Navigating the Sea of Sacred Jewish Literature (Zoom)
Tuesday, December 2, 7:30–9:00 p.m.
with Rabbi Roller
Join us on a journey through the rich and diverse world of Jewish sacred literature. Together, we’ll explore the distinct genres that make up this tradition, uncovering their unique features and historical contexts. Beginning with the foundational texts of the Bible, we’ll trace how rabbinic, medieval, and modern writings reinterpret, expand, and respond to these earlier works. Along the way, we’ll discover the deep intertextuality that weaves through centuries of Jewish thought—revealing an ongoing, dynamic conversation that continues to shape Jewish tradition across time.
Author talk with Carol Goodman Kaufman (Zoom)
Thursday, December 4, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join this interactive Zoom session with mystery writer Carol Goodman Kaufman, author of The First Murder and Crak, Bam, Dead (Mah Jong Mayhem Book 1). Carol will explore what makes a mystery a mystery, discuss subgenres of crime writing, and invite participants to help brainstorm story elements.Her books are available online, but reading them isn’t required. Space is limited—please register for Zoom [here]. This event is presented by Beth David Women.
Jewish Book Discussion Group (Beit Midrash)
Saturday, December 13, 12:45–2:00 p.m.
No presentation this month, Instead, we’ll each share a favorite Jewish book we think everyone should read. Please email the title you’d like to recommend to Miriam Marr by December 5, so she can compile a list for everyone.
Jewish Women Throughout History (Beit Midrash/Zoom)
with Rabbi Kunin
Tuesday, December 9, 7:30–9:00 p.m.
Jewish history and tradition has been focused primarily on men, leaving out the essential contributions of women over the ages. In this class we discover amazing Jewish women (some well-known and some who have largely been lost) from Hulda the Prophetess to Doña Gracia Nasi, to Golda Meir. If you cannot attend in person, register for Zoom [here].
Navigating the Sea of Sacred Literature (Zoom)
Tuesday, December 2, 7:30–9:00 p.m.
Join Rabbi Roller as on a voyage of vast and diverse world of Jewish sacred literature. We will examine the unique characteristics of each genre and explore their historical contexts.
Starting with the varieties of biblical literature as a foundation, we will see how rabbinic, medieval, and modern texts build upon, reinterpret, and expand this core. Through this journey, we’ll gain insight into the rich tapestry of intertextuality that characterizes Jewish literature, witnessing how each era contributes to an ongoing, dynamic conversation within Jewish tradition.
In the upcoming session on Dec 2, the group will be finishing up with the Ketuvim, focusing on Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles.
Sign up for Zoom [here].
Teshuvah of the Month (Beit Midrash)
Saturday, December 20, 12:45–2:00 p.m.
with Rabbi Kunin
Traditional Judaism (including Conservative Judaism) is a religion of law. We build our lives around halakha (Jewish law). We understand our legal tradition to be based in the past yet growing and developing in every generation. These changes in interpretation are reflected in teshuvot, rabbinic legal decisions, a literature that has been growing over the last thousand or more years. Each month Join Rabbi Kunin as we examine fascinating examples of this important literature, stemming both from ancient and modern Conservative (and occasional Orthodox or Reform) sources.
The Former Prophets (Beit Midrash)
Saturday, December 27, 12:45–2:00 p.m.
with Rabbi Roller
Discover some of the most exciting biblical stories you’ve never heard! Explore tales of war, love, betrayal, and revenge that rival anything on a bestseller list. We’ll primarily use Robert Alter’s translation, though other versions of the Hebrew Bible are also welcome. Please bring any Hebrew Bible you may have from home; a limited number of copies will be available for use during class.
Torah Study with Rabbi Kunin (Beit Midrash)
Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Occasionally this class is canceled. Please see calendar to confirm class meeting dates here.
The Torah is our timeless treasure, with answers for the pivotal questions of the past, present and future. Sometimes it challenges us, and sometimes it disturbs us. Nonetheless there is always room for learning and debate. Each week we will examine ideas and issues from the weekly parasha and, through discussion and sometimes debate, discover meaningful connections between the wisdom our Torah and our modern lives. Please join this weekly informal Torah study session with Rabbi Kunin on a drop-in basis.
Talmud Study with Rabbi Kunin (Zoom)
Fridays, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Occasionally this class is canceled. Please see calendar to confirm class meeting dates here.
Please join Rabbi David Kunin for weekly Talmud study online. The Talmud is the foundational document of rabbinic Judaism, containing laws and lore which underlie how Jews approach the world. Its dialectic toward truth yields a multiplicity of answers which we will explore in depth. All are welcome. No prior Talmud study experience necessary.