British Library Courses bl.uk/courses Learn Live: Introduction to Jewish Texts – Mishnah, Talmud and Midrash Dates Tuesday 12 November 2020 Times 10.30 - 12.00 Location Zoom Level Beginners, but all welcome Class size Maximum 35 participants Course description Jews have been described as ‘The People of the Book’, and the canon of Jewish texts remain central to Jewish learning and decision-making. In this introductory online short course Rabbi Debbie Young- Somers will explore post-Biblical canon of Rabbinic Literature. How does a page of Talmud work? Why is there no one authoritative book of 'Midrash'? What do these texts teach us about Jewish decision-making and conversations that embrace difference and disagreement? How are these texts used today? Rabbi Young-Somers will examine these questions. This course takes place on Zoom and we will email you a joining link the day before. There will be an opportunity to ask Rabbi Debbie questions in a Q&A, and have conversations with your fellow participants in virtual breakout rooms. Live captions will be provided by Stagetext. Pre-course task Please explore https://prezi.com/uffdbsqpyjaq/the-oven-of-akhnai/ a story from the Talmud, presented afresh! Tutor Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers is a part of the Rabbinic team at Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, having previously worked for Reform Judaism as their Community Educator. She teaches World Religions and Interfaith Encounter at Leo Baeck College, and Jewish Christian relations at Queens Ecumenical Foundation. She is a regular radio broadcaster on Radio 2’s Pause for Thought as well as BBC local radio, and has published articles and chapters on Jewish Christian relations, creative ritual and Reform Judaism. Previous skills, knowledge or experience None required. Aimed at beginners, but all welcome. Accessibility Live captions will be provided by Stagetext. THIS COURSE TAKES PLACE ON ZOOM. PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE BRITISH LIBRARY. 2 .