Programs at the JCNWJ, 2009–2010

Torah Study
Rabbi's Class
Adult Programs Elsewhere

Adult Hebrew Reading Course
The Adult Hebrew reading course started its third year on Tuesday, September 8. This class provides the opportunity to brush up on Hebrew reading skills with Howie Hirsh and Charlotte Fels. The only prerequisite for the course is to know your letters and vowels (if you are close to knowing them you will be helped to catch up. Classes will be most Tuesdays at 7 pm. If you would like to participate in this class, please contact Howie at 908-850-1030 or e-mail him at jcnwjhowie@comcast.net.

Torah Study This continuing Shabbat morning study group assembles monthly to wrestle, as Jacob did, with the meaning of Torah. It is an informal discussion of the traditional Torah text, using a variety of translations.

This monthly study group, which began in the fall of 1998, is lay-led. No homework is required, nor is knowledge of Hebrew necessary. Since its inception, the group has made a thorough study of Genesis, to which we constantly return, and in October, we will resume almost midway in Exodus. The September study session, on the afternoon of Yom Kippur, will be a special portion, to be announced on that day. Newcomers are welcome - come enjoy stimulating group discussion (Torah-based) with occasional digressions into contemporary events and politics.

2008-09 Torah Study Class Click to enlarge

Monthly meeting dates are Saturday mornings, 10:30 to 12:30:
Dates as follows: September 28 (Yom Kippur afternoon), October 17, November 14, December 12, January 16, February 20, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, and July 10.

Temple members can come and participate in any and all sessions.

Rabbi's Class
Take full advantage of our gifted teacher, Rabbi Ellen J. Lewis, who will guide participants through lively discussions of interest to everyone. Classes are held concurrent with Sunday school, once a month, in order to encourage parents with children in school, as well as other members, to participate. No homework is required, though if you are willing to read a little outside of class, you will receive benefits without measure.

The sixth session, on Sunday, April 11, will be a Commemoration of Yom HaShoah. Rabbi Lewis will lead study of texts relating to the Holocaust. All adults and Confirmation students are welcome.

The fourth and fifth sessions, on Sundays, January 17 and March 7, revisited Pirke Avot, a study of ethical text and its application to our daily lives.

The third session this year, on Sunday, December 20, focused on Pirke Avot and answered questions that remained from the November session. Also discussed were which text(s) to study from January through May, 2010. Possibilities are the Book of Job and/or the Book of Ruth. All are welcome.

This year's first class, on October 25, was "Torah Baggage". The second session, on Sunday, November had the theme, "But when do I bow?" This and other conundrums of sanctuary behavior were discussed.

Rabbi Lewis meets with interested students on Sunday mornings from 10:45 to noon. Dates as follows: October 25, November 15, December 20, January 17, March 7, and April 11.

If you are new to the class please contact Rabbi Lewis.

Upcoming Adult Programs Elsewhere

For the most up-to-date information on programs, including films, check the Web sites below:

www.ssbjcc.org/Jlife.htm (JCC Bridgewater)
www.allentownjcc.org (JCC Allentown)
www.ohrtikvahjhc.org (Ohr Tikvah Jewish Healing Center)