Introduction to Judaism Class - 18 week course

Introduction to Judaism - 18 week course

This 18-week course is taught by members of The Oregon Board of Rabbis, representing a variety of Jewish affiliation. A carefully constructed curriculum includes Jewish history, life cycle events, holidays, ritual and daily practice, theology, study of Torah and contemporary Jewish America.

This class, in itself, is not a conversion class. Students come from a variety of backgrounds: some are Jews reclaiming their heritage, some are people on a spiritual journey and/or interested in converting to Judaism, all want to learn more about the Jewish faith and what it has to offer. While not a conversion class, most members of The Oregon Board of Rabbis consider this course a prerequisite for students beginning study for conversion.

The course fee is $360 (per student or per couple sharing materials) and includes a Chumash (Hebrew/English Bible), a notebook of reference materials, as well as supplementary material distributed throughout the course. Classes are held on Thursday evenings from 7-9 pm, with the location rotating among synagogues in the Greater Portland area (see map below).

Sign up here:
http://oregonboardofrabbis.org/introduction-to-judaism-class/

Spring Schedule 2019
Class locations are provided separately for enrolled students only.

DATE TOPIC & INSTRUCTOR w/affiliation
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND TIME
1/17/19 Orientation and “Minor Holidays: Chanukah, Purim, etc.” (TBA)
1/24/19 The Hebrew Calendar (R. Daniel Isaak, Conservative)
1/31/19 Shabbat: Home Traditions and Synagogue Observance (R. Rachel Joseph, Reform)
2/7/19 Life Cycle Events (R. Ariel Stone, Reform/Independent)
2/14/19 Biblical Period: Earliest History of the Israelite Religion (TBA)
2/21/19 Rabbinic Judaism: From Nation to Religion; From Sacrifice to Prayer (TBA)

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND GOD
2/28/19 God & Theology: Covenant & Theodicy (R. David Kosak, Conservative)
3/7/19 Halakha and Aggadah – Guides to Jewish Life (R. Tzvi Fischer, Orthodox)
3/14/19 Prayer and Spirituality (R. Benjamin Barnett, Reconstructionist)
3/21/19 The Jewish Home – Practice & Ritual (TBA)
3/28/19 Pesach – The Jewish Master Story (R. Eve Posen, Conservative)
4/4/19 Jewish Mysticism (R. Debra Kolodny, Renewal)

JEWISH COMMUNITY: ONE PEOPLE, MANY PATHS TO IDENTITY
4/11/19 Anti-Semitism: History of Jewish-Christian Relations in Europe & U.S. (TBA)
4/18/19 No Class (Passover, 1st night seder is April 19)
4/25/19 No Class (Erev 7th Day Passover)
5/2/19 Diaspora: Jewish Communities Throughout the World (TBA)
5/9/19 Israel and Zionism (R. David Kosak, Conservative)
5/16/19 The American Jewish Community (TBA)
5/23/19 Varieties of Judaism: A Panel Discussion (various)
5/30/19 High Holy Days (TBA) & Graduation!

Any questions? Call JoAnn Bezodis, Class Facilitator, at 971-248-5465 or by email at info@oregonboardofrabbis.org.