Introduction to Judaism

Taught by Rabbis Cabelli and Meiri

 

Congregation Beth HaTephila

43 North Liberty Street

Asheville, NC   28801-1822

828.253.4911

Thursday Evenings, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

beginning November 5, 2009

Fee:  $300 per student (paid to Congregation Beth HaTephila)

 

Textbooks:

 

1. Living a Jewish Life: Jewish Traditions Customs and Value for Today’s Families by Anita Diamant with Howard Cooper

 

2. What do Jews Believe, David S Ariel OR To Life!  by Harold Kushner

 

3. The Tapestry of Jewish Time: A Spiritual Guide to Holidays and Lifecycle Events by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin.

 

Essential to Jewish Library

            Tanach – JPS or Oxford Jewish Study Bible

            Jewish Literacy by Joseph Telushkin

            Tough Questions Jews Ask, by Rabbi Edward Feinstein

Choosing A Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to

Judaism and their Family by Anita Diamant

Back to the Sources, Barry Holtz

            The Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel

            Night, by Elie Wiesel

            The Source, by James Michener

 

Nov 5 – Biblical History and Text- BOTH Rabbis- BRING TANACHS

 

Nov 12 - Rabbinic History and Text – Rabbi Meiri-

Read from Jewish Literacy (Xeroxed)

Seasons of our Joy, Arthur Waskow (Introduction and Preface- Xeroxed)

 

November 19 – Medieval Period – Christianity and Islam – Rabbi Cabelli

See Timelines

Jewish Literacy (Xeroxed)

 

November 26 – NO CLASS, Thanksgiving

 

Dec 3- Shabbat I- Rabbi Cabelli

Read: Living a Jewish Life, Pg 33-67

Tapestry, Pg 34-45

 

Dec 10- Shabbat II- Rabbi Meiri

Read Heschel, The Sabbath (optional)

 

Dec 17 - Chanukah Tugs of War, 7th night of Chanukah – Rabbi Meiri

Read Living a Jewish Life – Pg 199-205 Seasons of our Joy Pg 87-103, Xerox from Intro to Judaism by Kukoff (Pg 29-39)

 

Dec 24 and 31 NO CLASS WINTER BREAK

           

Jan 7 – Kashrut I – Rabbi Cabelli

Read What Jews Believe, Pg 176-180

Living a Jewish Life, Pg 95-107

 

Jan 14- Kashrut II – Rabbi Meiri

 

Jan 21- American Judaism- Rabbi Cabelli

What Jews Believe, Pg 44-49

Living a Jewish Life, Pg 116-143

 

Jan 28 – Tu Bishvat – Environment – Rabbi Meiri

Introduction to Judaism, Kukoff Pg 300-304 (Xeroxed)

Tapestry, Pg 110-117

 

Feb 4 – Tikkun Olam/Mitzvot- Rabbi Cabelli

Read What do Jews Believe Pg 159-176, 180-185

Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin, “Why Do We Need Organized Religious or Jewish Laws?” From Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism (Xeroxed)

 

Feb 11- Synagogue Prayer – Rabbi Meiri

Introduction to Judaism by Kukoff, Pg 200-222 (Xeroxed)

Jewish Literacy, 335, 336, 341, 342, 343 (Xeroxed)

What Jews Believe, Pg 186-210

 

Feb 18 – Lifecycles: Birth, B/M Confirmation – Rabbi Cabelli

Living a Jewish Life Pg 240-263

Tapestry, Pg 192-215

 

Feb 25- Purim/ Jewish Identity – Rabbi Meiri

Tapestry, Pg 118-127

Living a Jewish Life Pg 211-214

 

March 4 – Lifecycles:  Marriage Divorce and Parenting – Rabbi Cabelli

Living a Jewish Life Pg 264-277

Tapestry, Pg 216-225

David Hartman, A Heart of Many Rooms (Xerox)

 

March 11 – Lifecycle: Death, Mourning, Afterlife- Rabbi Meiri

What do Jews Believe?, Pg 73-83

Living a Jewish Life, Pg 289-301

Tapestry, Pg 226-239

March 18 – High Holidays, Rosh Chodesh- Rabbi Cabelli

Living a Jewish Life, Pg 180-191

What Jews Believe, Pg 84-107

Tapestry, Pg 46-81

 

March 25 – Festivals-  Rabbi Meiri

Living a Jewish Life Pg 192-198, 215-228, 278-285

Tapestry, Pg 128-145, 166-177, 82-93

 

April  1– NO CLASS

 

April 8- Yom HaShoah – Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, Tisha B’Av  BOTH RABBIS?? Night, Elie Wiesel (optional)

Introduction to Judaism, Pg 351-360 (copied)

Living a Jewish Life, Pg 229-233

Tapestry, Pg 146-155, 178-185

 

April 15- Israel –Rabbi Cabelli

Tapestry, Pg 156-165

Introduction to Judaism, Pg 305-314

 

April 22 – Chosenness and Conversion- BOTH RABBIS

What Jews Believe, Pg 108-128, 211-246

Living a Jewish Life, Pg 278-281