Introduction to Judaism course

• This is the "Event" (course) which I have announced on the Jews-by-Choice page:

[The initial meeting will serve as an introduction and orientation. It was to have been on Tu Aug 29, but no one came! So I have re-scheduled for Sept 5. If you're interested, appear, and better, pls RSVP.

(I'll give you some materials then). We'll then skip 1-2 wks to leave time for you to buy (and get delivery of!) the texts). I'll tell you some things about the texts below, and of course you can ask any Qs you have. ]
ZOOM LINK for the initial Session. (7 PM)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85186801988?pwd=Q0tpdmhHZnBhckpYNXl6K3hEN0ZBUT09

Meeting ID: 851 8680 1988 Passcode: 772132

[How to pay, see bottom. Contact me at [jdz@zimet.org](http://mailto:jdz@zimet.org) with any comments, Qs. Include your email address. ]

. This course is suitable both for those who want to "choose" Judaism, and those (Jews by birth) who want to learn more about Judaism -- something with more depth than Sunday Schools you might have had.

I will start out with introducing and explaining Judaism's foundational texts -- the parts of the Bible, the Talmud and other key Rabbinic texts, and then address how we live Judaism today.

I will use several texts:
– Chaim Potok's "Wanderings: a History of the Jews",
– Nina Beth Cardin: "The Tapestry of Jewish Time",
– Chaim Donin: "To Be a Jew", (Orthodox viewpoint)
– Mark Washofsky: "Jewish Living -- A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice"
– Michael Strassfeld: "A Book of Life -- Embracing Judaism as a Spiritual Practice"

Also recommended (but not as essential):
– Haim Ben-Sasson, ed.: A History of the Jewish People.
– Abba Eban: Heritage-- Civilization and the Jews,
– Isaac Klein: A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice.

You should also have as sources:
– Bible: Tanakh -- the Hebrew Scriptures (by JPS)
– a Chumash with commentaries: (i) Everett Fox (Schocken books);
(ii) Torah -- Modern Commentary, ed. Gunther Plaut, (UAHC),
– (iii) The Stone Chumash (Artscroll, Orthodox), (iv) Etz Chayyim (USCJ, Conservative) (Obviously, the more of these you can peruse, the more a sense of diverse interpretations we have)

– Prayerbooks: Siddur Sim Shalom (Conservative); Artscroll Siddur (Ortho); Gates of Prayer (UAHC/URJ, Reform) or Mishkan Tefillah (URJ, Reform -- more recent)
– Kol HaNeshamah: Shabbat veHagim (Reconstructionist Press).

. Getting these books: I think many of the books are avail at discounted prices on Thriftbooks.com. (sometimes multiple copies, each w/ different price: So whoever buys first copy gets the best deal).

Usually less than Amazon. If a given book is unavailable on Thriftbooks, then try Amazon. Get them now!

. A few other discount vendors -- e.g., Abebooks.com, have some of the books.

. It will run 25 sessions. $10/session, meaning total $250. (If more people enroll, I will lower the per-person charge).
. I estimate 2 hours/session. Tues, 7:00 PM EDT.

. You will pay me via Zelle (= QuickPay); the fields below don't provide for that; when you contact me, I'll send Zelle link. Paypal is OK but costs you more. Obviously not cash (& checks by mail are too insecure).

. Please include your email address on registering/paying.
*Zoom: (i) so distance is no object(excuse ;-) ).

(ii) We will see each other in Gallery view. I'll talk ("lecture") but you can "raise a hand" to ask Qs (as participation helps our overall learning).
. On receiving total payment I will send you the Zoom link.

. I'd planned to start Aug 29; no one appeared, so pls RSVP for this postponed orientation session.

. I will send the Zoom link (for subsequent sessions) to each of you upon payment of tuition.

. Sorry; the Photos doesn't work; you can look at my Facebook page for a pic of me: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.zimet.5

. Contact me at [jdz@zimet.org](http://mailto:jdz@zimet.org) with any comments, Qs. Include your email address. I am looking forward to meeting with you.

Jonathan