Introduction to Judaism course

[The initial meeting was to have been on Tu Aug 29, but no one came! It's now re-scheduled for Sept 19. If you're interested, appear, and better, pls RSVP.
(I'll give you some materials then). We will then skip a few weeks to leave time for you to buy (and get delivery of!) the texts). I'll say a bit about the texts below, and of course you can ask any Qs you have. ] /

ZOOM LINK for the initial Session.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85186801988?pwd=Q0tpdmhHZnBhckpYNXl6K3hEN0ZBUT09

Meeting ID: 851 8680 1988 Passcode: 772132

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

. 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 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] (If more people enroll, I will lower the per-person charge).

. I estimate 2 hours/session. Tuesdays, 5:00 PM EDT.

. 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)
(ii) Pls respond as soon as possible.

. You will pay me via Zelle (= QuickPay); fields below don't allow for that; when you contact me, I'll send Zelle link. Obviously not cash. (and checks by mail are too insecure).
. I will send the Zoom link to each of you (for sessions after the initial one) 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
Rabbi Jonathan D. Zimet
267-385-7717 . c-609-621-2318
[jdz@zimet.org](mailto)