lehrhaus.org

5777Winter | 2017

Gala Honoring Moses and Susan Libitzky

April 24 San Francisco

SymposiumFebruary 12 • Palo Alto

CAST OUTTaboo, Tyranny, and

Tolerance

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Lehrhaus appreciates the support of co-sponsors throughout the Bay Area.

Lehrhaus Judaica Course Catalog Volume 43, No. 1 — January 1, 2017 — Published three times yearly

Design: Nancy Rosenblum, Frisco Graphics | www.behance.net/NancyRosenblum

Special ThanksLead Supporters

Ingrid D. Tauber Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund

Goodman Family Foundationwith special thanks to Richard A. Goodman

Koret Foundation

Major SupportersNewton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust

Eve Bernstein and Alex GersznowiczRobert Engel

Fred Isaac and Robin Reiner Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco,

the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma CountiesMoses and Susan Libitzky

Eda and Joseph Pell Dr. Barbara and Richard Rosenberg

Ruthellen TooleToole Charitable Trust

Diane and Howard Zack

Additional SupportersCompton Foundation

Elliott and Suzanne Felson Fleishhacker Foundation

Dr. Anita Friedman Susan and Howard Geifman

Harold Grinspoon Foundation Sidney Stern Memorial Trust with thanks to Peter Hoffenberg

Jo-Ann and Dr. Arnold Jacobson Fran and Bobby Lent

Rob Ruby z”l and Eileen Ruby Howard Simon and Dr. Vivien Igra

Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture Liz Wallerstein

Join the Lehrhaus Legacy FamilyKeep Jewish education vibrant for generations. For more information: Julie Bernstein Klein 510-845-6420, ext. 15 julie@lehrhaus.org

Lehrhaus Legacy Family (as of December 1, 2016)

Rabbi Ruth Adar and Linda Burnett

Martin and Judy Aufhauser

Eve Bernstein and Alex Gersznowicz

Marci and Marc Dollinger

Jehon and Jennifer Grist

Jo-Ann and Arnold Jacobson

Dawn Kepler and Mark Snyder

Moses and Susan Libitzky

Vernita Lyons and William Spears

Howard D. Maccabee Trust

Shirley Maccabee

Fred Rosenbaum and Dorothy Shipps

Dr. and Mrs. Bertram Silver

Howard Simon and Vivien Igra

Rebecca and Peretz Wolf-Prusan

Anonymous (5)

Lehrhaus Gala Honoring

Moses and Susan Libitzky

Featuring a musical performance by

Hershey FelderPianist, actor, playwright, composer,

producer, and director

Monday, April 24 InterContinental Hotel, San Francisco

Please contact Julie Bernstein Klein at julie@lehrhaus.org for tickets,

sponsorship opportunities, and questions.

register at lehrhaus.org

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360 Cast Out: Taboo, Tyranny, and Tolerance

From Spinoza to Modern TimesOn the 340th anniversary of the death of Baruch Spinoza, our symposium will demonstrate by the diversity of our presentations and performances the impact he continues to have on Jewish life and thought.

We will celebrate the heretical impulse, investigate the role of the gatekeepers and censors, the price paid by those who speak out, the vitality of the secular in the Jewish community, and women and gender issues.

KeynoteProf. David Biale: Great Jewish Heretics, From Acher Through the Rambam to Spinoza

WorkshopsProf. David Biale: Not in the Heavens: The Tradition of Jewish Secular Thought

Tova Birnbaum: From Archeology to Theology: How the Kotel Became an Orthodox Synagogue and the Women of the Wall

Rabbi Darren Kleinberg: The Sociology of American (Jewish) Identity

Dr. Jay Michaelson: I Do Not Look to Heaven: The Antinomianism of Jacob Frank, Between Philosophical Critique and Esoteric Myth

Fred Rosenbaum: The Price of Dissent: Southern Rabbis in the Age of Jim Crow

Prof. Naomi Seidman: Is Heresy Gendered?

Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan:Spinoza: The Road to Inner Freedom

PerformanceYair Dalal will play Ladino music and poetry, romansas and intriguing folk tales which deal with ethical issues, relationships and traditions.

ClosingRabbi Peretz Wolf-PrusanEulogy for Baruch ben Michael de Espinosa v’Hana Debora d’Espinoza

Sunday, February 12 | 4:00 - 7:30 pm $30 | Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto

Spring Farm FestivalThe festival offers families a day of learning, music, and farm-based activities for both adults and children, focusing on sustainable agricultural approaches founded on Jewish ethical values. Activities include workshops on composting, planting a spring garden, rain water harvesting, food preparation from pickles to cheese, and more. Teens and adults will discuss food justice,

climate change and sustainable food systems, among other topics.

The event includes: a keynote by David Ingber, eight farm stations, and three sessions of workshops/hands-on activi-ties. The day concludes with a musical performance from 5:30-7 pm.

Sunday, May 14 | 12:30 - 5:30 pm $10 | Urban Adamah, Berkeley

David Biale

Yair Dalal

Baruch Spinoza

register at lehrhaus.org

Walking in the Valley of the Shadow

Walking in the Valley of the ShadowA collaboration of The Gamliel Institute, Sinai Memorial Chapel, and Lehrhaus Judaica

Mourning and Grief: After the DeathWe will address Kaddish basics, what the Jewish tradition says about mourning and grief and memory, and how to gather community support. We will create a safe place to share special cases of death such as stillbirth, neonatal, sudden, and traumatic.

The Final Mitzvot (Getting Your House in Order)This session will demystify advance planning, ethical wills, and ethical dilemmas: extending life, organ donation, genetic testing, abortion, autopsy, and stem-cell usage.

The Other ConversationWe will share practical know- ledge regarding planning a funeral, choosing a cemetery, selecting a plot, and financial planning. We will be sensitive to the questions raised by immigrant and intermarried families.

When Life Is Over: Where Is Your Soul? Jewish Perspectives on the AfterlifeWe will survey the diverse range of Jewish conceptions of the soul, the afterlife, resurrection, and reincarnation. We will reflect on big questions at the end of life: do I fear death, have I lived a good life, and will I be alone?

Dying/Death/Burial: What Jews DoHere is an opportunity to become confident and comfortable with: Vidui (the Jewish way of last words), Jewish laws, customs and traditions about dying, performing taharah (preparing the body), the funeral service, and issues concerning burial and cremation.

The Art of ComfortJudaism provides much needed guidance for family, friends and caregivers when visiting the sick and consoling the bereaved. It helps one know what to say and what not to say, how to console, and how to avoid causing more pain.

All programs: $10 each Register: lehrhaus.org

Congregation Beth Jacob, Redwood City (Tuesdays, 7:30 pm)

Congregation B’nai Tikvah, Walnut Creek (Sundays, 10:30 am; Tuesdays, 7:30 pm)

Congregation Kol Shofar, Tiburon (Sundays, 10:00 am)

Congregation Netivot Shalom, Berkeley (Sundays, 7:00 pm)

JCCSF, San Francisco (Mondays, 7:00 pm)

Osher Marin JCC, San Rafael (Wednesdays, 11:00 am)

Temple Sinai, Oakland (Tuesdays, 7:30 pm)

register at lehrhaus.org

Revealing Texts: How Faith Communities Interpret AbortionProf. Deena Aranoff, Ameena Jandali, and Jim McGarry A collaborative project of Lehrhaus Judaica and the Graduate Theological Union, with support from the Compton Foundation

Co-sponsored by JCC East Bay and Temple Sinai

Our series, Revealing Texts, will look at sociopolitical debates through the interpretations of different faith communities’ texts. Ameena Jandali will share Islamic texts, Jim McGarry will share Catholic texts, and Deena Aranoff will share Hebrew and rabbinic literature. We will learn how their traditions interpret these writings to create a world view on abortion.

This program is in association with the Berkeley Repertory Theatre's production of Roe (March 3-April 2).

T600-DBC | Wednesday, March 22 7:00 - 8:30 pm | $10 David Brower Center, Berkeley

Congregation Beth Am Italy/Israel Pre-Tour CourseJehon Grist, Ph.D.

Join us for a virtual visit through Italy’s ancient and modern Jewish history, fol-lowing the itinerary of the up-coming Beth Am tour (March 20-April 2). From the Roman world through to today, we will discover the people, places and events that tell the dramatic saga of the Jewish People in this fabled land. Whether you’re going on the tour or just thinking about visiting, this course offers a comprehensive introduction.

Students will also have direct online access to an expanded, fully narrated and illustrated course covering both the history of Italy and Israel.

H300-BA | Wednesdays, February 1, 87:00 - 8:30 pm | $40 / Free for tour participants | Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills

From the Bund to the Bern: Yiddish Socialism for the 21st Century Barbara Epstein, Hershl Hartman, Elaine Leeder, Tony Michels, Diana Scott, and Marvin ZuckermanSponsored by the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring of Northern California

The year 2017 marks the 120th anniversary of the founding of both the Jewish Bund and the Zionist movement, and the centennial of the Russian Revolution. This auspicious convergence of historical dates, plus the recent presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders, will be illuminated in a day-long forum.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

H800-BCC | Saturday, February 25 9:00 am - 6:00 pm $12 door / $10 early rate Berkeley City College, Berkeley

Lehrhaus Online CoursesEnjoy your course live in the classroom, live online, or anytime via full video recording, all at no extra cost. So learn your way!

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Ameena Jandali

Deena Aranoff

Jim McGarry

register at lehrhaus.org

Wisdom in the Wine: Making, Using (and Abusing) It in the Biblical WorldJehon Grist, Ph.D.

Whether you’re an enologist or just like a good glass, this session will introduce you to your counterparts from 3000 years ago. We’ll explore how wines were made in ancient Egypt, Israel and elsewhere. We’ll also learn about the best wines (and some of the worst) and where they originated. There will be a colorful visit to an ancient wine party or two. Finally, we’ll look at what the ancients had to say about enjoying wine.

A wine tasting featuring some of the region’s finest vintages is included.

Tuesday, February 21 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm $18; register with Temple Beth El Private Home in Santa Cruz

Temple Beth El will host Jehon Grist in May for a follow-up class, Lost Goddess: The Life and Death of the Divine Feminine in the Biblical World. This course will be offered with an online option. To register, visit lehrhaus.org.

Tu B’shvat SederClaire Sherman

Celebrate Tu B'shvat, the mystical birthday of the trees, with a Tu B'shvat seder — a ritual meal, with abundant fruit, stories, and songs. We will eat three courses of fruits and nuts, and four different combinations of red and white wine or juice. At this seder, it is also traditional to eat the biblical "seven species" of the land of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates/honey.

The Tu B'shvat seder was invented around 1653 by the Kabbalists in Safed, Israel.

Friday, February 10 | 6:30 - 9:00 pm $12 - $18 sliding scale (dinner included) | Congregation Netivot Shalom, Berkeley

Jewish Iranian-American Women Living in the DiasporaJaleh PirnazarCo-sponsored by JIMENA

The community of Jewish Iranian Americans living in the Diaspora today left Iran during the country's Islamic revolution in 1979. This community has contributed to the society and culture of the United States through the sciences, academia, the arts and literature. We will discuss memoirs written in English by Iranian-Jewish women who reflect on their lives in Iran, the revolution, and life in the United States.

H350-TS | Sunday, February 12 9:30 - 11:30 am | Free Temple Sinai, Oakland

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of Jewish San FranciscoFred Rosenbaum Jews have been a prominent part of San Francisco since the Gold Rush. In many ways, the Jewish experience in the Bay Area has been different from the rest of the United States. Jewish San Franciscans have been part of a highly variegated population, and their interactions with Asian, Latino, and Black neighbors have taken unique forms. Many factors have resulted in the emergence of a truly distinctive Jewish community — not only in terms of religious life but also in the arenas of business, the arts and struggles for social justice.Thursday, February 16 | 7:30 - 9:00 pm Free | Stanford University

Jews and WhitenessProf. Marc Dollinger

Are American Jews white? The question, answered differently by different generations of American Jews, gets at the heart of American Jewish identity. Have Jews remained separate and distinct from the rest of middle-class America or have they assimilated so much that they have become white? Explore the contentious history and sociology of Jews and racial definition.

H200-TS | Sunday, February 26 9:30 - 11:00 am | Free Temple Sinai, Oakland

Power, Privilege, and BDSProf. Marc Dollinger

How has the racial definition of Jews influenced our relationships with other ethnic communities? With Jews of color in our own community? Around such contentious issues as Israel, Zionism, and BDS? Explore how the changing status of Jews in American society complicates our own understandings of ourselves and how we relate to others.

H250-TS | Sunday, March 19 9:30 - 11:00 am | Free Temple Sinai, Oakland

Judaisms: A Twenty-First- Century Introduction to Jews and Jewish IdentitiesProf. Aaron Hahn Tapper

Jewish identity is probably not what you think it is, and likely never was, contends Aaron J. Hahn Tapper in Judaisms: A Twenty-First-Century Introduction to Jews and Jewish Identities. This new book views Judaism as multifaceted, complicated, age-old, and ever-changing, and argues that Jewish identity has been viewed in many ways: as culture, ethnicity, nation, nationality, race, religion, and more. Judaisms assesses Jewish history using multiple perspectives, including alternative and marginalized voices, to argue that Jews always have reshaped their customs, practices, and beliefs.

H400-BA | Saturday, February 25 3:30 - 5:00 pm | Free | Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills

H400-TS | Sunday, March 26 9:30 - 11:00 am | Free Temple Sinai, Oakland

Aaron Hahn Tapper

Emperor Norton

register at lehrhaus.orgregister at lehrhaus.org

Shalom Hartman Israeli- Palestinian Lecture Series How can we speak about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in our community across generational lines? How does personal experience color the way we view the conflict and how it should be addressed? What values do we each privilege in how we under-stand the conflict? Following the lectures, there will be intergenerational small group discussions facilitated by New Israel Fund facilitators.

Dr. Tal Becker and Dr. Ruth Calderon are both fellows at the Shalom Hartman Institute. Becker serves as principal deputy legal adviser at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is a senior member of the Israeli peace negotiation team. Calderon is one of Israel's leading figures spearheading efforts to revive Hebrew culture and a pluralistic Israeli-Jewish identity.

Register: hartman.org.il

NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE? THE PLACE OF JUSTICE IN THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

Dr. Tal Becker

Wednesday, January 11 | 7:00 pm $18 / Free for members Congregation Sherith Israel, San Francisco

LIVING WITH DIFFERENCE: PLURALISM AND BOUNDARIES IN THE ISRAEL CONVERSATIONDr. Ruth Calderon

Wednesday, March 29 | 7:00 pm $18 / Free for members JCCSF, San Francisco

The Marriage Plot: Or, How Jews Fell in Love with Love, and with LiteratureProf. Naomi Seidman

For many 19th-century Eastern European Jews, modernization entailed the abandonment of arranged marriage in favor of the “love match.” Drawing from the research for her new book, The Marriage Plot: Or, How Jews Fell in Love with Love, and with Literature, Naomi Seidman will describe the role played by literature in this transformation, providing a “sentimental education” in the rules of romance and the choreography of courtship.

H300-JCL | Sunday, January 15 1:30 - 3:00 pm | Free | Jewish Community Library, San Francisco

Social Justice, Racial Equality, and Jewish CommunitiesStosh Cotler

Stosh Cotler discusses the prophetic role the Jewish community must play in advancing social justice in 21st-century America. Cotler is at the forefront of advanc-ing civil and human rights in the United States. With more than 25 years of leadership experience as an educator, trainer and organizer — working on issues like domestic workers’ rights, gender-based violence prevention, immigration reform, marriage equality and voting rights — she is expanding awareness of inequity and implementing social change to transform communities.

Wednesday, February 15 | 7:00 pm Free | JCCSF, San Francisco

Stosh Cotler

Doomed to Succeed: The U.S.- Israel Relationship From Truman to ObamaDennis Ross

Ambassador Dennis Ross discusses his new book Doomed to Succeed, which provides a necessary and unprecedented account of America’s changing relationship with Israel.

When it comes to Israel, U.S. policy has always emphasized the unbreakable bond between the two countries and our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security. Today our tiesto Israel are close — so closethat when there are differences,they tend to make the news.

Sunday, January 22 | 7:00 pm $20 / $15 members Osher Marin JCC, San Rafael

Dinner and Talk With Dr. Joel HoffmanJoin us for a talk and dinner with Dr. Joel Hoffman, author of The Bible Doesn’t Say That: 40 Biblical Mistranslations, Misconceptions, and Other Misunderstandings.

Sunday, February 19 | 7:00 pm $36 / $24 members Addison-Penzak JCC, Los Gatos

Wendy Mogel, Author of The Blessing of a Skinned KneeDr. Wendy Mogel, clinical psychologist, parenting expert, and New York Times best-selling author of The Blessing of a Skinned Knee and The Blessing of a B-, will discuss how to raise resilient children.

Thursday, March 23 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm $18 / $10 members Addison-Penzak JCC, Los Gatos

Feast of Jewish LearningCo-presented by South Peninsula Area Rabbis and Executives, Jewish LearningWorks, and the Jewish Community Federation; co-sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica

Feed your mind and spirit at The Feast of Jewish Learning. Select from a wide range of sessions on text, arts, ethics and more led by outstanding Jewish teachers. Lehrhaus' Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan is one of the teachers.

Saturday, January 21 | 7:00 - 10:00 pm Free | Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills

Day of Jewish LearningChoose from a variety of topics related to Jewish culture and religion, such as Kabbalah, nature, yoga, Mussar, music, and Yiddish. Presenters include Prof. Eran Kaplan (The Temple Mount and Making Sense of Israeli Politics) and Shaina Hammerman (Yiddish Women Writers and Their Feminist Legacy).

More information: jccsoco.org

Sunday, February 12 10:30 am - 4:30 pm | Free JCC Sonoma County, Santa Rosa

JewbileeThis annual event provides a full afternoon of classes, work-shops, and performances for all ages. The day is divided into sessions, with classes, workshops and performances happening simultaneously.

More info: apjcc.org/jewbilee

Sunday, January 29 | 1:00 - 8:00 pm $5 / Free for members and children 5 and under Addison-Penzak JCC, Los Gatos

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The Wisdom of The Zohar: A Text StudyRabbi Arthur Green and Prof. Daniel MattMade possible by the continuing support of the Ingrid D. Tauber Philanthropic Fund of the JCF and the Koret Foundation

This study session is a rare and unique opportunity to learn from two of America’s greatest scholars in Zohar and Kabbalah: Rabbi Arthur Green and Prof. Daniel Matt. In an intimate setting, these two friends and fellow trav-elers will teach and discuss a selection from The Zohar and take questions from the par-ticipants and the moderator, Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan.

Pre-registration is required.

Sunday, January 29 | 4:00 pm | Free JCCSF, San Francisco

Mussar for Modern LifeMaria Kolman Antebi

Mussar is a centuries-old Jewish system of character development that has regained popularity as a spiritual practice in our modern age. Through interactive exercises, text study, contemplative practices, writing and discussion, this class will explore some core middot (virtues like patience, forgiveness, etc.) and will provide tools and frameworks to help us deal more effectively with challenging situations we face in our every day lives.

P500D-TS | Saturday, February 11 1:30 - 3:00 pm | $25 Temple Sinai, Oakland

Philosophy Circle Mini Course: Readings From HaLevi, Maimonides, Buber, and HeschelYosef Rosen and Rabbi Peretz Wolf-PrusanCo-sponsored by Congregations B'nai Shalom, B'nai Tikvah, and Shomrei Torah, Temple Isaiah, and Temple Sinai

On four very different nights, we will dip into the wellspring of the Jewish philosophical library in this mini-survey course for Lehrhaus Philosophy Circle.

HaLevi and Maimonides created foundational thought on Jewish identity at the dusk of the Golden Age of Spain. Buber and Heschel addressed modernity at the sunset of European Jewry and the dawn of Israel and America. We will read and discuss excerpts from HaLevi’s Kuzari, Maimonides’ The Guide for the Perplexed, Buber’s Hasidism and Modern Man, and Heschel’s The Insecurity of Freedom and more.

Yosef RosenPC500-TS | Wednesdays, March 1, 15, 22, 29 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm | $85 / $50 members | Temple Sinai, Oakland

Rabbi Peretz Wolf-PrusanPC500-CBS | Thursdays, February 2, 9, 16, 23 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm | $85 / $50 members | Congregations B’nai Shalom and B’nai Tikvah, Walnut Creek

PC500-CST | Wednesdays and Thursdays, Apri 19, 20, 26, 27 7:00 - 8:30 pm | $36 / $18 members Congregation Shomrei Torah, Santa Rosa

Martin Buber

Arthur Green

Classic and Contemporary Texts

Daniel Matt

The Book of Ruth (Online Option)Rabbi Ruth Adar and Jehon Grist, Ph.D.

This brief but fascinating text touches so many bases in our understanding of the biblical world: daily life, family, clan and national identity, and the roles and limitations of women. It also serves as a foundation for expanding on the story in later ancient and rabbinic era literature. Finally, it informs our own modern ideas of what constitutes Jewish identity.

This four-session class will delve into each of the four chapters of this brilliantly concise yet expressive text, both revealing the world of Ruth and linking its timeless meaning to our world.

Rabbi Ruth AdarBC700B-TS | Thursdays, January 19, February 2, 16, March 2 7:00 - 8:30 pm | $50 / $40 by Jan. 5 Temple Sinai, Oakland

Jehon Grist, Ph.D.BC700B-CSZ | Tuesdays, January 17, 31, February 14, 28 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm $50 / $40 by Jan. 5 | Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco

BC700-CBI | Tuesdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm | $40 / $35 members | Congregation B’nai Israel, Vallejo

Passover’s Famous Four (Online Option)Rabbi Ruth Adar and Jehon Grist, Ph.D.

While the story of Passover has a cast of thousands according to biblical tradition, the text really revolves around four persons: Moses, Pharaoh, Aaron and Miriam. Each session will delve into the character and context of each individual, what they tell us about our most distant past, and how they touch our lives to this day. We'll also explore how interpreters of the story, from later biblical texts to rabbinic times to our own era, have added new insights that bring the full meaning of the story to life.

Rabbi Ruth AdarBC700C-TS | Thursdays, April 6, 20, May 4, 18 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm $50 / $40 by March 23 Temple Sinai, Oakland

Jehon Grist, Ph.D.BC700C-CSZ | Tuesdays, April 4, 18, May 2, 16 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm | $50 / $40 by March 23 | Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco

Lehrhaus Online CoursesEnjoy your course live in the classroom, live online, or anytime via full video recording, all at no extra cost. So learn your way!

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Back to the Prophets: The Book of I Samuel: The King Is Dead; Long Live the KingKen Cohen

This fall, we viewed the rise of David and the gradual demise of King Saul’s kingship and sanity. Saul has lashed out in every direction in his demented obsession with David, and his progressive paranoia about betrayals by those closest to him.

This winter, we will study Saul’s march to an ignoble yet pathetic end on the slopes of Mount Gilboa. With Saul and most of his family killed by the Philistines, David’s road to the throne seems inevitable.

T106B-CCD | Thursdays, January 26 - April 6 | 7:30 - 9:15 pm | $165 / $150 members | Contra Costa Jewish Day School, Lafayette

Back to the Prophets: II Samuel: King David UndoneKen Cohen

King David is on a roll! Having consolidated his kingdom, he has conquered surrounding nations and established a Davidic Empire. His newly- established capital city, Jerusalem, is the dominant political and military force in the entire Levant.

But cherchez la femme. David falls in love (or at least lust) with Bathsheba, and things begin to unravel. He betrays a friend, and is, in turn, betrayed or deserted by those closest to him.

T106C-CCD | Thursdays, April 20 - June 22 | 7:30 - 9:15 pm | $150 / $135 members | Contra Costa Jewish Day School, Lafayette

Learn to Chant Esther Trope Rabbi Laurence Elis Milder

Trope is the art of chanting sacred texts. Esther trope is the most intricate and delightful of the various trope melodies, and essential for the chanting of Megillat Esther on Purim. If you already know how to chant Torah or Haftarah trope, it is easy to learn the melody for Esther. If you are new to trope, all you need is a basic Hebrew reading ability.

Sundays, January 8 - March 5 4:00 - 5:00 pm | $60 / $40 members Congregation Beth Emek, Pleasanton

Talmud Engaged Rabbi Dovber BerkowitzCo-sponsored by Contra Costa Jewish Day School and Jewish Learning Institute

Strange as it may seem, this is a course without a topic. Instead, it provides an engaging new approach to Talmud study. Each lesson presents a unique legal case with a seemingly impossible ethical conundrum. Through an exploration of original Talmudic texts, participants will search thousands of years of tradition and practical experience to find innovative insights and discerning solutions.

Tuesdays, January 31 - March 7 10:00 - 11:15 am $180 per couple / $100 per person Chabad of Contra Costa, Walnut Creek

Tuesdays, January 31 - March 7 7:30 - 8:45 pm $180 per couple / $100 per person Contra Costa Jewish Day School, Lafayette

register at lehrhaus.org

Laurence Elis Milder

King David

This Is Bay Area Jewry Photo essays on the changing nature of our community

Peninsula Temple Sholom, Burlingame

February 1 – April 20

Lehrhaus Judaica and Building Jewish Bridges present This Is Bay Area Jewry, a photo essay exhibition showcasing the range of diversity in our community. The exhibition features 16 intimate portraits of individuals and families from a variety of backgrounds and levels of religious observance — from the North and South Peninsulas, San Francisco, Oakland/Berkeley, Contra Costa, and Marin. The project is a combination of photographs and written profiles, shedding light on the unparalleled San Francisco Jewish community.

Each person, couple or family profiled has loved ones who are not Jewish. The reality of Bay Area Jewry is that we are all touched by our non-Jewish family members. We invite you to meet these unique individuals – born Jewish and converts, LGBT Jews, and multicultural Jews all take center stage. Their paths to Judaism and spiritual connections may differ, but they are all Jewish.

Panel DiscussionJoin us for a panel discussion featuring individuals from the exhibition and members of Peninsula Temple Sholom exploring issues of diversity in the Bay Area Jewish community.

Sunday, March 5 | 4:00 - 6:00 pm Free | Peninsula Temple Sholom, Burlingame

22nd East Bay International Jewish Film FestivalThis year’s line-up spans the globe, featuring films from South America, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, The Netherlands, Poland, the Ukraine and the USA. Israel’s submission to the Oscars, Sand Storm, a powerful film about Bedouin women, will be screened.

Personal journeys of discovery are showcased in many of the films. Past Lives, Avinu, The Origin of Violence, Glories of Tango, Aida’s Secrets, Fever at Dawn, and 500 Years of the Venice Ghetto connect us to people as they hunt for the truth about themselves and/or those close to them.

The transformative power of music to create dialogue that spans different cultures resonates as well, including in Alive Inside, Ben’s Violin, The Wonderful Kingdom of Papa Alaev, East Jerusalem/West Jerusalem, and Body and Soul.

Tickets: eastbayjewishfilm.org

March 2-12, Century 16 Theatres, Pleasant Hill

March 2 & 5, Vine Cinema, Livermore

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Beginning Israeli Folk DanceClaire Sherman

We will learn a variety of classic, easy to follow Israeli folk dances, including both circle and line dances. Some of the folklore and meaning of the titles and the words of the music will be included. This class is open to all, including adults, teens, and children ages 10 and up with their parents.

A200-BJ | Sunday, March 19 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | $36 / $18 members JCC East Bay, Berkeley

Exploring the Hamsa: A Hands on WorkshopClaire Sherman

A hamsa is a stylized hand for protection against the “evil eye,” frequently worn as jewelry. Made by both Jews and Muslims, it is found all over the Middle East, but is older than either religion. Learn about the folklore of hamsas and Jewish amulets, as we make them out of paper or fabric. The basics of paper-cutting, a traditional Jewish folk art, will also be taught. No artistic talent is required to make stunning hamsa designs. The finished papercut hamsa can be framed to hang on the wall, and a fabric hamsa can become a wall hanging or a challah cover.

A150-BJ | Sunday, April 23 | 2:00 - 5:00 pm | $36 / $18 members JCC East Bay, Berkeley

On Stage: Hand to God at Berkeley Repertory TheatreRabbi Steven Chester

Are we responsible for our actions or can we blame our destructive urges on the devil, the id, or childhood trauma? Hand to God (February 3 - March 19 at Berkeley Rep) uncovers the psychological darkness in its characters and seems to blame these malevolent passions on the devil. Join Rabbi Chester to explore how Jewish texts view evil, the concept of a devil, and our own darkest urges.

A300-TS | Thursday, March 2 7:30 - 9:00 pm | $10 / Free for members Temple Sinai, Oakland

Shanghai Angel Heather Klein and Veretski Pass

With $2.50 in her pocket, Rosa Ginsberg left her family behind in Shanghai in 1940 for an uncertain future in the United States. The 18-year-old Austrian native, who had fled war-torn Vienna for China, landed at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay.

Rosa was detained at Angel Island for three weeks and was released on the basis of a mostly true story.

Rosa’s granddaughter, vocalist Heather Klein, has created a one-woman musical based on her grandmother’s journey.

There will be a discussion with the artists following the performance.

Sunday, February 26 | 3:00 - 5:00 pm $20 / $15 members (includes Museum admission) The CJM, San Francisco

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The Yellow Ticket (Der Gelbe Schein)The silent film will be screened with a live score by Alicia Svigals.

A young Jewish woman (silent film superstar Pola Negri) living in a Polish shtetl fights the odds while trying to fulfill her ambition to study medicine in Russia but is coerced into prostitution to pay the rent. Shot on location in the former Jewish quarter of Warsaw at the end of World War I and on the eve of the Russian Revolution, this silent film rarity addresses ethnic and religious discrimination, human trafficking, and poverty in remarkably progressive terms. The hour-long film will be followed by a talkback with Svigals and others.

Thursday, January 19 | 7:00 pm | $28 JCCSF, San Francisco

Generation to Generation, Poet to Poet Poets read alongside the art in From Generation to Generation, including Mathew Zapruder, Brynn Saito, Gail Newman,

James Cagney, Jen Siraganian, Nguyen Do, Cintia Santana, and more.

Thursday, January 19 | 7:00 - 8:00 pm | $10 / Free for members (includes Museum admission) The CJM, San Francisco

Traces of Sepharad (Huellas de Sefarad): Etchings of Judeo-Spanish ProverbsThis exhibition shows etchings of Judeo-Spanish proverbs that provide a unique window into the world of medieval Sephardic wisdom and culture, Ladino proverbs that were preserved by the Spanish Jews after their expulsion in 1492.

Marc Shanker’s drawing style mirrors the proverbs’ spirit, transforming them into simple images without sacrificing their complex meanings.

Meet the Artist Reception: Tuesday, February 28 6:30 - 8:30 pm | Free Osher Marin JCC, San Rafael

Exhibit Dates: January 13 - March 10

Israeli Eats: Lecture and a MovieThe event begins with an Israeli food lecture with Steven Rothfeld, author of Israel Eats, and is followed by a screening of the film In Search of Israeli Cuisine.

Thursday, March 16 | 6:30 - 9:45 pm $15 / $12 members Addison-Penzak JCC, Los Gatos

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register at lehrhaus.org

The Wisdom of Not Knowing: Jewish Spiritual Teachings on the Unknown Estelle Frankel

For most of us, the unknown is both friend and foe. At times, it is a source of vitality, growth and adventure, and at times it paralyzes us with fear and uncertainty. Our openness to the unknown is what enables us to become curious, creative and expansive in our personal and professional lives. It is the gate that unlocks our wisdom and courage.

The unknown forms a deep current that runs throughout Jewish mystical thought and practice. We will study Jewish, Buddhist, psychoanalytic and other spiritual teachings on the wisdom of not knowing.

P500D-TS | Saturday, February 11 1:30 - 3:00 pm | $25 Temple Sinai, Oakland

The Open Faith Salon: Befriending the Unknown and Embracing Uncertainty: Inter-religious PerspectivesEstelle Frankel and others

Since the election, many of us have been experiencing an increase in anxiety triggered by many unknowns. Fear is a common response to uncertainty. We love to know and be able to predict what is going to happen.This gathering will provide an opportunity to explore spiritual wisdom teachings and practices that can help us thrive.

Sunday, March 5 | 7:00 - 9:30 pm Donation requested Chochmat Halev, Berkeley

Sephardi Piyyutim, Spirituality, and MovementRivka Amado

Piyyutim are liturgical poems recited in Jewish prayer services and life cycle celebrations. In the Middle Ages, Sephardic poets such as Judah Ha-Levi, Shlomo Ibn Gabirol and Avrahm ibn Ezra composed piyyutim that found their ways into prayer books and services. Later, Ashkenazim poets composed piyyutim that have also found a place in prayer books. Today, piyyutim continue to be composed and integrated with prayer services and liturgy.

A250-BJ | Tuesday, January 17 7:00 - 9:00 pm | $30 / $20 members JCC East Bay, Berkeley

A Path to the Heart: Sacred Ecstatic MusicTsvi Bar-David

We will explore a traditional method of niggun — chanting with and without words, drumming, movement and music.

For those who decide to embark on this journey after the free first session, there are three sessions in which we learn and practice:

• Breathing techniques that support the singing

• Simple rhythms that can be done on a drum or body

• Chants both wordless and with words

• Awareness of energy flow

P200-CBE | Thursdays, January 26 - February 16 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm $40 / $30 members Congregation Beth El, Berkeley

Spirituality

Tsvi Bar-David

Intr

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Inte

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th Introduction to the Jewish ExperienceRabbi Ruth AdarCo-sponsored by Congregation Beth El and Temple Sinai

Israel and TextsThe land of Israel has been central to Jewish history, both ancient and modern. This class will examine the history of ancient Israel, the beginnings of rabbinic Judaism, and the modern return to the land.

I125B-CBE | Wednesdays, January 18 - March 8 | 7:30 - 9:00 pm $105 / $90 members Congregation Beth El, Berkeley

ONLINE ONLYI120B-OL | Sundays, January 15 - March 5 | 3:30 - 5:00 pm PT | $90

Traditions of JudaismThere have been multiple expressions of Judaism since the days of the Second Temple. We will study the varieties of Judaism: Ashkenazi Judaism, Sephardic Judaism, and the modern streams of Judaism. We will also look at some of the elements that make American Judaism distinctive.

I125C-CBE | Wednesdays, March 29 - May 24 | 7:30 - 9:00 pm $105 / $90 members Congregation Beth El, Berkeley

ONLINE ONLYI120C-OL | Sundays, March 26 - May 14 3:30 - 5:00 pm PT | $90

Lehrhaus Online CoursesEnjoy your course live in the classroom, live online, or anytime via full video recording, all at no extra cost. So learn your way!

The Building Blocks of Judaism (Winter)Rabbi Janet Marder, Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit, Cantor Jaime Shpall, Rabbi Heath Watenmaker, and Rabbi Sarah Weissman

This course is for those who wish to learn (or re-learn) Judaism. All are welcome: non-Jews, Jews, interfaith couples, those considering conversion, and anyone who is interested in learning more about Judaism. Students will learn the basics of Judaism in a friendly and informal atmosphere.

I105B-BA | Thursdays, January 5 - March 23 | 7:30 - 9:00 pm | $135 / $125 members / $75 Full-time students | Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills

Be a Fabulous Interfaith Grandparent Dawn Kepler

Explore how to engage in Jewish activities with grand-children without overstepping boundaries.

P200D-BE | Monday, February 6 7:30 - 9:00 pm | $8 / Free for members Congregation Beth Emek, Pleasanton

Master the Intercultural, Multigenerational Seder Dawn Kepler

Discuss ways to engage people of different ages, cultures and religions in your seder.

P200E-BE | Sunday, March 19 | 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | $8 / Free for members Congregation Beth Emek, Pleasanton

register at lehrhaus.org

Modern Hebrew With Orna MoradCongregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills

LEVEL AL100-BA | Wednesdays, January 11 - March 15 | 7:15 - 8:30 pm $170 / $160 members

LEVEL A2L155-BA | Thursdays, January 12 - March 16 | 9:00 - 10:15 am $170 / $160 members

LEVEL A2 L150-BA | Tuesdays, January 10 - March 14 | 7:30 - 8:45 pm $170 / $160 members

LEVEL BL200-BA | Mondays, January 9 - March 13 | 6:15 - 7:30 pm $145 / $135 members

LEVEL B2L250-BA | Tuesdays, January 10 - March 14 | 6:15 - 7:30 pm $170 / $160 members

LEVEL C L300-BA | Thursdays, January 12 - March 16 | 10:30 - 11:45 am $170 / $160 members

LEVEL DL400-BA | Wednesdays, January 11 - March 15 | 6:00 - 7:15 pm $170 / $160 members

LEVEL EL405-BA | Thursdays, January 12 - March 16 | 6:15 - 7:30 pm $170 / $160 members

LEVEL F L500-BA | Tuesdays, January 10 - March 14 | 11:00 am - 12:15 pm $170 / $160 members

ADVANCED CONVERSATIONAL HEBREWL505-BA | Thursdays, January 12 - March 16 | 7:30 - 8:45 pm $170 / $160 members

Modern Hebrew With Mira PeretzJCC East Bay, Berkeley

BEGINNING MODERN HEBREWL100-BJ | Wednesdays, February 22 - May 3 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm $175 / $160 members

INTERMEDIATE MODERN HEBREWL200-BJ | Wednesdays, February 22 - May 3 | 7:30 - 8:30 pm $175 / $160 members

Modern Hebrew With Niri Zach JCCSF, San Francisco

Matinee: $195 / $180 membersEvening: $220 / $200 members

LEVEL I

Tuesdays, January 3 - March 7 10:15 - 11:45 am | 6:15 - 7:45 pm

Tuesdays, March 21 - June 6 10:15 - 11:45 am | 6:15 - 7:45 pm

LEVEL IITuesdays, January 3 - March 7 12:00 - 1:30 pm | 8:00 - 9:30 pm

Tuesdays, March 21 - June 6 12:00 - 1:30 pm | 8:00 - 9:30 pm

LEVEL IIIWednesdays, January 4 - March 8 10:15 - 11:45 am | 6:15 - 7:45 pm

Wednesdays, March 22 - June 7 10:15 - 11:45 am | 6:15 - 7:45 pm

LEVEL IVWednesdays, January 4 - March 8 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Wednesdays, March 22 - June 7 12:00 - 1:30 pm

LEVELS IV AND VThursdays, January 5 - March 9 6:15 - 7:45 pm | 8:00 - 9:30 pm

Thursdays, March 23 - June 8 6:15 - 7:45 pm | 8:00 - 9:30 pm

Orna Morad

Mira Peretz

Niri Zach

Hebrew

Heb

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Jehon Grist

Prayerbook Hebrew With Jehon Grist, Ph.D.(Online Option – All Levels)

Congregation Netivot Shalom, Berkeley

Beginning Prayerbook/Biblical Hebrew 1A-BThis class introduces students to all the basic elements of prayerbook Hebrew: the alphabet, vowels, vocabulary, sight-reading skills, and basic grammar. You’ll learn some of the key prayerbook melodies and discuss the meaning of the prayers. In-class instruction will include group practice with CD-ROM software (projected on a screen) that speeds the learning process.

L100AB-NS | Sundays, January 29 - March 26 | 3:00 - 4:55 pm $135 / $120 members / $100 seniors and students / $90 for fall Hebrew 1A students

Intermediate Biblical/Prayerbook Hebrew 2CThis course will complete our study of basic prayerbook Hebrew, then begin to introduce the more complex verb patterns of classical biblical Hebrew and the irregular verb system, while building Hebrew vocabulary.

L200C-NS | Sundays, January 29 - March 26 | 5:05 - 6:25 pm$120 / $100 members / $95 seniors and students

Advanced Biblical Hebrew 3: The Book of RuthThis brief but fascinating text touches so many bases that aid in our understanding of the biblical world: daily life, family, clan and national identity, and the roles and limitations of women. It also serves as a foundation for expanding on the story in later ancient and rabbinic era literature. Finally, it informs our own modern ideas of what constitutes Jewish identity.

L310-NS | Sundays, January 29 - March 26 | 6:35 - 8:00 pm $120 / $100 members / $95 seniors and students

Lehrhaus Online CoursesEnjoy your course live in the classroom, live online, or anytime via full video recording, all at no extra cost. So learn your way!

register at lehrhaus.orgYael Chaver

Ken Blady

Yiddish co-sponsored by KlezCalifornia

Beginning Yiddish From ScratchKen BladyCo-sponsored by Congregations Kol Shofar and Rodef Sholom, JCC East Bay, and Osher Marin JCC

Stress in this class will be placed on learning the alef beis (print and script), elementary grammar, and reading basic texts. Emphasis will be placed on interactive conversation among students (almost) entirely in Yiddish.

L150-BJ | Mondays, January 23 - April 3 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm $175 / $160 members JCC East Bay, Berkeley

L150-KS | Thursdays, February 2 - April 6 | 12:00 - 1:30 pm $160 / $145 members Congregation Kol Shofar, Tiburon

Beginning Yiddish A Lek (lick) and a Shmek (taste) of YiddishKen Blady

Stress in this class will be placed on lernin the alef beis (print and script), elementary grammar, and reading basic texts. Emphasis will be placed on interactive conversation among students (almost) entirely in Yiddish in order to develop the ability to form sentences for basic needs when conversing with Yiddish speakers. New students are welcome in this continuation class.

L150-CBS | Tuesdays, January 24 - March 28 | 12:00 - 1:30 pm $160 / $145 members Congregation B’nai Shalom, Walnut Creek

Intermediate YiddishKen Blady

This is a continuation class that started meeting in 2012 at the beginning level. New students are welcome — must have some background in Yiddish, including knowledge of the alef-beys, or done previous coursework in the Yiddish language.

L250-BJ | Wednesdays, January 25 - March 29 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm $175 / $160 members JCC East Bay, Berkeley

Introduction to YiddishYankl Levitow

Do you carry or “shlep?” Do you aspire to be a kind, responsible person or a “mentsh?” Do you merely complain, or do you “kvetsh?” This is a rare opportunity to take introductory Yiddish in the South Bay.

Wednesdays, January 18 - March 22 7:15 - 9:15 pm | $225 plus textbook Congregation Shir Hadash, Los Gatos

Reading Yiddish TextsYael Chaver, Ph.D.

We will read and discuss selections of Yiddish prose and poetry from the 19th and 20th centuries. The class will focus on comprehension, based not only on the lexicon and syntax of the Yiddish language, but also on the cultural contexts in which the texts are embedded.

L350-BJ | Mondays, January 23 - May 15 | 7:15 - 9:15 pm | $240 / $225 members | JCC East Bay, Berkeley

Yiddish

Student Information For additional students, copy information on a separate sheet. Use the Student #2 line only for the same address.

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Course Enrollment Courses with insufficient pre-enrollment may be cancelled.

Questions? 510-845-6420 or info@lehrhaus.org / No course code? Check lehrhaus.org for instructions.I am eligible for the following tuition discounts, if available for the course(s) I have chosen:

Co-sponsor member (where?) Learning for Life (age 65+) Full-time student

I am applying for a need-based scholarship. (For a scholarship form, please call 510-845-6420 ext. 10.)

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Mail your completed form and payment to: Lehrhaus Judaica, 2736 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704. You may also register on the web: lehrhaus.org, by phone: 510-845-6420, or via fax: 510-845-6446. NOTE: Lehrhaus does not send confirmation of enrollment. If you require confirmation, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope or check here to request confirmation via e-mail.

Online registration encouraged: lehrhaus.org Please register well in advance! Download a larger registration PDF on lehrhaus.org.

register at lehrhaus.org

Co-SponsorsLehrhaus courses are made possible through the cooperative efforts of organizations throughout the Bay Area.

Addison-Penzak JCCsvjcc.org

Building Jewish Bridgesbuildingjewishbridges.org

Chochmat HaLevchochmat.org

Congregation Beth Ambetham.org

Congregation Beth Elbethelberkeley.org

Congregation Beth Emekbethemek.org

Congregation Beth Israelcbiberkeley.org

Congregation Beth Jacobbethjacobrwc.org

Congregation B'nai Israelbnaiisrael.com

Congregation B’nai Shalombshalom.org

Congregation B’nai Tikvahbnaitikvah.org

Congregation Etz Chayimetzchayim.org

Congregation Kol Emethkolemeth.org

Congregation Kol Shofarkolshofar.org

Congregation Netivot Shalomnetivotshalom.org

Congregation Rodef Sholomrodefsholom.org

Congregation Sha’ar Zahavchaarzahav.org

Congregation Sherith Israelsherithisrael.org

Congregation Shir Hadashshirhadash.org

Congregation Shomrei Torahshomreitorah.org

Contra Costa Jewish Day Schoolccjds.org

East Bay International Jewish Film Festivaleastbayjewishfilm.org

Graduate Theological Uniongtu.edu

JCC East Bayjcceastbay.org

JCC Sonoma County jccsoco.org

JCCSFjccsf.org

Jewish Community Libraryjewishlearningworks.org/library

JIMENAjimena.org

Klez Californiaklezcalifornia.org

Osher Marin JCCmarinjcc.org

Oshman Family JCCpaloaltojcc.org

Peninsula Temple Sholomsholom.org

Temple Beth Eltbeaptos.org

Temple Isaiahtemple-isaiah.org

Temple Sinaioaklandsinai.org

The Contemporary Jewish Museumthecjm.org

Urban Adamahurbanadamah.org

Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring of Northern Californiacircle.org

Co-Sponsors

register at lehrhaus.org

N O N - PR O FI T O RGU . S . P O S T A G EP A I DP E R M I T N O . 13 5 3O A K L A N D , C A

Lehrhaus JudaicaReutlinger Center

2736 Bancroft Way

Berkeley, CA 94704

lehrhaus.org

Revealing Texts

This Is Bay Area Jewry

The Wisdom of The Zohar

Philosophy Circle Mini Course

Arthur GreenDaniel Matt