Lifelong Learning
KI offers a variety of opportunities for adult learning. Get a copy of the Fall
Adult Ed brochure here.
Shabbat Education Series
Visiting Rabbi Weekends — Rabbi Matthew Kaufman
Friday-Saturday, September 12-13, 2008
We are delighted to welcome back Rabbi Matthew Kaufman for two special weekends. For
the first, on Friday night, join friends for a light meal
available between 6 and 7, with the Friday night service beginning
at 7:00 pm. At 7:30 pm Rabbi Kaufman will
talk about the “Sound of Spirit,” the
Shofar and its spiritual significance. We will study
the origin of the custom to blow the shofar, examine its development
in rabbinic thought, and explore its continuing spiritual
relevance today. Children are welcome to listen as much
as they’d like and childcare will be available as well. Please
RSVP at 882-0049.
On Saturday after kiddush (1 pm), Rabbi Kaufman’s
topic will be “Paths to Holiness: an interactive
discussion of the 13 Attributes of God” that
form the cornerstone to the Slichot liturgy traditionally
recited beginning the Saturday night prior to Rosh Hashanah.
Friday-Saturday, December 12-13, 2008
On Friday evening December 12 Rabbi Kaufman will discuss Chanukah
and “The Lights of Redemption.” This
will be a brief exploration of Chassidic teachings concerning
the spiritual message of the menorah.
On Saturday we will explore the Maccabean revolt to try to capture “What
‘really’ happened?” in the famous
war between the Maccabees and Antiochus Ephiphanes. We’ll
look at the historical record and talk about interpretation,
whether or not this was a rebellion or an unprovoked attack,
in what sense it was a “victory,” and how reading
the story in different ways produces a certain perspective.
Shabbat Study following Kiddush
Rabbi Zimmerman and Jack Love
1:00 p.m. following kiddush
The Shabbat learning following Kiddush
this year consists of three different intermingled series: Torah
Study, Hebrew through Song, and Major Commentators.
Torah Study with Rabbi Zimmerman
will give an opportunity to delve more deeply into the week's parashah than
time allows in a d'var torah, to address challenges
in the texts from close reading and use of classic commentaries
and other sources, and to follow (and rebut) the argumentation
leading to the rabbi's own interpretation of the material.
In Hebrew through Song classes with Jack Love we will learn
elements of the grammar of the Hebrew language while enjoying
the music of the Sabbath song book. Each class will
focus on one or several popular Sabbath songs, teaching
the language elements necessary to understand the song in
English as well as the musical information needed to sing. The
songs will be short and simple to start and can easily be
mastered within a few minutes. We’ll progress
to more elaborate settings of art songs of the shiron. Music
will be a capella unless participants want to bring
instruments.
For Major Commentators on the Book of Exodus, also with Jack
Love, we will learn about the lives, literary works, and
interpretive systems of the major Jewish commentators on
Exodus including Rashi, Rashbam, Ibn Ezra and Nachmanides. Each
session we will explore the biography of one of these commentators
and study sample texts and opinions selected from the Jewish
Publications Society edition of “The Commentators’ Bible” (Miqra’ot
G’dolot). All texts and interpretations
will be provided in English with an opportunity to study
the material in the original.
Class Dates: September 6, 2008 Hebrew through Song
October 25, 2008 Major Commentators
November 1, 2008 Torah Study
November 8, 2008 Hebrew through Song
November 15, 2008 Major Commentators
December 6, 2008 Torah Study
Visit Jack Love's class page here.
Conversations with Our Rabbi and Members
Rabbi Michael Zimmerman
Friday, September 5 and December 5, 2008
Thursday, December 4 and December 18, 2008
These informal programs are intended to address issues of immediate, practical concern
in an enjoyable way. Please join your KI friends for
two Friday evening programs with a short service, supper, childcare, and a discussion.
On September 5 the topic will be “Raising Jewish Kids in Greater Lansing.” We'll
explore your most pressing concerns, in an informal conversation
with a panel of parents of former, current, and possibly future KIRS students.
On December 5 the discussion will be a lively one called “Granny's
Christmas,” addressing the challenges faced during
the holiday season by Jewish parents, and the unique challenges encountered by interfaith families.
Both evenings will begin with a short Kabbalat Shabbat
service at 6:30 pm, followed by supper at 7 pm and a discussion at 7:30pm. Please RSVP at 882-0049.
On Thursday December 4 and December 18, Rabbi Zimmerman will begin a series on
the Elements of Judaism. This is a survey of
fundamental Jewish topics. These sessions are required
for conversion candidates and also aimed at KI members who
are interested in acquiring or reviewing basic Jewish knowledge. The
presentation will be introductory in nature and informal in
style. Spring class dates to be announced in spring brochure.
Stretching and Spirituality
Rabbi Zimmerman
Sundays, 10:00 am-11:00 am
A friendly, supportive series of gatherings dedicated to Jewish spiritual practice,
discussion, and joyful pursuit of meaning, nourishment, and
gentle challenge. This year the focus will be on stretching:
stretching of body, aspirations/goals, character development,
conceptions and assumptions (e.g., around Judaism, God, truth).
Class Dates: November 9, 2008
December 7, 2008
December 14, 2008
Community Learning Activities
Taking the Torah Home
"Taking the Torah Home" is a unique way of studying Torah (parshat ha'shavuah), a way which we call the "Vertical Torah." Instead of studying with just one or two sources and the text itself ("horizontal" study), we study simultaneously from sources across all Jewish denominations and also bring in major Christian commentators. Our sources include a wide range of scripture translations, including the ArtScroll, Jewish Study Bible, Etz Chaim, JPS Torah Commentary, Soncino Chumash, W. Gunther Plaut, Everett Fox, Robert Alter, Richard Elliott Friedman; and major commentaries such as Rashi, the Anchor Bible, Nehama Leibowitz, and Nahum Sarna.
Our sources also include very early texts such as the writings of Josephus, the Pseudepigrapha, the Enuma Elish, and the Amarna letters, as well as books and articles on biblical archaeology, paleosociology, and anthropology. Finally, we use sources from the Muslim and Christian religions, such as the Qu'ran and the King James and New International Bibles and their commentaries, and a wide variety of sources from the Web.
In addition to Torah and Haftarah study, we have also studied the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Amos, Ezekiel, 1 Maccabees, Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, and are continuing into the post-exilic prophets,
Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
We have been told that our "Vertical Torah" approach to study is unique. Please join us to see for yourself. We meet Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Shaarey Zedek in the library. You can find out more at the
web site. Conducted by local community members.
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