TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM

INSTITUTE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION

FALL 2009

We are pleased to again present Temple Beth Sholom's Institute of Continuing Education for Fall, 2009. You are welcome to select from the variety of courses and programs offered below, which are presented across a wide range of levels and times in order to maximize opportunities for adult Jewish learning within our congregation and throughout the Brevard Jewish Community.

Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue
The administration of justice is a divine mandate in Judaism. As G-d is viewed as the author of universal justice, and, as our understanding of justice in Judaism rests on G-d’s authority, we are required to pursue and administer justice wherever we live and throughout the world. In fact, our Sages included the creation of courts and the administration of justice among the “7 Noahide Laws”, which are incumbent upon all nations.
Jewish notions of justice are not static. Beginning in the Torah, continuing through the Prophets, with their ideal of social justice, and expanding through Rabbinic teaching, justice is an expanding ideal and a perpetual goal in Judaism. Our pursuit of a just and righteous society has led to significant contributions by individual Jews throughout human history. Today’s world would benefit greatly by the successful administration of justice among the nations, just as we would benefit individually by living in a just community and nation.
We will examine various teachings from Classical Judaism, in order to better understand the meaning and application of justice.

Time: Wednesday evenings, from 7:30—9:00 p. m.
Dates: October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 9 & 16
Instructor: Rabbi Richard J. Margolis
Rabbi Richard J. Margolis serves as Rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom. He holds a B. A. in Philosophy and M. A. and M. Phil. degrees in Semitic Cultures and Languages from Columbia University. He also holds a Bachelor of Hebrew Literature, a Master of Arts in Bible, a Master of Hebrew Literature and Rabbinic Ordination, plus a Doctor of Divinity from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He continued with doctoral studies at Columbia University, and has taught on the faculties of Boston Hebrew College, NYU Graduate School and Baltimore Hebrew University.

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program
A two–year course of study, leading to the celebration of Bar/Bat Mitzvah for adults who may never have had such an opportunity. Participants will survey the 4,000–year civilization of Judaism, concentrating on the core beliefs and values of the Biblical, Rabbinic, Mediaeval and Modern Periods, respectively. While a basic reading knowledge of Hebrew is not an immediate prerequisite for this program, students will need to become proficient enough in their Hebrew skills to enable them to participate in the Shabbat Services, during which their Bar/Bat Mitzvah will take place.

Time: Sunday early afternoons, from 12:30—2:00 p. m.
Begins: October 25, 2009
Instructor: Anna Falk
Anna Falk recently joined our faculty as Hebrew and Judaica specialist for our Brevard Jewish Community School, and, she teaches in our Religious School as well. A native of Russia, Anna majored in English in college, during which she coordinated an emergency assistance program of the Joint Distribution Committee that served some 155,000 Jews in the FSU. After making ’aliyah to Israel, Anna studied at the Pardes Institute and earned a Masters degree in Education, from the Hebrew University. Anna and her husband, Kobi, have a son, David, who is now over 3 years of age.
Beginning & Elementary Hebrew Reading

Focus on the Prayerbook
The ability to read Hebrew is an essential skill for synagogue participation, and, since the essential vocabulary of Judaism is in Hebrew, a familiarity with key terms and concepts is important in strengthening our Jewish identity. In this program, we will learn to recognize the Hebrew letters and vowels, form words and phrases, and, come to comprehend some of the basic terminology of Judaism.

Beginning Hebrew Class
Time: Tuesday evenings, from 5:30—6:30 p. m.
Begins: October 6, 2009

Elementary Hebrew Class (continues)
Time: Tuesday evenings, from 6:30—7:30 p. m.
Instructor: Gary Sack
Gary Sack serves as Past President of Temple Beth Sholom. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the University of Miami, Gary has successfully practiced law in Florida since 1973. He has experienced a personal Jewish renaissance since coming to Temple Beth Sholom, and, now regularly leads portions of our Sanctuary Services. He eagerly invites those who wish to acquire Hebrew reading skills to join him in this program.

Discussion Group on Israel & the Middle East
While the future remains to be determined, recent developments, involving Israel and other nations throughout the world, indicate that rapid change is very much the order of the day. Arab and Muslim nations have quietly begun to propose normalizing relations with the Jewish State. Dictatorships in the Middle East and Africa are slowly being replaced with emerging democracies, all of which have much to learn from Israel’s democratic society. The global war in Islamist terrorism is slowly marginalizing some of the most dangerous anti-Israel forces, while the world community is coming to realize that the threat of a nuclear Iran would menace far more than Israel.

Time: Thursday early afternoons, from 12:00—1:00 p. m.
Dates: October 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 10 & 17
Instructor: Bea Fowler
Bea Fowler served as the District 2 School Board member. She is a Temple Beth Sholom member and holds a Masters degree in History, and, a minor in Judaic Studies, from the University of Central Florida. As a member of a youth Zionist group in 1947, Bea was greatly influenced by the struggle to establish the Jewish State.

A Special Opportunity:
 Learn and Develop Synagogue Skills
Have you ever wanted to learn how to lead or participate in services? Would you like to become a Torah or Haftorah reader? Our Ritual co-chairmen will show you how!
Instructor: Dr. Mark Dresner
Arrangements: Contact Dr. Dresner at 321 255 3762.

E–mail Adult Education
For members who are connected to any on–line service, the Education Committee of TBS has an adult education service, using email. Participants of this program will receive periodic mailings of Jewish content. A variety of websites will be reviewed for interesting subjects and then emailed to the participants. Sources include, but, are not limited to the following: The Jerusalem Post, United Synagogue/JTS, Jewish Community Network, Jewish Family Life. This Adult Study—On-Line is fast becoming popular, and has already over 100 participants. You will be able to discuss current issues related to Judaism on–line, and forward articles to mailing–list members, as well. The initiator and spark plug of this enterprise is Dr. Steven Podnos.
To get on the list, please email your own email address to: StevenP302@aol.com

On–Going Programs with Rabbi Margolis

Shabbat Lunch & Learn
Rabbi Margolis will remain after Shabbat luncheon, to continue the day’s Torah Study, or, to engage in an open forum, dealing with topics of interest to the participants.
Time: Shabbat afternoons, from 12:30—1:30 p. m.
Dates: November 14 & December 5

Shabbat Torah Study
Each Shabbat Morning, as part of our worship, the Rabbi conducts a presentation and interactive discussion of the weekly Torah portion and Haftorah. Emphasis is placed on understanding the message of the biblical text and its meaning and application in today’s world.

Thursday Morning Leisure Minyan Study
Following our highly successful Leisure Minyan, each Thursday morning at 10:00 a. m., participants share breakfast and Rabbi Margolis teaches passages from classical Jewish texts. This fall, we will continue in our readings of Maimonides’ ethical teachings in the Mishneh Torah.

Coming in Spring 2010

Please call the office to register.