Kaplan Feldman Complex GALIA AND MILTON MOVITZ, SENATOR JOHN DANFORTH ISRAEL SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOR ADULTS Rabbi Michael Rovinsky MJDIS is designed to engender a greater understanding of Israeli current affairs and ethical issues through challenging and interactive programming. The course offers a multimodal approach to learning, utilizing engaging speakers from leading Israel advocacy and education organizations, community leaders and multimedia presentations. Participants will study the history of Israel and use that knowledge to grapple with many issues it faces today. 1831. Thu 11:30 am–1 pm | 12 classes from 2/14-5/23 (no class on 3/21) | Free New York Times, May 17, 1902 Call Rabbi Rovinsky at (314) 498-6279 to register.