Colliding Dreams: The Modern Zionist Movement as Told Through the Eyes of its Inhabitants
Program:Hebrew College Tamid Instructor: Jan Darsa (Read Bio) Dates: 6 Thursdays, Fall 2024: 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5 & 12/12 Time: 7:30-9:00 p.m. ET | 4:30-6 p.m. PT Course fee: $240, financial aid is available Location: Zoom Hosted by: Hebrew College Registration:Click here
The Course will explore the evolution of Zionism from a concept to a modern reality and necessity. Through film, poetry, music and readings we will explore the evolution of modern Zionism and its impact on the people who live in the modern state of Israel. We will examine the Jewish national rebirth in its historical homeland in Palestine- one of the most dramatic stories of rebirth the world has ever seen. Yet its history is fraught with conflict. The very legitimacy of the Zionist idea and the state of Israel are questioned more today than ever before. The debate over Israel, triggered by the latest conflict, is often guided by emotion rather than substance, by fear, anger or deep loyalty, rather than an understanding of Zionism and its history. The course is an attempt to bring these issues and the questions they raise to the forefront of our conversations. Drawing on the latest historical scholarship and the celebrated documentary film Colliding Dreams, we will address the internal battles as well as the continuing conflict between Jews and Palestinians, between Jews and Jews, attentive to a wide range of viewpoints. The course will provide a powerful antidote to the lack of knowledge many have regarding these issues. We will read Daniel Sokatch’s relatively new book “Can We Talk About Israel” and portions of “My Promised Land” by Ari Shavit as well as articles, poetry and literature.
Program:Hebrew College Tamid Instructor: Elisha Gechter (Read Bio) Dates: 5 Mondays, Fall 2024: 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30 & 10/7 Time: 8-9:30 p.m. ET for Zoom classes. In-person classes on 9/9 and 10/7 will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (Zoom option available for anyone unable to attend in person. Course fee: $200, financial aid is available Location: Hybrid. In Person on 9/9 at Temple Bnai Brith, Somerville, and on 10/7 at Lehrhaus, Cambridge. All other dates online via Zoom. Hosted by: Hebrew College and Honeymoon Israel (Read Info) Registration:Click here
Ever spotted a Jewish character in a TV show and wished you had a “book club” to discuss the episodes with? Join our class 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, in ways they are stereotypical, and in what ways they are more inclusive and expansive. Between sessions, participants will watch a 30–50-minute episode of shows like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, 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, why representation matters, and how you are left feeling from the different scenes.
Please note: If you have studied with Elisha before, the content will all be new.
Please also note: This class’s first session on 9/9 will meet in-person at Temple Bnai Brith in Somerville, and the last session on 10/7 will meet in person at Lehrhaus in Cambridge. For both of these classes, there will be a Zoom option for anyone unable to attend in person. The in-person sessions will begin at 7 p.m.
White Christian Nationalism & the Presidential Election
Program:Hebrew College Tamid Instructor: Rabbi Or Rose and Reverend Dr. Rob Schenck (Read Bios) Dates: 3 Thursdays, Fall 2024: 9/12, 9/19 & 9/26 Time: 7-8:30 p.m. ET Course fee: $150, financial aid is available Location: Zoom Hosted by: Hebrew College Registration:Click here
What is the relationship between religion, race, and democracy within conservative Christian circles in the United States? What is the history of these ideologies and alliances? To what extent is white Christian nationalism a danger to our country—particularly in this election cycle? What role can members of different religious and cultural communities play in countering this form of bigotry and work with Christians to promote the rights and freedoms of all Americans?
Program:Hebrew College Tamid Instructor: Rabbi Or Rose and Reverend Dr. Rob Schenck (Read Bios) Dates: 3 Thursdays, Fall 2024: 11/7, 11/14 & 11/21 Time: 7-8:30 p.m. ET Course fee: $150, financial aid is available Location: Zoom Hosted by: Hebrew College Registration: Click here
The time has come for a new conversation among members of the Jewish and Evangelical communities to discuss our relationships to Israel? Turmoil in the Israel and the Palestinian territories, as well as in the United States call for an honest and searching discussion of our theological, historical, and political connections to Israel. What, for example, is the role of messianism or eschatology (interpretations of “end-times” prophecies) in this context? Do we share some common values and commitments? Where do we differ? To what extent are these differences present within each of our respective communities?
Program:Hebrew College Tamid Instructor: Rabbi Nehemia Polen (Read Bio) Dates: 5 Wednesdays, Fall 2024: 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4 & 12/11 Time: 10-11:30 a.m. ET Course fee: $250, financial aid is available Location: In Person at Hebrew College Hosted by: Hebrew College Registration:Click here
Who succeeds the parent/leader/teacher/prophet? This is a key question for any culture, and certainly for Judaism—so focused on transmission of wisdom, spirit, historical memory and blessing. Our study explores biblical, rabbinic, kabbalistic and Hasidic accounts of transmission of charisma, as well as historical examples of tension and rupture between a master and a disciple and examines the pitfalls that can arise. We will explore parallels to contemporary practices of mentoring in education, science, medicine, the humanities and arts, such as music.
Program:Hebrew College Tamid Instructor: Carolyn Ringel, J.D., M.B.E. (Read Bio) Dates: 4 Sundays, Fall 2024: 9/29, 10/6, 10/13 & 10/20 Time: 7-8:30 p.m. ET Course fee: $160, financial aid is available Location: Zoom Hosted by: Hebrew College Registration:Click here
Designer babies? Artificial wombs? Psychedelic therapy? This is not just the stuff of science fiction; these topics were all pulled from current news headlines. In this four-week class, we will wrestle with issues in reproductive ethics, mental illness and addiction, end of life decisions and other “hot topics” in bioethics from our own personal moral code, and look at what Judaism has to say on these topics.
