Events

Short Story Discussion Group

Short Story Discussion Group

First Monday of each month

7:30-8:30pm, on Zoom

Join us for a fourth year of monthly lay-led discussions of Jewish short stories. Four
NVHC members have selected the stories and will take turns leading the discussions.
Each session will stand on its own – you can attend whenever you have the time and
interest. We’ll meet on the first Monday of the month on Zoom at 7:30pm for 45 minutes
to an hour. Participants will receive the story and meeting links in advance. To sign up
for this year’s discussion group, email shortstories@nvhcreston.org. Even if you
participated last year, we’d like you to sign up again so that we can gauge interest in the
program and ensure that we have the correct email address for you.

Judaism Is About Love

Taught Rabbi Holzman
Thursdays, February 6, 20; March 6, 27; April 10, 17; May 1, 22; June 5
12:00-1:00pm, On Zoom Only

This lunch ‘n learn is named after Shai Held’s recent, masterful volume of Jewish thinking, Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Together we will seek to understand how Held’s ideas manifest in our lives and contemporary Jewish practice. Independent purchase of the book is required, and e-book copies should be paginated like the print edition. (No handouts will be provided.)

Click here to purchase the book and Click here to register.

Judaism Is About Love

Taught Rabbi Holzman
Thursdays, February 6, 20; March 6, 27; April 10, 17; May 1, 22; June 5
12:00-1:00pm, On Zoom Only

This lunch ‘n learn is named after Shai Held’s recent, masterful volume of Jewish thinking, Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Together we will seek to understand how Held’s ideas manifest in our lives and contemporary Jewish practice. Independent purchase of the book is required, and e-book copies should be paginated like the print edition. (No handouts will be provided.)

Click here to purchase the book and Click here to register.

Judaism Is About Love

Taught Rabbi Holzman
Thursdays, February 6, 20; March 6, 27; April 10, 17; May 1, 22; June 5
12:00-1:00pm, On Zoom Only

This lunch ‘n learn is named after Shai Held’s recent, masterful volume of Jewish thinking, Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Together we will seek to understand how Held’s ideas manifest in our lives and contemporary Jewish practice. Independent purchase of the book is required, and e-book copies should be paginated like the print edition. (No handouts will be provided.)

Click here to purchase the book and Click here to register.

Dirshuni: Contemporary Midrashim

Taught by Rabbi Barrett
Wednesdays, May 7, May 21, and one additional date TBD – Please note the April 30 class has been cancelled.

7:00-8:15pm, in person and on Zoom

In recent years, there has been a burgeoning interest in contemporary midrashim authored by Israeli women and focused on female figures in scripture. These Midrashim have been collected into a volume called Dirshuni meaning seek for me.  Midrash is an ancient rabbinic form of exegesis, often seen as “stories” that fill the narrative gaps in biblical texts. Join us for this engaging study, where we will explore a different midrash in each session. Throughout the course, we will enhance our textual skills while also opening our hearts and minds to our foremothers’ poignant and emotional stories, viewing them through a fresh lens, and dive into this beautiful new collection.

Click here to register.

Dirshuni: Contemporary Midrashim

Taught by Rabbi Barrett
Wednesdays, May 7, May 21, and one additional date TBD – Please note the April 30 class has been cancelled.

7:00-8:15pm, in person and on Zoom

In recent years, there has been a burgeoning interest in contemporary midrashim authored by Israeli women and focused on female figures in scripture. These Midrashim have been collected into a volume called Dirshuni meaning seek for me.  Midrash is an ancient rabbinic form of exegesis, often seen as “stories” that fill the narrative gaps in biblical texts. Join us for this engaging study, where we will explore a different midrash in each session. Throughout the course, we will enhance our textual skills while also opening our hearts and minds to our foremothers’ poignant and emotional stories, viewing them through a fresh lens, and dive into this beautiful new collection.

Click here to register.

Comparative Diaspora

Taught by Andrew Stein
Sundays, October 20, 27; November 10, 17; December 8, 15; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23; April 6, 27; May 4, 18

9:15-10:30am, in person and on Zoom

Synopsis: Many American Jews, though not all, trace their roots to ancestors who came to the United
States of America before 1945, with subsequent waves of Jews from the former Soviet Union and
Islamic world, Holocaust survivors, Israelis and others. This course will take a new look at the experience
and evolution of the Jews in America over time and topically with a different lens. We’ll compare and
contrast the American Jewish experience with that of other English-speaking Diaspora communities like
the UK, Canada, and Australia, as well as France, Argentina, and Brazil. We will explore a series of
themes such as efforts to achieve civic equality and Jewish participation in each country’s politics and
the military, the history of immigration and ghetto life from the 19th century up to the present, Jewish
demography, and the history of Judaism in its varieties. The course will also address the experiences in
diverse communities with Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, and different communities’ ties to Zionism
and Israel.

Click here to register!

Comparative Diaspora

Taught by Andrew Stein
Sundays, October 20, 27; November 10, 17; December 8, 15; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23; April 6, 27; May 4, 18

9:15-10:30am, in person and on Zoom

Synopsis: Many American Jews, though not all, trace their roots to ancestors who came to the United
States of America before 1945, with subsequent waves of Jews from the former Soviet Union and
Islamic world, Holocaust survivors, Israelis and others. This course will take a new look at the experience
and evolution of the Jews in America over time and topically with a different lens. We’ll compare and
contrast the American Jewish experience with that of other English-speaking Diaspora communities like
the UK, Canada, and Australia, as well as France, Argentina, and Brazil. We will explore a series of
themes such as efforts to achieve civic equality and Jewish participation in each country’s politics and
the military, the history of immigration and ghetto life from the 19th century up to the present, Jewish
demography, and the history of Judaism in its varieties. The course will also address the experiences in
diverse communities with Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, and different communities’ ties to Zionism
and Israel.

Click here to register!

Comparative Diaspora

Taught by Andrew Stein
Sundays, October 20, 27; November 10, 17; December 8, 15; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23; April 6, 27; May 4, 18

9:15-10:30am, in person and on Zoom

Synopsis: Many American Jews, though not all, trace their roots to ancestors who came to the United
States of America before 1945, with subsequent waves of Jews from the former Soviet Union and
Islamic world, Holocaust survivors, Israelis and others. This course will take a new look at the experience
and evolution of the Jews in America over time and topically with a different lens. We’ll compare and
contrast the American Jewish experience with that of other English-speaking Diaspora communities like
the UK, Canada, and Australia, as well as France, Argentina, and Brazil. We will explore a series of
themes such as efforts to achieve civic equality and Jewish participation in each country’s politics and
the military, the history of immigration and ghetto life from the 19th century up to the present, Jewish
demography, and the history of Judaism in its varieties. The course will also address the experiences in
diverse communities with Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, and different communities’ ties to Zionism
and Israel.

Click here to register!

History of Zionism

Taught by Rabbi Michael Holzman
Tuesdays, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 8, May 6
7:00-8:30pm, in person and on Zoom

The idea of Jewish autonomy and self-determination in the land of Israel pervades and structures Jewish thought for most of our history as a people.  In the modern era this concept gets turbo-charged, leads to the formation of the State of Israel, and continues to evolve through our present day. This course will trace the major ideas of Zionism and explore how over time, the emphasis of Zionism has shifted between different aspects of this line of thought. No prior knowledge required.

Click here to register.