Open Circle Jewish Learning Archives

Zivug: Transition to Marriage

Program: Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning: Young Adults
Instructor: Rabbi Getzel Davis (Read bio)
Session: Summer
Day and Time: Thursdays, 8-9:30 p.m.
Dates: June 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2023 (6 sessions)
Location: Zoom
Fee: $108

Join Rabbi Getzel for a 6-class series directed toward couples on love, the meaning of “bashert” (our intended one), and the conscious transition to marriage. Through Jewish wisdom, guided exercises, and frank conversations, we will explore the growth and maintenance of vibrant relationships. Open to couples (all gender and multi-faith expressions of partnership strongly welcome) in the year preceding or following a wedding. Topics will include: What Changes When We Marry? How to Fight Better, Money, Assets, and Debt, Religious Differences, Sex and Intimacy, Sharing Responsibilities

Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning is for learners of all backgrounds.

“Sinning for God”: When do the Ends Justify the Means?

Course Title: “Sinning for God”: When do the Ends Justify the Means?
Program: Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning: Texts and Traditions
Instructor: Aron Wander (Read bio)
Session: Summer 2023
Day and Time: Sundays, 10-11:30 a.m. Eastern
Dates: July 9, 16, 23, 30; August 6, 2023 (5 sessions)
Location: Online via Zoom
Fee: $180 Generous financial scholarships available

How do we build a better world when we know our actions may have unintended or unavoidable economic, political, or ecological consequences? What is justified in the pursuit of justice?

In “Sinning for God,” we’ll explore two related rabbinic concepts: mitzvah ha’ba be’aveirah (a would-be mitzvah that is forbidden because it comes about by way of a sin) and aveirah lishmah (a would-be sin that is permitted because it serves a higher purpose).

We’ll begin by studying their Talmudic origins, and then we’ll consider how they’ve played out in different historical periods and across varying political, economic, and moral issues. Throughout, we’ll use our learning to shed light on the moral dilemmas and paradoxes we face today. At stake will be an underlying question: when do moral ends justify questionable means, and when do immoral means corrupt us, no matter how noble our goals are?

Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning is for learners of all backgrounds.

Who is Righteous?

Course Title: Who is Righteous?
Program: Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning: Texts and Traditions
Instructor: Rabbi Eric Gurvis (Read bio)
Dates: July 11, 18, 23; August 1, 8, 2023 (5 sessions)
Day and Time: Tuesdays 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Online via Zoom
Session: Summer 2023
Fee: $180 Generous Financial Scholarships available

In Deuteronomy tradition we are taught, “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” Early in the Rabbinic period the legend of a quorum of righteous person developed as our Sages understanding of what it takes to sustain the world. Over time, this evolved into the tradition that in each generation there must be at least thirty-six righteous persons for the world to be sustained. These people, often hidden, became known as the lamed-vavnikim (lamed+vav=36).

What do these teachings mean for us in our time?
What does it mean to be a righteous person?
Whom did tradition hold up as a model?
How can these teachings inspire us to pursue righteousness in our lives, and in our time?

We will explore texts from across the breadth and depth of Jewish tradition (in translation).

Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning is for learners of all backgrounds.

Reading the Rabbis

Program: Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning: Texts and Traditions
Instructor: Rabbi Natan Margalit (Read bio)
Partner Organization: Organic Torah, Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal
Location: Online via Zoom

Reading the Rabbis: Pirkei Avot, Chapter Three (7 sessions) > New <
Session: Summer 2023
Day and Time: Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Eastern
Dates: June 7, 14, 21, 28; July 19, 26; August 2, 2023
Fee: $252 Generous financial scholarships available

If you have some Hebrew knowledge but have been wishing that you could “break the Sefer Barrier” and learn to read classic Jewish texts such as the Mishnah and rabbinic commentaries on your own, this is for you. We strike a balance between focus on Hebrew reading skills and commenting and discussing the fascinating ideas and content of one of the most beloved of rabbinic texts: Pirkei Avot. Pirkei Avot is a unique collection of ethics sayings and wisdom of the ancient rabbis. In this class we will focus on Chapter Three. We’ll mostly rely on the commentary of Ovadia Bartenura (1445-1515) as well as other classic commentaries and an occasional Hasidic commentary.

Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning is for learners of all backgrounds.

Create an Open Circle Jewish Learning Class

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.

Father, Abba, Tatti Circle: Parenting in Partnership

Program: Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning: Parenting and Grandparenting
Instructor: Rabbi Getzel Davis (Read bio)
Day and Time: Sundays, 7:30-9 p.m.
Dates: February 12, March 12, April 16, May 7, June 11, July 9, 2023 (6 sessions)
Location: In-person at Lehrhaus, Somerville, MA
Fee: $108
Please note that this class is full.

Join Rabbi Getzel Davis and Boston-based dads for a feminist and anti-racist exploration of what it means to raise young Jewish children today. This cycle we will be focusing on our relationships with our partners — how to practice love, negotiate careers, intimacy, and aging parents up against the incredible work of being a dad. Through a combination of reflection on modern and ancient Jewish wisdom, and conversation, fathers will explore questions of identity and spirituality. By the end of this course, we will have a clearer sense of how Jewish identity and upbringing intersect with our parenting and develop strategies for becoming a better father and partner. Enthusiastically open to all regardless of Jewish education, Hebrew background, interfaith status, or queer identity.

Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning is for learners of all backgrounds.

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Course Program: Open Circle Jewish Learning

Zivug: Transition to Marriage

“Sinning for God”: When do the Ends Justify the Means?

Who is Righteous?

Reading the Rabbis

Father, Abba, Tatti Circle: Parenting in Partnership

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