Past Events › Learning

Join Rabbi Gershon and three of his rabbinic colleagues as they teach us about their respective Judaic denominations. We will explore the areas where we agree and the issues on which we disagree, to help us better understand the broad spectrum of Judaism today. January 8: Rabbi Gershon- The enduring contributions of Reform Judaism January 15: Rabbi Robert Scheinberg- Conservative Judaism, United Synagogue of Hoboken January 22: Rabbi Hannah Orden- Reconstructionist Judaism, Congregation Beth HaTikvah January 29: Rabbi Ellie Mischel-…

Four-week series at Temple Sinai, Summit, noon-1:15 p.m. Today’s class Comparative Judaism: Four Denominations focuses on Reform Judaism; Jan. 15, Conservative Judaism; Jan. 22, Reconstructionist; Jan. 29, Orthodox. Bring lunch; beverages and desserts will be served. Cost is $40, $30 temple members. RSVP to office@templesinainj.org or 908-273-4921, ext. 10.

Chabad of West Orange, 7:30 p.m. Keynote speaker is Judge Rachel (Ruchie)Freier, the nation’s first woman chasidic judge. RSVP at chabadwestorange.com/dinner or contact 973-325-6311 or altie@chabadwestorange.com.

Gary A. Rendsburg The CAI Adult Scholarly Committee is proud to welcome back Gary A. Rendsburg, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Professor of Jewish History and Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. He will present Scroll Down: Classical Jewish Texts, from Parchment to Internet on four successive Wednesday evenings in January, 7:00-9:00 p.m.: Jan. 9 - The Bible Jan. 16 - Mishnah and Talmudim Jan. 23 - The Cairo Genizah Jan. 30 - Siddur, Maḥzor, and Haggadah Over…

Temple B'nai Abraham's Congregational Learning offers monthly classes in History Through Text with Rabbi Clifford M. Kulwin throughout the year at Temple, 300 East Northfield Road, Livingston. The topic for this year is Jews, Art and Jewish Art. The Ten Commandments insist that we are not to make graven images. Nevertheless, graphic arts—to say nothing of music, literature and other artistic forms—have long been associated with Jews and Jewish life. The Torah itself contains prose and poetry of unparalleled beauty;…

Azzan Yadin-Israel, Professor of Jewish Studies, Rutgers University will return to Congregation Shomrei Emunah for the first of a series of three lectures. Yadin-Israel spent two years mining Springsteen songs for his book, The Grace of God and the Grace of Man: The Theologies of Bruce Springsteen, unearthing numerous Old Testament themes and reinterpretations of Bible passages from his lyrics. More than passing references to “sin” and “salvation,” “redemption” and metaphorical “promise lands,” the book explores a definitive theological arc…

The first of a three-part series.  The literature of Monotheistic religions, including Judaism, is double edged with sources of hostility and exclusivity parallel to sources of compassion and universalism.  The class will study some of those sources, explore the reasons why they are there and look at other sources that attempted to reform the violence.  Shabbat afternoons following lunch (included). The cost is $20 per class.

Oheb Shalom Congregation, South Orange, 10 a.m. Presented by Dr. Gary Rendsburg, professor of Judaic studies at Rutgers University. Call 973-762-7067.

Kim Pimley will present “The Blessings of My Heart Transplant” on Sunday, Jan. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at Adath Israel Congregation, Lawrenceville. The coffee and conversation program is part of the synagogue’s Mosaic Center for Arts, Culture and Ideas. There is a $5 charge at the door. RSVP to 609-896-4977.