Basic Judaism
Oct. 16 - Dec. 4 ,
(8 sessions)
7:00 - 8:15 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 conclusion of the course, we will consider next steps for students to go deeper into what can become a lifetime of Jewish living and 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.
Super-Mensch: The Story of Jews and Comic Books
Oct. 30 - Nov. 27 ,
(5 sessions)
7:00 - 8:15 PM
Members: $55, non-members: $65
Since the inception of the comic book industry, Jews have been involved as writers, artists, and visionaries. In fact, many heroes and villains have been based on the Jewish-American experience. We will look at how the relationship between Jews and comic books began, how it has grown, and what we can expect for the future.
Richard "Kap" Kaplowitz is a lifelong comic book collector and student of the industry. His son sells comics for "Kap's Komics" online and at comic book shows.
Jeremiah
Oct. 30 - Nov. 20 ,
(4 sessions)
8:15 - 9:30 PM
Members: $45, non-members: $55
The Book of Jeremiah describes how the remarkably introspective prophet Jeremiah struggles with his role. In this four-session class, we will read and discuss select passages about the man and his prophecies in the sixth and seventh centuries B.C.E. We shall put stress on his responses, as G-d's messenger, to the Kingdom of Judah's national crisis involving chastisement, challenges, consolation, and personal confession. We will also make an effort to understand the man, his character, and his temperament.
Max Ticktin teaches Judaic Studies at George Washington University and is a member of Fabrangen.
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An Insider's Peek
October 16 ** One-day event!,
7:00 - 8:15 PM
Members: $10, non-members: $15, Free for members of the museum
The National Museum of American Jewish Military History houses more than 10,000 objects and preserves the contributions of Jewish Americans to the peace and freedom of the United States. This guided, after-hours tour will include the Museum's premier galleries-Women in the Military: A Jewish Perspective, Rescue & Renewal: GIs and Displaced Persons, and the Hall of Heroes: Jewish-American Recipients of the Medal of Honor. After the tour, participants will have special access to view some of the thousands of artifacts not currently on display, including items like a Civil War field surgeon's trepanning kit and the Vietnam War memorabilia of a Jewish fighter pilot. The evening will conclude with light refreshments.
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A Preview of the Film Gertrude Berg: America's Molly Goldberg
October 17 - **One-day event!
7:00 - 8:15 PM
Members: $15, non-members: $20
In this special event, filmmaker Aviva Kempner will show a section of her work in progress, Gertrude Berg: America's Molly Goldberg, which chronicles the trailblazing career of the creator, writer and star of the radio and television family sitcom, The Goldbergs. Berg's show was a popular radio show from 1929 until 1945 and then a weekly sitcom on television from 1949 until 1955. Gertrude Berg essentially created the television sitcom genre and we hope you will join us for a sneak peek at this intriguing film about her.
Aviva Kempner is a director and producer whose works include The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg about a Jewish baseball player who faced anti-Semitism in the 30's and 40's. She frequently investigates untold stories of Jewish heroes. Kempner started the Washington Jewish Film Festival.
The Secret Dots in the Torah Scroll
Oct. 17 - Nov. 21
(5 sessions)
8:15 - 9:30 PM
Members: $55, Non-members: $65
As careful as Torah scribes are, there seem to be instances-ten in fact-where extraneous dots appear in the scrolls themselves. Where did these mysterious dots come from? How do we pronounce them? Have we been misreading the Bible all these years? On this voyage through the ancient texts, we'll touch on everything from agriculture to incest, friendship to fratricide, and even the end of the world.
David J. Smolar has a BA in Jewish History, an MA in Film and Video production, and is a Production Coordinator for the Discovery Channel. For fun, he writes his own Passover Haggadahs and occasionally plays piano for the ComedySportz improv group.
Jewish Cultures Across the Globe
Oct. 24 - Nov. 21
(4 sessions)
No class Oct. 31
7:00 - 8:15 PM
All 4 sessions: Members: $45, non-members: $55
Individual classes: Members: $15, Non-members: $20
Join us for a 4-part series that looks at Jewish life in communities around the world.
Oct. 24:China and the Jews
Arthur Rosen is a retired Foreign Service officer who spent 14 years as president of the national committee on US-China relations. He is chairman of the Sino-Judaic Institute.
Nov. 7:India's 2000 year-old Jewish history and Indian-Jewish relations in the US.
Nissim Reuben is a program officer on Indian-Jewish relations at the American Jewish Committee. He coordinated a historic India-Israel-US friendship reception in 2003.
Nov. 14:The Jews of the Balkans (specifically Greece and Macedonia) and the Holocaust.
Isaac Nehama is of Macedonian descent and is a volunteer for the Holocaust Museum.
Nov. 21:Ottoman Jews: Costume and textiles, from the 15th to the 20th century.
Amalia Levi is an archaeologist and art historian, who has an extensive background in Jewish art and ethnography. She was the founding curator of the Jewish Museum of Turkey in Istanbul.
Hezbollah, Iran and the Future
Nov. 28 - Dec. 12
(3 sessions)
7:00 - 8:15 PM
Members: $35, Non-members: $45
What is Hezbollah and why does it act as it does? This class will cover the history of this Shiite organization, from its founding in the early 1980s, its history as a terrorist group, its evolution as a political power, its relationship with Iran and Syria, and questions lingering after its recent war with Israel.
Lawyer and author Tom Diaz is co-author of Lightning Out of Lebanon: Hezbollah Terrorists on American Soil (Random House 2005) and attends a variety of minyanim in the downtown DC area.
The Wide World of Jewish Customs (Minhagim)
Nov. 28 - Dec. 12
(3 sessions)
7:00 - 8:15 PM
Members: $35, Non-members: $45
Many questions arise when discussing Jewish customs. Where did these customs come from? Who can start a custom? When can you add or drop a custom? These and other questions will be considered in this course as we explore the enormous range of customs across the Jewish world. Geographic areas will include India, Morocco, Kurdistan, the Balkans, and America, among other places. Topics will include the synagogue, weddings, funerals, dietary laws, and holidays. Students who wish to read in preparation for the class may refer to the Jewish Book of Why, by Alfred Kolach and the Treasury of Sephardic Laws and Customs by Herbert Dobrinsky.
Mike Bloom is an attorney, an experienced prayer leader, and a former Walt Disney Pictures writer.
Kosher On The Rocks: Scotch Tasting
Dec. 5-**One-day event!
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Members: $20, Non-members: $25
Join us for a night where we will learn about Scotch whisky: what it is, how it's made, and why some rabbis don't want you to drink it. We will discuss the kashrut issues of blended and single malt Scotch whisky, and learn why the kosher authorities in the UK differ from those in the US about what is and isn't acceptable. We will also learn how to appreciate Scotch whisky in a hands-on fashion, tasting 6-8 types of scotch whiskies.
Joshua London is an author, lobbyist, and weekly contributor to The Washington Examiner.
Chanukah Seder
Dec. 19-**One-day event!
(the fifth night of Chanukah)
7:00 - 8:15 PM
Members: $20, Non-members: $25
Who can retell the things that befell us? You've probably never seen or heard of a Chanukah Seder, but you can imagine just what it is: a ceremonial meal full of singing and storytelling about the ancient Israelite victory over the Greeks. But more than that, it's a chance to celebrate the holiday in a fun Jewish setting rather than having yet another generic "holiday" party. Created and led by David J. Smolar and Rebecca Weiner, and performed last year for the first time, this hilarious "seder" with original and classic songs is like nothing you've seen. Everyone is welcome from all backgrounds to share in our story-but remember to bring your singing voice! Vegetarian and dairy Mediterranean food will be served.
David Smolar writes his own Passover Haggadahs and occasionally plays piano for the ComedySportz improv group.
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Learning the Friday Night Service
Oct. 18 - Nov. 15
(5 sessions)
8:30 - 9:45 PM
Members: $55, Non-members: $65
The Sabbath begins on Friday night with uplifting songs to create a feeling of peace. If you would like to learn or enhance your understanding of these songs and melodies, or would like to learn how to lead this service, this class is for you. We will discuss the structure and themes of the traditional Friday night service, but we will spend most of our time on the music. If time permits, we will also discuss alternatives to the traditional Friday night service. A basic ability to sound out Hebrew is necessary, but full reading comprehension is not. Feel free to bring a tape/digital voice recorder.
Howard Wial leads occasional Friday night services at the Takoma Park Havurah and Silver Spring Egalitarian Minyan. He is an economist with the Brookings Institution.
Sing a Song of Jewish Life
Oct. 18 - Nov. 15
(5 sessions)
7:00 - 8:15 PM
All 5 classes: Members: $55, non-members: $65
Individual classes: Members: $15, Non-members: $20
*if you know you will miss a session, you can send someone in your place or bring a friend to another session
In this 5-part series, connect with Judaism on a spiritual and musical level. All classes will have plenty of student participation, with joyful singing that you can incorporate into your praying, your spirituality, and even your dishwashing.
Oct. 18:Nigunim: wordless songs that are the simplest and deepest form of Jewish music.
Nigunim are pure melody, and in the right circumstances, pure neshama (soul).
Shalom Flank has been learning, singing, and sharing nigunim for the last 20 years with havurot in Boston, Berkeley, and Washington, most frequently with the Zoo Minyan.
Oct. 25:Jewish Rounds Workshop
Joelle Novey misses singing with Mizmor Shir, Harvard's Jewish singing group. She learned most of the Jewish rounds she knows from folks at the National Havurah Committee's Summer Institute.
Nov. 1:Music of the Renewal Movement
Mark Novak is a cantor and musician who performs Jewish storytelling frequently with his wife, Renée Brachfeld. Their recording, King Solomon's Daughter, won a Parents' Choice Gold Award.
Nov. 8:Zmirot Shabbat: (songs for the Sabbath), featuring several beautiful, old melodies that are not generally known in the wider Jewish community along with other great traditional tunes.
Dov Weitman manages the EPA's national program to reduce water pollution and moonlights as an eclectic musician with Robyn Helzner, Mark Novak, and other friends.
Nov. 15:Songs from the World Jewish Music repertoire of the Robyn Helzner Trio
Taught by Robyn Helzner and Dov Weitman. Robyn is well-known as an interpreter of World Jewish Music. Her trio has just released a new recording, Signs and Wonders.
Divrei Zemer: The Words Behind the Music
Oct. 18 - Nov. 15
(5 sessions)
8:30 - 9:45 PM
Members: $55, Non-members: $65
This class will study the lyrics of popular and important Hebrew songs, as well as their history, meaning, commentary, and context. The song themes will include Shabbat, the siddur (prayer book), the land of Israel, the Torah, and Chanukah. Among others, we will study Am Yisrael Chai, Modeh Ani, David Melech Yisrael, Hatikvah, Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, and Dror Yikra. Each night, some songs will be taken from those featured in this semester's class (see above paragraph) Sing a Song of Jewish Life, but this class can certainly be taken independently. Suggestions for songs are welcome-please email us at Rachel@jewishstudycenter.org
Norman Shore is a veteran teacher for the Jewish Study Center and elsewhere in the Washington Jewish Community.
Jewish Writers' Circle
Oct. 18 - Dec. 6
(6 sessions, no class Oct. 25 or Nov. 22)
7:00 - 8:15 PM
Members: $35, Non-members: $45
Narrative writers, come with your writing to a place for support, encouragement and constructive criticism. Whether or not you or your writing has Jewish connections, whether or not you have started writing your fiction or nonfiction piece, bring your ideas for short stories, essays, novels, plays, memoirs, or creative non-fiction, and let's discuss it together.
Carolivia Herron is a retired professor who taught Creative Writing at the College of William and Mary, Binghamton University, and Harvard. She has published four works and has one work in press, Sarah bat Asher: A Jewish Africana Journey.
Jews and Basketball
Oct. 25 - Nov. 15
(4 sessions)
7:00 - 8:15 PM
Members: $45, Non-members: $55
When the NBA had its start in 1946, many of the players were Jewish men, frequently coming from Jewish inner-city neighborhoods on the east coast. The story of these sports pioneers illustrates how the experiences of immigrant groups shaped the 20th century in America. In this 4-session class, we will examine the social factors that led Jewish youths to basketball and helped them to succeed in the 1920s through the 1950s. We will also examine the conflicts between old world tradition and American culture for the players, many of whom were second-generation immigrants, as well as the anti-Semitism they faced.
David Vyorst is the Executive Producer and creator of First Basket, a documentary about Jewish basketball players.
Preserving Jewish Culture
Nov. 29 - Dec. 13
(3 sessions)
7:00 - 8:15 PM
Members: $35, Non-members: $45
This 3-part series will discuss issues in caring for artifacts and architecture that are important to Jewish history. Students will also have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Hebraic section at the Library of Congress, at a time to be determined.
Nov. 29: The story behind the relocation and preservation of the 1876 Adas Israel Synagogue, which will include photographs, excerpts from an oral history about the move, highlights from a Historic Structures Report, and current plans for the further restoration of the synagogue.
Wendy Turman has been the Archivist/Curator at the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington for six years.
Dec. 6: The conservation of an artifact from a Landsmanschaftn, a Jewish hometown-based self-help association that helped Jews assimilate in American society. This object was featured in the 350th Anniversary exhibit of Jewish Life at the Library of Congress.
Annlinn Grossman is a Senior Paper Conservator at the Library of Congress.
Dec. 13: The preservation of an Ashkenazi Megillat Esther from the 15th century, an artifact for which the work of the scribe and the conservator have become part of the story.
Annlinn Grossman is a Senior Paper Conservator at the Library of Congress.
Chevra Kadisha
Nov. 29 - Dec. 13
(3 sessions)
8:15 - 9:30 PM
Members: $35, Non-members: $45
Chevra Kadisha, the Holy Society, dedicates itself to providing honor to the deceased and comfort to the mourners. From the seemingly simple work of washing and dressing the meit/meita (deceased), to advocacy for consumers in funeral and burial transactions, to community building through education and service around death and mourning issues, to tapping into Jewish spirituality, the Chevra Kadisha can play a leading role. The class will explore Rabbi Gamliel's example of simplicity and equality; Rabbi Hamnuna's exhortation around communal responsibility; the Prague Chevra Kadisha of the 1600's; Rabbi Arnold Goodman's Minneapolis experience of "bucking the establishment;" the unique model of the Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington; and the web site and educational resources of Kavod v'Nichum.
David Zinner has been a community organizer for over 30 years and has been working with Jewish death and mourning issues for the last 15 years. He is the Executive Director of Kavod v'Nichum, the only North American Jewish organization that is solely dedicated to providing educational resources to families, synagogues and communities on all issues related to Jewish practices around death.
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Modern Israeli Poetry on War and Peace
Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 29. Dec. 6- **Lunchtime class!
(4 sessions)
12:15 - 1:30 PM
Members: $45, Non-members: $55
War, the unavoidable concern of the Jewish state, has inspired some of its poets' greatest works. This class will sample poems by Yehuda Amichai, Moshe Dor and others, tracing their imagery back to another great source of war poetry, the Hebrew Bible. Poems will be read in English translation.
Amy Schwartz, a Washington journalist, has taught many Jewish Study Center courses on poetry.
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Saving Lives with CPR
Sunday, Nov. 12 ** One-day event!,
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Members: $30, non-members: $35
CPR may not strike you as a religious obligation or something inherently Jewish, but saving a life, pikuach nefesh, is one of the highest values of Judaism. Join us for a one-day hands-on class where you will learn how to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies. We will learn the classic warning signs of choking, cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke for adults and children. Participants will be certified in adult and pediatric CPR and choke saving, and will receive a CPR text and certificate. This class has limited space and requires advance registration.
Peggy Miller has 12 years of experience in pre-hospital emergency medical services in basic and advanced life support. She is a nationally registered EMT-Intermediate, an American Heart Association CPR instructor, and a University of Maryland Level II Fire/Rescue Instructor.
Do you have an idea for a class? Contact the Study Center to make class suggestions.
Hebrew Classes:
For other levels of biblical and prayerbook
Hebrew, contact Adas
Israel Congregation for community classes.