Judaism Course
INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM: AN EVOLVING CIVILIZATION
Jewish Learning from an Historical and Humanistic Perspective
A Course towards Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvot, Jewish Literacy and Conversion*
Instructor: Rabbi Eva Goldfinger
Location: Thornhill or North York (depending on registration)
Do you ever wonder …
What are the origins of the Jewish People?
Can you be Jewish if you don't believe in the Jewish God?
How was Yom Kippur marked 2500 years ago?
Who wrote the Bible?
Why do some Jews cover their mirrors in a house of mourning?
Are Freud and Maslow Jewish sages or sages who happened to be Jewish?
What role does Israel play in contemporary Judaism?
Is Jewish art a modern phenomenon?
Where did male circumcision originate?
Why has intermarriage become such a hot issue today?
How can you make Judaism relevant and contemporary in our secularized society?
LEARN THE ANSWERS TO THESE AND MANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
LET JEWISH HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE COME ALIVE FOR YOU.
COURSE OF STUDY:
Jewish Ideas, Practices and Movements through the Ages
Rhythms of Jewish Life--Evolution of Festivals & Life Cycle Events
History of the Jewish People
Jewish Literature from Pre-Biblical to Contemporary Writings
Jewish Culture through the Ages
TEXTS:
1. Basic Ideas of Secular Humanistic Judaism $27.00, available through Oraynu
2. Judaism in a Secular Age $40.00, available through Oraynu
3. The Jewish Festivals by Hayyim Schauss
4. The Lifetime of a Jew by Hayyim Schauss
5. Wanderings by Chaim Potok
6. Tanakh, The Holy Scriptures The New JPS Publication (pocket edition is fine)
7. Historical Atlas of the Jewish People by Eli Barnavi OPTIONAL
Books 1 and 2 must be purchased through Oraynu. Books 3 through 7 may be borrowed from a library or purchased at any Jewish or large bookstore or online from chapters.ca or amazon.ca
*Call for requirements for Humanistic Jewish conversion or Bar/Bat Mitzvot.
To register or for further information, please contact Rabbi Goldfinger at:
905-889-7450 or evagoldfinger@rogers.com
