Introduction to Judaism
Congregation Beth Israel and Congregation Beth HaTephila together announce
"Introduction to Judaism"
For Jews and non-Jews alike who wish to understand and appreciate Judaism as a dynamic religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural tradition, we offer a wide-ranging and penetrating course of learning. In this class, we will survey Jewish history, texts, lifecycle events and observances. This class is appropriate for those seeking to begin a Jewish life and those who wish to deepen their understanding of their heritage.
This course will be taught jointly by Rabbi Rob Cabelli of Congregation Beth Israel (Conservative) and Rabbi Batsheva Meiri of Congregation Beth HaTephila (Reform). The cost is $300/person. Please contact the Administrator at CBHT at 253.4911, ext. 10 or admin@bethhatephila.org to register or for any further information.
Beginning October 12, 2010, the first of twenty-two sessions, Thursday evenings, from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, at Congregation Beth Israel. Below is a syllabus for the course:
Introduction to Judaism
Taught by Rabbis Cabelli and Meiri
Congregation Beth Israel
229 Murdock Avenue
22 Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Textbooks:
- Living a Jewish Life: Jewish Traditions Customs and Value for Today’s Families by Anita Diamant with Howard Cooper
- What do Jews Believe, David S Ariel OR To Life! by Harold Kushner
- The Tapestry of Jewish Time: A Spiritual Guide to Holidays and Lifecycle Events by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin.
Essential to Jewish Library
- Tanakh – JPS or Oxford Jewish Study Bible
- Jewish Literacy by Joseph Telushkin
- Tough Questions Jews Ask by Rabbi Edward Feinstein
- Choosing A Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and their Family by Anita Diamant
- Back to the Sources by Barry Holtz
- The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
- Night by Elie Wiesel
- The Source by James Michener
Oct 12th: Biblical History and Text - BOTH Rabbis teach (BRING TANAKHS)
Oct 19th: Rabbinic History and Text - Rabbi Cabelli teaches
Read from Jewish Literacy (Xeroxed)
Seasons of our Joy, Arthur Waskow (Introduction and Preface- Xeroxed)
Oct 26th: Medieval Period - Christianity and Islam - Rabbi Cabelli teaches
See Timelines
Jewish Literacy (Xeroxed)
Nov 2nd: Election Day - NO CLASS
Nov 9th: American Judaism - Rabbi Meiri teaches
What Jews Believe, Pg 44-49
Living a Jewish Life, Pg 116-143
Nov 16th: Synagogue Prayer - Rabbi Meiri teaches
Introduction to Judaism by Kukoff, Pg 200-222 (Xeroxed)
Jewish Literacy, 335, 336, 341, 342, 343 (Xeroxed)
What Jews Believe, Pg 186-210
Nov 23rd: Shabbat I - Rabbi Cabelli teaches
Read: Living a Jewish Life, Pg 33-67
Tapestry, Pg 34-45
Nov 30th: Shabbat II - Rabbi Meiri teaches
Read Heschel, The Sabbath (optional)
Dec 7th Chanukkah Tugs of War, 7th night of Chanukkah - Rabbi Meiri teaches
Read Living a Jewish Life – Pg 199-205
Dec 14th: High Holidays, Rosh Chodesh - Rabbi Meiri teaches
Living a Jewish Life, Pg 180-191
What Jews Believe, Pg 84-107
Tapestry, Pg 46-81
Dec 21st: Festivals - Rabbi Cabelli teaches
Living a Jewish Life Pg 192-198, 215-228, 278-285
Tapestry, Pg 128-145, 166-177, 82-93
Dec 28th: Winter Break - NO CLASS
Jan 4th: Kashrut I - Rabbi Cabelli teaches
Read What Jews Believe, Pg 176-180
Living a Jewish Life, Pg 95-107
Jan 11th: Kashrut II - Rabbi Meiri teaches
Jan 18th: Tu Bishvat - Environment - Rabbi Meiri teaches
Introduction to Judaism, Kukoff Pg 300-304 (Xeroxed)
Tapestry, Pg 110-117
Jan 25th: Tikkun Olam/Mitzvot - Rabbi Cabelli teaches
Read What do Jews Believe Pg 159-176, 180-185
Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin, “Why Do We Need Organized Religious
or Jewish Laws?” From Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism
(Xeroxed)
Feb 1st: Lifecycles: Birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation - Rabbi Meiri teaches
Living a Jewish Life Pg 240-263
Tapestry, Pg 192-215
Feb 8th: Lifecycles: Marriage Divorce and Parenting - Rabbi Cabelli teaches
Living a Jewish Life Pg 264-277
Tapestry, Pg 216-225
David Hartman, A Heart of Many Rooms (Xerox)
Feb 15th: Lifecycle: Death, Mourning, Afterlife - Rabbi Meiri teaches
What do Jews Believe, Pg 73-83
Living a Jewish Life, Pg 289-301
Tapestry, Pg 226-239
Feb 22nd: Yom HaShoah/Anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, Tisha B’Av - Rabbi Cabelli
Night, Elie Wiesel (optional)
Introduction to Judaism, Pg 351-360 (Xeroxed)
Living a Jewish Life, Pg 229-233
Tapestry, Pg 146-155, 178-185
March 1st: Israel - Rabbi Cabelli teaches
Tapestry, Pg 156-165
Introduction to Judaism, Pg 305-314
March 8th: Israel Part II - Rabbi Cabelli teaches
March 15th: Purim/Jewish Identity - Rabbi Meiri teaches
Tapestry, Pg 118-127
Living a Jewish Life Pg 211-214
March 22nd: Chosenness and Conversion - both Rabbis teach
START AT 6:00 P.M.
What Jews Believe, Pg 108-128, 211-246
Living a Jewish Life, Pg 278-281
