Hod veHadar Adult Education
Program for 2018-19
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; 8.1.2019
Nov. & Dec: Blessings for Food
The philosopher Emmanuel Levinas wrote, “Saying grace would be an act of the greatest importance. To be able to eat and drink is a possibility as extraordinary, as miraculous, as the crossing of the Red Sea… he verse, “You will eat and be full and you will bless” (Dt. 8:10) is not pious verbiage but the recognition of a daily miracle and of the gratitude it must produce in our souls,”*
But the routine saying of blessings sometimes misses the mark of truly expressing gratitude. This series will help us understand the blessings better, and hopefully make them more meaningful in our lives.
*Nine Talmudic Readings, translated from French by Annette Aronowicz ,
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
30/11: Vayeshev – Anita Tamari
7/12: Miketz – Shoshana Michael-Zucker
14/12: Vayigash – Judith Edelman-Green
21/21: Vayechi – Rina Sheleff, starting at 9:30 (one time change)
28/12: Shemot – Hana Inbar
2019
4/1: Va’era – Gail Shuster-Bouskila
11/1: Bo – Natalie Barkan
18/1: Beshalach – Lee Diamond
25/1: Yitro – Dov Vogel
2/1: Mishpatim – Baruch Kraus
8/2: Terumah – Stefanie Raker
15/2: Tetzaveh – Michal Fram Cohen
22/2: Ki Tisa – Naomi Leitner
Hebrew classes
Talmud
Sundays, at 19:45, in the classroom downstairs. (No class on 2 Dec. 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
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?
12 Dec. – Introduction: What is Jewish law? + The question of providing supervision for restaurants that are open on Shabbat.
19 Dec. – Tattoos and earrings: What is permitted and what is forbidden according to Jewish law?
26 Dec. – Entering mosques and churches: the position of halakhah
2 Jan. 2019 – Status of Women in halakha (partition between genders during services, women’s service in the IDF, leading prayer services)
Break
16 Jan. – Fasting Tisha B’Av in our day: how should we relate to the fast now that Jerusalem is in our hands again?
23 Jan. – Separation between Jews and non-Jews in burial
30 Jan. – Wearing a kippah – a halakhic obligation or custom?
6 Feb. – 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