Adult Jewish Learning
Generously supported by the Elaine Belle Krasik Fund for Adult Education.
Rabbi Dr. Danny Schiff
Gefsky Community Scholar Rabbi Danny Schiff made possible by the H. Arnold and Adrien B. Gefsky Endowment Fund of the Federation’s Jewish Community Foundation.
Explore Ongoing and Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Rashi: The Greatest Commentator of Jewish History
$55 for this 4-session series. Thursdays at 7:00 PM, Nov. 7 – Dec. 5. Please Note: No class on Nov. 28. *Please note on the brochure this class was marked as April 14, which is incorrect and we apologize for the confusion. Meet Rashi. This course will provide a closeup encounter with the most important and prolific commentator that the Jewish people has ever known, together with a look at some of his key insightful texts.
Early Prophets
$295 for this 25-session series.
Mondays at 9:30 AM, Sep. 23, 2024 – May 12, 2025.
Please Note: No class on Nov. 4, Dec. 23, 30, Jan. 6, Feb. 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, Apr. 14.
The prophetic section of the Hebrew Bible contains powerful material that is rarely studied closely. In this 25-session course, read through the works of the Early Prophets while gaining insights into their enduring significance.
Understanding Zionism: What It Is and How We Got Here
$145 for this 10-session series. Mondays at 7:00 PM, Sep. 30 – Dec. 9. Please Note: No class on Oct. 7. What is Zionism? This course will examine the history of the modern Zionist movement, its revolutionary impact on Jewish life and the challenges to Zionism in 2024.
Ten Pathways
$250 for this 20-session series.
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, Sep. 24, 2024 – May 20, 2025.
Please Note: No class on Nov. 5, 26, Dec. 17, 24, 31, Jan. 7-Mar. 4, Apr. 15.
If you want to study the essence of Judaism on a sophisticated level – no prior knowledge required – this 20-part course is for you. Designed by the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, this class delves into core Jewish concepts through accessible and engaging texts and conversations.
Jewsandwords
$90 for this 4-session series. Wednesdays at 9:30 AM, Jan. 15 – Feb.5 , 2025. In 2012, Amos Oz and his daughter, Fania Oz-Salzberger wrote “jewsandwords”. The book describes the “chain of words at the core of Jewish life, history, and culture.” In this course, we will read the book together and consider the chain of words that lies at the heart of Jewish literature.
Continuing Legal Education Series
The Alan Papernick Educational Institute Endowment Fund presents a 6-Part Series taught by Gefsky Community Scholar Rabbi Dr. Danny Schiff.
Earn 2 ethics credits per class!
Cost with credit: $195 series/$35 each individual class
Cost without credit: $165 series/$30 each individual class
CLE: Legalizing Cannabis Is It Jewishly Acceptable?
The legalization of cannabis is expanding. Jewish law has helpful insights on the use of cannabis both for medicinal and recreational purposes. This session will focus on cannabis concerns through a Jewish lens.
CLE: Understanding the Structure of Jewish Legal Texts
Written Torah. Oral Torah. Mishnah. Midrash. Talmud. Codes. Commentaries. Responsa. We often quote from these Jewish legal sources. But what exactly are they? How do they fit together and how important are they? This CLE will explore the structure of Jewish texts.
CLE: Jewish Law in the Legal System of Israel
Israel is a Jewish state. How, though, should Jewish law most appropriately be incorporated into the state’s legal system, and to what extent? This CLE will explore the controversial relationship between Jewish law and the state of Israel.
CLE: War Ethics in the Jewish Legal Tradition
War involves a host of moral and legal dilemmas. This session will explore these issues from a Jewish perspective: How do we know when war is just? How should we deal with innocent civilians? How are Jewish legal ideals incorporated into the conduct of the IDF?