- Pacific Time
Jehon Grist
Reading the Bible—The Four-Horned Altar: Searching for Its Meaning and Origin (Virtual on Zoom)
Second only to the Ark of the Covenant, the four-horned altar ranks as the most important ritual tool in ancient Israelite practice. While the God of Israel communicated his presence and law through the Ark and the tablets contained within it, the Israelites communicated their ritual commitment to God and his law through sacrifices on the altar.
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- Pacific Time Series
Daniel Matt: Exploring the Zohar (Virtual on Zoom)
A partnership program of New Lehrhaus
In this course we read and study the Zohar, the masterpiece of Kabbalah. Currently, we are exploring the Zohar on the Book of Genesis. Students can enroll in the current series, held live on Zoom.
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- Pacific Time
Jehon Grist
Reading the Bible—Isaiah 40-41: Defining and Defending Divine Power
In our fall semester, our class explored the tragic last days of the Kingdom of Judah in 586 BCE and its aftermath in texts from II Kings and Lamentations. To close the academic year, we’ll celebrate the restoration of the Jewish people promised in Isaiah 40-41. This text most likely dates to the 540’s BCE when the hated Babylonian Empire was about to fall to the Persians and Cyrus the Great. Exiled Judeans embraced the hope that soon, God would redeem them and return them home. In doing so, the writer jubilantly expresses the power of God in brilliant verses that confirm that the Jewish faith of the future would acknowledge only one God.
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- Pacific Time
Prof. Erich Gruen: Smiling through Tears? Jewish Humor in Antiquity (Zoom Only)
This program will consider a number of texts composed by Jews dwelling under imperial rule in antiquity (the Persian, Greek, and Roman empires) in order to understand how the substantial humor in those texts reflects the experience and attitudes of a subordinate people. The texts to be discussed are the biblical books of Esther and Jonah, the stories of Judith and Susanna, and the Testament of Abraham. (PDF files of the latter three will be sent to participants).
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Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan—Mind, Body and Soul: Maimonides’ Eight Chapters (Zoom Only)
Your Shabbat-Prep Practice
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Rabbi Judy Shanks & Dr. James Gracer—The Bible on the Couch: A Rabbi and Psychiatrist Analyze Sacred Texts (In Person and On Zoom)
Rabbi Judy Shanks and Dr. James Gracer (married for 44 years) join forces to bring a psychological lens to our Biblical ancestors. We will explore together hidden motivations, possible diagnoses, and complicated relationships between siblings, spouses, G-d, and humans. Teachings and discussions will draw on both classical midrashic texts and modern psychological theories. Channel your inner Freud!
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- Pacific Time
Shalhevet Robinson: Ruth: A Literary Masterpiece, a Lesson in Kindness (In Person and on Zoom)
In partnership with Beth Jacob Congregation, Oakland
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Tu Be’Av: The Little-Known Jewish Summer Love Festival (Zoom only)
On Tu Be'Av (the fifteenth of Av), "the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards. And what would they say? 'Young man, lift up your eyes and see—whom would you choose.'" (Talmud, Ta'anit). Learn about the holiday and dip into romantic love stories from the Bible and Midrash.
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- Pacific Time
Rabbi Mychal Copeland—Tu Be’Av: The Little-Known Jewish Summer Love Festival (In-person only)
Part of Chew-ish & Jew-ish: Lunch & Learn at Manny’s Café.
In partnership with Congregation Sha'ar Zahav in San Francisco.
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- Pacific Time Series
Rabbi Judy Shanks: Yes, I Want to be a Mentsh! (In person or on Zoom)
In partnership with BASE Bay in Rockridge
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Base Bay Area
CA + Google Map