Adult

February Events

Adult Education at Temple Sinai 2011-2012  / 5771- 5772

 Jewish Imaginings: Readings and Insights
9:15- 10:30 a.m.  1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays of each month (begins Sep 6)
Rabbi’s study

We will be reading from Elie Wiesel’s book Wise Men and Their Tales and Nathan Englander’s book For the Relief of Unbearable Urges  Each student is asked to purchase a copy the texts prior to class (check Amazon’s used book prices.) Reading will be assigned prior to each meeting to allow maximum time for discussion.

 Rabbinic Profiles: Candidates for Your Consideration
Friday Services,  Jan 6, Feb 3, Mar 2, Apr 20
Synagogue sanctuary

Rabbi Scott will lead us in (8) Shabbat eve sermonic discussions based on the personal stories of rabbis describing their experiences in the rabbinate published in the CCAR Journal Winter 2011.  Two “candidates” will be in play each sermon. The readings to be discussed at each Shabbat service will be available beforehand on our web-site and we encourage people to look at these before the service.

Jan 06    “A Clearing” and “The Rabbi as a Lost Soul”
Feb 03    “Not in the Heavens” and “The Rabbi as Values-Based Corporate Leader”
Mar 02    “People Plan, God Laughs” and “I Have Learned from Each Person”
Apr 20    “Still Becoming a Rabbi” and “My ‘New’ Rabbi”

 Getting Bitten by the Parashiyote: Tackling the Conundrums of the Weekly Portions
Saturdays, 9-10 AM (begins Sep 10)
Rabbi’s Study

This class meets to discuss the week’s parashah (portion.)  Come wrestle with the words of Torah to gain new insights and understandings.  Although facilitated by Rabbi Scott, the hope is that everyone feels comfortable to actively participate in the discussions. To optimize time for discussion please try to read the week’s portion before class.

 Grappling with Forces of Change: Reform Judaism now and Tomorrow
Saturdays, 10-11AM,  Dec. 10,17, Mar 3,10,17
Rabbi’s Study

This class will help us hone our vision of our community by offering a broader perspective of Reform Judaism today and tomorrow.  Readings will come from the CCAR Journal Spring 2011 and be available beforehand in our weekly newsletter. Copies will be available on the day of class.

 Curiously Interfaith
Saturdays, 10-11AM, Jan 28, Feb 4
Rabbi’s Study

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.”
[Isaiah 56.7]

Prophetic words remain a dream unless concretized by our actions. If you are not Jewish but are part of a Jewish partnership or family, and if you would like to become more familiar with and/or have questions about Jewish practices and beliefs, then we would be honored to welcome you (and your Jewish partner, if he/she wishes) to participate in a series of six exploratory sessions

Texts: To Life: a celebration of Jewish being and thinking by Harold Kushner

The How To Handbook of Jewish Living, vols. I & II, by Kerry Olitzky & Ronald Isaacs [available for almost next to nothing at www.amazon.com]

RSVP:            rabbi@templesinaiworcester.org

Voices of Song
Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00

Join Cantor Kim for an exploration of noteworthy composers of Jewish liturgical music. Learn about their lives, their compositions, and their impact on the world of Jewish music. Each study session is a prelude to a shabbat evening service featuring the music of that composer. Come to one or to the whole series!

Cantillation
Saturdays, Jan 14, 21, Feb 4: 10-11AM

Learn why and how we chant Torah. Biblical cantillation is among the oldest notated music on the planet. If you can read Hebrew, you can chant Torah. Master the basics of cantillation in three painless sessions. Attending the first, Jan 14th class, is essential as both later classes build on the foundations taught that day. Cantor Kim.

The Astrophysics of the Torah
Saturdays, Jan 28, Feb 4: 11 a.m.

Session 1- “in the beginning” How do the astronomical events in the Torah compare with what astronomers and physicists have learned through scientific studies? How well does the creation story in Bereshit match up with the “Big Bang” description?
Session 2- “Earthquakes, Rainbows and the Day the Earth Stood Still”- What would it have meant when Joshua asked God to make the sun stand still, from a 21st-century point of view? We’ll tackle this and similar questions in a presentation-plus-discussion format. Led by our own Les Blatt, PhD.

Celebrate Lifelong Jewish Learning: Community Adult Education in Central MA

Many of the Temple Sinai events above are also featured in this community wide brochure.

Download the brochure for Fall 2011 – Spring 2012 / Jewish Year 5772
A Collaborative Effort of the Jewish Communities of Central Massachusetts