Exploring Judaism: More than Just the Basics
Exploring Judaism: More than Just the Basics
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Looking to delve into the study of Judaism to learn more than just the basics? Join Rabbi Rena Blumenthal in this 16-session Reconstructionist-inspired program of Jewish immersion and learning. We will use Book of Life by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld and other provided materials for this program.
This program is perfect for those looking to convert to Judaism, new to Judaism, wanting a refresher, or looking for a way to kick-start their next steps in Jewish learning and practice.
After class, participants will:
- Have a broad sense of Jewish history, text, and practice
- Be aware of some of the cutting-edge issues in contemporary Judaism
- Have begun to experiment with their Jewish practices & and commitments
- Have a clearer sense of the next steps in their Jewish learning and practice
About the Instructor
Rabbi Rena Blumenthal is a freelance rabbi based in New Paltz, New York. She graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2003, and worked at Vassar College as Assistant Director of the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life and Rachlin Advisor to Jewish Students from 2003-2014. Prior to becoming a rabbi, Rena worked for fifteen years as a psychologist in New York City and Jerusalem. Her freelance rabbinate has included campus consultation for Jewish life, a wide range of formal and informal teaching opportunities, training of interfaith college chaplains, hospital chaplaincy, officiating at weddings and other lifecycle events, and leadership of a monthly Havurah service for the New Paltz community. Rena is the author of a novel, https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/book/the-book-of-israela
Course Schedule
Week 1: Sept. 8, 2024
Lech Lecha: Sharing our Jewish journeys
Basic Concepts: What is Judaism?
Week 2: Sept. 22, 2024
Biblical History & Texts
Week 3: Oct. 20, 2024
Shabbat & the Jewish Calendar
Week 4: Nov. 3, 2024
The Jewish Year Cycle: Winter & Early Spring Holidays
Week 5: Nov. 17, 2024
Denominations & Theology
Week 6: Dec. 1, 2024
The Synagogue: Structure of the Prayers, Communal Prayer, Ritual Garments
Week 7: Dec. 15, 2024
Rabbinic History & Texts
Week 8: Jan. 19, 2025
The Obligated Jew: Mitzvah, Halacha, Hesed, Tikkun Olam
Week 9: Feb. 2, 2025
The Jewish Home: Ritual Objects, Kashrut, Blessings
Week 10: Feb. 16, 2025
The Jewish Year Cycle: Spring and Summer Holidays
Week 11: Mar. 2, 2025
Medieval Jewish History & Texts
Week 12: Mar. 23, 2025
Life Cycle 1: Birth, B’nei Mitzvah, Sexuality, Marriage
Week 13: Apr. 5, 2025
Life Cycle 2: Death & Mourning; Conversion; Contemporary Rituals
Week 14: Apr. 27, 2025
Modern Jewish History: The Emancipation of the Jews; Early Zionism; the Holocaust
Week 15: May 18, 2025
The Jewish Year Cycle: The Fall Holidays
Week 16: June 1, 2025
Contemporary Judaisms: Jewish Feminism, LGBTQ Jews, BIPOC Jews; Zionism today
Tzeh u’lmad: “Now Go and Study!”