The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present its selection of Fall-Winter programs which offers the community a wide range of classes, films, special events including the annual Egger Shabbaton and Jewish Center Reads. There is also programming in honor of the 60th Anniversary of The Jewish Center, founded in 1949.
Unless otherwise noted, programs are provided free to members of The Jewish Center. Some programs may request a donation from non-members.
TJC members have the opportunity to communicate with fellow members on topics related to Adult Education through the TJC Adult Education Listserv. Please contact the committee co-chairs to sign up for this convenient e-mail service and to get involved. You may also click here for more information on this networking tool.
PROGRAMS and COURSES
FINDING A JEWISH SPIRITUAL HOME with Rabbi Annie Tucker
How can I make prayer feel more meaningful? What might I do to deepen my sense of connection to God? Is it possible to cultivate a greater sense of wonder and appreciation in my everyday living? While Judaism often emphasizes matters of mind and behavior, it also cares deeply for matters of the spirit, offering resources to give our lives meaning and purpose. In this workshop we will draw upon our own questions and experiences (as well as the writings of great Jewish thinkers) to explore ways in which to deepen and enhance our spiritual lives.
7:30-8:30 May 6 and 13, 2010
A COURSE ON DEUTERONOMY with Rabbi Bob Freedman
7:15- 8:45 Thursdays, April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 27
BEIT MIDRASH ELUL at TJC facilitated by Shira Ben-Sasson Furstenberg
Join us for a voyage, where we will meet "Chazal"- our sages, from a close and personal perspective. We will try to understand "Chazal" figures as real people, men and women, real faces, with weaknesses, strengths and a story that resonates with our lives till this very day. The study is based on dialogue - either in chevrutah (small study group) or in facilitated discussion. The sources we use include classical and modern Jewish sources: Bible, Midrash, Talmud, Kabbalah, Hassidut, philosophy, and modern Israeli literature.
20 Tuesdays, beginning December 1st, 7:30 pm
Contact Gila Levin for registration information.
Tuition: $150 + ~ $35 materials fee for 20 sessions
Me’ah Graduate Institute
THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS with Gary A. Rendsburg, Rutgers University
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls during the late 1940s and early 1950s, along with the on-going research into their contents, has created nothing less than a revolution in the study of ancient Judaism. This course will situate the Qumran community within the context of Jewish sectarianism in late antiquity; we will focus most of all on reading the individual major scrolls; and we will compare and contrast Qumran beliefs with those of other ancient Jewish groups, most importantly the Pharisees/Rabbis, the Sadducees, and the early Christians. Since no other subject of scholarly inquiry is so linked to the discovery and publication of the texts, we also will narrate the tortuous history of sixty years of DSS scholarship, with constant delays in the publication of the scrolls (even into the 21st century!).
Dates: Mondays, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/22.
Venue: Classes to be conducted in students’ homes
Tuition: $495
Registration Deadline: Monday, January 4, 2010
Details and Registration: Please call 646-472-5390
Note: This course is designed for graduates of the two-year Me'ah program. Those with an equivalent Jewish educational background are encouraged to take this course.
Feldenkrais Method® Awareness Through Movement® -
taught by certified practitioner and congregant Barbara Abramson
In these lessons you will learn to use gentle movement, sensation, imagination, and attention to improve your quality of movement and let go of tension.
Rather than strengthening muscles, you retrain your brain, developing awareness of unconscious habits that may be hindering you. You discover new options for more flexible, comfortable movement, better breathing and posture.
Feldenkrais gives you the means to take charge of your own care and improvement. This is especially valuable following an injury or surgery or in the presence of any chronic pain or neurological, muscular or skeletal problem. It is not exercise but enhances any form of exercise you do. For people who already perform at a high level, Feldenkrais helps maximize their ability.
In general, everyone can improve, regardless of age or physical condition. For this series of classes, the instructor asks that students lie on the floor, so the ability to get down and up is a prerequisite.
4:15-5:15 pm Thursdays in February 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2010
Bring a mat if you have one
Sundays at TJC: FILM SERIES
Join us as we screen Jewish‐themed films and discuss them with noted speakers. Many of the films will be followed by a talk and Q&A. Many of the presenters were involved in the film’s production while others are experts in the subject matter focused upon in the film. All programs are on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm in the Social Hall.
March 7, 2010 —Dear Mr. Waldman (Holocaust movie)
May 2, 2010 — Arranged (speaker to discuss afterwards)
LUNCH and LEARN organized by Bob Garber
The series has been on-going for many years featuring well-known artists, writers, politicians, educators and other scholars who impart their insight and learning. Talks are scheduled for the third Wednesday of the month. Preceded by a dairy lunch brought by learners. The program includes a Q&A period following the talk. The lectures are open to the public.
3rd Wednesday of the month at noon
March 17 with Prof. James McPhearson
April 21 TBA
May 26 with Professor Alan Mann
“BIBLE BABOKER” ON SHABBAT MORNING
with Rabbi Annie Tucker
This weekly Shabbat morning discussion of Parashat HaShavua (the weekly Torah portion) offers lively exploration and debate of the Torahʹs many wonderful (and often challenging) stories and themes. The Bible BaBoker group has been meeting for three years and always welcomes new participants regardless of background. Open to regulars and drop‐ins interested in learning together.
Shabbat mornings 8:45 am to 9:45 am
B’NAI MITZVAH ADULT PROGRAM with Rabbi Adam Feldman (Torah study)and Rabbi Annie Tucker (Hebrew)
A two‐year program culminating in leading a Shabbat morning service, preparation involves weekly sessions with TJC clergy, Hebrew instruction, Torah cantillation training, and more. Most importantly, the program offers participants the opportunity to develop close relationships with one another and to reflect on the role Judaism plays in their lives today.
Members from all backgrounds are welcome.
For more information, contact Rabbi Tucker, atucker@thejewishcenter.org or (609) 921‐0100 x213
TALMUD ON SHABBAT AFTERNOON
with Rabbi David Wolf Silverman
Come explore the minor tractates of the Babylonian Talmud to discover their fascinating insights into the manners and mores of the ancient rabbis. Some of the texts have direct relevance to our own times-either in agreement, opposition or qualification.
Shabbat, 3:30-5:00 pm, Twice monthly
Consult the weekly e-mail or Shabbat Bulletin for upcoming dates.
RABBI DIAMOND’S TALMUD CLASS
Thursdays, 12-1:15
JEWISH CENTER WOMEN LIMUD— SUNDAY MORNING STUDY
The Jewish Center Women are offering a monthly series of Sunday morning (11:00 am— 12:00 noon) study sessions led by a different teacher each month.
Consult the weekly e-mail or Shabbat Bulletin for upcoming dates.
ONGOING HEBREW STUDY
BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE HEBREW
with Edna Noiman
Remember what you learned all those years ago or start anew. Beginning class is for those who can read the letters and want to learn contemporary Hebrew. Intermediate is for those who have taken the TJC beginning class or who have previous knowledge of Hebrew vocabulary and grammar.
Sundays, with Religious School schedule
Beginners 1 (Matchilim 1 &2) 9:30-10:30 am
Intermediate (Mamshichim) 11:00-noon pm)
Tuition: $300 for the year (not including books)
SPECIAL PROGRAMS:
TJC READS
“Arsenal of Democracy: The Politics of National Security”
Professor Julian Zelizer, Princeton University
March 21, 2010, 7-10 Our own Julian Zelizer will lecture on his book “Arsenal of Democracy: The Politics of National Security” on Sunday, March 21, at 7:00 p.m. Order your book now! Or stop by the TJC office to purchase the book.
TJC Reads Book Order Form
“Arsenal of Democracy” provides a provocative, timely and compulsively readable account of the vexed relationship between foreign and domestic policy and the tangled politics of national security since World War II.” -- Laura Kalman, Professor of History, University of California, Santa Barbara
TJC Reads Events:
- Book Discussion: March 13 after Shabbat Luncheon
- Lecture with Professor Zelizer, Sunday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m.
60th ANNIVERSARY of TJC
Holocaust Series
Dear Mr. Waldman Movie on the Holocaust
March 7, 2010 4pm
CONGREGATIONAL SPECIAL PROGRAMS:
Ellen M. Egger Shabbaton
with Scholar in Residence Rabbi Steven Greenberg from CLAL
March 19-21, 2010
YOM HASHOAH PROGRAM with Devorah Hilsenrath
Devorah Hilsenrath will be our guest speaker. She is a survivor who tells and incredible story.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
