Mondays in Center City
Jewish Ethics in Present Times - Continued
Rabbi Albert Gabbai
Mondays, 10:00 am - 12 noon
Congregation Mikveh Israel, 44 North Fourth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
If a supermarket cashier hands you too much change, should you bring it to her attention? Is organ transplant permitted in Judaism? What about abortion? If a child and an adult are about to drown and you can save only one, whom do you save? These issues and many more will be explored using classical Jewish sources. We will try to apply the Torah and our Sages' principles to common situations and compare the Jewish positions to non-Jewish points of view. This is a continuation of the Fall 2012 course. New participants welcome. 12 sessions, February 4 - May 13 (No class Feb 18, March 25, April 1): $300
____________________________________________
Tuesdays at Gratz College
I've Got To Marry Who??
Rabbi Seth Frisch
Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
This course examines the unusual unions, Levirate and otherwise of our biblical mothers. How were these unions created? Not by power or glory and definitely not by matchmaker. We'll explore sacred children from scandalous unions. A bold insight into the biblical women who made us (literally & figuratively) who we are. 12 sessions, February 5 - May 7 (No class March 26, April 2): $300
____________________________________________
Wednesdays at Gratz College
Theological Concepts of Judaism and Christianity Based on Articles of Faith
Dr. Ruth Sandberg and Mr. Michail Kitsos
Wednesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 am
In this continuing course, the class will deal with theological concepts and their explanation in both Judaism and Christianity, including: theological differences between Eastern and Western Christianity; original sin and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden; prophecy and the Holy Spirit; scripture and tradition; the Shekhinah and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ; reward and punishment; the concept of the Messiah; resurrection; the concept of Israel and the Church; and visions of the perfected world and the concept of theosis. This course is a continuation from Fall 2012. Sorry, no new students will be admitted without instructors' permission. 12 sessions, February 6 - May 8 (No class March 27, April 3): $300
Celebrations, Commemorations and Current Events in the Jewish World
Dr. Uzi Adini
Wednesdays, 9:45 - 11:45 am
This course follows current events and developing issues in the Jewish world, both in Israel and the Diaspora, and analyzes them using modern techniques grounded in Jewish values. Literary resources and discussions will revolve around the spring "holidays" of Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Lag B'Omer, and Yom Yerushalayim. 5 sessions, April 10 -May 8: $125
Jewish sources in the Qur'an
Dr. David Rabeeya
Wednesdays, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
This course will deal with Jewish sources in the Qur'an based on the following themes: G-d, angels, Jewish stories and legends from the Bible, the prophets, the "Last Day," and predetermination vs. free will. We will discuss the appearance of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael and Moses, Lot, Joseph, Saul, David, Elijah, Job and Jonah, exploring both biblical and rabbinic sources. 12 sessions, February 6 - May 8 (No class March 27, April 3): $300
Understanding Israel
Ronit Lusky, MA
Wednesdays, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
This four-session course is for anyone looking for a deeper connection to the State of Israel. Participants will examine and discuss contemporary issues in Israeli society through the prism of the struggle between tradition and change. Along the way, we'll explore music, texts, and images that bring Israel to life in some of its complexities. 4 sessions, February 6 - 27: $100
The Philosophical Golem
Rabbi Joshua Gutoff
Wednesdays, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
The story of the Golem, the artificial man created by rabbis, is one of the more fantastic tales of Jewish tradition. By tracing the theme from its beginnings through the modern age, we will see that the "Golem tradition" is an extended meditation on what it means to be human. Study includes Biblical and Rabbinic texts, literature and film. 8 sessions, March 6 - May 8 (No class March 27, April 3): $200
____________________________________________
Thursdays at Gratz
The Greatest Tale: The Haggadah of Passover
Saul P. Wachs, Ph.D.
Thursdays: 9:45 - 11:45 am
The Seder has been described as the greatest teaching tool ever developed for family education. This unique ritual is built around the reading of and reflection on the Haggadah. This seminar will review the history of the development of the Seder and study the texts of the Haggadah, the personalities of those who shaped it, and the ways in which the Seder can be a gripping and highly educative experience for all who attend. 8 sessions, February 7 - April 11 (No class March 28, April 4): $200
Jewish Ethics in Present Times
Rabbi Albert Gabbai
Thursdays, 9:45 - 11:45 am
If a supermarket cashier hands you too much change, should you bring it to her attention? Is organ transplant permitted in Judaism? What about abortion? If a child and an adult are about to drown and you can save only one, whom do you save? These issues and many more will be explored using classical Jewish sources. We will try to apply the Torah and our Sages' principles to common situations and compare the Jewish positions to non-Jewish points of view. 12 sessions, February 7 - May 9 (No class March 28, April 4): $300
Y. L. Peretz: The Father of Yiddish Literature
Michael Steinlauf, Ph.D.
Thursdays, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Y. L. Peretz, rivals Sholem Aleichem as one of the greatest Jewish authors of all time. His work mined Jewish folklore and Hasidic tradition to create evocative stories and plays that also helped forge a modern Jewish culture. In this course, we will read some of his acclaimed short stories and learn why Peretz is such pivotal figure in Jewish literature and history. 12 sessions: February 7 - May 9 (No class March 28, April 4): $300
Diversity and Pluralism in the Bible
Rabbi Lynnda Targan
Thursdays, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
The Hebrew Bible reflects the voice of Jewish heritage, yet upon close examination there is more than one voice represented. What statement is the Bible's multi-vocality making? What are some of the lessons we can learn about how to live/work in a pluralistic/diverse Jewish community based on the many voices resonating in the Bible? How do we begin to address the practical implications these lessons have for our own lives? 8 sessions: March 7 - May 9 (No class March 28, April 4): $200
____________________________________________
Registration/Refund Policy
For all Scholars classes, full tuition payment is due upon registration. If a cancellation is received by email at least two days before the course begins, 100% of tuition will be refunded. For a 12-session course, a 50% refund or credit towards another course will be issued if cancellation is received before the 3rd session. For an 8-session course, a 50% refund or credit towards another course will be issued if cancellation is received before the 2nd session. For a 4-session course, there are no refunds, but a 50% credit towards another course will be issued if the cancellation is received before the 2nd session.
