Course Syllabus
Instructor: Rabbi Steve Foster
E-mail: foster@emanueldenver.org
Course Synopsis
It is hopeful that students will come away with an understanding of the complexity of Jewish Identification, religion, ethnic, cultural and historic identification. We will explore a number of areas that a modern clergy person should understand, including the denomination of Jewish religious life, Major Holy Days and how Jew relate to them, an understanding of the basic life cycle events, Bris, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Marriage, and Death. We will spend some time on the relationships between American Jews and Israel focusing on the various ways in which we care about Israel. We will also spend some time on the ancient literature of the Jewish people both Legal and Aggadic. If there is sufficient time, we will focus on some modern issues that may include roles of women, anti-Semitism, choice, and church -state.
Schedule:
March 26 Jewish Identity Chapter 1
April 2 Denomination Chapter 1, 2, 3
April 9 Synagogue visit with Passover Seder Chapter 5, 7
April 16 Stories about Ourselves Chapter 2
April 23 Aggadic Literature Chapter 2
April 30 Holy Days Chapter 4
May 7 Life Cycle Chapter 8
May 14 Israel Chapter 9
May 21 Issues Chapter 6, 10, 11, 12
May 28 Issues Chapters 6, 10, 11, 12
Books for the Course
- Kushner, Harold S. To Life! A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking. Grand Central Publishing, 1994. ISBN = 9780446670029
See Taylor Library's list of online book sellers for purchasing options.
Course Summary:
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