Janis Plotkin & Karen Davis, 12/6/2024—Ultra-orthodox Jewish life has long been surrounded by secrecy from within and intense curiosity from without. This course will focus on four films that present Haredi Jewish life from multiple perspectives. Critical, compassionate and profoundly humane, these films offer an expanded view of the complexities of living within and beyond the strictures of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish life. Our film selection includes two fiction feature films and two documentaries, from the US, Israel and the United Kingdom, including two films directed by women.

Rabbi Greg Marcus , 12/3/2024—The “chesed voice,” which prioritizes acts of chesed (lovingkindness) over Jewish law, can be traced all the way back to the Torah itself. You will learn why in the Talmud a rabbi was executed because he only studied Torah and did not engage in acts of chesed. Join us for an extraordinary exploration of the age-old (yet totally contemporary) tension between the strict letter of the law and unbounded acts chesed.

Janis Plotkin & Karen Davis, 11/21/2024—Ultra-orthodox Jewish life has long been surrounded by secrecy from within and intense curiosity from without. This course will focus on four films that present Haredi Jewish life from multiple perspectives. Critical, compassionate and profoundly humane, these films offer an expanded view of the complexities of living within and beyond the strictures of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish life. Our film selection includes two fiction feature films and two documentaries, from the US, Israel and the United Kingdom, including two films directed by women.

Prof. Fred Rosenbaum, 11/14/2024—Recorded following the screening of the film "Vishniac," at the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival. (Video courtesy of EBIJFF)

Rabbi Greg Marcus , 11/19/2024—The “chesed voice,” which prioritizes Acts of chesed (lovingkindness) over Jewish law, can be traced all the way back to the Torah itself. You will learn why in the Talmud a rabbi was executed because he only studied Torah and did not engage in acts of chesed. Join us for an extraordinary exploration of the age-old (yet totally contemporary) tension between the strict letter of the law and unbounded acts chesed.

Prof. Daniel Boyarin, 10/22/2024—Simchat Beit Hasho'eva ("The Rejoicing at the Place of Water-Drawing") takes place during Sukkot. The Talmud says: "He who has not seen the rejoicing at the Place of the Water-Drawing has never seen rejoicing in his life." This "water holiday" brought thousands to the Temple courtyard for a water libation ritual followed by music and dance, burning-torch tossing, handstands, feasting, and a bit of mayhem as men and women mingled. Prof. Daniel Boyarin will offer his original interpretation of the Talmudic text.

Bradley Burston & Dina Kraft, 10/6/2024—What are the implications of the assassination of Nasrallah and much of the Hezbollah leadership? Of a possible IDF ground operation in Lebanon? How will these factors impact the hostage release and cease-fire negotiations in Gaza? Nobody really knows. Bradley Burston (veteran Ha'Aretz columnist) and Dina Kraft (Israel correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor) will join us from Israel and offer their insights.

Eleanor Shapiro, 10/1/24—The current war between Israel and Hamas can make the situation feel too complex and painful to contemplate. Addressing the roots of the conflict, this multimedia history course introduces a perspective that ultimately offers an alternative to the despair that comes with hopeless headlines. All levels of learning welcome.

Dr. Naomi Baum & Yonatan Zeigen, 9/30/24 Nearly a year since October 7th, Israelis continue to struggle with the enormity of the ongoing trauma. Hear from Dr. Naomi Baum, an Israeli psychologist and a renowned trauma and resilience expert, and Yonatan Zeigen, son of Vivian Silver, a lifelong peace activist who was murdered on October 7th in her home in Kibbutz Be'eri.

Eleanor Shapiro, 9/27/24 The current war between Israel and Hamas can make the situation feel too complex and painful to contemplate. Addressing the roots of the conflict, this multimedia history course introduces a perspective that ultimately offers an alternative to the despair that comes with hopeless headlines. All levels of learning welcome.

Azzan Yadin-Israel, 9/24/2024 Just as a writer must choose what elements of the story to focus on, every artistic depiction represents a series of choices regarding content, emphasis, and mode of representation. In this course we examine biblical art as a form of commentary. Our focus will be on two narratives: the binding of Isaac and Ruth And Boaz on the threshing floor. There will also be an opportunity for participants to introduce and discuss images that they find noteworthy.

Eleanor Shapiro, 9/18/24 The current war between Israel and Hamas can make the situation feel too complex and painful to contemplate. Addressing the roots of the conflict, this multimedia history course introduces a perspective that ultimately offers an alternative to the despair that comes with hopeless headlines. All levels of learning welcome.