J Learn Course Offerings 2008-2009 Click on a course title to learn more about a particular course or scroll down to learn about all of our Fall 2008-9 offerings. To register for a course, click here.
To learn more about a faculty member, click one their name.
Beauty, Love and Sexuality in the Bible
Friends of J Learn Lunch ‘n Learn: The Books of Kings
Repairing the Garden: Jewish Environmental Spirituality, Ethics, and Practice
Shivim Panim: The Seventy Faces of Wisdom
Theodicy: The Good, The Bad and The Faithful
The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School A Project of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Linking Leadership & Learning By invitation only!
Beauty, Love and Sexuality in the Bible
Investigate some of the sensual aspects of the Bible. How is physical beauty represented in the Bible? Is beauty an asset or a liability? How was love expressed in Biblical times? Is love a necessary ingredient in Biblical marriage? Was there a “battle of the sexes” in Biblical times? And, of course, the most important question of all: can the Bible serve as a guide in areas of sexuality for Jews living at the beginning of the 21st Century?
North Shore Jewish Center
385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station
Tuesday evenings, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Six week series beginning October 28th
Course fee: $120
Instructor: Rabbi Ronald Androphy
Friends of J Learn Lunch ‘n Learn: The Books of Kings
Take an in-depth look at the changing ancient world. This course explores the rise and fall of the nation of Israel as influenced by its various kings. Discuss the impact of prophecy, religion and government on the social and cultural structure of the time. Readings include texts from the books of Kings, Chronicles and other Biblical books. Participants review the geography and political evolution of our nation, including the rise of Egypt, Assyria and Babylonia. Cultivate an understanding of the influence these early changes had on the development of Israel.
UJA-Federation of New York Office
6900 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 302, Syosset
Tuesday afternoons, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
12 sessions meeting throughout the year, beginning Sept. 9th
Course fee: course free for members of “Friends of J Learn”
$20 for materials
Instructor: Ann Elbirt
Post Holocaust Antisemitism
The Holocaust, replete with unparalleled horrors, ought to have provided ample motivation for the world to put an end anti-Semitism. Tragically, it didn't. New expressions of hatred for our people have risen to the forefront since that time.
This J Learn series examines antisemetism in recent decades--on Europe's streets, in Arab politics, and on America's campuses. How is it similar to earlier anti-Semitism and how it is new? We will also review leading theories regarding anti-Semitism and consider how today’s Jews should best respond to these new tensions.
Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre
295 Main Street, East Rockaway
Thursday evenings, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Six week series beginning October 23rd
Course fee: $120
Instructor: Dr. Mervin Verbit
Repairing the Garden: Jewish Environmental Spirituality, Ethics, and Practice
Become part of the growing Jewish environmental movement! This inspiring 6-week program includes informative discussion, text study and audio-visual presentations. Participants will consider the varied Jewish responses to specific environmental issues, such as climate change, species extinction and consumption, eco-kashrut, and eco-justice. Students will review the evolution of the Jewish environmental movement and examine traditional and modern sources regarding the God/human/nature relationship. The series culminates with the focus, motivation and strategy to green your home and congregation. All material will be provided. Traditional sources will be in English translation. The series does not require any previous knowledge of Jewish sources or environmentalism.
Huntington Jewish Center
510 Park Avenue, Huntington, NY
Thursday evenings, 7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Six week series beginning October 23rd
Course fee: $120
Instructor: Rabbi Lawrence Troster
Shivim Panim: The Seventy Faces of Wisdom
Scholars Curriculum of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, Created at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
This series is based on the tradition that the Torah has “70 faces” or ways of interpreting and understanding it. Through the eyes of scholars, poets, and artists, both classic and modern, students plumb the depths of select texts from the Torah in search of multiple understandings as well as contemporary relevance.
In the coming year, the Shivim Panim series will continue with Bereshit – Part II which covers the Stories of the First Jewish Family. Ten particularly dramatic stories associated with the founding of the Jewish nation, beginning with the birth of Jacob and Essau and ending with Jacob's death in Egypt, will invite students to uncover their meanings and consider their deeper messages. Some of the topics that will be covered are The Birth of Two Nations, Wrestling with the Angel, and Seduction in the House of Potiphar.
Merrick Jewish Centre
225 Fox Blvd., Merrick
Sunday Mornings, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2 six-week series, beginning Sept. 14th and Nov. 2nd
Course fee: $120 for each session, plus additional $40 for the text
Instructor: Lisa Kogen
Midway Jewish Centre
330 S. Oyster Bay Rd., Syosset
Tuesday Mornings, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
2 six-week series, beginning Sept. 16th and Nov. 18th
Course fee: $120 for each session, plus additional $40 for the text
Instructor: Rabbi Marvin Richardson
Congregation Sons of Israel
111 Irving Pl., Woodmere
Sunday Mornings, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
2 six-week series, beginning Sept. 14th and Nov. 2nd
Course fee: $120 for each session, plus additional $40 for the text
Instructor: Rabbi Arnold Samlan
Women’s Learning at UJA-Federation of New York
UJA-Federation of New York Office
6900 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 302, Syosset
Tuesday mornings, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
12 sessions meeting throughout the year, beginning Sept. 9th
Course fee: $240, plus additional $40 for the text
Instructor: Rabbi Irwin Zeplowitz
Theodicy: The Good, The Bad and The Faithful
The Bible Tells Us to Love God…But Do We Have to Like God?
We’ve all asked, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” It’s an all too common and difficult question. The philosophical field of “theodicy,” literally, “justifying God” – attempts to explain how God allows so much evil in the world while at the same time God is considered to be a benevolent Deity. What happens when we find it too difficult to defend God’s concern and positive influence in our lives?
Develop an understanding of our foremost Jewish thinkers’ perspectives on this challenging topic. We will examine the philosophy of Maimonides, Spinoza, Kaplan, Schulweiss, Berkovitz and others. Review Biblical texts to establish an understanding of how our earliest ancestors grappled with God’s nature. Discover the strikingly different ways that the Rabbis of the Talmudic era resolved the question of theodicy. Participants also spend time Investigating modern Jewish philosophical thought in relation to this ongoing challenge.
Temple Chaverim
1050 Washington Ave.,
Plainview
6 Tuesday evenings, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. beginning November 11th
Course Fee: $130 includes all materials
Instructor: Rabbi Cara Rosenthal
Florence Melton Adult Mini-School
The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world, with 63 sites in five countries and growing. Over the course of the two-year program, the Melton curriculum teaches our common roots and traditions, enabling Jewish adults from all backgrounds to learn about our heritage and culture in a challenging and inspiring course of study, and to incorporate this into their daily life. Four courses are included in the Melton program: Rhythms, Purposes, Ethics and Dramas.
Course fee: $720 per person, per year (class materials fee included)
$395 per person for each 15 week semester or Lunch N’ Learn. (class materials fee included)
Where is the Melton program offered?
Rhythms/Purposes of Jewish Living
Oceanside Jewish Center (Fall)
2860 Brower Avenue, Oceanside
and Temple Avodah (Spring)
3050 Oceanside Road, Oceanside
Thursday evenings, 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.
Two 15 week series, beginning September 18th and January 29th Rhythms Instructor: Rabbi Art Vernon
Purposes Instructor: Rabbi Andrew Warmflash
Port Jewish Center
20 Manorhaven Boulevard, Port Washington
Sunday mornings, 9:15 a.m. — 11:15 a.m.
Two 15-week series, beginning September 14th and January 25th
Rhythms Instructor: Rabbi Cara Rosenthal
Purposes Instructor: Rabbi Arnold Samlan
Ethics/Dramas of Jewish Living
Congregation Beth Emeth
36 Franklin Avenue, Hewlett
Thursday evenings, 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.
Two 15 week series, beginning September 18th and January 29th
Ethics Instructor: Rabbi Arnold Samlan
Dramas Instructor: Rabbi Art Vernon
South Huntington Jewish Center
2600 New York Avenue, Melville
Thursday evenings, 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.
Two 15 week series, beginning September 18th and January 29th
Ethics Instructor: Rabbi Cara Rosenthal
Dramas Instructor: Lisa Kogen
Midway Jewish Center
330 South Oyster Bay Road, Syosset
Tuesday mornings, 9:30 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.
Two 15 week series, beginning September 16th and February 3rd
Ethics Instructor: Rabbi Andrew Warmflash
Dramas Instructor: Rabbi Jonathan Hecht
Rhythms of Jewish Living: Lunch ‘n Learn
Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation
21 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
Wednesday lunchtime, 12:15 p.m. — 1:45 p.m.
Meeting 15 times throughout the year, beginning September 10th
Scheduled to meet the needs of business professionals
Rhythms Instructor: Rabbi Michael Stanger
The Rhythms of Jewish Living
Why do Jews do what they do? This course introduces the ideas, beliefs, and practices that shape Jewish living. It covers the cycles of Jewish life through study of Jewish rituals, holidays and life cycle events. This course is unique in its focus on not only the how’s of what we do but also the why’s.The Purposes of Jewish Living
Why do Jews believe what they believe? This course presents essential Jewish theological concepts as they unfold in the Torah, Talmud and other Jewish sacred texts. It looks at the “big questions” in Judaism, such as God, sin, what happens after we die, and why people suffer.The Ethics of Jewish Living
What does Judaism say about issues such as justice, life and death, interpersonal relationships, sexuality, community, business and medical ethics? Explore these topics through the close study of classical Jewish sources.The Dramas of Jewish Living
What can we learn from our past? The course focuses on the major “dramas” of our past that raise important questions for Jews today.
Linking Leadership & Learning By invitation only! *NOTE - Change of location
This course empowers current and future synagogue leadership to heighten the effectiveness of their communal efforts. Participants build on a framework of Jewish values and review leadership models in Jewish text. Their practical applications to the business of synagogue life are a priority. We will gain a formal understanding of the various leadership principles drawn from our general culture, in particular, the work of Steven Covey. Discussion topics include: identifying and communicating the core values of the congregation; building consensus in decision-making; managing change while sustaining core values; continuity of leadership values and direction over time; sustaining communitywhen dissension arises; the language of effective communication between leaders and members. Space is limited. Participation through congregational lay and profession recommendation only.
Bellmore Jewish Center
2550 So. Centre Street, Bellmore
Phone number temple office is 5167813072.
Monday evenings, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Six week series beginning Oct. 27th
Course fee: $120
Instructor: Rabbi Art Vernon
J Learn for Clergy
Pirke Rabbi Eliezer – A 9th century retelling of the Torah in its Muslim context
Pirke Rabbi Eliezer (PRE) is a 9th century rabbinic retelling of the Torah. It revels in expansively narrating the Torah from The Beginning to the death of Miriam (where it abruptly ends). We will explore stories on Creation, Adam and Eve, the Patriarchs, and Jonah. We will note its anti-Karaite polemic, its relationship to medieval Jewish mysticism, as well as its deep connection with Islam of that time.
Pirke Rabbi Eliezer is written in straightforward, quasi-biblical Hebrew. Students will be provided with the unpointed text of PRE.Gerald Friedlander’s English translation and the Eshkol Edition (which is a voweled text!) are also recommended. These additional materials which may supplement your understanding of the course are available for individual purchase.
UJA-Federation of New York Office
6900 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 302, Syosset
Tuesday mornings, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
8 sessions meeting throughout the year, beginning October 28th
Course fee: $300 + course materials
Instructor: Dr. Burton Visotzky
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE HIGH HOLY DAYS:
HUNTINGTON COMMUNITY
Spirituality and Song with singer/songwriter Debbie Friedman and teacher Joe Septimus
Move into the High Holy Days with renewed meaning and song!
Come learn and experience a spiritual renewal along with your friends and neighbors. The High Holy Days, or Days of Awe, can be truly “awesome”. The High Holy Days are a time of reflection and self evaluation. Get ready to experience T’shuvah - return, to loved ones, friends, colleagues and to yourself! Reconnect to the things that give your life meaning. Learn from our sacred writings; explore the meaning of our holiday prayers; raise your voice in songs of hope; pray for repaired relationships between one another, between ourselves and God, and between mankind and the earth.
Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Avenue on September 9th
Temple Beth El, 660 Park Avenue on September 16th
Tuesday evenings, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Two-week series, September 9th and 16th
Participation fee: $36 (18 and under free), Individual session: $20
MERRICK/BELLMORE/WANTAGH & MASSAPEQUA COMMUNITY
Jonah’s Journey with Explora-Torah creator Peter Pitzele
Meaning and Song with singer/songwriter Debbie Friedman and teacher Joe Septimus
Renew, recharge, reconnect to the things that give your life meaning. The High Holy Days are a time of reflection and self evaluation. J Learn and the Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh and Massapequa Jewish Adult Education Committee present a two week series that prepares us for the High Holy Days.
In our first session, we experience Explora-Torah, with Peter Pitzele; a creative method of interactive Text study. We become part of the Jonah narrative. Join in the search for the things that give life meaning and wrestle with the challenges we face every day.
In our second session, you will re-discover your Jewish voice with singer/songwriter Debbie Friedman and teacher Joe Septimus. Experience a spiritual renewal along with your family, friends and neighbors. Reconnect to the things that give your life meaning. Learn from our sacred writings; explore the meaning of our holiday prayers; raise your voice in songs of hope; pray for repaired relationships between one another, between ourselves and God, and between mankind and the earth.
Temple Israel of South Merrick
2655 Clubhouse Road, Merrick
Tuesday evenings, 7
“That’s a Good Question” is just for you!
Rabbi Sheila Goloboy
“That’s a good question" is an exciting opportunity to increase your familiarity and understanding of Jewish culture, holidays, rituals, and practice. Here is your chance to participate in thought provoking conversations about Jewish themes of interest to you in a friendly and non-judgmental setting.
Topics include ancient and modern rituals, the characteristics and message of Jewish Prayer, the mechanics and meaning of Jewish holidays and customs, and Judaism’s relationship to the State of Israel. We invite you to explore the diversity of Judaism’s most important books: who wrote them and what makes them holy? And most importantly, have the chance to ask questions you would like answered, in a warm and open-minded manner.
“That’s a Good Question” meets on 6 Tuesday evenings throughout the year. Join others from your community in an interactive and welcoming discussion. We meet for the first time on Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30 – 9:15 p.m. at Temple Isaiah, 1404 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook. $120 for the series. For further details and to add your name to the participants’ list, please go to www.sajes.org/jlearn, call 516-677-1833 or jlearn@ujafedny.org
