Chaverim nichbadim/Dear friends:
I am pleased to provide an
outline of my adult education course, suitable for anyone post-bar/bat mitzvah
age, “(Re)Introduction to Judaism”.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn or relearn everything they should have
taught you in Hebrew
School Holiday
observances. Participants may need
to purchase some books; the only course requirements are that you attend with
an open mind and a willingness to share your ideas.
Our motto: An educated Jew
is our best customer! I look forward to learning with you this year.
B’virkat shalom / With the
blessing of peace,
Rabbi Richard Flom
(RE)INTRODUCTION TO
JUDAISM – AN ADULT EDUCATION COURSE AT BETH MEIER
Course Goals:
1.
Expand participants’ knowledge of Judaism – its history, theology, holy
texts, life cycle, holy days, rituals, laws, customs, culture, and liturgy.
2.
Encourage further study of Judaism in all its richness.
3.
Encourage greater participation in Jewish life, both communal and
personal.
4.
Encourage greater Jewish observance.
5.
To prepare for conversion to Judaism those who are considering that
step.
Course Texts:
Jewish Literacy, by Joseph Telushkin (2008 edition preferred;
earlier editions are fine)
Tanakh – one of the
following: Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society); Jerusalem Bible
(Koren Publishing); The Stone Edition Tanach (Mesorah Publications); or,
The Jewish Study Bible (Oxford University Press)
It’s A Mitzvah, by Bradley Shavit Artson
The Shabbat Seder, by Ron Wolfson, or a complete Shabbat bentscher
A Jewish calendar which
includes all holidays and Torah readings
Hagaddah Shel Pesach (Passover Hagaddah) – Any complete traditional
hagaddah in Hebrew/English
Siddur – one of the following: HaSiddur HaShalem
(Birnbaum); Siddur Sim Shalom (Rabbinical Assembly); Siddur Ahavat
Shalom – The Complete Artscroll Siddur (Artscroll)
Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People
Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends, by Anita Diamant (this book or
Kling is REQUIRED for those considering conversion to Judaism – otherwise not
necessary)
Embracing Judaism, by Simcha Kling, revised by Carl M. Perkins
Additional Suggested
readings (in no particular order):
Mitzvah Means Commandment, by Elliott Dorff
Service of the Heart, by Evelyn Garfiel
Entering Jewish Prayer, by Reuven Hammer
My People’s Prayer Book, Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, ed. (10 volume series)
The Observant Life, Rabbi Martin Cohen, ed.
The Jewish Catalog (three volumes, Strassfeld et al.)
Days of Awe, by S. Y. Agnon
The Synagogue Survival
Kit, by Jordan Lee Wagner
Seasons of Our Joy, by Arthur Waskow
The JPS Holiday
Anthologies, Jewish Publication
Society
Course Work:
There are regular reading
assignments for each class. Additional materials will be distributed in class. Virtually every class is self-contained.
You can attend any one or more of the classes without having attended others,
although previous attendance and preparation of the assigned readings will
provide a far better learning experience. Each session, we will discuss the
parshiot (the Torah portions) since our previous meeting, the Torah readings
for the upcoming Shabbat and holidays, and the reading assignments for the
current topic. Participants, particularly those considering conversion or adult
b’nai mitzvah, are strongly encouraged to keep a diary of their studies,
activities, progress, emotions, etc. This is strictly for personal use.
Classes meet on Wednesdays,
all at 7:30 pm, for a total of 22 sessions, starting October 16 and concluding
on May 14. The rest of the schedule and readings will be posted after the first
class meeting.
October 16: Organizational
Meeting. Review of curriculum, book
ordering, field trip planning.
October 23: Jewish History – The Second Commonwealth Readings
October 30 – NO Class
November 6: The Concept of Mitzvah – Part 1. Readings
November 20: Hanukkah Workshop and The Jewish
Calendar. Readings
November 27 – NO Class
December 4: Mitzvah –
Part 2. Hanukkah Celebration - 6:30 pm. Latkes and sufganiyot! Class at 7:30. Readings
December 11: Torah Study. Readings
December 18: Shabbat
Workshop. Readings
December 25 – NO Class
January 1 – NO Class
January 8: More Jewish History – The Early Medieval
Period. Readings
January 12 (SUNDAY): (Optional) A Tu B’Shevat Seder - 10:00 am – 12:00 noon.
Congregation Beth Meir and Religious
School
January 15: The Ten Commandments (The Ten
Suggestions?). Readings
January 22: Kashrut. Readings
January 29: Even More
Jewish History – The Late Medieval Period.
Readings
February 5 – NO Class
February 12: Zionism and Israel Readings
February 19: The Jewish Life Cycle – From Birth to
Death and Beyond. Readings
February 26 – NO CLASS
March 5: Jewish History – Still More! The Modern
Period. Readings
March 12: Purim Workshop. Readings: Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36; Deuteronomy 25:17-19;
Book of Esther; Telushkin – sections 56-63; handout from Purim Anthology.
March 19: Anti-Semitism and the Shoah. Readings
March 26 - NO CLASS
April 2: Pesach Workshop – A Stroll through the
Seder. Readings
April 6 (SUNDAY): A Kasher L’Pesach Tour of the
Market –
meet 10:00 am at Cambridge Farms Market
April 9 - NO CLASS
April 16 - NO CLASS –
Happy Passover!
April 23: Prayer and the Jewish Prayer Book. Readings
April 30: The Toughest Mitzvot. Readings
May 7: Shavuot Workshop. Readings
May 14: Summing Up
