SOJC Knowledge College
Lifelong Learning Winter / Spring 2013 Schedule
“Knosh and Knowledge” with Rabbi Hillel Skolnik: “The 10 Commandments of Shavuot”
The First Sunday of every month at 10:30 AM
May 5
Join Rabbi Hillel for this once-a-month opportunity to discuss current events, learn about an upcoming Jewish holiday, and explore our tradition in an informal setting. Both Knosh and Knowledge will be provided.
“Talking Torah in Tennis Shoes: Women’s Torah Study” with Rabbi Sharon Skolnik
TBD
Women of SOJC are invited to rejoin Rabbi Sharon Barr Skolnik for another comfortable, casual conversation about Torah. Together we will explore and develop relationships with the complex and often overlooked women who helped mold our Torah and tradition, while both connecting with one another and asking and answering questions even the commentator couldn’t imagine! To support this program, a contribution of $25 is suggested for members of the congregation; non-members will be charged $36.
“As the Torah Turns” with Mary Roufa
Saturdays after Shabbat Services
Mary Roufa leads a lively discussion of the parashah, the weekly Torah portion, Saturdays after Shabbat services. This is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the Hebrew Bible and to explore its meaning in a relaxed, conversational setting.
“Pirkei Avot, An Exploration in Hebrew and English of the Teachings of the Sages” with Rich Waldor
Sundays at 9:15 AM – May 5 and 12
Rich Waldor will lead a class designed for beginning/intermediate Hebrew learners to practice reading in Hebrew, work on strengthening vocabulary and discuss ancient writings (in English) in a group setting. We will meet, schedules permitting, once per week during Sunday morning Religious School, for approximately 1½ hours.
The class will explore the first chapter of Pirkei Avot, (which is found in our Siddur, in English and Hebrew), discussing perhaps one or two sayings per session. “(Pirkei Avot, literally) ‘Chapters of the Fathers,’ is a compilation of the ethical teachings and maxims of the Rabbis of the Mishnaic period. Because of its contents, it is also called Ethics of the Fathers. The teachings of Pirkei Avot appear in the Mishnaic tractate of Avot, the second-to-last tractate in the order of Nezikin in the Talmud. Pirkei Avot is unique in that it is the only tractate of the Talmud dealing solely with ethical and moral principles; there is little or no halacha found in Pirkei Avot” (from Wikipedia).
Each student will receive an email on the Monday prior to class describing the next session’s material and perhaps a selection of commentary on the reading. The class will read that week’s selection out loud and try to make sense of the Hebrew words. We will then discuss the reading and explore its historical underpinnings and cultural context, if possible.
We hope for a lively discussion and a good, relatively painless process of practicing pronunciation and perception. We will roughly follow the tradition of reading Pirkei Avot from Pesach through Shavuot. We look forward to working with students of classes past as well as many new faces as we explore together the wisdom of the ages.
“Time for Text” with Rabbi Hillel Skolnik
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
May 7
The Book of 1st Samuel
Join Rabbi Hillel Skolnik for an in-depth exploration of the Book of 1st Samuel and read the stories of Samuel, Saul and David’s slaying of Goliath.
“Conversion Class” with Rabbi Hillel Skolnik
Wednesdays at 7:30 PM on Religious School Days (through March 13)
This is the continuation of the SOJC conversion class that started in the Fall under the guidance of Rabbi Hillel Skolnik for those interested in converting to Judaism. The class will meet Wednesday evenings through mid-March when there is religious school, and will learn about the foundational beliefs of Judaism, take a trip through the Hebrew Bible, explore our history, discover Jewish tradition and learn to read Hebrew. Registration for this class is closed, but those interested in the future should contact Rabbi Skolnik directly by email – rabbi@sojc.org – or by phone – 407-239-5444.
“Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class” with Cantor Doug Ramsay
- Open to all SOJC members
- Learn to read from the Torah
- Learn Haftarah
- Learn the Shabbat (Saturday morning) prayers
- Learn to Lead Prayers
- Taught by Cantor Doug Ramsay