Adult Education Programs
Fall 2010
5771
*Synagogue Scholars*
*Reform Judaism – 10 Week Course*
*Hebrew* *Yiddish*
*Movies*
~ALL EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC~
PH: 518-482-5283 visit us at www.bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Synagogue Scholars Series Friday 8pm Erev Shabbat Service
Building A New Energy Future
December 10th
Some two hundred years ago humanity – always in search of new energy sources - made the extraordinary decision to switch from the energy of the "living" (human beings & animals) to the energy of the "dead", fossil fuels.
For two centuries fossil fuels allowed for the fastest and most dynamic advance in human history. Today though as we enter the 21st century the price of that decision and the necessity of seeking new energy sources have never been more clear.
Dr. Steven A. Leibo is a professor of International History & Politics at the Sage Colleges. He has also taught at SUNY Albany since 1986 and is an International Affairs Commentator for Northeast Public Radio. He serves as the District Manager for upstate New York for the Climate Project.
Adult Torah Study
Every Saturday Morning, 9:30-10:30
Extended Text Study, one Saturday each month, 9:30-Noon
This year, Extended Study is always the 1st Shabbat of each month
In Torah Study, we read translations and various commentaries in English, and discuss the meaning of the weekly Torah portion. We don’t aim to get through the portion, but rather to travel wherever our discussion takes us.
On the Extended Study days, we’re working our way through the Prophets, the next part of the Bible, with Rabbi Cashman. We’ve gone through Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings, and Isaiah, and are now in Jeremiah, where we expect to be for most of this year. Our Extended Study is powered by coffee, bagels, and an assortment of other goodies.
These sessions are open to all on a drop-in, occasional, or regular basis. BYOB – Bring your own Bible, but we’ve got extras. No previous knowledge necessary.
MOVIE NIGHTS
November 6th, 7:30 Movie, Arranged
Arranged is a well-directed, convincingly-acted movie about the pratfalls, anxieties, and looming long-term heartaches of brokered marriages as practiced among the Orthodox Jews and other cultures. The story involves two modern-day women teachers who befriend each at a Brooklyn high school.
One of them is an Orthodox Jew, the other a devout Muslim from Syria. The women, having reached marriageable age, become involved in the process of brokered matches. One of the characters has a viewpoint contrary to those of her parents’, as to whom is suitable. Her efforts to reconcile her parents’ desires with her own, as well as to the tradition in which she was raised, provides the ingredients for an absorbing, sympathetic and sensitive movie which engrosses the audience from start to finish.
Also running through the story like a thread is the similarity of the two cultures of each of the women and how it is celebrated in their developing friendship.
Movie Contribution: $3 per person
December 25th, Chinese Dinner and the movie, Liberty Heights
Dinner at 6 PM, Barry Levinson’s 1999 movie, Liberty Heights, starts at 7PM
Join us on Saturday night, December 25 as we continue a B’nai Sholom tradition of gathering on this legal holiday when much is closed to eat Chinese food and watch a movie.
The film is a semi-autobiographical account of Levinson’s childhood growing up in Baltimore in the 1950s. It is a world, not so long ago, in which Jews are prohibited from swimming at the community pool, and whites that mingle with blacks are admonished by their parents.
The movie is rated R.
Dinner and Movie Contribution: $10 per adult, $5 per child (under 12)
Movie Only Contribution: $3 per person
No babysitting will be available
For Dinner reservations, call the Office at 482-5283 by December 22.
COURSE LISTING
fee & registration required, see below form
Beginning Hebrew – 7 Week Course
Sunday Mornings, Starting September 26, 9:30 -11am
Taught by Carol Smith
This course will cover the names and sounds of the Hebrew Alphabet with lots of practice reading.
The class is geared toward beginning Hebrew readers, but it’s also fine for anyone who would like to brush up on reading skills.
Classes will be held on: 9/26, 10/3, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, and 11/14.
The textbook is “Aleph Isn’t Tough” and costs $17.
The registration fee is $45 (with your B’nai Sholom membership, pay only $30).
Yiddish -8 Week Course
Thursday Nights, Starting October 14th
Taught by Rachel Weitz
Beginner Yiddish is at 6:30
Intermediate Yiddish is at 7:35
Two levels of Yiddish Classes, Beginner’s Yiddish and Intermediate Yiddish, will be taught this fall. The purpose of these eight week classes is the introduction of the Yiddish language using the textbook and instructional CDs or audiotapes, guided by the instructor’s training and personal experience as a Yiddish speaker. Rachel Weitz has a Masters degree in Jewish Education.
The textbook is “Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature, and Culture – A Textbook for Beginners, Vol 1” and will be purchased after the first day of class.
The registration fee is $55.
|
THE BOUNDARIES OF REFORM
In honor of the 200th Anniversary of Reform Judaism
10 consecutive Mondays, 7:30-8:30 PM, with Rabbi Cashman
begins October 18
|
“Reform” means change. Early Reform Judaism consisted mostly of stylistic and liturgical changes,(e.g. shortening the service) but later included more substantial changes in the areas of belief and core practice (e.g. messianism, Shabbat).
Over time, some of the changes made by earlier generations of Reformers have changed again (e.g. attitudes towards the land of Israel, language in the prayerbook, mikveh).
Our goal in the course will be to explore history and ideology:
- How and why Reform changed existing practice;
- Areas where Reform has changed more than once, and under what circumstances it could change again;
- Some areas that change has not occurred, and may yet change.
TOPICS WILL INCLUDE
- Shabbat and festival issues:
- instrumental music;
- work; electricity; driving
- Messianism
- Zionism and the land of Israel
- Resurrection
- Ritual purity
- Kashrut
- Mikveh and ritual immersion
- Priestly prerogatives –the role of the Kohen and Levi
- First Aliyah
- Pidyon haBen
- Blessing the People (duchanen)
- Life cycle issues
- Circumcision
- Gay and Lesbian marriage
- Cremation
COURSE FEE: $50 (with your B’nai Sholom membership, pay only $36).
FREE to B’nai Sholom High School students.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration Form for Adult Education Classes
(Return with payment to Temple Office)
Name(s)___________________________
Phone_____________________________
Address_______________________________
e-mail________________________________
Beginning Hebrew __ $45
B’nai Sholom Member __ $30
Book: “Aleph Isn’t Tough” __ $17
Beginner Yiddish __ $55
Intermediate Yiddish __ $55
THE BOUNDARIES OF REFORM __ $50
B’nai Sholom Member __ $36
B’nai Sholom High School students __ FREE
Make checks payable to: “B’nai Sholom”
Send to: B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12208
