Chaverim
nichbadim/Dear friends:
I am pleased
to provide a description of my adult education course, suitable for anyone
post-bar/bat mitzvah age, “(Re)Introduction
to Judaism”. The course includes workshops for enhancing
Shabbat and 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 B’NAI HAYIM
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: Siddur Sim
Shalom (Rabbinical Assembly) – HIGHLY PREFERRED; HaSiddur
HaShalem (Birnbaum); 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 Sundays, all at 9:30 am, for a total of 20 sessions, starting January 12
and concluding on June 28. NO classes in February, except February 9 there for a
Tu BiShevat Seder, as I will be teaching the Religious School while Melinda and
Warren Trauman are away. After discussion with the students of this class at
our first meeting, we’ll finalize the schedule and readings.
Meeting Dates:
January 12
January 19
January 26
February 9
March 1
March 8
March 15
March 22
March 29
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 31
June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
