Gratz College Scholars Program Spring 2013

Transcription

1 Gratz College Scholars Program Spring 2013 Life Long Learning with Gratz Scholars in Residence The Gratz College Scholars Program is for adults in the community who are not seeking credit but enjoy learning in an intellectual atmosphere with instructors who are highly regarded experts in their fields. Ongoing 4, 8, and 12 week courses are offered each semester in a variety of Jewish Studies topics and in Hebrew and Yiddish language. In addition, the Gratz College Scholars Program sponsors Distinguished Scholar Lectures, Yiddish theater trips, film and comedy presentations, and other special events. Please see the calendar of events for these listings The Scholars Program is presented by the Department of Adult Jewish Learning at Gratz College

2 Classes Mondays in Center City Jewish Ethics in Present Times Continued Rabbi Albert Gabbai Mondays, 10:00 am 12 noon Congregation Mikveh Israel, 44 North Fourth Street, Philadelphia, PA If a supermarket cashier hands you too much change, should you bring it to her attention? Is organ transplant permitted in Judaism? What about abortion? If a child and an adult are about to drown and you can save only one, whom do you save? These issues and many more will be explored using classical Jewish sources. We will try to apply the Torah and our Sages principles to common situations and compare the Jewish positions to non-jewish points of view. This is a continuation of the Fall 2012 course. New participants welcome. 12 sessions, February 4 - May 13 (No class Feb 18, March 25, April 1): $300 Tuesdays at Gratz I've Got To Marry Who?? Rabbi Seth Frisch Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm This course examines the unusual unions, Levirate and otherwise of our biblical mothers. How were these unions created? Not by power or glory and definitely not by matchmaker. We ll explore sacred children from scandalous unions. A bold insight into the biblical women who made us (literally & figuratively) who we are. 12 sessions, February 5 - May 7 (No class March 26, April 2): $300 Wednesdays at Gratz Theological Concepts of Judaism and Christianity based on Articles of Faith Dr. Ruth Sandberg and Mr. Michail Kitsos Wednesdays, 9:30 11:30 am In this continuing course, the class will deal with theological concepts and their explanation in both Judaism and Christianity, including: theological differences between Eastern and Western Christianity; original sin and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden; prophecy and the Holy Spirit; scripture and tradition; the Shekhinah and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ; reward and punishment; the concept of the Messiah; resurrection; the concept of Israel and the Church; and visions of the perfected world and the concept of theosis. This course is a continuation from Fall Sorry, no new students will be admitted without instructors permission. 12 sessions, February 6 May 8 (No class March 27, April 3): $300 Celebrations, Commemorations and Current Events in the Jewish World Dr. Uzi Adini Wednesdays, 9:45 11:45 am This course follows current events and developing issues in the Jewish world, both in Israel and the Diaspora, and analyzes them using modern techniques grounded in Jewish values. Literary resources and discussions will revolve around the spring holidays of Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha Atzmaut, Lag B Omer, and Yom Yerushalayim. 5 sessions, April 10 May 8: $125 Jewish sources in the Qur'an Dr. David Rabeeya Wednesdays, 12:30 2:30 pm This course will deal with Jewish sources in the Qur'an based on the following themes: G-d, angels, Jewish stories and legends from the Bible, the prophets, the "Last Day," and predetermination vs. free will. We will discuss the appearance of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael and Moses, Lot, Joseph, Saul, David, Elijah, Job and Jonah, exploring both biblical and rabbinic sources. 12 sessions, February 6 May 8 (No class March 27, April 3): $300

3 Understanding Israel Ronit Lusky, MA Wednesdays, 12:30 2:30 pm This four-session course is for anyone looking for a deeper connection to the State of Israel. Participants will examine and discuss contemporary issues in Israeli society through the prism of the struggle between tradition and change. We ll explore music, texts, and images that bring Israel to life in some of its complexities. 4 sessions, February 6 27: $100 The Philosophical Golem Rabbi Joshua Gutoff Wednesdays, 12:30 2:30 pm The story of the Golem, the artificial man created by rabbis, is one of the more fantastic tales of Jewish tradition. By tracing the theme from its beginnings through the modern age, we will see that the Golem tradition is an extended meditation on what it means to be human. Study includes Biblical and Rabbinic texts, literature and film. 8 sessions, March 6 May 8 (No class March 27, April 3): $200 Thursdays at Gratz The Greatest Tale: The Haggadah of Passover Saul P. Wachs, Ph.D. Thursdays: 9:45 11:45 am The Seder has been described as the greatest teaching tool ever developed for family education. This unique ritual is built around the reading of and reflection on the Haggadah. This seminar will review the history of the development of the Seder and study the texts of the Haggadah, the personalities of those who shaped it, and the ways in which the Seder can be a gripping and highly educative experience for all who attend. 8 sessions, February 7 April 11 (No class March 28, April 4): $200 Jewish Ethics in Present Times Rabbi Albert Gabbai Thursdays, 9:45 11:45 am If a supermarket cashier hands you too much change, should you bring it to her attention? Is organ transplant permitted in Judaism? What about abortion? If a child and an adult are about to drown and you can save only one, whom do you save? These issues and many more will be explored using classical Jewish sources. We will try to apply the Torah and our Sages principles to common situations and compare the Jewish positions to non-jewish points of view. 12 sessions, February 7 May 9 (No class March 28, April 4): $300 Y. L. Peretz: The Father of Yiddish Literature Michael Steinlauf, Ph.D. Thursdays, 12:30 2:30 pm Y. L. Peretz, rivals Sholem Aleichem as one of the greatest Jewish authors of all time. His work mined Jewish folklore and Hasidic tradition to create evocative stories and plays that also helped forge a modern Jewish culture. In this course, we will read some of his acclaimed short stories and learn why Peretz is such pivotal figure in Jewish literature and history. 12 sessions: February 7 May 9 (No class March 28, April 4): $300 Diversity and Pluralism in the Bible Rabbi Lynnda Targan Thursdays, 12:30 2:30 pm The Hebrew Bible reflects the voice of Jewish heritage, yet upon close examination there is more than one voice represented. What statement is the Bible s multi-vocality making? What are some of the lessons we can learn about how to live/work in a pluralistic/diverse Jewish community based on the many voices resonating in the Bible? How do we begin to address the practical implications these lessons have for our own lives? 8 sessions: March 7 May 9 (No class March 28, April 4): $200

4 Hebrew Ulpan Supported by the Stern Family Institute for Israel Studies *Small classes *Experienced teachers *Convenient times and locations *Competitive tuition 12 sessions: $240 Mira Korn, Ulpan Instructor and Coordinator x136 Mondays, 10 am 12 noon at Lower Merion Synagogue 123 Old Lancaster Avenue, Bala Cynwyd February 4 May 6 (No class March 25, April 1) Tuesdays, 7:00 9:00 pm at Gratz College February 5 May 7 (No class March 26, April 2) Wednesdays, 9:30 11:30 am at Gratz College February 6 May 8 (No class March 27, April 3) Wednesdays, 7:00 9:00 pm at Adath Israel 250 Highland Ave. Merion Station February 6 May 8 (No class March 27, April 3) Introduction to Hebrew A - Learn to read Hebrew in just 12 easy lessons! Introduction to Hebrew B - Practice reading and begin conversation. Level I - Learn present and past tenses and gain 300 vocabulary words. Level II - Gain reading fluency and basic conversation. Level III - Learn to conduct conversations for day-to-day situations. Level IV - Gain another 550 vocabulary words and begin to generate mature sentences. Level V - Develop more sophisticated language skills and attain the ability to read easy newspapers and stories. Level VI - Advanced Hebrew language and literature. Biblical Hebrew Minimum class size required to run each level. Yiddish All Classes at Gratz College Now 12 sessions! $240 Rita Ratson, Instructor and Coordinator, Yiddish Language and Culture Programs rratson@gratz.edu; , x177 Yiddish I Beginners Develop basic vocabulary and beginning competency in speaking, reading and writing Yiddish. Tuesdays, 10:00 am 12:00 noon February 5 May 7 (No class March 26, April 2) Yiddish II Intermediate Increase competency in basic vocabulary building to continue developing simple conversational skills and expressions. Tuesdays, 7:00 9:00 pm February 5 May 7 (No class March 26, April 2) Wednesdays, 12:00 2:00 pm February 6 May 8 (No class March 27, April 3)

5 Yiddish III Advanced Continue to build conversational skills through folk songs and literature; basic text will also be used. Tuesdays, 1:00 3:00 pm March 5 June 11 (No class March 26, April 2, May 14) Minimum number of students required to run each class Folksbiene Trip to New York -Sunday, April 21, 2013 The Megilah of Itzik Manger The Megilah of Itzik Manger is a brilliant, musical comedy based on Manger s radical retelling of the Book of Esther through the eyes of a group of modern cutting-edge performers. $90 per person includes luxury coach transportation, show ticket and bus driver gratuity Bus leaves from Gratz College promptly at 9:30 am and returns approximately 7:30 pm Show runs two hours Lunch is on your own at restaurants near the theater Snacks provided for the ride home Space is limited. One bus only. No refunds unless your ticket can be resold. Theater: Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Avenue, New York To register, download a flyer from the Gratz website or register online at For more information, contact Rita Ratson, Yiddish Program Coordinator rratson@gratz.edu; x177 Registration/Refund Policy For all Scholars classes, full tuition payment is due upon registration. If a cancellation is received by at least two days before the course begins, 100% of tuition will be refunded. For a 12-session course, a 50% refund or credit towards another course will be issued if cancellation is received before the 3rd session. For an 8-session course, a 50% refund or credit towards another course will be issued if cancellation is received before the 2nd session. For a 4-session course, there are no refunds, but a 50% credit towards another course will be issued if the cancellation is received before the 2nd session.

6 You are Invited to Audit a College Course 15 week on-campus courses Spring classes begin the week of January 14, 2013 For information, contact Hope Matles, hmatles@gratz.edu; , x172 Auditor fees apply: $300 per class Judaism's Encounter with Modernity Thought Michael Steinlauf, Ph.D. Wednesday, 3:30 pm 6:18 pm This course offers a graduate-level introduction to Judaism in the Modern Period. Together with a brief survey of Jewish history during this period, the course will concentrate on the religious and ideological challenges posed to Judaism by modernity and the range of Jewish responses, such as the Enlightenment, Reform Judaism, Conservative Judaism, contemporary Orthodoxy, Jewish secularism, Zionism, Jewish socialism, and Jewish liberalism. The Jewish Family: Institution in Transition Sociology Rabbi Marsha Friedman, Ph.D. Wednesday, 6:30 pm 9:18 pm This seminar is designed to give a sociological overview of the contemporary Jewish family in the context of Jewish history and tradition. The traditional Jewish family, the "Non-traditional" Jewish family, the role of both single and dual career families, the impact of divorce, and devising a policy to support Jewish family life within the institutional structures of American Jewry will be considered. For more information about the Gratz College Scholars Program please contact Barbara Rosenau, Director, Adult Jewish Learning at brosenau@gratz.edu or x182

7 Shusterman Distinguished Scholar Lecture APRIL 10, 2013 The Competing Claims of Law and Religion Professor Suzanne Last Stone University Professor of Jewish Law and Contemporary Civilization, Professor of Law, Director, Center for Jewish Law and Contemporary Civilization Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Supported by a major endowment, the Shusterman Distinguished Scholars Lecture Series is dedicated to bringing outstanding programs to Gratz College. Gratz College hereby expresses its profound gratitude to Murray and Judith Shusterman, z l for their generosity and foresight Stern Family Institute for Israel Studies Distinguished Scholar Lecture March 7, 2013 Yaron Sideman, Consul General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region. Consul General Sideman began his post in August 2012, and is the highest ranking diplomatic official representing Israel in this region. The Stern Family Institute for Israel Studies seek to educate American Jewry about complex issues related to Israel and Zionism. Gratz College thanks the Stern Family Foundation for their commitment to Israel education and for making this event possible.

8 Gratz College Instructor Bios Dr. Uzi Adini is Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Literature and Education at Gratz College and also served in administration for many years. His expertise is in the fields of Hebrew Literature and Bible. Rabbi Seth Frisch was ordained at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) and is a wellregarded speaker on a wide range of issues notably in the areas of religious freedom and interfaith dialogue. He is the co-founder and director of the Lerhaus Institute for Jewish Studies in Abington, PA and serves as rabbi of Congregation Tiferes B nai Israel in Warrington, PA. Rabbi Albert Gabbai, Rabbi at Congregation Mikveh Israel, was born in Egypt and ordained in Israel. Fluent in more than 6 languages, he lectures on Rabbinics, Torah, History and Sephardi Judaism. Rabbi Joshua Gutoff holds a BA in Literature from Yale College, and an MA and rabbinic ordination from JTS, from which he will also receive an Ed.D. in the fall. His dissertation is on Talmud education and the moral imagination and he is the author of a number of widely-read articles on Jewish thought. Michail Kitsos has a BA in Orthodox Christian Theology, an MA in Biblical Archaeology from the University of Athens, as well as a graduate Certificate in Paleography, and an MA in Jewish Studies from Gratz College, specializing in Rabbinics. He is now Assistant Director of the Gratz Jewish-Christian Studies program. Mira Korn is the Coordinator of the Hebrew Ulpan program. She has been a Hebrew instructor at Gratz College for many years. Mira has a BA in Hebrew Literature from Hebrew University. Ronit Lusky has an MA in Jewish history from the University of Haifa, Israel. She is an Israel education consultant and lecturer. Ilana Margolis, MAJS, is the Hebrew Instructor at Gratz College, teaching all academic levels of modern and classical Hebrew. She also teaches Hebrew concurrently at Temple University. She received her M.A. from Gratz College and her undergraduate degree in Hebrew Literature and Jewish History from Tel Aviv University. Rabbi David Rabeeya, Ph.D., was born in Baghdad, Iraq. After migrating to Israel in the formative years of the state, he earned his B.A. in literature and history from Hebrew University and an M.A. in Semitic languages from Tel Aviv University. He received his Ph.D. in Arabic from Dropsie University with a dissertation on the Jewish, Muslim and Christian dialects of Baghdad. In 1997 he was ordained a rabbi and serves unaffiliated members of the Jewish community. Rita Ratson is the Coordinator of the Yiddish Language and Culture programs at Gratz College. She is also a translator for the National Yiddish Book Center and does translations for private clients. Dr. Ruth Sandberg is the Landau Professor of Rabbinics at Gratz College. As an academic and an ordained rabbi, her expertise is in comparative religion, Jewish law, Rabbinics and Midrash. Dr. Michael Steinlauf is Associate Professor of History at Gratz College. His research and teaching focus on East European Jewish history and culture, Polish-Jewish relations, and the Holocaust. Rabbi Lynnda Targan is an award-winning writer, oral historian and communications expert. She is a cofounder of the Women s Midrash Institute and presides over many life cycle events and services with her original evolving liturgy for healing services, baby namings, prayers and meditations, etc. Saul P. Wachs, Ph.D. is the Rosaline B. Feinstein Professor of Education and Liturgy, and Chair of the Education Department at Gratz College as well as the Director of the Ed.D. program. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, Jewish education and Jewish music from Gratz College, Temple University, JTS, and Ohio State University.

9 Locations of Courses Mandell Campus Gratz College 7605 Old York Road Melrose Park, PA Congregation Mikveh Israel 44 North Fourth Street Philadelphia, PA Temple Adath Israel 250 N. Highland Avenue Merion Station, PA Lower Merion Synagogue 123 Old Lancaster Avenue Bala Cynwyd, PA