Fall Classes
Skill-Building Talmud: Can the Ends Justify the Means?
R. Avi Strausberg or R. Miriam-Simma Walfish
When? Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Eastern | November 2- December 14
Where? Online
Is it possible to fulfill a mitzvah with ill-begotten goods? At what point, if any, does an act of thievery become so entrenched that it becomes legally recognizable? The third chapter of Tractate Sukkah probes these questions through the lens of the case of the stolen Lulav, raising a number of complicated moral questions at the intersection of mitzvot, social reality, and criminality. This class will be divided into 2 groups, beginner and intermediate levels, taught by R. Miriam-Simma Walfish and R. Avi Strausberg. All registrants must complete a brief written assessment so that we can place you in the group that best corresponds to your textual fluency.
No outside preparation is required. Each class will use varying degrees of Havruta (paired-learning) to review and prepare material.
Please note that this is a textually oriented class and even the beginner level presumes that students have very basic Modern/Mishnaic Hebrew. If you have questions about this or anything else about the class, be in touch with R. Miriam-Simma Walfish.
**Registration for this class is now closed.**
Coming Back to the Beginning: A Second Look at Bereishit
R. Tali Adler
When? Tuesdays, 12:30-1:15 PM Eastern | November 8-December 13
Where? Online
What are the fundamental cracks in the foundation of the world, making it the painful place it so often is? How do we account for God’s choice of a particular people in the midst of all humankind? Where did our people originate, and how did we transform from a fractured family into the beginnings of a people? Join us as we study the book of Bereishit with an eye towards how it addresses these questions and more. This class will use methods including close reading of the text and analysis of traditional and contemporary commentaries.
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Devash Parashah Club for Grades 2-4
When? Mondays and Thursdays, 5:00-5:30 PM Eastern
October 20-December 22, 2022
Come learn the parashah with us using Devash, Hadar's parashah magazine! We will explore highlights from the weekly Torah portion, including midrash and commentary, and the one-minute debate. The class will make use of interactive and engaging polls, Kahoot quizzes, and lively discussions. Kids are welcome to join on Mondays, Thursdays, or both days, as each class session stands on its own!
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Mishnah Club for Grades 5-8
When? Mondays and Thursdays 5:30-6:00 PM Eastern
October 20-December 22, 2022
Can you keep money that you find on the street, or are you obligated to return it to its owner? Are you responsible to take in and care for that lost dog you find wandering around? Join us as we learn the first three chapters of Massekhet Bava Metzia, which deal with questions of ownership, returning lost objects, borrowing, and lending. Kids are encouraged to participate in engaging discussions, breakout rooms, and polls. This class will be taught by Miriam Lichtenberg.
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Midrash B'Ivrit: Jealousy
When? Part 1: Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Part 2: Wednesday, December 7, 2022
5:00-5:30 PM Eastern
!מִדְרָשׁ בְּעִבְרִית חוֹזֵר, וּבְגָדוֹל! בְּמֶשֶׁךְ הַשָּׁנָה, נִלְמַד מִדְרָשִׁים עַל קִנְאָה, כַּעַס, וּפַחַד. אֶפְשָׁר לָבוֹא לְשִׁעוּר אֶחָד אוֹ לְכֻלָּם
Midrash B’Ivrit is back! Throughout the year, we will explore jealousy, anger, and fear as they are portrayed in different midrashim. Each two part class will focus on one theme. Come for one session or all!
.בַּסְּתָו נַחֲקֹר מָה חָזָ"ל חוֹשְׁבִים עַל קִנְאָה: הַאִם צָרִיךְ לְהִתְרַחֵק מִמֶּנָּה כַּמָּה שֶׁיּוֹתֵר, אוֹ הַאִם קִנְאָה יְכוֹלָה לִהְיוֹת דָּבָר טוֹב, בְּמִדָּה מְסֻיֶּמֶת
In the fall session, we will look at what the rabbis say about jealousy, and whether we should stay as far away from it as possible, or whether it is something that can be good in some measure. The class will be taught in Hebrew and in English, and is geared towards kids in grades 5-8 who can read Hebrew and feel comfortable with simple conversation in Hebrew. Please reach out to Chana Kupetz with any questions.
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Learning With Grandparents: What’s in a Name?
When? On your own schedule!
This Fall, instead of the Learning With Grandparents program happening on a specific day, we're excited to offer children and their special adults an opportunity to learn whenever and wherever is most convenient! In this guided source sheet and special introductory video with Rabbi Ethan Tucker, you can dive into the meaning of names and name changes in our lives and in Jewish tradition, asking questions like: Who gave you your name and why? Do other people call you by different names? And does the name we call something even matter?
DOWNLOAD THE SOURCE SHEET
WATCH THE INTRODUCTION VIDEO
