Adult Studies

THE RABBINIC MIND
Instructor: Rabbi Robert Feinberg
Saturdays, 9:00-10:30 A.M.
Members: No fee; Non-Members: $36.00
This class meets in the library

Come join Rabbi Bob for a stimulating discussion of the weekly Torah Portion. Reading the Bible as literature, we compare and contrast ancient and modern approaches to the Text. Some topics may be controversial: Who could have written a particular passage of the Torah? When may it have been written? Why did one ancient story become Scripture, and others, not?No background in Hebrew or Bible necessary.

BREAKFAST WITH THE RABBI
Instructor: Rabbi Magidovitch
Sundays, 9:40-10:45 A.M.
No fee
Following the Sunday school schedule, beginning
September 14
This class meets in Rabbi Magidovitch’s Study

We will read Talmud, in translation, and bring to this study traditional scholarship and our own life experience. All levels of knowledge are welcome.

HOW TO READ THE BIBLE
Instructor: Dr. Audrey Gordon
Sundays, 10:45 – 11:45 A.M.
Members: No fee; Non-Members: $36.00
Dates: Following the Sunday school schedule, beginning September 14
This class meets in the library in the White Building

We will have a discussion based on the book of the same name by James Kugel, former professor of Bible and Archaeology at Harvard. An Orthodox Jew, Professor Kugel presents the modern theories about Biblical events and writers, and offers an explanation of the mindset of the creators and editors of the Bible that is consistent with Jewish theology. His presentation is clear and enjoyable reading; answers to many questions about the Bible are found within. This is an interactive class with many viewpoints.

AN ONGOING EXPLORATION OF EXODUS
Instructor: Rabbi Debra Nesselson
Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 A.M.
September 18, October 23 and 30, November 6, 13 and 20, and December 4 and 11
B’nai Torah Members: No fee
This class meets in the library
Co-sponsored by the Dawn Schuman Institute of the Community Foundation for Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago

Why did God redeem us – What’s in it for God and what’s in it for us? Today we think of freedom as an ultimate goal for humanity, but the Israelites suffered the anguish and pain of freedom with its resposibilities and burdens. In these interactive, intergenerational sessions, we will explore these and many other themes of Exodus. The text is studied with classical and modern commentaries and contemporary film clips.

HEBREW FOR BEGINNERS
Instructor: Judy Jury
Mondays, 10:30-11:30 A.M.
Members: No class fee; Non-Members: $36.00
Book Fee for members and Non-members: $35.00
Dates: Weekly beginning October 27th

Students will learn to read Hebrew and then use their reading skills to master Shabbat and Holiday prayers, reading for fluency and understanding. This class will culminate with the option of participating in Adult B’nai Mitzvah.

INTERMEDIATE ADULT HEBREW
Instructor: Judy Jury
Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 A.M.
Members: No class fee; Non-Members: $36.00
Book Fee for members and Non-members: $35.00
Dates: Weekly beginning October 23rd

This course is a continuation of Hebrew for Beginners. The class will learn addition Shabbat and Holiday prayers that were not covered in the beginning class including Erev Shabbat Kiddush, L’cha Dodi, Hatikvah, Shalom Rav, Shalom Alechem, Ayn Kamocha, and more.