Hod veHadar Adult Education
Program for 2018-19
Hebrew classes
Talmud
Sundays, at 19:45, in the classroom downstairs. Classes will resume on 7 October 2018.
This year we are studying Tractate Berachot, chapter 8, closely reading the text, incorporating classic learning with modern thinking and research. The course also focuses on the relevance of the text to today’s world. The sessions are open to both men and women alike. Please check the Events page to confirm dates.
Instructor: Rabbi Lionel Levy
Language: Hebrew
Halakhic Challenges in the 21st Century
The beginning of this course has been delayed for medical reasons. Please check back here for new dates.
Wednesdays, 20:00-21:30 We will deal with basic concepts in Jewish law, and study Responsa (questions and answers) related to each of these basic questions:
- What is halakhah?
- What does it ask of us?
- What is halakhah and custom?
- What is the attitude of the Conservative (Masorti) movement to halakha?
10 Oct. – Introduction: What is Jewish law? + The question of providing supervision for restaurants that are open on Shabbat.
17 Oct. – Tattoos and earrings: What is permitted and what is forbidden according to Jewish law?
24 Oct. – Entering mosques and churches: the position of halakhah
31 Oct. – Status of Women in halakha (partition between genders during services, women’s service in the IDF, leading prayer services)
Break
12 Dec. – Fasting Tisha B’Av in our day: how should we relate to the fast now that Jerusalem is in our hands again?
19 Dec. – Separation between Jews and non-Jews in burial
26 Dec. – Wearing a kippah – a halakhic obligation or custom?
2 Jan. – Who is a Jew according to Jewish law?
Instructor: Rabbi Tzvi Graetz
Language: Hebrew
Fees: Members: free. Guests: NIS 30/session or NIS 100/four sessions
English classes
Keva & Kavanna: Text & Meaning in Prayer
Tuesdays at 19:30, in the Library. Upcoming classes: 2.10; 23.10; 6.11; 20.11; 11.12; 25.12
23 Oct. Barukh: Blessing and being blessed
Oftentimes we complain about the prayers, and then we look for something external to improve the situation. However, meaning can and should also come from within ourselves and from the prayers themselves. In order to fill our personal and communal prayers with a living spirit, it is helpful not only to understand the literal meanings of the words but also to explore multiple levels of meaning and substance.
Instructor: Shoshana Michael Zucker
Language: English
Weekly Torah Portion
Friday mornings at 9:00, in the library. The weekly Torah portion from varied perspectives, with observations about how it relates to today’s world. The sessions are led by instructors from the community.
Coordinators: Stephen Kramer and Barbara Schwartz
Language: English
12/10: Noach – Gail Shuster-Bouskila
19/10: Lech Lecha – Sam Lehman-Wilzig
26/10: Vayera – Shoshana Michael Zucker
2/11: Chayei Sara – Judith Edelman-Green
9/11: Toldot – Natalie Barkan
16/11: Vayize – Baruch Kraus
23/11: Vayishlach – Lee Diamond
30/11: Vayeshev – Naomi Leitner