Riverside Temple Beth El
Adult Education Calendar, 5769 (2008-2009)

Reform Judaism: Thursdays, 7 – 8:30 PM

Session 1: Sept. 4
The seeds of Reform Judaism in 19th century Germany, as well as its leading figures: Israel Jacobson, Samuel Holdheim, and Abraham Geiger.

Session 2: Sept. 11
Reform in America: Isaac Mayer Wise’s role in creating the union of congregations and the first successful American rabbinical seminary; the opposition from the Orthodox and the Radical Reformer such as David Einhorn.

Session 3: Sept. 18
A comparison of the various Reform Platforms and their evolution, from 1885 to 1999.

Selichot Study: Saturday, Sept. 20, 7 – 8:30 PM

The liturgy of the High Holy Days, in particular the “Unetaneh Tokef” (“Who shall live and who shall die”)

High Holiday Prep: Sunday, Sept. 28, 11 AM – 12:30 PM

The Binding of Isaac: Various Interpretations

Medical Ethics: Thursdays, 7 – 8:30 PM

Session 1: Oct. 23
The Jewish view of healing: Rabbi Doug Kohn speaks about his new book, Life, Faith and Cancer: Jewish Journeys Through Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Session 2: Oct. 30
The Jewish view of birth control, abortion, stem cell research, and scientific technologies

Session 3: Nov. 13
The Jewish view of treating the terminally ill, artificial nutrition and organ donation

Chanukah: Thursday, Dec. 11, 7 – 8:30 PM

The history behind Chanukah: rebellion against the Greeks or civil war?

Introduction to Judaism: Sundays, 1 – 3 PM

Torah Study: Saturdays, 10 – 11:30 AM

Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, Nov. 15, Dec. 13

Discussion about the portion of the week