Talmud
An in-depth, analytical approach to the study of Gemara. Students prepare suggiyot b`chevruta, with an emphasis on identifying important themes, tracing their development through the Mishna and Gemara, rishonim and achronim, and analysing their resolution(s)in piskei halakha. The shiur expands
on the material students have prepared, placing it in a wider thematic framework and drawing additional comparisons and distinctions. This introduces students to new techniques of Talmudic analysis and encourages them to broaden their own analytic imagination in future independent and chevruta learning. Suggiyot are chosen on the basis of their pedagogical value in honing analytical skills and their intrinsic relevance to contemporary issues students face as thinking, observant Jews in the modern world.
Chumash
A disciplined, analytical study of Torah SheBichtav that includes both a formal iyun shiur and preparation b`chevruta. No less than Talmudic materials, Biblical texts invite rigorous analysis. The focus is on developing a clear understanding of the chosen Biblical text, the themes it contains and questions it provokes, before delving into the commentaries and midrashic explanations. The shiur serves as a guide to students in sharpening their ability to encounter Tanakh texts on a pshat level, and provides additional analysis of the varying messages that traditional and modern commentators have derived from these texts under differing historical circumstances.
Hebrew
Hebrew language skills are fundamental in providing access both to traditional Jewish texts and contemporary Israeli society. To facilitate the most dramatic improvement possible for students at any level, Hebrew is taught in accordance with the intensive Hebrew ulpan method of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Placement is by a standardised Hebrew University examination. Ulpan classes will be based on a ration of approximately one instructor to every 15 students. The Hebrew ulpan improves students`s conversational, grammatical and writing skills in a dramatic fashion. Many different levels of Hebrew language instruction are available, from beginner to very advanced.
Note: Hebrew language classes are also offered during the Community Volunteering component of the programme.
Jewish Philosophy
Philosophies of Chazal Through Aggadic Texts
Instructor: Daniel Rose
In this Jewish philosophy elective class, students will be initiated into the worlds of Aggadic literature, and Talmudic philosophy. The course will encourage philosophical debate of many classic and contemporary issues in Judaism, as well as an appreciation of the depth of beauty of this area of classic Jewish text. Rudimentary skills in aggadic and midrashic analysis will also be learnt. Students will be introduced to aggadic texts as classic Jewish literature, the source of the most basic theological, philosophical, and ethical tenants of Judaism, and appreciate these texts as the conduit in which chazal chose to pass on the fundamental essence of Judaism to future generations. Students will engage in their own analysis of these stories and legends, and will be challenged to place themselves in the minds of our Talmudic masters, explaining their agendas, ideas and philosophies.
Introduction to Hassidut
Instructor: Rabbi Alan Goldman
Hasidism is a religious revivalist movement that swept Eastern Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries based on both deep kabalistic principles and simple ideas of piety. Almost completely destroyed during the Holocaust the movement has made an incredible, some would say even miraculous, resurgence. We will delve into the depths of this movement from theological, historical, and social perspectives to try and understand its unbelievable impact on the last 250 years of Judaism. By studying the Torahs of the various Rebbes, reading scholarly works, observing and meeting with members of modern day Hasidic communities we will together attempt to discover the essence of Hasidic Judaism.
The Philosophies of the Halachic System: An insider’s guide
Instructor: Rabbi Dr. Avi Berkowitz
The Philosophy of the Halachic System: An Insider’s Guide, will explore the structure and development of Jewish Law from its articulation in the exegesis of the Talmud, through its codification in early modern times, to its application in our current world. The purpose of this course will be to probe the centrality of the halachic system, and its ethos, to the Jewish religion throughout history, and to demonstrate the ongoing importance of halachic principles to the future of the Jewish people. Toward this end, this course will attempt to demonstrate the deep affinity between halachic Judaism and the modern world, given the fact that both halacha and modernity emerge from what might best be described as an obsession with quanta. Indeed, it will be the primary burden of this course to prove that the ethos of modernity originates in the ethos of halakha and that to be a modern Jew in the modern world it is necessary to maintain an intellectual fealty to the halachic system.
This course will be topical and text based. Students will have the opportunity to engage in chavruta learning on a regular basis
Zionism Electives
History of Zionism and Israel
Instructor: Marc Rosenberg, Rabbi Dr. Avi Berkowitz
This course is designed to provide understanding of the ideological and historical foundations of Israeli society. The course is an intensive introduction to Zionism and to Israel. It begins with an analysis of the Jew in the modern world and the development of Zionist thought and the history of Israel. The course is taught using a variety of media, centering around the siyur (field trip)each week. The siyurim will take you to the places and introduce you to the people connected with the events being dealt with in class.
The advanced level will include a focus on Religious Zionism and its integration within the development of Zionism and Israel today.
Zionism in the Arts: From Ben Yehudah to HaDag Nachash: The Development of Artistic Culture in the State of Israel – Zionism Elective
Instructor: Dr. Avi Rose
One of major contributions of the Zionist movement to the Jewish and general communities over the past century and a half is the development of “Hebrew Culture” - artistic expressions of a people returning to their land and language, while simultaneously forging a new society. It has attempted to blend ancient and modern, secular and religious and reflect the cultures of Israel and the Diasporas. This course will explore the development of Hebrew, Israeli music/poetry, visual arts, film/television, dance and theatre from the 1940’s to the present through lectures, visits, screenings and performances, as well as in-depth exploration of text. The student will be exposed to a variety of artistic expressions and delve into the historical events that surrounded them. Several key questions will be posed throughout the course, including: Are the arts and culture a reflection of the social and political events of the time, or are they major contributors to it? What is Hebrew culture and what role does and did it play in Israel society? Is there really such a thing as an “Israeli” arts culture and how does it differ from/relate to Jewish culture? What is its future in the age of globalisation?
Israel Elective
Israeli Cinema
Instructor: Orit Segal
הקורס עוסק בקולנוע הישראלי בכמה היבטים מרכזיים להבנת החברה הישראלית כגון צה"ל, מורכבות החיים
בישראל, השואה, הפער העדתי, ואחרים. הלימוד של כל אחד מנושאים אלה יעשה דרך צפייה בסרטים בעיקר סרטים של השנים האחרונות בהן הקולנוע הישראלי משגשג ופורה. בכיתה יתקיימו דיונים ורב-שיח על הציפיות הקודמות לצפייה וההתרשמות שלאחריה, הכל בעברית.
Lost Jewish Communities
Instructor: Susan Yammer, Steve Klein
This course will introduce us to the intriguing question of how to explain the physical, cultural and spiritual survival of a variety of small communities who lived many centuries in isolation. There exist several groups, remnants of Israel, such as the Karaites, Samaritans, Beta Israel from Ethiopia, B’nei Moshe from India, the “Last Marranos” of Portugal, Amazonian Jews and even groups claiming to descend from the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. These groups not only live according to some Jewish rituals and beliefs, but also bring forth questions about Jewish identity (Who is a Jew?) to us, secular and religious Jews of Israel and the Diaspora. We will be investigating these groups during the course of our study, and meeting some of their representatives.
Minorities in Israel
Instructor: Sharon Bar Shaul
Non-Jewish minority groups in Israel have developed widely varying relationships with the State of Israel, stemming from their initial attitudes towards Zionism and the Jewish people. This course will investigate the pre-State history of the different groups and compare their development in Israel through historical texts, modern articles, and personal meetings. Some of the texts will be found in your Source Books. Other texts will be added throughout the semester. Issues to be analysed include communal relationships to Israeli politics, their place in the military system, and socioeconomic development. The course strives to give students a deeper understanding of the complexities and intricacies of Jewish-non-Jewish relations within the Jewish state.
Jerusalem through the Jewish Historical Perspective
Instructor: Marc Rosenberg
The city of Jerusalem is a unique microcosm of the major periods, themes and struggles of Jewish history. No other city captures the scope of the Jewish past in the same way as Jerusalem and no other place reflects the growth and interaction of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as does Jerusalem. This course will use field-trips to historical and religious sites of Jerusalem to introduce students to the development of the Jewish people, their connection to the city and the land of Israel, and the tensions in Jewish life between exile and return, isolation and acculturation. Texts used in this course include primary and secondary sources: the Tanach, Josephus, Rabbinic sources, works by major contemporary historians, as well as current newspaper and magazine articles.
Jewish Cinema
Instructor: Dr. Avi Rose
This course offers the student an introduction to Jewish themes and history as portrayed in film. The aim of the course is to give the student a sense of who made films dealing with Jewish themes, how and why they were made, as well as some of the political, historical and sociological factors that gave rise to these themes. Five major film genres will be explored: Yiddish film, silent film, Hollywood, European and Israeli cinema. Topics include: Immigration, integration and assimilation experiences of American Jewry; the Holocaust as seen through the eyes of different filmmakers and genres; the creation, growth and immigrant experience in the State of Israel; contemporary issues in Jewish/Israeli film. The course consists of viewing full-length features, film clips and documentary films with a strong emphasis on classroom discussion and developing a critical language for viewing and assessing film.
Studies in the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Instructor: Sheldon Shulman, Dr. Avi Berkowitz
In this course students will explore the nature and development of the conflict between the Yishuv – and later Israel - and its Arab neighbors since the late 19th century. The class will study the evolution of Arab-Israeli relations from a communal conflict to an international one. Utilising conflict theory, students will analyse political and diplomatic interests which influenced decisions by opposing sides to either pursue strategies of war and peace. The class will come to understand how strategic considerations and geopolitical circumstances, as well as political and religious ideology have shaped not only the various military conflicts but also the diplomatic activity carried on between.
Chaburot (Informal learning groups)
Hasidic Ideas on Parshat Hashavua
Instructor: Rabbi Alan Goldman
Using the weekly parsha as a basis we will study the ideas and thoughts of the Hasidic masters on the parsha. The texts will include the following Hasidic classics: Meor v'Shemesh, Aish Kodesh, Meor Anayim, Netivot Shalom, Kedushat Levi, Mei Hashiloach and many others. Together we will delve into the deepest depths of the Torah to understand the parsha beyond the pshat. We will address questions such as: What is the Divine Will? How do we cling to G-d? What is the role of the Tzaddik? What is my role in the world? The atmosphere will be an open dynamic encounter between the learners and the text with the students suggesting the direction of discussion. By the end of the course students will hopefully have more questions.
Moral Lessons from Neviim Rishonim (Ivrit)
Instructor: Ravi Yehuda Jayson
The different books of Neviim Rishonim offer a wide range of characters and situations rich in complexity and lessons that are relevant to us today. In this chabura we will choose different stories and attempt, from a variety of perspectives, to delve beyond the pshat and “feel” the characters and their emotions. We will examine the lessons we can learn from the different situations and their relevance to our relationship with Hashem. The course will be taught in Hebrew which will enable a more in-depth analysis of the text. Students are free to speak in whichever language they wish.
Pondering a Personal Theology
Instructor: Susan Yammer
Choseness tolerance, tshuva, sexuality, seeking God, seeking Truth. These are some of the topics that our modern and ancient Jewish philosophers have struggled with. In our sessions we will read what some of the great Jewish thinkers have to say about these issues. We will look at the writings of Rav Kook, the Musar Movement, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, Eliezer Berkowitz, Blu Greenberg, Martin Buber Abraham Joshua Heschel and others. We will then have an opportunity to respond and grapple with these notions with one another all in an attempt to begin to create our own personal theology.
Sects in the Dorm- Campus life for the Orthodox Jew
Instructor: Marc Rosenberg
Campus life offers amazing opportunities for growth and the broadening of horizons. The experience creates a myriad of dynamic challenges for any student and specifically for Orthodox young adults. In this chabura we will look at different aspects of living and learning on campus and will explore possible responses to a variety of situations. The Chabura will be a dynamic forum that will encourage open thought and offer the opportunity for each student to clarify where they stand on specific topics. Topics will be discussed form Hashkafic, Halachic, sociological and psychological perspectives.
Religious Zionism
Instructor: Rabbi Alan Goldman
The Religious Zionist community in Israel has always been at the forefront of Zionist ideological debate and thought, turning ideology into practical contributions to the State of Israel. In this course we will examine both textually and topically, the issues that define Religious Zionist thought, and the challenges that they face in the modern world. It is these challenges that separate them from other streams of Zionism, and other philosophical communities within Orthodox Judaism, and it is the aim of the course to explore these areas, as well as the personalities that are continuously developing this area of modern Jewish thought.
“The Faith Lectures”
Instructor: Rabbi Yehuda Jayson
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is one of the most creative and dynamic Jewish thinkers of our time. Rabbi Sacks gave a series of lectures that offered creative perspectives on topics that are central to Jewish thought. His topics include faith, the problem, of evil, creation, revelation, Jewish identity, chosen people, mashiach… This Chabura will use Rabbi Sacks`s lectures as a basis for dynamic and creative discussion on these topics.
What does the Tanach have to say about…
Instructor : Susan Yammer
Within the chapters of Tanach are the stories of our people; their marriages, their families, their friendships, their betrayals, their failures, their accomplishments. How did they react, respond and cope with these isssues? What can we learn from them? Are they cautionary or inspirational? In our sessions we will analyze some of these relationships from Moshe Rabbeinu to Shlomo Hamelech, from Tamar to Ruth. We will use the makor, traditional as well as modern commentary in an attempt to enter their lives and come to a deeper understanding of their moments of greatest struggle and glory. Perhaps in the course of our study we will also gain added insight into our own lives as well.
Pirkei Avot
Instructor: Marc Rosenberg
Pirke Avot, traditionally translated as “Ethics of the Fathers”, is a treasure chest of 2,000-year-old rabbinic wisdom. This unique masechet from the Mishna, the only one of sixty-three sections that does not deal with ritual laws or legal rulings, preserves the insights and sermons of some of Judaism’s most astounding teachers. This course will consider the role of Pirke Avot in Torah She’Bal Peh and closely study the structure, historical context, and rabbinical personalities that contribute to this incredible ethical guide. Such a study will allow us to analyze Judaism’s understanding of itself and how Jews today mold their own ethical and moral values.
Mishna Berura
Instructor: Rabbi Alan Goldman
The focus of this course will be the Shulhan Aruch with the Mishna Berura commentary. We will begin with Halachot on Hanuka and systematically work our way through the relevant chapters. After the first couple sessions students will have an opportunity to suggest topics to study within Orach Hayim. By the end of the course students will hopefully have gained an understanding of the relevant topic, the practical hlachachik psak, and a greater sense of the works studied.
Gemarra- Masechet Shabbat (Perek Haboneh)
Instructor: Rav Yehuda Jayson
This chabura strives to further open the world of Talmud before students with a rudimentary background in Gemara study. The course will focus on textual and analytical skills whilst still addressing the issues raised through the suggiyot. A full understanding of how the Talmud works, the different aspects of the page and basic commentators and learning aids will enable the students to continue their learning after the course ends. We will be learning the twelth Chapter of Masechet Shabbat (HaBoneh). We will learn the different suggiyot, understanding the process of the gemara and looking at the conclusions and their ramifications in light of the general laws of Shabbat with a focus on modern day Halachic questions that relate to what has been learned. Additional sources and commentators will be used where relevant both in order to improve the students` learning skills and to broaden their horizons.
Science in the 21st Century Confronts Judaism
Instructor: Nehama Barash
Should observant people try to reconcile science with their religious beliefs? Can one believe in evolution and still be Orthodox? Judaism is facing many challenges because of tremendous advances in technology but scientific knowledge can also be an asset: DNA today is being used to trace our ancestry back to Abraham and to identify the real "priestly" caste of kohanim. Dissecting a giraffe led a team of rabbis to conclude that the giraffe is a kosher animal. Ilan Ramon, z"l, wanted to know how to keep Shabbat in space. What sort of time exists in space? The human genome project has led to progress in medicine but also, ethical problems regarding genetic screening and engineering. Reproductive technologies have brought us to the brink of cloning. The halachic framework is tested to its limit as it confronts this brave new world.
Spirituality behind the mitzvot
Instructor: Tzurit Gell
During our chabura we will study the mitzvoth from a different and unique perspective. We will learn about the meanings and the principles on which the mitzvoth are based. We won’t talk about the ‘how’ and the ‘when’, we’ll talk about the ‘why’…
Tefilla
Instructor: Rabbi Alan Goldman
Throughout Jewish history we have witnessed rich and multi-faceted approaches to prayer (tefillah). How one should pray, when one should pray and why one should pray are but a few of the highly debated issues related to prayer in Judaism. Furthermore, how are these issues relevant to us today? The chabura also hopes to challenge the student spiritually and strengthen his/her own personal approach to prayer.
Rav Soloveitchik-The Lonely Man of Faith
Rav Soloveitchik was one of the greatest Rabbinic leaders of the Orthodox world of the last generation, and his impact on our generation is a profound one through the books and articles he left us, as well as his many students who hold positions of Rabbinic and educational leadership throughout America and Israel. His unique contribution to Modern Orthodox thought through his many works help us struggle on a daily basis to integrate a Torah lifestyle to the modern world without rejecting that world. Rather he challenges us to grow as modern Jews within it, because of it, and through it. This course attempts to take one of Rav Soloveitchik�s works, The Lonely Man of Faith, and in an intimate setting work through this beautiful manual for modern Jewish living. Through completing this text, the class gains an insight into the world of Rav Soloveitchik�s thought. The class will be continuously taking the opportunity to reference many of his other works thereby gaining a grounding in the work and thought of Rav Soloveitchik.
Rambam (Hilchot Melachim)
Instructor: Rav Yehuda Jayson
Rambam`s Hilchot Melachim is the basis for much contemporary thought that relates to Tekumat Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael. The Rambam enables us to place our current reality in Halachic and spiritual context. The Chabura will open debate on a variety of issues in Israel today and how they relate to us as Religious Zionists and Jews. We will focus on the Rambam`s perspective but will also occasionally add ideas form modern Zionist Rabbis.
Women and Judaism (women only)
Instructor: Nehama Barash
Come and learn about women's role in Judaism? Are the Talmudic sages really down on women? Are women more spiritual than men? Why do married women cover their hair? What is the mikva all about? Is it true that teaching women Torah is like teaching them foolishness? These issues and more will be dealt with in a 10 part chaburah on Women and Judaism.
Parshat HaShavua
Instructor: Coby Engelhart
Parshat Hashavua, our weekly look at the Torah portion, is an integral part of the Jewish life cycle. We will study the pshat and assorted commentaries on each week's parsha in an attempt to discover a deeper message for the modern Jew and its significance to our lives. We will try to transcend the specific topic and put it into a broader context.
MODERN ORTHODOX SPEAKERS/ BETMIDRASH EREV
There are over 10,000 shuls and Batei Midrash in Jerusalem. This semester we will be expanding our Torah knowledge and experiences by visiting some of the most holy, dynamic and progressive people and places who make Jerusalem so unique. Our traveling Beit Midrash class will visit sites of ancient and modern significance that will hopefully expand your understanding of the holiness of time and space. On alternate weeks, guest speakers from all walks of the Orthodox spectrum will be visiting the Judaen Youth Hostel, sharing their life stories, haskafa, and challenging you to confront the unanswered questions of the universe.
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