On One Foot: An Introduction to Judaism

Rabbi Greenberg led a five-part series on introductory Judaism, which explored the foundations of Jewish spirituality, Jewish values and the Jewish people. Classes included Jewish theology, liturgy of the Shabbat evening service, Jewish texts, Jewish history and a concluding "Ask the Rabbi" program.

Adult Retreat - Myth and Belief: What is Religious and Historical Truth?

Rabbi Cohen explored fundamental questions regarding faith and how we develop our personal theologies. To view the brochure distributed for the retreat, click here.

North Shore Community Kallah

This community-wide Jewish adult education program was offered under the auspices of the North Shore Fellowship of Rabbis and sponsored in part by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Classes were taught by rabbis and educators throughout the North Shore and included such topics as "American Jewish History," "Becoming Torah" and "Miracles in the Tanach."

JUF Brunch & Speaker: Ellen Smith

Academic historian and museum curator Ellen Smith spoke on "Celebrating 350: Three Hundred and Fifty Years of Jews in America" at this brunch and speaker program, sponsored by the Jewish United Fund and Temple Jeremiah.

Ms. Smith is the Associate Director of the Gralla Fellows Program for Religion Journalists at Brandeis University and principal of Museumsmith, a firm specializing in museum exhibitions and historic site interpretations throughout the country. The program was offered at no charge to the community.

The Goldbergs to Larry David: 50 Years of American Jewish Development

Two popular television programs, The Goldbergs with Gertrude Berg set in the 1950s, and the contemporary Curb Your Enthusiasm with Larry David, capture the sensibilities and personal and cultural challenges of American Jewish life.

Set in an apartment in the Bronx, The Goldbergs depicts the trials and tribulations of a poor Jewish family who are guided through difficult times by their warm, caring mother Molly. In addition to tending to her family, Molly serves as the local yenta, exchanging gossip with the neighbors, and as a philosopher with a theory and a solution for all problems.

Curb Your Enthusiasm features verité-style footage of Larry David getting into predicaments with fictional and real-life personalities at home, at work and around town. Candid, unsparing and self-deprecating, Curb Your Enthusiasm brings the oft-kilter comic vision of Larry David, co-creator and co-producer of the classic comedy series, Seinfeld, to HBO. The series proves how seemingly trivial details - a phone call, a trip to the movies - can precipitate a chain of misfortunes with hilarious results.

Dr. Marc Slutsky led this two-part series as participants viewed representative episodes from each show and reflected on their own identities and perspectives through the lens of these creative artists.

Passover Workshop for Parents

Dr. Anne Lidsky talked about the basics of the Passover Seder. Participants shared new strategies to interest children, examined different Haggadot and enjoyed hands-on activities, songs and interactive experiences.  

Book Discussion: Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith

Caryl Kushner led a review and discussion of the book, Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith by Gina B. Nahai, the story of an Iranian Jewish family who immigrates to California. The book is being translated into six languages and was selected by Barnes and Noble and Borders Books for their "Discover" and "Original Voices" series. Publishers Weekly has called it "marvelously compelling" and the Library Journal has proclaimed it "mesmerizing."

Disengagement from Gaza, Speaker: Richard Baehr, Middle East Commentator

Some view disengagement as a master stroke in efforts to bring peace to the Middle East, while others see it as an unjustified concession threatening irreparable harm. Mr. Baehr, a frequent speaker and writer on the Middle East, spoke in depth on disengagement.Mr. Baehr also writes a commentary on the Middle East which is available on the web site:www.americanthinker.com.

Hebrew Refresher Class

Cantor Amy Zussman led this crash course created by the National Jewish Outreach Program and designed to improve participants' Hebrew reading skills in just a few short hours. The class includes prayer review sheets and a handy Aleph-Bet chart.

"Israel: A Jewish State or a State of Jews?"

Rabbi Michael Boyden, spiritual leader of Kehilat Yonatan, an independent Reform congregation in Hod Hasharon near Tel Aviv, looked at the nature of the state of Israel. During the next decade, Israel will reach the status of being the country with the largest Jewish population on Earth. In what sense is Israel Jewish, or is it a democracy like any other Western society? Are Reform Jews accepted there and what rights do converts have? Is Israel in danger of turning into a Jewish Iran? Rabbi Boyden addressed these and other issues in a wide-ranging presentation on the character of the Jewish state and the challenges facing Reform Judaism there.

Dawn Schuman Institute: "Torn Between Two Worlds: Images of the Jewish Woman in American Film"