Tuesdays at Adas Israel

2850 Quebec Street NW, Washington, DC

Jeremiah: Scolding and Comforting Voice
Tuesdays: April 27, May 4, May 11 (possible option to continue)
Adas Israel, 2850 Quebec St. NW, Washington DC
7:15-8:30 p.m.

The biblical prophet Jeremiah lived in troubled times--perhaps not so different from our own. We will study the words, and the modern resonance, of this powerful biblical voice, whose words of chastisement and comfort still speak truth to power and offer hope in the midst of upheaval, confusion and despair.

Max Ticktin teaches Judaic Studies at George Washington University and is a member of Fabrangen.

Three sessions: $40 members; $55 non-members

Shir Havoc: Meshugah melodies for familiar prayers
Tuesdays May 25, June 1, June 8
Adas Israel, 2850 Quebec St. NW, Washington DC
7:15-8:30 p.m.
Ever wondered how the Shabbat service would sound sung to the theme music from Indiana Jones? Matching prayers with fun melodies is a time-honored tradition in Jewish communities, and this three-week workshop will take the practice to a whole new level, fitting prayers to everything from Vivaldi to movie music to sea shanties and Irish drinking songs. There will be plenty of opportunities for singing together and learning new melodies for solo cantorials as well as group sing-alongs - feel free to contribute some of your own! We'll also discuss the role of music in praying together as a minyan and the ways in which melody contributes to kavannah (focus).

Ian Nathaniel Cohen is the davening coordinator for the Adas Israel Traditional Minyan. He is also an
adjunct lecturer at Florida International University, where he teaches an online course on Asian film.

One session: $15 JSC and Adas members; $20 non-members Three sessions: $40 members; $55 non-members

How to Give a D’var Torah
Tuesdays April 27, May 4, May 11

Adas Israel, 2850 Quebec St. NW, Washington DC
7:15-8:30 p.m.
Have you ever thought about leading a discussion on the weekly Torah portion—a “word about the Torah”? Maybe you’ve done it, but need new ideas and inspiration? This is a continuation of last semester’s class though new students are welcome to register. Instructor to be announced.

Three sessions: JSC and Adas members $40; non-members $55

Far-Flung Jews: Jewish Cultures around the Globe
continues this semester
Tuesdays May 25, June 1, June 8

Adas Israel, 2850 Quebec St. NW, Washington DC
7:15-8:30 p.m.
From the “Jewish Gauchos” of Argentina to the Abuyadaya of Uganda and beyond, Jewish communities thrive in places you’d never imagine. Travel with us to Africa and to Latin America on our long-running tour of the Jewish globe, with possible stops in South Africa, Costa Rica and Uganda.

Wednesday nights at the

National Museum of American Jewish Military History

1811 R Street, NW, Washington, DC

Jews of Argentina
Wednesday, May 26 (tentative)

National Museum of American Jewish Military History

1811 R Street, NW, Washington, DC

7:15-8:30 p.m.
“The Invention of the Jewish Gaucho”
Talk and Book Signing by Dr. Judith Noemi Freidenberg

The Invention of the Jewish Gaucho (University of Texas Press) examines the lives of European-
born settlers in Argentina who represented a merger between native cowboy identities and homeland
memories. The arrival of these immigrants in what would be the village of Villa Clara coincided with
the nation's new sense of liberated nationhood. The Invention of the Jewish Gaucho draws on life
histories, archives, material culture, and performances of heritage to enhance our understanding of a
singular population—and to transform our approach to social memory itself.

Judith Noemí Freidenberg, born in Argentina, is Associate Professor and Director of the
Undergraduate Program in Anthropology at the University of Maryland. Her previous books include
Growing Old in El Barrio, Memorias de Villa Clara, and The Anthropology of Low Income Urban
Enclaves: The Case of East Harlem.

$15 JSC members; $20 non-members

Discovering Kabbalah
Wednesdays May 5, May 12, May 26 7:15-8:30PM

National Museum of American Jewish Military History

1811 R Street, NW, Washington, DC

Learn the essence of Judaism and the path to spiritual meaning in this introductory class to the rich Jewish mystical tradition. Kabbalah seeks answers to the mystery of God, the challenge of dealing with evil, the purpose of Jewish rituals and the meaning of Jewish prayer. We will cover the basic concepts, the symbolism, the lost meaning of Jewish holiday and Shabbat observance, and basic texts. After three sessions you can call yourself a "kabbalist" and join our ongoing Zohar study, exploring practical Kabbalah applied to one's daily life, relationships and fulfillment.

Jay McCrensky, a member of Fabrangen, has led acclaimed kabbalistic seders for Passover and Tu B’shvat for several years. He has taught Kabbalah for more than 30 years at numerous local groups and congregations and is the author of two books on Kabbalah: Understanding Evil: Insights from Kabbalah and Receiving Holiness: Understanding Judaism through Kabbalah. In his other lives, Jay is an investment banker, a ski instructor and the director/MC/dance leader/game leader/ accordionist for the Machaya Klezmer Band.

*** A generous contribution has made it possible for us to offer this class at the reduced tuition of $5 per
session.

Postmodern Stories from the Talmud
Wednesdays April 28, May 5, May 12, May 25 7:15-8:30PM

National Museum of American Jewish Military History

1811 R Street, NW, Washington, DC

We're tempted to think that our modern philosophies lie outside the imagination of the Talmudists, especially
if we study Talmud only in carefully selected anthologies. The fact is, the relativism, confusion, acknowledgment of chaos, and distrust of authority that characterizes the “pomo” ethos can all be found in the unsettling (and because unsettling, somehow reassuring) stories we will study in this class.

Rabbi Ethan Seidel is the rabbi of Tifereth Israel in Washington, D.C.

$50 JSC members; $75 non-members

Spring Special Events

Forum: Is there Free Speech in – and about – the Middle East?

Thursday, May 13 at American University
7:15-8:30 p.m.

In some countries, the wrong kind of speech can land you in prison. In other places, speech is free, but
communities strive to impose their own unofficial constraints on what can and cannot be said. Can we talk
about the Middle East in a balanced way when the freedom to criticize varies so dramatically between coun-
tries? Do inhibitions and insecurities in the American Jewish community skew what "can be said" even in a
free system? Our panel explores the challenges to free expression in Israel, in Arab lands, and in debates on
the Israeli-Arab conflicts here at home.

Panelists (invited) include Rita Simon, American University School of Public Affairs and Washington College of Law; Dina Guirguis, former Executive Director, Voices for a Democratic Egypt; Keston Family Research Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Lara Friedman, Director of Policy and Government Relations, Americans for Peace Now; Dr. Tawfiq Hamid, Senior Fellow and Chair for the Study of Islamic Radicalism at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies; Naomi Paiss, Director of Communications, New Israel Fund. Moderated by Rabbi Charles Feinberg, Adas Israel Congregation.

Sunday April 25, 2010 at Arlington National Cemetery
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Near Visitors Center and Arlington National Cemetery metro—Section 12, Gravesite 288

General Orde Wingate was a British general who helped organize and train Jewish defense forces
in Palestine prior to WWII. Considered one of the founders of the Israel Defense Forces, he was a
great soldier and friend of the Jewish people.

Tributes from the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, the British Military Attache and others. Musical performances by the Hebrew Day Institute Choir and Kolot Halev.

Co-sponsored with Jewish War Veterans Dept. of DC, Hadassah, Washington Board of Rabbis, The Whole
(Military) Megillah, Jewish Residents of Leisure World, The Tribe Motorcycle Club, and others.

Family Stories: Sons, Fathers and Zaydes
Sunday, June 6, 2010, 1pm-5pm
(part of Dupont-Kalorama Museums Consortium Walk Weekend)
at The National Museum of American Jewish Military History
1811 R Street, NW
Are you a photographer? Are you an artist? Are you a writer or storyteller? A stand-up comedian? We are looking for those of you who have a story to tell about your son, father, and/or zayde. What makes them tick, what are their favorite stories or those old-time jokes that get told over and over ? How would you portray those members of your family? Throughout the afternoon we will provide each participant up to 10 minutes to tell a story through words, photography or art, drama or video.

To register for a time slot for presentation or for more information, call Mary Westley at (202) 265-6280 (or email
mwestley@jwv.org).

This event is open to the public and admission is free.

Guided tours of exhibits for the adults will be available — along with treasure hunts for the kids (reading age and up).

Jewish Study Center Film Festival
At Sixth and I Historic Synagogue
Sunday, June 20 5-7PM

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.