Midreshet

Spring 2025-26 Session

Registration deadline: February 3

REGISTER ONLINE

DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM

S1. Oh God: Sex and the Jews

Tuesdays, 11:00-12:15

Starting February 10

Instructor: Rabbi Molly Karp
12 sessions in person or online (hybrid)
Cost: $210

Jewish views of sex and sexuality have unfolded over millennia in wildly diverse ways. Is sex a mitzvah? A temptation to be overcome? A reflection of Divine activity between God and the Shekhina? Only for procreation or something to be enjoyed? As in many other areas of Jewish thought, there is not only one Jewish view of sex and sexuality. This course will explore literary selections of Jewish thought and expression from the Talmud through Kabbalah and more as they unfold throughout our history and in varying communities. No previous knowledge is needed.

S2. From Zionism to Statehood: The Birth of Israel

Wednesdays, 9:30-10:45

Starting February 11

Instructor: Leslie Goldress
12 sessions in person
(online participation allowed only if necessary)
Cost: $210

Zionism, the late 19th century movement for a Jewish homeland, culminated in Israel’s statehood in 1948. This course will explore how Jewish nationalism and historical ties to Zionism led to the issuing of the Balfour Declaration, the British mandate, the UN Partition Plan of 1947 and finally Israel’s declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948. We will delve into the writings of early Zionist leaders, explore the waves of pre-statehood Aliyah and learn about the development of political, governmental, economic, social and defense and security institutions in the Yishuv (pre-state Israel).

S3. The Afterlife in the Jewish Imagination

Thursdays, 9:30-10:45

Starting February 12

Instructor: Rabbi Molly Karp
12 sessions in person or online (hybrid)
Cost: $210

Ideas found in the Bible, Apocrypha, rabbinic literature, medieval philosophy, medieval Midrash, Kabbalah, and Hasidism describe many views of how Judaism imagined the fate of the individual after death. This course will explore Jewish ideas of heaven and hell, Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come), the Garden of Eden, resurrection of the dead, immortality of the soul, divine judgment prior to death, and reincarnation. No previous knowledge is needed.

S4. Zionism for the 21st Century: How do we Understand Zionism After October 7th

Thursdays, 11:00-12:15

Starting February 19

Instructor: Rabbi Jill Hackell
10 sessions in person or online (hybrid)
Cost: $180

The Hartman Institute in Jerusalem has developed a curriculum entitled "iEngage: Liberal Zionism: between Crisis and Aspiration", which aims to guide us through the questions that Jews in Israel and in the Diaspora are asking ourselves in these difficult times. Before each class, students will listen to a podcast (30 – 50 min) on the given topic. In class, we will review what we have gleaned from the podcast, struggle with our own questions and feelings, and look at relevant texts in order to develop a fuller understanding of the issues facing Israelis and Diaspora Jews today.

Pre-requisites: Open-mindedness (the course reflects the Hartman Institute’s position on liberal Zionism, other Zionist perspectives will be presented in other courses), willingness to explore difficult information, to listen to and respect various viewpoints as well as sign up for and listen to the Hartman Institute podcasts.

Instructor Bios

Leslie Goldress

Leslie Goldress has taught Melton and Midreshet since their inception in Rockland. A Jewish educator for over 50 years, she has a graduate degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Leslie served as Educational Director of the New City Jewish Center 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 has served as rabbi at the West Clarkstown Jewish Center and is currently working in the role of Associate Rabbi at Congregation Sons of Israel in Nyack, with rabbinic and teaching responsibilities. 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 Molly Karp

Rabbi Molly Karp was ordained as a rabbi at the Academy for Jewish Religion in Riverdale, NY. She spent ten years in doctoral studies in Hebrew Bible at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Rabbi Karp holds a Master’s degree in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR in New York and a BA in Judaic Studies from SUNY Binghamton. Her training in Mindfulness Practice and Jewish Spirituality at the Institute of Jewish Spirituality is at the heart of all of her work.

Financial need scholarships and spouse discounts are available.

For more information, contact Barry Kanarek at [email protected] or (845)362-4200 ext 170.