Temple Jeremiah has affiliated with the Dawn Schuman Institute, allowing us to enhance our adult education opportunities. The Dawn R. Schuman Institute of the Community Foundation for Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit organization devoted to Jewish adult education. Its mission is to help Jews find deeper meaning in Jewish life and learning while encouraging dialogue and respect for all viewpoints.

For more information on Dawn Schuman's programs, contact Marcia Seltzer Tobias or log on to Dawn Schuman. For information on other adult education programs, visit our sites on Temple Jeremiah Programs, the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School and programs sponsored by other organizations.

Stay tuned for information on upcoming programs.

Past Programs at Temple Jeremiah

The following programs were hosted by Dawn Schuman in cooperation with Temple Jeremiah's Adult Learning Committee.

"Modern Jewish Thinkers"

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Rabbi Dr. Joseph Ozarowski, chaplain of the Jewish Healing Network, looked at three 20th century philosophers - Martin Buber, Joseph Soloveitchik and Abraham Joshua Heschel - to offer insight into modern Judaism and the relevance of these individuals' philosophies.

"Judaism & Sexuality"

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Gary Shapiro, Director of Jewish Learning at the Community Foundation for Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago, provided a look at texts from antiquity to the present to see what Judaism has to say about sexual expression, restriction and pleasure in general.

"Separation of Church & State"

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Julie Strauss, a popular lecturer, looked at evolving views on the role of the First Amendment.

"The Matrix: Science Fiction or Jewish Spiritual Reality?"

Sunday, February 21, 2010

David Strulowitz, who has immersed himself in the study of Jewish spirituality, analyzed Judaism's belief in a spiritual realm alongside a physical one in the context of the popular sci-fi film, "The Matrix."

"Whose Life Is It Anyway?"

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Rabbi Dr. Joseph Ozarowski, chaplain of the Jewish Healing Network, examined beginning-of-life issues such as abortion and stem cell research and end-of-life care, all from a Jewish perspective.

Film: "Forgiving Dr. Mengele" & Discussion

Sunday, November 1, 2009

This independent documentary, released in 2007, centered around a shocking act of forgiveness by Auschwitz survivor, Eva Mozes Kor, and the firestorm of criticism it has created.

"Implications for Peace in the Mideast"

February 22, 2009

This program explored the dynamics of terrorism and counterterrorism.

"Science and Torah: Conflicting: Compatible or Complementary Truths?"

January 18, 2009

Dr. Steven Steinberg looked at whether science and religion are necessarily at odds or share common truths.

"Praying with Lior"

November 16 & December 7, 2008

This documentary looked at Lior Liebling, a young man with Down's Syndrome, who prays to God with utter abandon.

"Jews & Power"

November 2 & 9, 2008

This program looked at the myth of Jews either wielding power world-wide or being completely powerless.

"Ecology & the Torah"

April 15, 2008

This program looked at our responsibility to the environment based on Jewish texts.

Film - "Close to Home"

April 6, 2008

This award-winning film looked at two Israeli women soldiers with diametrically opposing views on the Palestinian dilemma and their efforts to resolve their differences in the wake of tragedy.

Film - "Live and Become"

November 4, 2007

This epic film looks at the life of a young Ethiopian boy airlifted from a Sudanese refugee camp to Israel during Operation Exodus. Buoyed by his mother's parting request that he "go, live and become," the film follows his trials and tribulations as he grows up in Israel.

"Whose Life Is It Anyway?"

October 28, 2007

Rabbi Dr. Joseph Ozarowski, chaplain of the Jewish Healing Network, looked at major biomedical issues, such as abortion, stem cell research and end-of-life care.

"The New Dynamics in the Middle East"

October 9, 2007

Carl Schrag, former editor of the Jerusalem Post, looked at the rapidly changing dynamics in that region of the world.

"The Media & Israel: Learn How to Read Between the Lines and Become Media Savvy"

April 17, 2007

Gary Kenzer of Honest Reporting taught participants how to read between the lines in what the media says or does not say and its impact on the public policy of Israel in the U.S.

"Walk on Water" - Film & Discussion

January 28, 2007

This program featured the airing of the acclaimed Israeli film, "Walk on Water," followed by a discussion led by University of Illinois Professor Dagmar Lorenz.

"Celebrating the 150th Birday of Freud: What's Jewish About Freud?"

November 28, 2006

Dr. Marc Slutsky and Dr. Judith Heilizer looked at the man dubbed "the father of psychoanalysis" and the nature of his Jewishness.

"Ariel Sharon: A Life in Times of Turmoil"

September 18, 2006

Freddy Eytan, author of a recent biography on Ariel Sharon, spoke at Am Shalom on this distinguished, yet controversial, prime minister.

"Great Chicago Buildings by Great Jewish Architects"

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Dawn Schuman Institute sponsored a trip to the home of renowned architect John Schlossman, followed by a visit to Temple Jeremiah's own Golder Chapel.

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

Sundays, November 13 & 20, 2005

This two-part program looked at various film clips to examine how the image of the Jewish woman has evolved over several decades.

Book Review: Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Caryl Kushner led a discussion on the coming-of-age novel, Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith, by acclaimed author Gina B. Nahai.

"The Goldbergs to Larry David - 50 Years of American Jewish Development"

Tuesdays, March 1 & 8, 2005

This program looked at two popular television programs - The Goldbergs with Gertrude Berg set in the 1950s and the contemporary Curb Your Enthusiasm with Larry David.

"Biblical History: The Second Temple Period"

Sundays, October 31, November 7, November 14 and November 21, 2004

Dr. Ben Katz, who conducted a six-part series last year on the history of the Jews following Moses' death, continued his probe into Jewish history with a look at the Jews during the period of the Second Temple.

"God in the Abrahamic Traditions: Connection and Conflict Among Judaism, Christianity and Islam"

Sunday, September 19, 2004

Dr. Mark Berkson looked at the commonalities and differences between Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

Today's Events Through the Prism of the Past

Tuesdays, April 27, May 11 & 25 and June 8, 2004

Joyce Schrager discussed late-breaking political and military events in relation to parallel situations of the 20th century.

Negotiating with the Arab World: Are We Speaking the Same Language?

Sunday, February 15, 2004

Professor Ilai Alon looked at the Mideast struggle from the vantage points of Arabs and Israelis and how these different perspectives pose a hurdle in the peace process.