Winter Semester January - March 2005
Mondays
at the RAC, (Religious Action Center)
2027 Massachusetts Ave, NW, one block west of the Dupont
Circle Metro Station’s north exit
Basic Judaism
Jan. 9 – March 13
(8 sessions, no class Jan 16 or Feb. 20)
8:30- 9:45 PM
Members: $85 non-members: $95
This course is designed for everyone—Jew or
non-Jew, secular or religious—who wants to learn
about core Jewish beliefs, customs, and practices.
It uses basic Jewish texts to explore what Jews study,
how they observe Judaism in their homes, and what prayer
and community mean to them. Field trips will present
opportunities to experience Judaism directly and get
to know a range of synagogues and other resources in
the local Jewish community. At the end of the course,
students will understand what it means to live a Jewish
life and what the next steps are to go deeper into
what can become a lifetime of Jewish study.
Bob Rovinsky, president of the Jewish Study Center,
belongs to many of the Jewish communities of Washington,
from Adas Israel to the Zoo Minyan. He has taught numerous
courses, including Basic Judaism, for the JSC.
Beyond the Basics
Jan. 9 – Feb. 6
(4 sessions, no class Jan 16)
7:00- 8:15 PM
Members: $45, non-members: $55
You’ve learned the basics, so now what? Beyond
the Basics is designed for people with a grasp of the
fundamentals of Judaism who want to further enrich
their Jewish life. This interactive class will focus
on ways to deepen one’s understanding of the
diversity of Jewish thinking, explore the roots of
some Jewish observances, and develop skills to facilitate
continued Jewish learning beyond the classroom or synagogue
by relating Judaism to everyday life. Participants
will be asked to take a turn at preparing a short presentation
to serve as the starting point for each week’s
discussion.
Shena Potter is Associate Rabbi at Temple Sinai
in Northwest Washington. She was previously Assistant
Director of University of Michigan Hillel.
History of the Sephardic Diaspora
Jan. 9 – Feb. 27
(6 sessions, no class Jan 16 or Feb. 20)
7:00- 8:15 PM
Members: $65, non-members: $75
This course will examine the history of the Jews of
the Iberian peninsula and their world-wide dispersion,
from the pivotal pogroms in 1391 to the expulsions
from Spain and Portugal more than a century later,
and the points to which the Sephardim fled. Topics
include the historical antecedents and singular nature
of the Spanish Inquisition, the religious and social
elements of medieval and early modern anti-Semitism
in Spain, the phenomenon of the "Conversos" and
the development of secret religion, where and why practicing
Jews and Conversos alike fled, relations between them,
and what happened to their communities. The focus is
on history and note will be taken of different points
of view among historians about the events covered.
Tom Diaz has been researching in depth the history
of his family, its relation to the Sephardic Diaspora,
and the currents of history that affected their lives
over seven centuries.
On the Street Where We Lived: DC Jewish Neighborhoods
Jan. 30 – Feb. 13
(3 sessions)
7:00- 8:15 PM
Members: $35, non-members: $45
Take a virtual tour through our city's history, and
the places Jews have hung their hats and built their
shuls. From the Southwest neighborhood of Al Jolson,
to the bustling business district of H Street NE, to
the march northwards up 16th Street and on to the suburbs,
we will revisit the places, the people, and the patterns
of demographic change. There is also an optional tour
of Jewish DC for the class, on a date to be determined.
Minna Scherlinder Morse was the founding director of
the DC program of AVODAH: the Jewish Service Corps.
She is currently launching a writing and editing business
for nonprofits, Scherlinder Communications.
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Tuesday at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue: 606
I St, NW, Chinatown
Two blocks from Chinatown Metro Station, four blocks
from Mt. Vernon Metro Station
Israeli Kosher Cooking
Jan. 24 – Feb. 7
(3 sessions)
6:45 — 8:30 PM
Individual classes: Members: $20, non-members: $25
For all 3 classes: members: $55, Non-members: $70
This class is geared to those in their 20s-30s
Birthright Alumni can pay member fees for this class
In this three-part hands-on cooking class, connect
to Israel through your taste buds. Israeli cuisine
is as diverse as the Diaspora, thanks to many migrations.
We explore the recipes of Israeli immigrants and locals
with uncomplicated vegetarian and meat dishes that
use few ingredients.
January 24th: Israeli markets are full of fresh and
diverse produce. Join us for a night of creating delicious
Mediterranean salads and vegetarian side dishes as
well as desserts.
January 31st: The Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee
provide an abundance of fish. Learn the variety of
ways Israelis prepare it, and how to successfully adapt
recipes.
February 7th: Tonight, we’ll
make a full Israeli meal perfect for Shabbat or another
special dinner
with chicken dishes like kabobs and schnitzel as well
as couscous and a dessert.
Larry Liss has been a chef for over 20 years and is
self-taught and restaurant-trained. He has worked as
a caterer and personal chef for George Soros and others
and is currently making a weekly meal service for clients.
Larry has been influenced by trips to Israel.
This class is co-sponsored by the Taglit-birthright
israel Alumni Association, a group that encourages
participants in the birthright israel program to stay
involved and connected to Israel and the Jewish community.
Birthright israel provides free 10-day trips to Israel
for adults ages 18-26.
Creative Jewish Writing Workshop
Jan. 17 – Feb. 28
(6 sessions, no class Feb. 21)
6:45 — 8:00 PM
Members: $65, non-members: $75
Writers, come
with your work to a place for support, encouragement
and constructive criticism. Whether you
or your work has Jewish connections, or if you are
writing (or thinking of writing) short stories, poetry,
essays, a novel, a play, memoirs, or creative non-fiction,
let’s meet, read and discuss it together.
Carolivia Herron is a retired professor who taught
Creative Writing at the College of William and Mary,
U Binghamton, and Harvard. She has published two works,
Thereafter Johnnie and Nappy Hair (Random House), and
is completing a third, Asenath and Our Song of Songs.
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Tuesday at the RAC, (Religious Action Center)
2027 Massachusetts Ave, NW, one block west of the Dupont
Circle Metro Station’s north exit
Munich: the Whole Story
Feb. 21
7:30-9 PM
Members $5, non-members $7
Steven Spielberg's latest film, Munich, is "inspired by real events" (as said in the opening credits)-but how much is invention and how much is reality? Join us for a discussion of the film and its historical context as well as the reactions to the film from the Jewish community. This class will be of interest to those who have already seen the film as well as those who have not.
Paul Scham, an Adjunct Scholar at the Middle East Institute who recently co-edited a book on Israeli and Palestinian historical narratives,Shared Histories: A Palestinian-Israeli Dialogue (which will be available for sale).
Early Jews of New Orleans
Jan. 17 & Jan. 24
(2 sessions)
7:00- 8:15 PM
Members: $25, non-members: $35 New Orleans
is very much in the news today, but did you know that
it is home to one of the oldest Jewish
communities in the country? This course will tell you
about the early Jewish presence in New Orleans, which
goes back to the 1700s, and chronicle the history of
the Jews of New Orleans until the period following
the civil war. Among others, we will learn about such
prominent figures in antebellum American Jewish history
from New Orleans as Judah P. Benjamin, the “brains
of the Confederacy,” as well as the enigmatic
Judah Touro.
Jeffrey Kaplan, an attorney with the firm of Sullivan & Cromwell
LLP, regularly teaches on Jewish history at the Jewish
Study Center and beyond. He has served as archivist
of Philadelphia's oldest Jewish institution, Congregation
Mikveh Israel (founded in 1740)
Feng Shui and Judaism
Jan. 31 & Feb. 7
(2 sessions)
7:00- 8:15 PM
Members: $25, non-members: $35 The prayer Ma Tovu emphasizes the importance of pleasant
environments: “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob,
your dwelling places, O Israel.” This principle
is a backbone of Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese system
for creating a harmonious atmosphere in homes and businesses.
In this class, you will learn the relationship between
Judaism and Feng Shui and gain the tools you need to
practice Feng Shui. By creating balance and harmony
in your home, you can enhance your health, happiness,
and prosperity. Feng Shui believes that your environment
displays your consciousness. Come see how Judaism agrees.
Lynne Greene is founder of Feng Shui Eyes and studied
at the Western School of Feng Shui in San Diego. Lynne
is a member of Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church.
Lynne last taught this course in Winter ’04.
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Tuesday at the DCJCC in Dupont Circle, 1529 16th St,
Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Homosexuality and Judaism
Feb 14 – March 7
(4 sessions)
7:30 — 9:00 PM
Members: $35, non-members: $45
materials charge of $10
members of Bet Mishpachah can attend for free This text and discussion oriented course will explore
the Biblical and Talmudic source material that influences
the contemporary discussion of homosexuality and Judaism,
as well as additional sources such as medieval Spanish
Jewish poetry. The class will try to understand the
material in its own context, as well as exploring how
later generations came to understand it. We'll look
at the most important statements from modern Jewish
thinkers and movements across the denominational spectrum,
and evaluate the accuracy of the information they rely
on and the cogency of their arguments.
Rabbi Saks has been the rabbi since 1991 of Congregation.
Bet Mishpachah, which was founded in 1975 by members
of the gay community. Bet Mishpachah describes itself
as "embracing a diversity of sexual and gender
identities." Rabbi Saks was ordained as a Conservative
Rabbi and now affiliates with the Reform movement.
This class is co-sponsored with Congregation Bet Mishpachah.
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Wednesday
Classes at Adas Israel: 2850 Quebec St, Cleveland
Park
One block north of the Cleveland Park Metro. Parking
is available.
Of Fasts and Feasts: Jewish Holidays
Jan. 11 – Feb. 1
(4 sessions)
7:00 — 8:15 PM
Members: $45, non-members: $55
This course will introduce all chagim (Jewish holidays)
from their biblical or post-biblical origins through
modern variations. We will review home and synagogue
customs, prayers, songs, and food of the chagim as
well as some regional variations of each. In addition
to the 3000-year old holidays, we will cover modern
ones such as Yom HaAtzmaut and Yom HaShoa as well as
little known local and individual holidays such as
regional “purims” and personal holidays
recognizing important family events. With a conventional
and eclectic approach to Hebrew festivals, this class
will be of interest both to those just starting to
learn about Jewish holidays as well as those who have
been studying or celebrating them for years.
Mike Bloom, a former Disney writer and U.S. Treasury
department director, is the author of a book of humor
and a book on Judaism and is a frequent cantor and
layleader.
L’David Mizmor
Jan. 11 – Feb. 1
(4 sessions)
7:00 — 8:15 PM
Members: $45, non-members: $55 Psalm 24 is a powerful and beautiful hymn used
in the Torah service and in the Psalm for Sundays.
Its language
includes such phrases as “The earth is the Lord’s
and all that it holds” and “who may ascent
the mountain of the Lord… one who has clean hands
and a pure heart.” The class will read stories,
citations and commentaries on Psalm 24 in rabbinic
literature such as Midrash, Talmud, prayer books, ethical
literature, etc. Discussions will include the nature
of a “pure heart,” blessings for food,
the environment, where G-d is found, and the ever-changing
generations of Jewish leaders. Participants should
read the Psalm several times before first class. If
possible, please read it in Hebrew as well as in English.
Norman Shore is a veteran teacher for the Jewish Study
Center and elsewhere in the Washington Jewish community.
A Novel Approach to Midrash
Jan. 11 – Feb. 1
(4 sessions)
8:30 — 9:45 PM
Members: $45, non-members: $55
Judaic literacy means being familiar with rabbinic
literature; however, for those without language skills
or background, encountering rabbinic texts in a meaningful
way can be difficult. Thanks to the flourishing of
modern midrash there is now another way in—we'll
use a modern novel about a Biblical story as a window
into reading rabbinic texts in translation. The class
will read Queenmaker: a Novel of King David’s
Queen by India Edghill, and then translated selections
from Tanach, Midrash, and Talmud.
Jonina Duker, also known as Taibel bas Rachel Leah
v'Shlomo Yehoshuah, has taken over 50 JSC classes and
has taught six including one using this same method
with another novel. She has also taught other teachers
this method at CAJE (a conference for Judaic educators).
Art Museums from a Jewish Perspective
Jan. 25 – Feb. 15
(4 sessions)
7:00 — 8:15 PM
Members: $45, non-members: $55
This course
will look at the role of Jewish museums in the development
of ethnic-specific museums. Discussion
will include the general history of art museums, as
well as collecting Judaica and "Jewish art" in
both Jewish and non-Jewish settings. Other areas to
be covered include Holocaust-produced art and so-called "Holocaust
era-assets" – and the differing ethical
perspectives now often in the media, as well as how
and whether this relates to general discourse on illicit
movement of art. We will conclude the class with a
weekend field trip to the National Gallery of Art (date
to be determined by class).
Tom L. Freudenheim is an art historian and former museum
director/administrator who has worked at museums in
Berkeley, Baltimore, Worcester, Berlin, and London,
as well as the Smithsonian. Tom is a former president
of the National Foundation for Jewish Culture and regularly
reviews exhibitions for The Wall Street Journal.
Hot Topics in Judaism
Feb. 1 – March 1
(5 sessions)
8:15 — 9:30 PM
individual classes: Members: $15, non-members: $20
for all 5 classes: members: $55, Non-members: $65
Join us for a fascinating series on controversial
subjects within Judaism. Classes will use a variety
of classical
Jewish texts and the topics will rotate each night.
February 1: Judaism Without the Supernatural: Humanism,
Agnosticism, and Atheism
Binyamin Biber is the rabbi at Machar, the Washington
Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism (www.machar.org),
and a chaplain of the American Humanist Association.
February 8: How to Deal with People Who You Think Are
Wrong: A Talmudic View
Rabbi Gerry Serotta works at Temple Shalom in Chevy
Chase and is a former Hillel Rabbi at GW. He is also
the chair of Rabbis for Human Rights in North America.
February 15: Judaism’s View of Abortion
Rabbi Ethan Seidel is a graduate of the Jewish Theological
Seminary, and has been Rabbi of Tifereth Israel, in
Washington, DC, since 1992.
February 22: Pluralism in Judaism: the acceptance of
Jews by Jews
Rabbi Toby Manewith is the Rabbi at Temple Micah and
works with the Avi Chai Fellowship, a non-denominational
Jewish education program for college students.
March 1: Feminism in Purim: the Roles of Esther and
Vashti
Amy Schwartz, a Washington journalist, has taught many
Study Center courses on poetry.
How to Have a Jewish Wedding
Feb. 8 – March 1
(3 sessions)
7:00- 8:15 PM
Members: $35, non-members: $45
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, even before
parents get involved. This class will help you navigate
your way through the Jewish traditions involved as
well as common practices, and will discuss the variations
you can do on each. We will provide you with lots of
ideas to spark your imagination in creating your own
unique ceremony. This class is suited for couples in
which both partners are Jewish as well as those that
are interfaith.
Tracy Schwartz and Rita Bloom are wedding planners
at Creative Parties and have lectured at many colleges
and seminars. Washingtonian highlighted them recently
for their work with Jewish weddings.
The Short Works of Kafka
Feb. 8 – March1
(4 sessions)
8:30- 9:45 PM
Members: $45, Non-members: $55
Kafka published no novels in his lifetime. In
fact, he never even finished writing one. In this
course
we will approach this most enigmatic of Jewish and
modern writers by way of some of his shortest and densest
stories and parables. We will concentrate on the Penguin
collection entitled “The Transformation and Other
Stories” edited by Malcom Pasley. To guide us
through the Penguin collection, we will look at two
or three of Kakfa’s early Jewish interpreters.
David Kaufmann teaches Literature at George Mason University
and is a frequent contributor to the Jewish Forward.
Savoring the Psalms
Feb. 1 – Feb. 22
(4 sessions)
8:30- 9:45 PM
Members: $45, Non-members: $55
The one hundred and fifty strange and passionate
religious poems that make up the Book of Psalms
are an enticing
invitation to read, untangle, and savor. The psalmist's
voice addressing
G-d is emotional and immediate; the ideas and the language
are difficult, literary and complex. In this class,
we will spend some time on psalms central to literary
and liturgical tradition, compare various translations,
and look at the Hebrew to a limited degree, depending
on the preferences and fluency of class members.
Amy Schwartz, a Washington journalist, has taught
many Study Center courses on poetry.
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Other Days
at Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah and Tifereth Israel
Both locations are on the S2 and S4 Metrobus lines
and have parking.
For more info, visit http://nationalsynagogue.org/ (for Ohev Sholom) or http://tifereth-israel.org/
Mondays and Tuesdays at Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah,
1600 Jonquil St, NW
Jewish Literacy: Passover and Purim
Jan. 23 –March13 (Mondays)
(7 sessions, no class Feb. 20)
7:30- 8:30 PM
This class is free, but with a
suggested donation of $25 to the Study Center.
Plunge into the classic texts to learn more about the
laws and ideas behind the holidays of Passover and
Purim. We'll spend 2 to 3 classes on each topic and
have lots of discussion.
Yossi Pollak is a new rabbi at Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah
and a 2005 graduate of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New
York.
Sfas Emes, a Chasidic Master
Jan. 23 –March 13 (Mondays)
(7 sessions, no class Feb. 20
8:30- 9:15 PM
This class is free, but with a
suggested donation of $25 to the Study Center.
Study the Chassidic commentary of the Sfas Emes on
the weekly Torah portion. The Sfas Emes uses spiritual
concepts to explain elements of the weekly portion.
Learn mystical and Chassidic concepts while broadening
your understanding of the Torah portion.
Yossi Pollak is a new rabbi at Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah
and a 2005 graduate of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New
York.
Mesillat Yesharim: The Path of the Just
Jan. 12 – March 9 (Tuesdays)
(9 sessions)
7:45- 8:30 PM
This class is free, but with a
suggested donation of $25 to the Study Center.
Join us for an in-depth study of “Mesillat Yesharim” (The
Path of the Just) by Rabbi Moshe Hayyim Luzzatto. This
text is an influential work of Mussar, a movement designed
to improve ethical behavior and release the inner holiness
of individuals. In this class, we will study what this
text says about ethical behavior, how to become a better
person, how to repent, and how to become closer to
G-d.
Shmuel Herzfeld is a rabbi at Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah.
Talmud Sukkah
Jan. 12 – March 9 (Tuesdays)
(9 sessions)
8:30- 9:15 PM
This class is free, but with a
suggested donation of $25 to the Study Center.
The ancient wisdom of the Talmud opens many doors into
Judaism. Don’t worry if you’ve never studied
before—all you need is an open heart and a desire
to explore the text that stands at the core of the
Jewish faith. This session will cover the book Sukkah,
which discusses the Festival of the Tabernacles, particularly
the construction and use of the Sukkah.
Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld is a rabbi at Ohev Sholom Talmud
Torah.
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Fridays at Tifereth Israel, 7701 16th Street, NW. On
S2 and S4 bus lines. Parking is available.
This class is free, but with
a suggested donation of $25 to the Study Center.
Torah and Rashi
Jan. 13 –March 10
(9 sessions)
12:00 – 1 PM
This class is free, but with
a suggested donation of $25 to the Study Center.
This class studies Torah in the original. The members
of this class prepare 10-20 verses each week of Hebrew
text. In class, we go over these lines word by word,
examining everything from small grammatical points,
to the larger issues in the text. Rabbi Seidel often
brings additional texts to class from the Rabbinic
period - in Hebrew and Aramaic - that comment on the
primary text. Presently, we are working through I Samuel.
All are welcome to join.
Rabbi Seidel is a graduate of the Jewish Theological
Seminary, and has been Rabbi of Tifereth Israel, in
Washington, DC, since 1992. In addition to studying
the classic Rabbinic texts, he enjoys baking, reading,
unicycling, chess, and gardening.
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