F1. A Contemporary Understanding of Mitzvot
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
Wednesdays, 9:30-10:45
- Instructor: Leslie Goldress
- 12 sessions in person
(online participation allowed only if necessary) - Cost: $210
Mitzvot are commandments traditionally understood to come from God and to be intended for the Jewish people to observe. For many Jews today, this system is no longer operative. This course will look at the 613 mitzvot as compiled by the Rambam (Maimonides) and explore this system—positive and negative mitzvot and ritual and ethical mitzvot.
Did you know that there are mitzvot about how to treat the poor and unfortunate; how to treat gentiles; what sexual relations are forbidden; how to behave in business; how to treat employees; the role of the court and judicial procedures and laws dealing with wars? We will try to understand the reasons behind the different mitzvot and why we personally choose to observe certain ones and ignore others. Are some mitzvot more important than others? When are we allowed and even required to violate a mitzvah? What should we do when 2 mitzvot seem to conflict?
F2. Kings, Prophets and Priests: The Political Intrigue of Israel’s Monarchy
Thursdays, 9:30-10:45
- Instructor: Rabbi Brian Leiken
- 12 sessions in person or online (hybrid)
- Cost: $210
Long before "King Bibi" and today's Israeli politics, there were the stories of Israel’s first monarchies and the dramatic political dynamics that led to Israel’s division. Using primary sources (the books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles), rabbinic commentary and modern scholarship, we will identify important themes and lessons that can be applied to our own time.
What were the roles of Kings, prophets and priests during this period? We will come to discover narrative arcs that bear striking similarity to some of the greatest Western classical literature. Most importantly, we will come to understand the meaning of both power and responsibility as it relates to Jewish values.
F3. Bioethics 2024
Thursdays, 11:00-12:15
- Instructor: Rabbi Jill Hackell
- 10 sessions in person or online (hybrid)
- Cost: $180
Ethical issues in the field of medicine permeate modern life and come from real situations that we face. The field continues to evolve as new challenges arise. We will look through a Jewish lens at topics such as abortion (now in a post-Roe vs Wade world), beginning of life (including the issue of post-mortem sperm donation in IDF soldiers), end of life (including Medical Aid in Dying), triage in time of healthcare shortages (e.g. COVID and ventilators), and advances in genetic engineering. New students and those who have previously taken bioethics with me are welcome to take this class, in this ever-changing field.
Instructor Bios
Leslie Goldress
Leslie Goldress has taught Melton and Midreshet since their inception in Rockland. A Jewish educator for over 40 years, she has a graduate degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Leslie served as Educational Director of the NCJC for over 20 years. She has taught Dramas of Jewish Living, a Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning core class, Melton graduate courses on American Jewish Experience, Contemporary Jewish Issues, Israel, and the Development of the Jewish Denominations.
Dr. Rabbi Jill Hackell
Dr. Rabbi Jill Hackell received her M.D. degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and practiced pediatrics for several years. She worked for over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, where she did clinical research on new vaccines for children. She was ordained at the Academy for Jewish Religion, a pluralistic rabbinical school. Rabbi Hackell is the rabbi at the West Clarkstown Jewish Center. She also teaches Jewish Bioethics at AJR, secular Bioethics at Dominican University in the Graduate Nursing program, and has taught a wide range of subjects at the Federation Midreshet since 2012.
Rabbi Brian Leiken
Rabbi Brian Leiken has been the Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom since June of 2012. He is passionate about social justice, Jewish history, and the study of modern American Judaism. As the religious leader of Temple Beth Sholom, Rabbi Leiken has transitioned the temple into a relational synagogue, one that is built upon the inter and intra-relationships between the clergy and its members. He attended the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion where he was ordained in May of 2007.
Financial need scholarships and spouse discounts are available.
For more information, contact Barry Kanarek at bkanarek@jewishrockland.org or (845)362-4200 ext 170.