Talmud: Significant Relevance to Today – Avot d'Rabbi Natan Tractate

Instructor: Rabbi Lyle Fishman, Tuesday morning 

This course will examine Avot d'Rabbi Natan (ARN). The longest of the minor tractates of the Talmud, it dates back to the first millennium. ARN is often seen as a companion volume to Pirkei Avot and contains many teachings, proverbs, and incidents not found anywhere else in early rabbinic literature. Unlike Pirkei Avot, however, ARN rarely presents pithy observations but instead provides long commentaries on these brief statements. Studying ARN can generate provocative and interesting discussions on topics relevant to present-day issues, including the nature of common human courtesy and how to settle disputes amicably. 

Israel and Gaza: From Conflict to Conflict 

Instructor: Eric Gartman, Tuesday morning 

On October 7, 2023, a new chapter in the Middle East erupted in the wake of the brutal mass attack by Hamas on Israel, killing more than 1,200 civilians, and leading to another war. While the scale of the attack was unprecedented, conflict between Israel and Gaza dates back for decades. In this class, we will examine the historical background of the conflict, including the Palestinian narrative of loss and displacement as a justification for Hamas' actions, the question of colonization, the international efforts made for peace negotiations, and possible solutions for the future. 

Cultural Appropriation – Give and Take

Instructor: Rabbi Avis Miller, Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening

We often speak about “Jewish tradition,” but what is authentically Jewish, and what is Jew-ish? What did we borrow from surrounding traditions and adapt for our own purposes? What Jewish rituals and liturgy did Christianity and Islam appropriate? What iconic Jewish foods were adapted from other cultures? What tunes and tropes have influenced Jewish music? Explore the fascinating world of give and take, among Jews and their neighbors from different times and places. 

Israel’s Crisis of Democracy

Instructor: Dr. Steven J. Klein, Wednesday afternoon

When the State of Israel was established in 1948, its founders declared that it would “be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel,” ensuring “complete equality of social and political rights” and guaranteeing basic freedoms. These statements have been the basis for the ongoing commitment to keeping Israel both democratic and Jewish. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government triggered a political crisis in 2023 when it launched an effort to reform the judicial system in general and the Supreme Court in particular, so that they would better reflect conservative jurisprudence. Opponents who consider these proposed changes to be anti-democratic have strenuously protested. This course reviews the various approaches to Israeli democracy, surveys the evolution of the judiciary and provides tools for understanding the current crisis and its implications for the future of Israeli democracy. 

Rashi

Instructor: Rabbi Greg Harris, Wednesday evening

Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzchak, is likely the most widely published and studied commentator of the rabbinic period. His writings are essential components for studying the Tanach and Talmud today. Rashi’s style blends midrashic and halachic materials with the charge of offering a clear understanding of the texts. We will look at his commentaries and ask the perennial question of Rashi’s students: “What is bothering Rashi?” This question pushes us to see the problems Rashi is addressing through his rich teachings. All materials will be provided in both Hebrew and English.

Driving on Shabbat and More: An Exploration of How We Observe

Instructor: Rabbi David Abramson, Wednesday evening

In 2023, the Rabbinical Assembly accepted two new responsa on the question of driving an electric car to synagogue on Shabbat. Wasn’t the question of driving to synagogue on Shabbat settled almost 75 years ago with most Conservative Jews driving to the synagogue, now for generations? This class won’t be simply about technicalities of transportation on Shabbat. We’ll explore how we think about Shabbat, how we behave on Shabbat, and how we define ourselves and our spiritual lives through the letter and spirit of Jewish law. Come join us for this interesting – and, perhaps, surprisingly meaningful – exploration. 

Antisemitism: History and Evolution

Instructor: Dr. Naomi Daremblum, Wednesday evening

A recent report released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in April documented a substantial increase in antisemitic incidents from those reported in 2022, reaching the highest number on record since ADL began tracking these incidents in 1979. As Jewish communities around the world and in the U.S. feel the impact of this rising tide of antisemitic attacks, this course explores the history of antisemitism from its 5th century beginnings with Augustine of Hippo to the Holocaust. The class will explore how antisemitism evolved through the centuries, and how European antisemitism was transplanted to the U.S. from colonial times to the present. We will also examine the transformation of antisemitism since the birth of the State of Israel and the efforts to combat antisemitism around the world and in American society today.

Torah and Technology

Instructor: Rabbi Deborah Megdal, Wednesday evening

How do we use technology ... morally? While technology has transformed our lives, we are still the People of the (very old) Book. Looking for moral guidance at the intersection of old and new, we will study decisions of the Conservative Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards on modern questions of Jewish law and ethics brought about by technological advancements, focusing on the work of Rabbi Danny Nevins (the former dean of the JTS Rabbinical School and prolific scholar). Topics will include Jewish parameters for genetic engineering, Kashrut of cultured meat, artificial intelligence and autonomous machines, triage and the sanctity of life, and contemporary criteria for the declaration of death. 

Second Temple Period: From Temple Judaism to Rabbinic Judaism 

Instructor: Gideon Amir, Wednesday evening

Today’s Judaism is far from what we call Biblical Judaism or Temple Judaism and is really the product of the Bible as a basis and rabbinic layers on top of it. In this course we will examine the evolution of Judaism through the generations from Second Temple Judaism into Rabbinic Judaism. The class will cover these topics: the canonization and standardization of the Bible; Apocrypha books and the Dead Sea scrolls as reflecting developments in Jewish theology and practice; the conflict between the Pharisees and the Sadducees (and other sects); the changing role of the Torah; and the evolution into Rabbinic Judaism.