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Beginner's
Program
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Textual Tanach (Bible) Studies
Courses include a chevruta period (studying with a partner) and
guided class session,
learning the texts directly from Hebrew sources.
Students will be trained to gain the skills necessary for reading
and comprehension of a basic Torah text.
Chumash
(The Five Books of Moses)
The purpose of this course is to give
the student tools for gaining a clearer and deeper understanding
of Chumash (The five books of Moses). Textual analysis using Rashi,
Midrash, and modern commentaries will raise moral and religious
issues involving our ancestors, the relationship between them, and
the dilemmas they face.
Early
Prophets
The student will get acquainted with the period of Jewish history
described in the books of the early prophets, with emphasis on the
difference between secular history and the way history is portrayed
in the Bible. The student will practice reading original Hebrew
sources, and develop her comprehension skills.
Tehillim
(Psalms)
Moshe gave us the five Books of Law, the Torah. David offered us
the five Books of Emotion, the Tehillim. Few of us ever receive
the opportunity to grasp the inner aspect of this poetry from Heaven.
In addition to analyzing the fundamentals of syntax, our class methodology
includes meditation, writing, and group discussion, which will encourage
new intellectual and emotional insights. The student will gain the
tools to continue this study towards a deeper appreciation of the
Tehillim.
Song
of Songs
In this class we will thoroughly analyze the poetical Hebrew description
of Love and Nature with the aid of classical commentaries. In addition,
the student is encouraged to connect to the text with renewed wellsprings
of her own soul. The learning includes interactive singing, expressing
the Song of Songs in our own melodies.
Megillat
Ruth - The Scroll of Ruth
Why was Ruth, a convert from the lowest of people, selected to become
the mother of royalty? This question, together with topics such
as: "The True Nature of Kindness", "Love of the Land
of Israel", and "How to bring about Redemption" will
be elucidated as we tune into the characters' lives through drama
and art.
Megillat
Esther - The Scroll of Esther
This scroll sensitizes us to seeing G-d behind the
mask of His hiding place. While reading the text, we will touch
upon topics such as "Divine Providence", "The Relationship
between Good and Evil in the World", and "Women and Redemption".
Creative expression such as drama, dance and art will be incorporated
when appropriate.
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Women's Studies
Women
in the Bible
This course provides an in-depth analysis of significant
female Biblical personalities, such as Chava, Sarah, Rivka, Rachel,
and Leah. Texts will include selections from the Torah, accompanied
by readings from Midrash and the Zohar, as well as classical commentaries
in Hebrew and English. The media of drama, creative writing, dance
and song will be incorporated when appropriate.
Feminine
Workshop (Women and Judiasm)
Through
textual study and by reflecting upon our own lives, we will explore
the role of women in traditional Judaism. This highly interactive
class includes thorough and thoughtful discussions of topics such
as education, prayer, modesty, dating, marriage and family life.
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Jewish Thought
Students
will become familiar with basic principles of Jewish thought from
classical sources, as well as primary Chassidic concepts. Students
are strongly encouraged to apply these principles to help clarify
and resolve life's challenges.
Rabbinic
Profiles
This course offers an intellectual journey through Jewish history
as seen through the eyes of key figures of the period, including
Rashi, Ramban, and Rabbi Akiva.
Chassidic
Insights on the Weekly Torah Portion
Basic principles in Chassidisim will be connected with the weekly
parasha. Expanding on Rashi, and on the Baal Shem Tov and his students,
each session will focus on and develop key concepts based on the
weekly Torah portion.
Talmud
(The Oral Law)
The Oral Law is indispensable for accurate understanding of the
Torah. In this course, we will explore what constitutes the written
and oral components of the Torah, examining what characterizes each
body of writing and their dynamic interrelationship.
Halacha
Since the beginning of the Exile, the laws connected with cultivating
the land of Israel have been pushed into the background. With our
return, we now have the responsibility to know and practice the
laws of planting, tithes, orlah, and kelaim. By this merit, our
sages promise, the ultimate redemption will be forthcoming. In addition
to learning the "how" of these mitzvot, the student will
come to appreciate the process of the development of halacha from
the written Torah.
Derech Hashem: The Way of G-d
This
classic work of the 18th century master Kabbalist and Talmudist,
Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (The Ramchal), enables the exploration
of such topics as why Hashem created the world; the principles of
Hashem's Providence over human affairs; the suffering of the righteous
vs. the success of the wicked; the relationship between the soul
and the body; and the relationship between Israel and the nations.
Emphasis is placed on resolving some of the most basic contradictions
and dualities that we tend to encounter as Jews, thus giving the
student the clarity to strengthen her faith.
Tanya:
The Heart of Chabad
Tanya is unique among Chassidic writings in that it presents the
worldview of Chassidism in a systematic way. Additionally, it offers
extremely practical teachings about how to proceed through the difficulties
and resistance one encounters on a spiritual path. The course will
present the student with an in-depth interpretation of the text
together with guidance in applying the concepts of Tanya to the
challenges of one's life.
Likutei
Moharan: The Teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev
We will address the following questions relating to our spiritual
journey: "What should we do to make our prayers acceptable?"
"What is the way to come to perfect repentance?" "How
can one accept that everything that happens is for good?" "How
can one taste the Inner Light of the Torah?" and "What
is the pathway to inner peace and Universal Peace?"
Rav Kook
This course will give a glimpse of Rav Kook's all-encompassing universal
approach. Themes explored will include: "The Inner Connection
Between the Jewish People and the Land of Israel", The Vision
of Vegetarianism", "Art & Aesthetics", "Relationship
between Jew and Non-Jew", "Lower & Higher Teshuva".
Readings will be selected mainly
from Orot, Orot Hatshuva, and Orot Hakodesh.
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Hebrew
Language Development
(Beginning and
Advanced levels)
A variety of teaching materials will be used to practice reading,
writing, listening comprehension
and conversation throughout chevruta and courses.
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Creativity
and Self-Discovery
(Joint program for Beginners and Advanced
levels)
Jewish
Meditation
Based on techniques
rooted in our own Jewish tradition, this course may seem a more
viable alternative for one who is already familiar with Eastern
and Western meditative traditions. Guided by a well-qualified instructor,
the student is encouraged to enter upon the path of the inner spiritual
experience. The goal for both beginning and seasoned meditators
alike is to be ever mindful of how all the teachings of Torah, mitzvot
and prayers connect us directly to G-d.
Meditative
Movement
We develop flexibility
and strength, health and awareness through exercises focusing on
the harmony and unity of body, breath, and mind. We learn about
the sephirot to know ourselves made in G-d's image as vessels for
light and knowledge. We connect heaven and earth, the neshima (breath)
and the neshama (soul). Through this connection we grow in tefila
(prayer) and mitzvot, clinging to the Tree of Life, growing in peace
and joy.
Spiritual
Writing Workshop
Creative writing
is a tool for connecting to one's self, to one's world and to our
Creator. The workshop combines techniques such as mind maps, brainstorming,
meditation, memory scanning and opening the heart in order to develop
one's creative, spiritual and perceptual abilities. Each class combines
segments of theory, practice, and analysis of our works in a warm,
encouraging and non-competitive atmosphere. The students are guided
to explore and accept their inner thoughts and feelings and transform
them into creative writing.
Wisdom
of the Hebrew Alphabet
The 22 sacred letters
are the raw material of Creation. They are primal spiritual forces
that combine endlessly just as the elements of chemistry. We study
the form, name, numerical value, and dimensions hidden beneath the
surface of the letters. As building blocks of holiness in the world,
their study returns us to the roots of Torah. We also learn the
technique of how to hold a calligraphy pen and form the letters
properly, deepening our connection with the beauty of the art of
writing Hebrew letters.
Inner
Song Workshop
Music meditation
is a technique based on ancient Jewish tradition. It promotes deep
integration of sacred texts, inspires avodah (spiritual service),
and generates a heightened sense of well-being and connection to
G-d. Using sources from Chumash, Tehillim, Talmud, Chassidut and
Kabbalah, students are encouraged to create their own melodies in
a supportive setting.
Agricultural
Workshop
Long ago, travelers
to the Land of Israel willingly endangered their lives just to be
able to step foot on the Holy Land. They would bow down and kiss
its very ground. Through working the land, a Jew is able to connect
with the Creator, and work as a partner with G-d in transforming
thorns and thistles into a paradise of lush greenery, bountiful
with flowers, fruits, vegetables and all kinds of herbs. A unique
spiritual force enters one's body and soul while out in the fields
of the Judean Hills. Here our Patriarchs lived, traveled, experienced
joys and hardships, and had visions and insights into the future.
We, too, can attain higher awareness by simply reaching out to the
earth.
Herbal Workshop
The purpose of this workshop is to integrate Eastern, Western
and Native American herbology with the ancient wisdom of the Torah.
The course includes textual learning of Jewish sources on herbs
and healing, as well as general knowledge of the use of herbs. Moreover,
the workshop includes practice in the growing and gathering of herbs,
and in preparation of infusions, oils and tinctures.
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