LEARNING
Exploring the World of Judaism
We are excited to invite you to Exploring the World of Judaism, a brand new program that is specially designed by and for religious school parents as well as for other interested adults.
Exciting new programs start in January 2012.
The sessions meet on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, while your kids are in religious school, and feature a wide range of topics, all taught at an adult level by leading experts in the field. Each session is self contained, requires no advance reservation, and is free to congregants. One of the great things about this series is that whether you’re a rabbi or someone who has never attended a day of religious school, you are certain to find these speakers engaging and interesting.
Our series, offered in conjunction with the Bureau of Jewish Education and partially sponsored by the Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust and Congregation Shir Hadash, is an easy and convenient way for you to broaden your Jewish horizons, enrich your Jewish experience and show your kids that Jewish education is important.
For the Winter/Spring semester, Exploring the World of Judaism will include talks on diversity in the Jewish world, including the different movements of contemporary Judaism; the multiple cultural, political, and spiritual divides in Israel; and Jewish life in foreign lands from Afghanistan through Yemen. We will also focus on parental concerns in talking with our children about the Holocaust and in raising self-reliant young people, and have a hands on talk about Jewish cooking. Speakers will include Michael Krasney of KQED's Forum and our own Cantor Felder-Levy. The talks are open to all — hope to see you often.
We hope you will PICK SIX (OR MORE) of the wonderful programs to attend this year!
Fall 2011 Schedule
September 18
A historical approach to stereotypes and reality
Rabbi Henry Shreibman, Ph.D. Professor of Religion, Ethics and Philosophy, Dominican University and Sonoma State University
September 25
Views of God from Religions Around the World
Concepts of the Sacred from Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism, Islam and Christianity
Judith Berling, Ph.D., Professor of Chinese and Comparative Religions, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley
October 16
Talking About God With Your Kids (and Yourself!)
Ellen Stromberg, creator and facilitator of Jewish Spirituality Workshops for adults and children and Jewish educator
October 30
Understanding the history, issues and attitudes behind today’s headlines
Eran Kaplan, Ph.D. Richard and Rhoda Goldman Chair in Israeli Studies, San Francisco State University
November 6
The Universal Values of Jewish Parenting
For Families of All Backgrounds
Mayim Bialik, Ph.D, Spokesperson for Holistic Moms’ Network, Author and Actress
November 20
Who Was A Jew 3,000 Years Ago?
A Biblical and Archeological Approach
Jill Katz, Ph.D., Lecturer in Archaeology and Anthropology, Yeshiva University
December 4
Isaias Hellman & the early history of California’s Jewish communities
Frances Dinkelspiel, author of the award winning Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California
Winter/Spring 2012 Schedule
Download the EWJ brochure (PDF).
January 8
How Israelis navigate multiple cultural, political and spiritual divides
Ilan Vitemberg, Director Israel Education Initiative, Bureau of Jewish Education
January 29
The Jewish Partisans of World War II
The Story of the Jews Who Fought the Germans and their Collaborators
Mitch Braff, Founder and Director Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation
February 12
The Exotic Life of Jews from Afghanistan to Yemen
Ken Blady, MA
February 26
Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic’s Quest
Michael Krasny, Ph.D., host of KQED’s Forum and Professor, San Francisco State University
March 11
Israeli Food from Past to Present
Rebecca Ets-Hokin, Certified Culinary Professional and Jewish food writer
March 25
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee
Using Jewish teachings to raise self-reliant children
Nechama Tamler, MFCC, educational consultant
April 1
Teaching Your Children About the Holocaust
Ilona Shechter, Teacher Fellow, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
April 22
The Lifeguard Who Revolutionized Worship
New Reform Music in America
Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy, Cantor Congregation Shir Hadash
May 6
The Worlds of Contemporary Judaism
From Ultra Orthodox to Jewish Renewal
Nathaniel Deutsch, Ph.D., Professor of Literature and History and Co-Director, Center for Jewish Studies, University of California Santa Cruz
