There is so much that 4,000 years of tradition and wisdom can teach us. Young or old, observant or not-so-much; whether you already know a lot or are just starting out – you’re not alone. Jump in. No wrong answers –
"With the knowledge and empathy I have gained at the Friday Study Group, my understanding of life has also grown. We are a community where I can live my values."-Carol Cohen
This week's learning
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Join us on the last Sunday of the month online for a refreshing and often provocative discussion. Each month, we take on a new topic – often ripped from the headlines of today’s news. We spend the first 45 minutes wrapping our arms around it, defining it, dissecting and analyzing it from various viewpoints. Then we spend the rest of the time discussing it from Judaism’s point of view.
- What’s Judaism’s take on universal healthcare?
- Would Moses walk the streets of Chicago today packing heat?
- Is it okay to punch a white supremacist?
Torah on Tap gives us a chance to learn, vent, share and, most of all, understand what 4,000 years of cultural development, debate and dialogue has to say about some of the issues that confront us today. Torah on Tap is free and open to all. Varying viewpoints are not only welcome, but encouraged.
See you there!
Friday, October 23, 12-1
Last Friday our group discussed Chapter 11 of The Bible Unearthed, which deals with the ”Great Reformation” of Judah during King Josiah’s reign. By now, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that we went off on a few tangents during our discussion. Here are some of the things we talked about:
- Josiah’s reign represented an ideal toward which Israel was heading; his efforts at religious reform (destruction of idols, deposing idolatrous priests, eliminating child sacrifice, i.e. overturning the sins of the past) offered the Jewish people their greatest hope for national redemption
- During the reign of King Josiah, there began the production of the Hebrew Bible, a literary expression of national identity and a moral code in Deuteronomy that emphasized social justice.
- The group spent some time discussing whether all civilizations required core documents/texts (written or oral), national epics or myths that we tell ourselves to establish some sense of moral authority.
- We also discussed how, overall, the Bible offered what our authors call a ”profoundly optimistic history” that invites its readers to become part of its happy ending.
- We discussed whether the text that was ”discovered” while purifying the Temple was in fact ”discovered” or was it created/composed during Josiah’s reign.
- We concluded by pondering the fact that all the good work that King Josiah seemed to have done crumbled during three generations of the kings who succeeded him, ultimately leading to the destruction of the Temple and the Babylonian Exile.
When we gather on October 23, our group will conclude its discussion of the The Bible Unearthed by looking at its final chapter ”Exile and Return” and the Epilogue, ”The Future of Biblical Israel” (pp. 296-318).
Our informal discussion group is held online every Friday from 12-1. All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous noon study group discussions. If you have questions, or would like the Zoom link, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.
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Friday, October 23, 12-1
Last Friday our group discussed Chapter 11 of The Bible Unearthed, which deals with the ”Great Reformation” of Judah during King Josiah’s reign. By now, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that we went off on a few tangents during our discussion. Here are some of the things we talked about:
- Josiah’s reign represented an ideal toward which Israel was heading; his efforts at religious reform (destruction of idols, deposing idolatrous priests, eliminating child sacrifice, i.e. overturning the sins of the past) offered the Jewish people their greatest hope for national redemption
- During the reign of King Josiah, there began the production of the Hebrew Bible, a literary expression of national identity and a moral code in Deuteronomy that emphasized social justice.
- The group spent some time discussing whether all civilizations required core documents/texts (written or oral), national epics or myths that we tell ourselves to establish some sense of moral authority.
- We also discussed how, overall, the Bible offered what our authors call a ”profoundly optimistic history” that invites its readers to become part of its happy ending.
- We discussed whether the text that was ”discovered” while purifying the Temple was in fact ”discovered” or was it created/composed during Josiah’s reign.
- We concluded by pondering the fact that all the good work that King Josiah seemed to have done crumbled during three generations of the kings who succeeded him, ultimately leading to the destruction of the Temple and the Babylonian Exile.
When we gather on October 23, our group will conclude its discussion of the The Bible Unearthed by looking at its final chapter ”Exile and Return” and the Epilogue, ”The Future of Biblical Israel” (pp. 296-318).
Our informal discussion group is held online every Friday from 12-1. All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous noon study group discussions. If you have questions, or would like the Zoom link, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.
- 1Share
Friday, October 23, 12-1
Last Friday our group discussed Chapter 11 of The Bible Unearthed, which deals with the ”Great Reformation” of Judah during King Josiah’s reign. By now, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that we went off on a few tangents during our discussion. Here are some of the things we talked about:
- Josiah’s reign represented an ideal toward which Israel was heading; his efforts at religious reform (destruction of idols, deposing idolatrous priests, eliminating child sacrifice, i.e. overturning the sins of the past) offered the Jewish people their greatest hope for national redemption
- During the reign of King Josiah, there began the production of the Hebrew Bible, a literary expression of national identity and a moral code in Deuteronomy that emphasized social justice.
- The group spent some time discussing whether all civilizations required core documents/texts (written or oral), national epics or myths that we tell ourselves to establish some sense of moral authority.
- We also discussed how, overall, the Bible offered what our authors call a ”profoundly optimistic history” that invites its readers to become part of its happy ending.
- We discussed whether the text that was ”discovered” while purifying the Temple was in fact ”discovered” or was it created/composed during Josiah’s reign.
- We concluded by pondering the fact that all the good work that King Josiah seemed to have done crumbled during three generations of the kings who succeeded him, ultimately leading to the destruction of the Temple and the Babylonian Exile.
When we gather on October 23, our group will conclude its discussion of the The Bible Unearthed by looking at its final chapter ”Exile and Return” and the Epilogue, ”The Future of Biblical Israel” (pp. 296-318).
Our informal discussion group is held online every Friday from 12-1. All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous noon study group discussions. If you have questions, or would like the Zoom link, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.
- 1Share
YEP! (Youth Engagement Program)
Forget Sunday School. YEP! is an innovative and exciting multi-generational, hands-on Jewish educational experience for parents and their children. Once a week during the school year, families come together for experiential learning that that fosters deep relationships among families, our congregation and the greater community, while strengthening Jewish identity on a personal level.
One of the beautiful aspects of raising Jewish kids in Asheville is that they tend to grow up with a sense of groundedness. Their bar/bat mitzvah is not an over-the-top competition. It's just one of life's milestones. It's not a culmination of their Jewish learning and engagement - it's the beginning.
Bar/Bat mitzvah study is introduced early on, at least several years prior to the event. Our kids study with Josefa Briant, a former soloist in the Batsheva Dance Company (Tel Aviv) with a deep sense of spirituality. They meet as a class to acquire the skills needed to lead services. About a year out, kids begin studying one-one-one to learn their Torah portion and haftorah and begin to meet with Rabbi Justin to get a taste of what Jewish study with a chevruta (partner) is all about. After it's over, many decide to remain engaged. That is our measure of success.
The post b'nei mitzvah group is for those young adults 13 and over who have already become bar/bat mitzvvah. The student-led group meets the first Tuesday of the month with Rabbi Goldstein in a setting that is open, safe and confidential. Topics for discussion revolve around creating, growing and sustaining meaningful relationships and use both text study and discussion as tools with which to explore Jewish life and Jewish values. For more information, please contact Rabbi Goldstein.
"I find it quite remarkable that people are both open and respectful! Open? That happens. Respectful? Not everywhere!! But always here!" - Judith Hoy
Learning for Adults
Do you ever wonder what it’s all about? Curious what Judaism has to say about today’s thornier problems? Always wanted to learn to speak Hebrew? Yiddish? Or maybe you just want to get more out of Shabbat and the other holidays. You’re in the right place. We get together weekly, monthly or whenever we can. Many, but not all, groups are led by Rabbi Justin. And not all take place at the synagogue.
Weekly/Monthly Learning
Learning Throughout the Year
Scholar-in-Residence
At least once each year, the CBI hosts a Scholar/Artist-in-Residence for a weekend. Previous scholars/artists include: Rabbi Harold Kushner; Israeli writer/entertainer, Danny Maseng; dancer and creator of MOVING TORAH, Andrea Hodos; storyteller and folklorist, Pennina Schram.
Holiday Study
The holidays provide opportunities to deepen our understanding of who we are - as individuals and as a people. We take advantage of as many as we can, including Tu b'Shevat, Purim, Pesach, Shavuot, Tisha b'Av, and more.
Dinner and a Movie
Start with a dairy pot-luck dinner, add a few dozen of your friends, then settle in for a movie that's sure to make you laugh, cry, love, cringe or, at the very least, think.
"The culture of learning at CBI is vibrant, non-dogmatic, participatory, respectful, relevant, and evolving within the context of our growing congregation. The intellect and the spirit are equally honored." -Dr. Robert Kline