My Neighbor’s Faith: Exploring Narratives of Encounter, Challenge, and Growth Across Differences
Program: Hebrew College Me’ah Select
Instructor: Rabbi Or Rose (Read Bio)
Dates: 6 Thursdays, 4/11, 4/18, 5/2, 5/16, 5/23 & 5/30
Time: 7-9 p.m. Eastern
Course fee: $270, financial aid is available
Location: Hybrid – In Person at Hebrew College with Online option via Zoom
Hosted by: Hebrew College
This course is generously underwritten by The Rita J. And Stanley H. Kaplan Foundation in memory of Paul Alan Kaplan z”l.
Based on the 2012 award-winning collection by the same name (and including materials from the 2023 follow-up volume, With the Best of Intentions), this course offers students the opportunity to explore narratives of transformative encounter across lines of difference. With wisdom, wit, courage, and humility, the writers—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.—share their experience of border-crossing and the lessons learned from their interreligious and cross-cultural adventures. We live in one of the most religiously diverse society in the history of humankind. Every day, people of different beliefs, ideals, and practices encounter one another in a myriad of settings. How has this new situation of widespread diversity impacted the way we understand the religious other, ourselves, and God (or ultimacy)? Can we learn to live together with mutual respect, working together for the creation of a more compassionate, just, and sustainable world?
For more information, contact meah@hebrewcollege.edu
Thank you for your interest in Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning.
Starting in 2016, Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning courses took place in living rooms and synagogue meeting rooms, creating safe, intimate spaces to strengthen social connections through shared learning journeys. Open Circle Jewish Learning has expanded with online learning to include learners from as far as the FIJI Islands and Australia!
Open Circle Jewish Learning brings groups of friends together to learn with veteran and new instructors. Designed for learners of all backgrounds, sometimes groups approach the Open Circle Jewish Learning team to request a course in a specific topic, and we work to match instructors with groups. Sometimes instructors submit course proposals (in May and November) after coordinating with student groups.
Some topics that groups of students are interested in are: Jewish Texts, Ritual, Israel, History, Jewish Thought, Holidays, Calendar, Social Action, Young Adults, Mussar, Spirituality, Parenting, Grandparenting, Art and Culture. We welcome the opportunity to match your interests with instructors.
For instructors wishing to teach through Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning, we welcome the opportunity to understand your particular passions and keep your name handy for groups looking to learn a topic within your area of expertise.
Student groups and instructors are invited to contact the Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning Team at opencircleregistration@hebrewcollege.edu.
Course Title: Jewish Narratives in Pop Culture: Winter Spring Edition ( 6 sessions-2 hybrid and 4 online only)
Program: Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning
Instructor: Elisha Gechter
Day and Time: Mondays, 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET; *hybrid sessions, 7:30-9:00 p.m ET.
Dates: 2/12, *2/26; 3/4, 3/18, 3/25, *4/1 2024 (6 sessions)
Location: Online via Zoom; hybrid in-person at Lehrhaus, Somerville, MA
Fee: $150 Financial scholarships available
Back by popular demand! Join this course to unpack specific episodes from television series featuring Jewish characters and/or themes, and discuss the ways that Jews show up in pop culture today. We will examine the narratives being raised and interrogate in which ways they are stereotypical or perhaps inclusive and expansive. Between sessions participants will watch 30–50-minute episodes of shows including Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Weeds, Shtisel and more. Come ready to discuss and reflect on examples of overtly Jewish shows and characters, as well as ones that are more subtle, or creative. You’ll be with an eclectic group to consider how the stories and people portrayed land with you, and why representation matters. While this is a continuation of a fall 2023 course, all are welcome – no prior participation required.
Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning classes are for learners of all backgrounds.
Canadian and other registrants from outside the US: please email Cindy Bernstein to complete your registration. We apologize for the inconvenience.
