5771 Adult Education Programs

The Books of the “People of the Book”

 

Have you ever been sitting in synagogue and hear the Rabbi mention the Tanakh, the Mishnah, the Talmud, the Midrash Rabbah and wonder exactly what those books are?  This class will survey those texts which form the basis of our religion and culture.  It is particularly geared to those with little or no prior knowledge, although it will be useful for the more advanced student as well.  Knowledge of Hebrew is NOT required.  The class, which is scheduled for Eight Sunday mornings, will run from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., so parents can learn while their child(ren) is (are) in their religious school classes.

 

 

Click on a Session to be taken to a page where you can listen to the class and view the documents.

 

October 17 — Introduction & Tanakh

 

After an overview of the course, we will learn about the makeup and content of the Tanakh — the Hebrew Bible — and the Mikra’ot G’dolot — the “Rabbinic Bible”, with the commentaries of Rashi, Ramban and others.

 

November 21 — Midrash

 

We will learn about the meaning, and the various forms, of midrash  and their use, including Midrash Rabbah, Tanhuma, Mehilta, Sifra, Sifrei, and others.

 

December 19 — Mishnah

 

We will learn about the first collection of Jewish legal precepts, compiled by R. Yehudah Ha-Nasi, Rabbi Judah the Price, about 200 C.E.

 

January 16 — Talmud

 

We will learn how it was compiled, why there are two Talmuds — the Bavli, or Babylonian Talmud, and the Yerushalmi, the Jerusalem Talmud — what is the Gemara, and the commentaries of Rashi, Tosafot, and others.

 

February 13 — Mishneh Torah

 

We will learn about the first true code of Jewish Law, written by R. Moshe ben Maimon, Maimonides, or the Rambam, and how commentaries on this work led to the later codes.

                                                                                                                                                           

March 13 — The Tur, The Shulhan Arukh, The Mishnah Berurah, etc.

 

We will learn about the later codes of Jewish Law, how they differ from the Mishneh Torah, and how they are used today.

 

April 3 — Responsa

 

We will learn about the Question and Response method of making Jewish law.

 

May 22  — Zohar

 

We will learn about this and other the texts of the Jewish mystical tradition.

 

 

Synagogue Skills Classes

 

A. Torah / Haftarah / Megillot

 

At every Shabbat morning service, we read a portion from the Torah and a selection from the prophets (haftarah).  Did you chant one or both of these biblical readings at your Bar / Bat Mitzvah?  Here is an opportunity to re-learn this skill, or, if you have never learned, an opportunity to do so.  Even if you choose not to use this skill at a public worship service, mastering this skill will enable you to help our young people learn and perfect this skill for their Bar / Bat Mitzvah.  In this course, which will meet on alternate Wednesday evenings beginning October 6, we will learn to chant Torah, Haftarah and, for the more advanced students, Megillat Esther.

 

B. Leading the Synagogue Service

 

On those Shabbatot when the Rabbi is on vacation, or on the High Holidays, or even a Sunday morning when the Rabbi is away a funeral, someone needs to lead our services.  This class, which will meet on alternate Wednesday evenings beginning October 13, will teach you all you need to know about leading a synagogue service with the correct nusah (musical tones).  Familiarity with prayer book Hebrew is required.

 

Kashrut Classes

 

One of the hallmarks of Conservative Judaism is adherence to the laws of kashrut.  This class will pick up from last year and will cover supervising in the synagogue kitchen and issues of special interest.  This class will meet on a day and at a time convenient to those participating.

 

Introduction to Hebrew

 

This class, which will meet on Tuesday evenings at a time to be agreed upon, will pick up from where we left off in the Spring.  For those who wish to join the class, we will have a separate section starting from scratch.

 

Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi

 

As we did this past year, on two or three Shabbatot, Rabbi Kohn will host a lunch following Kiddush at which there will be a lecture and / or discussion on a topic of current interest, or one of interest to those participating.  The dates for these lunches will be announced in the SCRIBE.  Sponsors for these lunches would be greatly appreciated.