JUDAISM 201
Teacher: Rabbi Joshua Samuels
Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
November 2, 9, 16, 30; Dec. 7, 14; Jan 4, 11, 18, 25
This class is an excellent introduction to Judaism or the perfect refresher. The course will cover the following topics: Who is a Jew? What is Torah, Midrash and Talmud? The many Jewish views of God; The Jewish approach to life and death; The Jewish calendar and festivals; Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism; Israeli history; Jewish life-cycle events; and more. This is Judaism 101 plus a little extra! The fee covers the cost of the primary text, Settings of Silver and other texts.
The class will be in person with a Zoom hybrid option.
Course fee: CBI Members: $36; Non-Members: $72
THE KING DAVID STORY
Teacher: Stuart Berman
Mondays at 7 p.m.
October 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 5, 12
Next to Moses, King David is the most important figure in the Bible. He united the Tribes and ushered in the Golden Age of Jewish history. His story, told in Samuel I and II is the first great novel in Western literature. It has everything; adventure, romance, great battles and fascinating characters. It’s also the story of a deeply spiritual man in conflict with himself. As we did the last time I taught this course, we will use Robert Alter’s THE DAVID STORY; but we will also bring in more midrash and Rabbinic interpretation. We will also discuss the David who authored so many of the psalm; and also how his story initiated the messianic tradition in Judaism.
The class will be on Zoom. No knowledge of Hebrew is necessary.
Course fee: $36
Coming this Spring: Jewish Medical Ethics
For Adult Education questions, please contact Mary Somerville in the main office at (360) 733-8890 or office@bethisraelbellingham.org.
