Lunch & Learn Series for 2008-2009

2008-2009 NoVA Lunch & Learn
Tuesdays, noon to 1:30 pm

When Fairfax County Schools are closed or open late due to weather conditions, Lunch & Learn is cancelled.

Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (library)
8900 Little River Turnpike
Fairfax, VA 
703-323-0880

12-12:30 lunch
12:30-1:30 study

Messengers of G-d by Elie Wiesel
Rabbi Bruce Aft
September 2, 9, 16, 23, 2008
This class will serve as a journey through the Bible with Adam, Jacob, Joseph and Moses. Wiesel’s portrayal of these Biblical characters will help us prepare for the High Holidays.
Cost: $40, $30 for members of the Foundation

photoHebrew Prophets’ Timeless Teaching: Hosea, Amos, Micah, and Isaiah’s Common Focus
John Rybicki
October 28, November 4, 11, 18, 2008
This class will explore these four prophets’ focus on society’s excesses, the need for change and the meaning of their thoughts from an interfaith perspective.
Cost: $40, $30 for members of the Foundation

photoOur Matriarch’s Voices through Midrash
Rabbi David Kalender
December 2, 9, 16, 2008
Note: Class will be taught from 12:15-1:45 pm
This class will take a different approach to biblical study. As the Torah voices are those of the patriarchs, this course will look to Midrash to discover the voices of our beloved Biblical matriarchs.
Cost: $40, $30 for members of the Foundation

All 3 courses in advance: $100, $80 for members of the Foundation

Forgiveness: Biblical and Post-Biblical Tracts About Forgiving Ourselves and Others
Rabbi Rosalind Gold, Emeritus, Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation
Jan. 13, 20, 27 and Feb. 3, 2009 (snow date Feb. 10)
Members $30/NM $40

The Last Lecture of Randy Pauch
What is important to us in life from the perspective of Jewish tradition? What if we had only 5 months to live?
Rabbi Bruce Aft, Congregation Adat Reyim
Feb. 17, 24 and March 3, 2009
Members $25/NM $35

Finding Relevant Lessons for Modern Living in Leviticus
Rabbi Marvin Bash, Emeritus, Congregation Etz Hayim
March 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2009 (snow date Apr. 21)
Members $30/NM $40

Special Pricing for all three lecture series above: Members $70/NM $100

SPECIAL SUNDAY SERIES
For all students, especially those who cannot attend the traditional weekday series.
Four sessions over two days:
March 15 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm and 3:30 – 4:30 pm
March 29 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm and 3:30 – 4:30 pm
One G-d and the Commandment to Love Him: Deuteronomy 6:4-5
These two verses, central to Judaism(and Christianity) can be read many different ways and translated from the original Hebrew in more than 1,000 ways. Included will be discussion of Oneness of G-d, loving your neighbor and loving G-d. Bring a full Bible.
Gideon Amir, Renowned Biblical Scholar
Members $30/NM $40

Passover Break April 7 and 14 No Classes

The Origins of the Jewish People Part III: Settlement in the Land of Israel
The historical and archeological evidence.
Paul Forbes, Biblical Historian
April 28 and May 5, 12, 2009
Members $25/NM $35

Faith and Religion-Partners? Exploring the Different Meanings Given to “Faith” and “Belief” in Judaism
From the classical Rabbis’ suspicion of claims made for faith over observance and reason to the inability over history to create a summary of core Jewish beliefs satisfying to all
Rabbi Brett Isserow, Beth El Hebrew Congregation, Alexandria
May 19, 26 and June 2, 2009
Members $25/NM $35

Traditional Biblical Stories: Fact or Fiction?
The archeological evidence available about the Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark and Sodom & Gomorrah.
Paul Forbes, Biblical Historian
June 9, 23, 30, 2009 (skip June 16)
Members $25/NM $35

Special Pricing for all three lecture series above: Members $60/NM $90

2008-2009 Rockville Lunch & Learn Series
Wednesdays

Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Road
Rockville, MD
301-881-0100

12:15-12:30 pm lunch
12:30-1:30 pm study

photoRabbinic Views of Humility and Hubris
Rabbi Jonathan Perlman
September 3, 10, 17, 24, 2008
This class will include a close reading of rabbinic stories based on the provocative book Tractate Men by Admiel Kosman, a Talmud professor at Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv. Kosman explores the rabbinic mindset as it relates to issues of strength, power, humility and “otherness.”
Cost: $40, $30 for members of the Foundation

Coping Skills in the Bible and Applying them in Today’s World
Aviva Tessler
THURSDAYS October 16, 23, 30, 2008
This class will blend Aviva Tessler’s expertise as a marriage and family therapist with her scholarship in Judaism to offer a unique look at different Biblical characters and how they managed to cope with challenges in their lives.
Cost: $35, $25 for members of the Foundation

CANCELLED
The Journey from Sukkot to Thanksgiving
Avi West
October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 2008
This class will explore themes and rituals from Sukkot and how they can be used to construct a Jewishly-framed Thanksgiving family celebration. The final session will include a group collaboration to create a Thanksgiving “seder.”
Cost: $40, $30 for members of the Foundation

photoQuestions that Matter
Erica Brown
November 26, December 3, 10, 17, 2008
This class will examine the views of four influential medieval Jewish philosophers on suffering, doubt, happiness and the “good life” as it helps challenge our contemporary notions of these important topics.
Cost: $40, $30 for members of the Foundation

All 4 courses in advance: $130, $100 for members of the Foundation

photoHow Torah Speaks to the Generations: Traditional and Modern Midrash
Rabbi William Rudolph
January 7, 14, 21, 28, 2009
This class looks at a variety of midrashim from classical and current sources to see how rabbis and teachers over the ages have hammered out contemporary meaning and relevant messages from ancient Torah passages. Included are how rabbis expand the akeydah (binding of Isaac)to provide new meaning to the High Holidays, how battle with the Amalekites is interpreted as proof of the power of faith, and how the building of the Biblical altar with unhewn stones speaks to us about advertising and individual differences.

photoWhat Happened to Joseph’s Bones and Other Stories from Egypt
Rabbi Michael Safra
February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2009
This class will explore some of the most interesting of midrashim from the Exodus narrative with the goal of adding new meaning to our celebration of the Passover seder, the most universally observed of all Jewish rituals.

 

photoThe Original Top Ten Before David Letterman: Why the Ten Commandments Captured the Imagination of the World
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt
March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2009
Before David Letterman, the top 10 referred to the Ten Commandments. Why have these commandments captured the imagination of the world?  What is their meaning for our time? This class will take an in-depth look at the Ten Commandments, including rabbinic and midrashic perspectives.

From Golem to Genome: Jewish Ethics and Artificial Life
Rabbi Jack Luxemburg
April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2009
Using texts drawn from Rabbinic writings, Jewish folklore and contemporary sources, this class will explore the moral, social and spiritual questions surrounding the creation of artificial life, with discussion about the impact of science on our understanding of human nature, biological technologies and how Jewish values speak to these modern day challenges.

Elisha Ben Abuya: The Heretic and His Torah
Rabbi Lyle Fishman
May 20, 27, June 3, 10, 2009
Elisha ben Abuyah embodies the struggles of many contemporary Jews.  He searched for his path to God within Jewish texts and also within the Greco-Roman world in which he lived.  He always remained a master of Jewish sources even as he challenged God’s judgment and questioned his peers, the scholars of his age.  We will closely read many of the Rabbinic sources about Elisha aka Acher/The Other in search of our own evaluation of his place among or outside the Rabbinic society of the first centuries CE.

All 5 courses in advance: $175, $125 for members of the Foundation

2008-2009 Downtown Lunch & Learn
Thursdays

The Sixth and I Historic Synagogue
600 I Street, NW.
202-408-3100
(Chinatown metro stop on the Red Line)

12:15-12:30 pm lunch
12:30-1:30 pm study

photoFour Approaches to Interpreting the Torah: Rashi, Ba’al Ha’turim, Malbim, and Aviva Zornberg
Ben Mintz
September 4, 11, 18, 25, 2008
This class will explore four different paths to the understanding of the words of the Torah: the plain meaning, the mystical meaning, the philosophical meaning and the psychological meaning.
Cost: $40, $30 for members of the Foundation

Torah Readings for the Holiday Season: Why We Read What We Read
Rabbi Joel Tessler
October 16, 23, 30, 2008
This class will explore the beautiful texts read during the High Holiday season, analyze their historical context and weave together various traditional commentaries to give the words context and meaning.
Cost: $35, $25 for members of the Foundation

photoKing David: The Women of His Life
Rabbi Max Ticktin
November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 2008
This class will trace the characterization of David through his relationships with Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba, Tamar and the “wise women.”
Cost: $40, $30 for members of the Foundation

 

All 3 courses in advance: $100, $80 for members of the Foundation

photoGenesis: Traditional & Modern Midrash
Rabbi Harold White
January 8, 15, 22, 29, 2009
This class will cover the following areas:
January 8 – The Creation Epic (Genesis 1 & 2)
January 15  - The Garden of Eden narrative (Genesis 3)
January 22 – Cain and Abel, the generations of Cain and Seth (Genesis 4 and 5)
January 29  - The Noah Flood Epic (Genesis 6-9)

photoThe Rule of Law in the Books of Esther & Ruth
Nathan Lewin
February 5, 12, 19, 26, 2009
Episodes in the Books of Esther and Ruth apply principles of law, both secular and religious, that governed the conduct of protagonists in the Biblical account. This class will derive the legal rules from the text and consider their application.

 

photoComplex Figures in the Book of Judges
Rabbi Jack Bieler
March 5, 12, 19, 26, 2009
The book of Judges (Shoftim) features descriptions of Jewish leaders who for one reason or another were atypical and therefore draw to themselves considerable attention.  Among these intriguing Biblical figures are Devora, Gidon, Yiftach and Shimshon. We will study their personalities, achievements and failures in order to attempt to understand the period during which they lived and the challenges that each in turn faced during this curious period of Jewish history.

Too Dangerous for Publication:  Censoring the Bible
Norman Shore
April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 2009
The Talmud considers suppressing some passages in the Bible that should be kept from too wide an audience.  The stories of David and Bathsheba, the rape of Tamar, the golden calf, the curses and the blessings and many others.  Should they only be read publicly in Hebrew but not translated?  Should they not be read at all?  Is Translation too dangerous? Entire books were considered for exclusion, e.g. The Song of Songs and Ezekiel.  This course will discuss some of these dangerous or problematic passages:  are there sections of the Bible that need to be downplayed today, kept from children, or are they too great a challenge to our beliefs?

photoKabbalistic Origins of Traditional Shabbat & Festival Customs
Rabbi Morris Faierstein
May 21, 28, June 4, 11, 2009
This course will examine the mystical origins of Kabbalat Shabbat, Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, Ushpizin, and Tu B’Shevat and consider their contemporary significance.

 

Cost is $40 for non-members and $30 for members for each course above.
All 5 courses in advance: $175, $125 for members of the Foundation
Memberships start at $36. 

New Washington DC JCC Lunch & Learn Programs for Spring, 2009

(jointly sponsored with The Foundation for Jewish Studies and the Jewish Study Center)
Washington DC JCC
1529 16th Street, NW
202-518-9400

The Politics of Sexuality in the Bible
Rabbi Toby Manewith
Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28, 2009
12:15 pm, brown-bag lunch
12:30 – 1:30 pm, study session
This provocative course will examine ethical incidents in the Bible such as: passing off your wife as your sister; giving your concubine to your husband; offering your daughters to strangers; the Tamar and Judah story of marrying your brother’s wife; Joseph and Potiphar’s wife; Samson and Delilah.
Fee for members: $30, $40 for non-members.

From Whence My Help? : Classical and Modern Meaning in Psalms
Sharon Freundel
Tuesdays, March 3, 17, 24, 31, 2009
12:15 pm, brown-bag lunch
12:30 - 1:30 pm, study session
This course will analyze the Book of Psalms, its themes, and authors. Participants will analyze a number of different widely-known Psalms, utilizing a variety of modalities including a literary analysis of the text, medieval and modern scholars, and musical notation.
Fee for members: $30, $40 for non-members.

Lessons of a Lifetime: Exploring Jewish Ethical Wills
Rabbi Jonathan Perlman
Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2009
12:15 pm, brown-bag lunch
12:30 – 1:30 pm, study session
The class will examine the origin of Jewish ethical wills in the Bible and study examples of this literature from Rabbinic, Medieval and Modern times including the Holocaust. In addition, participants will receive guidance on creating their personal ethical will to leave as a family legacy.
Fee for members $30, $40 for non-members.

Advance registration for all 3 courses is $75 for members/$105 for non-members.

REGISTRATION BY CHECK/CREDIT CARD (CALL 301-770-4787)