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"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
FRIDAY NOON STUDY GROUP JUNE 9 12-1
Last week, our study of God is a Verb began with a consideration of a question posed at the end of our previous session: “Is Evil Necessary?” Many of us were not entirely comfortable with the Kabbalistic notion that evil fulfills a primary function in creation, that if you kill the evil inclination “the world will be destroyed because there will no longer be a desire to procreate” (Yoma 69b) or engage in business, and that we must seek out the divine spark inherent in evil and attempt to uplift it.
We moved on from this eternal conundrum and began to discuss the opening chapter of Part 3 of Cooper’s text, “Higher Awareness.” Some highlights from that discussion include:
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Our agreement not to take mystical conceptions of a chariot (Merkevah) carrying us off to the throne of God too literally, even though this concept has its origin in the Haftarah from the Book of Ezekiel chanted last week on Shavuot.
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On the other hand, our group seemed to accept Cooper’s notion that we are all afflicted with what he calls a “Time Deficiency Syndrome” that has created a distorted sense of priorities. This malady, which Cooper identifies as a form of spiritual malnutrition, is caused by our desire for more acquisitions and/or power and control.
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No one seemed to disagree with Cooper that we needed to find ways to make time to develop a true awareness of things that really mattered, to make our inner lights brighter, and to connect with the Divine. That is, at least for most of us in the group, if we considered the Divine to be something other than an anthropomorphized God but rather a creative source of energy, a force dedicated to making the world a better place.
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We also were receptive to Cooper’s idea that we need to develop methods of attaining higher awareness by immersing ourselves in meaningful activities, engaging in contemplative meditation, and developing our kavanah (intention/purpose) to ensure that it does not devolve into rote behavior. We also agreed that such consciousness-raising activity (which often involves ways of deflecting distractions to focus on the here and now) is a way of mending the world (tikkun olam) and mending our souls (tikkun ha-nefesh). All of this discussion worked to prepare us for the exercises (paths) that Cooper will introduce in the remainder of this chapter.
This Friday, our group will consider the various paths of the tzaddik that Cooper outlines on pp. 186-234, paths of respect, generosity, lovingkindness, etc.
Our discussion group meets via Zoom every Friday from 12-1 (see the CBI web site or weekly announcements for a Zoom link). All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous Friday study group sessions. If you have questions, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu .
We expect to complete our study of God is a Verb by Friday, June 16. On Friday, June 23, we’ll be starting a new topic when we explore JEWISH PERSPECTIVES ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. Judaism has a history of debate over the death penalty but it generally disagrees with the practice. Although the Torah describes over 30 situations where the death penalty would be appropriate, there are many limitations that have made it difficult to implement.
Our exploration is intended to help inform the screening and panel discussion of a film, Racist Roots: Origins of North Carolina’s Death Penalty, which will be sponsored by Congregation Beth Israel on Monday June 26, 2023, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
Stay tuned to the CBI web site and Weekly Announcements for a link to the Racist Roots film and further information on the Noon Study Group discussions and the June 26th event focusing on issues involving Social Justice and the Death Penalty.
FRIDAY NOON STUDY GROUP JUNE 9 12-1
Last week, our study of God is a Verb began with a consideration of a question posed at the end of our previous session: “Is Evil Necessary?” Many of us were not entirely comfortable with the Kabbalistic notion that evil fulfills a primary function in creation, that if you kill the evil inclination “the world will be destroyed because there will no longer be a desire to procreate” (Yoma 69b) or engage in business, and that we must seek out the divine spark inherent in evil and attempt to uplift it.
We moved on from this eternal conundrum and began to discuss the opening chapter of Part 3 of Cooper’s text, “Higher Awareness.” Some highlights from that discussion include:
-
Our agreement not to take mystical conceptions of a chariot (Merkevah) carrying us off to the throne of God too literally, even though this concept has its origin in the Haftarah from the Book of Ezekiel chanted last week on Shavuot.
-
On the other hand, our group seemed to accept Cooper’s notion that we are all afflicted with what he calls a “Time Deficiency Syndrome” that has created a distorted sense of priorities. This malady, which Cooper identifies as a form of spiritual malnutrition, is caused by our desire for more acquisitions and/or power and control.
-
No one seemed to disagree with Cooper that we needed to find ways to make time to develop a true awareness of things that really mattered, to make our inner lights brighter, and to connect with the Divine. That is, at least for most of us in the group, if we considered the Divine to be something other than an anthropomorphized God but rather a creative source of energy, a force dedicated to making the world a better place.
-
We also were receptive to Cooper’s idea that we need to develop methods of attaining higher awareness by immersing ourselves in meaningful activities, engaging in contemplative meditation, and developing our kavanah (intention/purpose) to ensure that it does not devolve into rote behavior. We also agreed that such consciousness-raising activity (which often involves ways of deflecting distractions to focus on the here and now) is a way of mending the world (tikkun olam) and mending our souls (tikkun ha-nefesh). All of this discussion worked to prepare us for the exercises (paths) that Cooper will introduce in the remainder of this chapter.
This Friday, our group will consider the various paths of the tzaddik that Cooper outlines on pp. 186-234, paths of respect, generosity, lovingkindness, etc.
Our discussion group meets via Zoom every Friday from 12-1 (see the CBI web site or weekly announcements for a Zoom link). All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous Friday study group sessions. If you have questions, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu .
We expect to complete our study of God is a Verb by Friday, June 16. On Friday, June 23, we’ll be starting a new topic when we explore JEWISH PERSPECTIVES ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. Judaism has a history of debate over the death penalty but it generally disagrees with the practice. Although the Torah describes over 30 situations where the death penalty would be appropriate, there are many limitations that have made it difficult to implement.
Our exploration is intended to help inform the screening and panel discussion of a film, Racist Roots: Origins of North Carolina’s Death Penalty, which will be sponsored by Congregation Beth Israel on Monday June 26, 2023, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
Stay tuned to the CBI web site and Weekly Announcements for a link to the Racist Roots film and further information on the Noon Study Group discussions and the June 26th event focusing on issues involving Social Justice and the Death Penalty.
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