Lifelong Learning: February/March

Our goal is to engage, inspire, surprise, expand minds and experience our peoples' amazing history and tradition in a new light and through new lenses. From music to movies, text study to book groups and learning from some of the most accomplished scholars of our time, there is truly something for everyone!

Here is what's coming up in February & March

FEBRUARY LIFELONG LEARNING

Thursday, February 2

7pm | via Zoom

Shir Ami Record Club: Welcome to the Jungle/Guns N' Roses

"My grandmother was very spiritual, and she thought doing Jewish things was important for my life. They weren't important for me, but she was older and wiser. She passed away 15 years ago but now she's my angel. She's with me and she helps me constantly. She believed in things and I believed in her" - Steven Adler

Join Rabbi Eric on a musical journey filled with astronomical success (Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, has sold over 30 million copies worldwide), incredible controversy (Their song One in a Million was deemed by many to be ‘racist’ and ‘homophobic’) and undeniable influence – at least for one teen (Guns n’ Roses are the reason Rabbi Eric picked up a guitar for the first time).

Zoom Link

pw: 183230

Tuesday, February 7

12:45pm Lunch

1:15pm Program Begins

In Person or via Zoom

Lunch & Learn: Israel and Jerusalem Today Through The Eyes of a Progressive (Reform) Rabbi Living in Jerusalem w/ Rabbi Stacey Blank

Rabbi Stacey Blank is the Director of Education and Leadership Development for the World Union for Progressive Judaism. She previously served as the rabbi of Kehilat Shir Chadash in Tzur Hadassah (2013-2021) and Kehilat Darchei Noam in Ramat HaSharon (2007-2012). She has lived in Jerusalem since 2005 and writes stories, poems, and feminist prayers. Rabbi Blank will be joining us from Israel and share her experiences of being a liberal/Reform female rabbi in Israel. Her story is eye opening, informative and provides insight into the current climate of Progressive/Reform Judaism in Jerusalem and throughout Israel.

Wednesday, February 15

8:00pm | via Zoom

iEngage: Judea and Samaria – Occupation or Liberation

This innovative course explores the pivotal events of 1947 and 1967 as key moments when Zionism unleashed new thinking about the meaning of Jewishness for generations to come. The course is an open discussion about issues of Jewish identity, peoplehood, ethics, and theology, as they relate to nationhood, land, sovereignty, Jerusalem, occupation, and moral red lines.

Through the consideration of major historic moments, this iEngage Project series grapples with the different ideas and values that shape the meaning of modern Israel, Zionism, and Jewish identity today.

Each session in this eight-unit course includes a 20-35 minute video lecture and a 20-30 minute roundtable video discussion as well as primary sources and background readings.

Thursday, February 23

7:30pm | via Zoom

Israeli Book Club: Where the Desert Meets the Sea

An illuminating and heart-stirring historical novel set in post-WWII Palestine, where the boundaries of love and friendship are challenged by the intractable conflicts of war.

Purchase Book Here

Sunday, February 26

12pm | via Zoom

Israel: Jerusalem Masterclass #3 | Secrets of the Old City

For our third Masterclass meeting, Kobi will join us live from Israel! What secrets does the Old City of Jerusalem hide? Is it true that there is a religious tattoo shop run by the same family for 700 years within the ancient walls? A hotel where Mark Twain spent some time? A cave of the Freemasons? Join us to learn about all of this and so much more!