Learning

Course Offerings, Winter 2019

Courses are open to members and non-members alike, unlike otherwise specified. Courses strive to be accessible to learners at multiple levels of experience, even while some specify that they are geared to learners at a particular level. Come and learn!

Machloket Matters: How to Disagree Constructively
Four weeknights: Wed Jan 23, Wed Jan 30, Thu Feb 7, Thu Feb 14, at 8:00 PM

At the core of the traditional beit midrash (study hall), are chavrutot (study pairs) critically studying together machloket: conflicting opinions found on every page of classic Jewish texts. This methodology of studying text can be used to increase the desire and ability to understand and engage more constructively with conflicting opinions in today in communities and politics. A new curriculum from the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem.

Led by FTJC's Rabbi Guy Austrian.

Hosted in participants’ homes. Please register for address of first session.
Suggested donation: $18-36 for the series. All are welcome, no one turned away for lack of donation.
Pre-Registration requested, please click or tap here.

The World of Isaac Bashevis Singer
Four Tuesday evenings, 8:00 PM: Feb 12, 19, 26, and March 5.

Women dressing as men to study Torah, geese that shriek inexplicably, people possessed by dybbuks and demons, Hitler seen in a cafeteria on Broadway... This is the world of I. B. Singer, one of the greatest Jewish writers of all time and the only Yiddish writer to win a Nobel Prize (1978). Many of his stories depict a world that is no longer here yet he does so in a profoundly modern way. We shall look at a mix of memoir and short stories. Participants are asked to acquire The Collected Stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer and In My Father's Court, both available online in inexpensive used copies.

Led by FTJC member Sheva Zucker, author of the textbooks Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vols. I & II, and currently academic director of the Uriel Weinreich Program in Yiddish Language, Literature and Culture, under the auspices of Bard College and the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York City.

Hosted in participants’ homes. Please register for address of first session.
Suggested donation: $18-36 for the series. All are welcome, no one turned away for lack of donation.
Pre-Registration requested, please click or tap here.

How to Lead Shabbat Shacharit
Three Thursdays at 8:00 PM: Feb 28, Mar 7, Mar 14

Ready to grow into a new challenge and expand your ritual leadership skills? Here's an opportunity to learn and practice with a supportive and friendly group of peers. The first two sessions will cover the nusach (melodic chant modes) and other basic how-to's of the Shabbat Shacharit service (from "Shochen Ad" through taking out the Torah), while the third will explore aspects like choosing melodies, using the power of your voice, and what it means to "lead" the congregation in prayer. (Those who know how to lead Shabbat Shacharit but just want to practice in front of a small group can show up for the third session only.) Open to adult Jews of all genders who can pronounce Hebrew fluently and can carry a tune; previous experience leading prayer not required; bravery and enthusiasm a plus!

Led by Talia Lakritz and Maddie Richer, both FTJC members and experienced shelichot tzibbur (prayer leaders).

Hosted in participants’ homes. Please register for address of first session.
Suggested donation: $18-36 for the series. All are welcome, no one turned away for lack of donation.
Pre-Registration requested, please click or tap here.

More Learning Opportunities?
If you have ideas about something you want to learn, and you have a hunch that you could pull together a group of others who want to learn it too, e-mail Rabbi Guy Austrian and let's talk about it.