Summer 2023 Class Schedule
Summer Program 2023 Course Descriptions
Beginners
Finding Modern Meaning in Ancient Mitzvot
Rabbanit Navit Tzadik
In this class we will explore the profound significance of Jewish practices. We will examine the enduring relevance of the Torah and its moral teaching which were given to us on Mount Sinai. We will analyze mitzvot such as Shabbat, Kashrut and the laws of purity and through the sources we will uncover their timeless value.
From Polytheism to Atheism: Grappling with God
Rabbanit Neima Novetsky
In ancient times everyone believed in God; the problem was not atheism but polytheism. Are the two concepts as diametrically opposed as they sound, or might they actually have quite a lot in common? This class will explore issues relating to belief from Biblical times to today. We will delve into the description of revelation and the nation’s fall into idolatry (with the sin of the Golden Calf) only forty days later, questioning both what makes one believe and what makes one stop believing.
Chumash – Yosef and His Brothers – Family in Crisis, Power Struggles and Religious Strife
Rav Chaim Tabasky
Study of the tragic yet redemptive story of Yosef and his brothers, with emphasis on Rashi’s method, will provide a platform for discussing issues concerning interpersonal relationships, G-d’s involvement in history, and the nature of repentance.
Chumash – From Fate to Destiny: the impact of Avraham and Sarah on Our Lives Today
We will explore the lives of Sarah and Avraham through the Psukim, midrashim, and Chassidut to see how both these iconoclasts and founders of ethical monotheism continue to impact our modern world view. We will gain deep insights into the lives of our forefather and mother which will help us to better understand ourselves.
Talmud – Topics in Brachot: When, How, and Why We Pray
Rachel Seidenberg
This course will serve as an introduction to the world of the Oral Law. Fundamental topics explored will include the development and importance of the Talmud, what is the Mishneh and Gemara, the structure of the Talmud, navigating a page of Talmud and fundamental commentators on the Talmud. Both halachic and aggadic discussions commonly found in the Talmud will be explored in the class. The course will consist of both lecture and discussion as well as supported Chavruta learning.
Halacha – The Laws of Shabbat
Rav Da’vid Sperling
We will be meeting for six times to learn halacha (Jewish law). Each class will involve a “chevrutah” (study partner) learning session of the sources for class, and then an interactive class. At the end of each class, we will have time for practical questions and answers about Jewish laws. The topic we will be looking at is “The Laws of Shabbat”.
Intermediate
Finding Modern Meaning in Ancient Mitzvot
Rabbanit Navit Tzadik
In this class we will explore the profound significance of Jewish practices. We will examine the enduring relevance of the Torah and its moral teaching which were given to us on Mount Sinai. We will analyze mitzvot such as Shabbat, Kashrut and the laws of purity and through the sources we will uncover their timeless value.
Sparking the Soul’s Light: Chassidut in the Book of Genesis
Rabbanit Ilana Hadad
In this course, we will focus on exploring the soul through a thorough examination of Jewish thought from the Chassidic tradition, using the weekly Torah portions of the Book of Genesis as our guide.
Women’s Health and Halacha
Yoetzet Halacha Adi Bitter
While for many women the laws of taharat hamishpacha are quite relevant for part of their lives, women often don’t have the opportunity to see sources that inform these laws and have a deeper understanding of where they come from, the contexts in which they apply, when there’s good reason to ask a halachic question, and where there’s room for more autonomy. In this course we will learn some of the sources that inform Hilchot Taharat Hamishpacha, along with some relevant women’s health information that intersects with this area of halacha. We will bridge the gap between the primary sources and contemporary practice and relevance with examples of the types of questions that women raise on Nishmat’s Golda Koschitzky Women’s Halachic Hotline.
Midrash – Questioning God, From Abraham to Acher (Elisha ben Abuyah)
Rabbanit Gilla Rosen
We will study Midrashic and Aggadic texts in the Mekhilta, Midrash Rabbah and the Talmud – and their relation to our own struggles. Each morning will include an introduction to the texts, chavruta study and a shiur.
Family Dynamics Then and Now
Rabbanit Neima Novetsky
Sibling strife, marital difficulties, wayward children, economic woes, abuse, favoritism, jealousy… These are just some of the challenges facing families not only today, but from time immemorial. This class will explore several stories in Tanakh which focus on family interactions, from Sarah’s banishment of Yishmael to the laws of Sotah (a suspected adulteress), trying to learn from both the wisdom and the mistakes of our forefathers and mothers. Along the way, we will ask: Given the inevitable difference in character and ability of different children, how can we prevent sibling rivalry? How does one help a child who is straying, while simultaneously protecting others from their negative influence? When mistrust creeps into marriage, how does one get it back on track?
Talmud – Rosh HaShana on Shabbat: What Do we (Not) Do and Why (Not)?
Rav Hanan Schlesinger
This year the first day of Rosh haShana will fall on Shabat. This creates a complicated situation that the Talmud devoted itself to almost two millennia ago with not a little bit of controversy, political maneuvering and intrigue. Among other things, at stake was the unique status of Jerusalem in Jewish thought and law, and the reconstitution of Jewish life after the tragedy of the destruction of the 2nd Temple.
The nine sessions in this course will delve deep into the Talmudic discussions of the matter, found in The Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh haShana, pages 29b – 30a. We will also refer to the parallel material in the Talmud of the Land of Israel (Yerushalmi) and to a number of medieval commentaries.
The sessions will be divided between guided hevruta study of the texts on the one hand, and on the other hand, frontal presentation and class discussion. The frontal presentations will deal both with the skills of critical textual analysis and with the philosophical and theological issues suggested by the texts.
This is in intermediate level class. It is for women who have already studied in-depth at least one full chapter of the Babylonian Talmud or one full tractate of Daf Yomi. Students are expected to be familiar with the 50 pivotal Aramaic words that direct the flow and logic of
Talmudic discourse.
Halacha – The Laws of Kashrut/In Depth Milk & Meat
Rav Da’vid Sperling
We will be meeting for five times to learn halacha (Jewish law). Each class will involve a “chevrutah” (study partner) learning session of the sources for class, and then an interactive class.
The topic we will be looking at is “The Laws of Kashrut/In Depth Milk & Meat”.
Advanced
אשה בהלכה
Rabbanit Navit Tzadik
“הקהל לי את העם, אנשים נשים וטף”. כל עם ישראל יחד קיבלו את התורה. עקרונות המוסר שלנו, גם בעולם המודרני, צריכים לשאוב מהתורה עצמה. אם כן, איך עלינו להבין את מעמד האשה בתורה? למה נשים חייבות בפחות מצוות? האם מעודדים נשים ללמוד ולהתפלל כאנשים? למה החברה מדגישה כיסוי ערווה והלכות צניעות דווקא אצל נשים? ניכנס לעובי הקורה של שאלת על מקום האשה ביהדות בלימוד מעמיק של מקורות חז”ל. נשאל על מסרי התורה ועל תפקידן הייחודי של נשים
מנהיגות בעם ישראל – בימים ההם ובזמן הזה
Rabbanit Sharon Rimon
סיפורי התנך מעלים דילמות תפיסות עולם וקונפליקטים רבים בנושא המנהיגות, בהם עסקו אבותינו, והם עדיין רלוונטיים לחיינו, על אף התמורות שנעשו בשיטות השלטון. מהן התכונות ההופכות אדם למנהיג? מיהו מנהיג ראוי? מה היחס בין מנהיגות פוליטית-מדינית למנהיגות רוחנית-דתית? מהי מערכת היחסים בין המנהיג לציבור? מה סדר העדיפויות של ההנהגה?
מתוך עיון בכתוב ובדברי המפרשים, ננסה לדלות תובנות ומסרים הנוגעים גם לחיינו האישיים והציבוריים
תנ”ך ומוסר בעת החדשה: היילכו שניהם יחדיו?
נתבונן בסיפורי התנ”ך בהשוואה לתפיסות המוסריות המדורניות
Talmud – Baba Kama, Chapter Six
Rav Chaim Tabasky
In our study in the sixth perek of Baba Kama we will explore the Talmudic outlook damages to personal property of another person, whether intentional or not. We will concentrate on the structure and development of the Talmudic passage (sugya), with an eye to interpretation and halachic resolution. We will also place an emphasis on developing reading skills.
All Levels
Halacha Survey
Rav Da’vid Sperling
This class provides an overview of some of the most commonly encountered laws that face a Jew living in the modern world. Some of the topics to be addressed include Get Thee a Rabbi!,
How, When and Why to be Machmir (strict), Basic Brachot, Shabbat Without a Shul (how to keep Shabbat without a Jewish community), Honoring Parents When Things Get Tough, A Basic Jewish Day – how to live a life according to the Torah.
Old and New Convent with Hashem
Rabbanit Navit Tzadik
The acceptance of the Torah at Mount Sinai is a foundational event in Jewish history and tradition. The idea of reaccepting the pact with Hashem, as presented in the book of Nehemiah, is seen as a way for each generation to reaffirm their commitment to the laws and principles of the Torah. The Jewish people after returning from exile reaffirm their commitment to following the laws of the Torah. The renewal of the convent serves as a reminder of the ongoing nature of the convent between the Jewish people and G-d. Women and their obligation and non-obligation from mitzvot play a curtail role in preserving this message in Am Yisrael.
The Message of the Mikdash
Rabbanit Navit Tzadik
The Holy Temple served as the spiritual and ritual center of Judaism for many years. Even before the construction of a permanent building, a portable and temporary one existed. King David longed to build a permanent house for Hashem to dwell on Earth. He laid the cornerstone and set aside funds for this purpose. During each prayer and Jewish ceremony, we remember and yearn for the Temple’s return. What, then, was the special message the mikdash brought, and what part if Judaism have we lost without it?
The Transformation of the Book: From Mansucripts to the Digital Age
Rabbanit Neima Novetsky
How has modern technology transformed Torah Learning? This class will explore how learning has changed from the era of manuscripts to the advent of publishing and finally to the digital age. We will cover some history, peek at some fascinating manuscripts, and introduce some practical modern resources to see how far our learning can go!
