On February 6th, I began offering a class from 10:00 -11:30 am.
I was approached by several congregants to offer a class that explains Judaism: its origins, history, evolution. I have presented this class at several synagogues the past few years. How did Judaism evolve? How did we get from Abraham to Moses to the present? How did Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Judaism take shape? Why?
This class is for those who want to learn about Judaism, those who may not have grown up Jewish, those who may have been but were not exposed to the history and traditions and those who want to explore their commitment to their faith.
It is organized as a 25 session class but it also could evolve into an ongoing, open-ended class if the participants want to go further once the initial cycle is done. The reasoning behind a 25 session class is so that there will be time to answer unanticipated questions, topics and needs of the participants that may arise even as we keep to a curriculum.
Although it is certainly my hope that those who attend will come to all the sessions, I understand that some will not, so I am setting it up with the possibility that people can join the class at any time.
Using ”Jewish People, Jewish Thought” (Robert Seltzer) as the primary text, I will also be giving handouts throughout the semester to supplement the material in this book.
The book is fairly expensive (but worth it for any home library), even on Amazon. I have ordered three to start things off. The first session will not require any reading in advance.
I hope you will come and get a taste of what I think is an incredibly interesting and thought-provoking class. Bring your questions. Bring your curiosity. Bring yourselves.
I look forward to sharing the time with you.
Rabbi Carron
