KAHAL KADOSH BETH ELOHIM A D U L T L E A R N I N G S P R I N G Learn With Us! 2 0 1 8
January 31 7:30pm THREE RABBI PANEL: CONCEPTUALIZING THE JEWISH FUTURE: CONTOURS OF A HEALTHY JEWISH COMMUNITY Stern Center Ballroom College of Charleston Throughout history, Jews have responded to dramatic changes in a variety of ways sometimes through assimilation, and just as often by embracing tradition and ritual. As we look towards the future of the Jewish community broadly, and of Charleston specifically, how might we determine and measure the characteristics of a healthy Jewish community, and what, in particular, should the future of Charleston s Jewish community look like? How might we create a structure to attract a younger demographic? How might we be more responsive to the older demographic that is being attracted to Charleston? And what is the most pressing need impacting our existing institutions? Join with Jewish Studies and members of the community as Rabbis Michael Davies (Dor Tikvah), Greg Kanter (KKBE), and Adam Rosenbaum (Emanu-El) discuss these questions and offer their visions for the future of our Jewish community, focusing particularly on the institutions that they represent.
SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE RABBI AARON PANKEN, PH.D. Thursday, March 15 at 7:30 pm TRUE LIES: TRUTH, GOSSIP AND THE JEWISH-AMERICAN WAY Barbara Pearlstine Social Hall Friday, March 16, Shabbat Services at 8:00 pm SEEK PEACE & PURSUE IT: BUT HOW? THE JEWISH OBLIGATION TO MAKE PEACE Saturday, March 17 at 11:00 am (brunch after Shabbat Services) WHAT S A RABBI TO DO?
Rabbi Aaron Panken, Ph.D., is President of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, North America s first Jewish seminary, with campuses in Cincinnati, Jerusalem, Los Angeles and New York. As a sought-after scholar and engaging teacher, Rabbi Panken has spoken at synagogues throughout the United States and Israel, Jewish institutions in North and South America and South Africa, and seminaries and universities around the world. He has offered the Jewish Baccalaureate sermon at the United States Air Force Academy and taught aboard the USS Harry S. Truman. He has taught for the Wexner Foundation, Israel s Hartman Institute, and in numerous multi-denominational settings. He has also served as a member of the Editorial Board of RJ Magazine, the Rabbinical Placement Commission, the Birthright Education Committee, the Ethics Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and in a variety of other leadership roles within the Reform movement and greater Jewish community. His publications include The Rhetoric of Innovation (University Press of America, 2005), which explores legal change in Rabbinic texts, and numerous scholarly and popular writings. Prior to teaching at the College-Institute, Rabbi Panekn served congregations including Congregation Rodeph Sholom in New York City and Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, NY. A native of New York City who graduated from John Hopkins University s Electrical Engineering program, Rabbi Panken is also a certified commercial pilot and sailor, and lives with his wife and two children in the New York area.
THURSDAY NIGHTS AT KKBE - 7 PM Refreshments at 6:45 pm February 1 CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM IN 2018 Rabbi Adam Rosenbaum, in conversation with Rabbi Stephanie Alexander Climate Change, the #metoo movement, changes in worship and ritual practice how does the Conservative movement determine its stance on an issue? How do individual Conservative synagogues chart their course? Join us for an intimate conversation with Synagogue Emanu-El s Rabbi Adam Rosenbaum as he reflects upon the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Conservative Judaism today. February 8 CIVIL RIGHTS: THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES Adam Parker This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre (on this exact date) and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In the two countries with the largest Jewish population, the United States and Israel, the civil rights struggle still very much continues. Adam Parker writer at the Post and Courier and perennial favorite speaker at KKBE shares a reflection on Jewish attitudes and actions around civil rights, both 50 years ago and today.
February 15 MODERN MIDRASH, ANCIENT FAN FICTION Rabbi Stephanie Alexander How did the authors of ancient Midrash pick up/fill in the stories of some of our favorite and lesser known biblical characters, and how are modern writers doing the same thing with biblical characters today? From Eve to Abraham to Haman s wife, there s great material out there come join us as we explore it together! February 22 JEWS ON THE FRONTIER: HOW THEIR EXPERIENCES INFORM OUR OWN Shari Rabin Join Dr. Shari Rabin, Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies at the College of Charleston and recent author of Jews on the Frontier: Religion and Mobility in the Nineteenth Century. Professor Rabin will be discussing the eclectic forms of pre-denominational Jewish religious life in nineteenth-century America and how they inform us about our own twenty-first-century post-denominational era.
March 1 MI SHEBEIRAH & OTHER BLESSINGS THROUGH PSALMS Rabbi Greg Kanter In our darkest hours, sometimes the Book of Psalms can articulate the feelings we struggle to put into words. A newly published translation gives us fresh insights into magnificent, ancient poetry. Join us as we take a walk through Biblical words that speak to us today! No Hebrew required. March 8 PASSOVER TASTES AND TALES Zelda Bryant, Beth Elmaleh-Stapleton, plus one surprise guest Does Passover make you long for your traditional feast day after day? Whether it does or does not, this program will introduce you to something new. Sample a recipe from Turkey, a Sephardic recipe, and a modern Israeli spin on Pesach. Hear a story about why it s a special recipe, and take home the recipe to try for yourself. March 15 *SPECIAL TIME 7:30-9:00* TRUE LIES: TRUTH, GOSSIP AND THE JEWISH-AMERICAN WAY Rabbi Aaron Panken See description on page 2
March 22 ISRAEL AT 70 Rabbi Greg Kanter As Israel celebrates its 70th birthday this year, let s take a fresh look at the Jewish homeland in the Middle East. The tech world and Reform Judaism have grown tremendously in Israel. But the fight for Jewish values that support Reform and women s equality remain. Why? Let s take a look and maybe even take a visit! THURSDAY NIGHTS AT KKBE - 8 PM HEBREW, STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING A VERY GOOD PLACE TO START FEBRUARY 1, 8, 15, 22 MARCH 1, 8, 15, 22 Rabbi Stephanie Alexander If you ever come to services and think, This is the year this is the year I m going to read the Hebrew words in this prayer book, then make this the year! With a solid textbook written for adult learners, great study partners in the congregation, and Rabbi Alexander to guide you, make this the year to cross Learn Hebrew off your bucket list. Note: This class began as part of the Fall of 2017 adult learning. For those who might wish to continue on toward celebrating Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah, additional study is planned for 2018-2019.
Sundays, 10:30 am -11:30 am TORAH STUDY: THE WORLD S OLDEST BOOK CLUB Library Conference Room Check the Temple calendar for dates Casual and conversational, join us for an ongoing discussion of the foundational text of Jewish thought and practice. We began at the very beginning Genesis 1:1 and continue reading and discussing the Torah from cover to cover, paragraph-by-paragraph, verse-by-verse. No Hebrew required; bring your own edition of the Torah or use ours. Anyone is welcome, anytime. IDEAS FOR FUTURE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AT KKBE? Please contact a member of the Adult Education Team: Rabbi Stephanie Alexander, Ali Charen, Claire Curits, Vicki Danziger, Sharon Hox, Jim Klein, Hillary Mahon, Ellis Regenbogen, Sally Regenbogen, Beth Sherr, Deborah Turkewitz, Pat Votava, and Stephanie Zweben
Thank You Thank you to the HELLMAN FAMILY FUND for supporting at KKBE Thank you to the ADDLESTONE/REGENBOGEN FAMILIES ADULT EDUCATION FUND Created in loving memory of their parents and brothers: Hyman Addlestone Jeannette Addlestone Arthur Addlestone Harold Regenbogen Laura Regenbogen Howard Regenbogen