Events

Living the Letters Book Study

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Taught by Rabbi Ashley Barrett
Tuesdays, February 9, March 2, April 6, May 4
7:00-8:30pm
In Person and Online

What does it mean to live a Jewish life today? In Living the Letters: An Alphabet of Emerging Jewish Thought, Rabbi Michael Marmur takes readers on a journey through the Hebrew alphabet, using each letter as a doorway into a different question about Jewish life.

In this class, we’ll explore selections from Marmur’s provocative and imaginative book, bringing his ideas into conversation with Jewish texts, our own experiences, and one another as we wrestle with Judaism as a lived and meaningful practice in our lives.

Living the Letters Book Study

in

Taught by Rabbi Ashley Barrett
Tuesdays, February 9, March 2, April 6, May 4
7:00-8:30pm
In Person and Online

What does it mean to live a Jewish life today? In Living the Letters: An Alphabet of Emerging Jewish Thought, Rabbi Michael Marmur takes readers on a journey through the Hebrew alphabet, using each letter as a doorway into a different question about Jewish life.

In this class, we’ll explore selections from Marmur’s provocative and imaginative book, bringing his ideas into conversation with Jewish texts, our own experiences, and one another as we wrestle with Judaism as a lived and meaningful practice in our lives.

The Midrash Says What?!

in

Taught by Rabbi Ashley Barrett
Tuesdays, October 13, November 10, December 8, January 19
7:00-8:30pm
In Person & Online

Are you bothered by the little things in Torah that just don’t make sense? Ever wondered what happened to that one character we never hear from again? Torah says two different things that contradict each other; what do I do with that?!

The ancient Rabbis refused to live with those problems, instead they got creative and came up with some answers. Those answers we call midrash: the rich tradition of Jewish interpretation that fills in the gaps of the biblical text and invites us to see familiar stories in entirely new ways.

In this class, we’ll explore some of the most fascinating and surprising midrashim (plural for midrash).  Along the way, we’ll ask a bigger question: What does it mean to be a Jewish reader of Torah? And even create our own midrashim. No prior knowledge necessary, or skill at the fine art of midrash required.

The Midrash Says What?!

in

Taught by Rabbi Ashley Barrett
Tuesdays, October 13, November 10, December 8, January 19
7:00-8:30pm
In Person & Online

Are you bothered by the little things in Torah that just don’t make sense? Ever wondered what happened to that one character we never hear from again? Torah says two different things that contradict each other; what do I do with that?!

The ancient Rabbis refused to live with those problems, instead they got creative and came up with some answers. Those answers we call midrash: the rich tradition of Jewish interpretation that fills in the gaps of the biblical text and invites us to see familiar stories in entirely new ways.

In this class, we’ll explore some of the most fascinating and surprising midrashim (plural for midrash).  Along the way, we’ll ask a bigger question: What does it mean to be a Jewish reader of Torah? And even create our own midrashim. No prior knowledge necessary, or skill at the fine art of midrash required.

The Midrash Says What?!

in

Taught by Rabbi Ashley Barrett
Tuesdays, October 13, November 10, December 8, January 19
7:00-8:30pm
In Person & Online

Are you bothered by the little things in Torah that just don’t make sense? Ever wondered what happened to that one character we never hear from again? Torah says two different things that contradict each other; what do I do with that?!

The ancient Rabbis refused to live with those problems, instead they got creative and came up with some answers. Those answers we call midrash: the rich tradition of Jewish interpretation that fills in the gaps of the biblical text and invites us to see familiar stories in entirely new ways.

In this class, we’ll explore some of the most fascinating and surprising midrashim (plural for midrash).  Along the way, we’ll ask a bigger question: What does it mean to be a Jewish reader of Torah? And even create our own midrashim. No prior knowledge necessary, or skill at the fine art of midrash required.

A Concise History of the Jewish People

in

Taught by Rabbi Michael Holzman
Tuesdays, November 3, December 1, January 12, January 26, February 2, February 16
6:30-8:00pm
In Person and Online

We’ll trace the history of the Jewish people in the following six sessions:

  • From Creation to the Kings
  • From Exile to the Maccabees
  • The Roman Era to the Talmud
  • The Early Medieval Period to Spain
  • From Spain to Poland
  • Enlightenment, Emancipation, and America

A Concise History of the Jewish People

in

Taught by Rabbi Michael Holzman
Tuesdays, November 3, December 1, January 12, January 26, February 2, February 16
6:30-8:00pm
In Person and Online

We’ll trace the history of the Jewish people in the following six sessions:

  • From Creation to the Kings
  • From Exile to the Maccabees
  • The Roman Era to the Talmud
  • The Early Medieval Period to Spain
  • From Spain to Poland
  • Enlightenment, Emancipation, and America

Examining American Jewish History via Biography

in

Taught by Andrew Stein
Sundays, October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15; December 6, 13; January 10, 17 24, 31; February 7, 21, 28; March 7, 14; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 16, 23
10:45-12:00
In Person & Online

Over the last few years, we have explored American Jewish history topically and chronologically, and with a systematic comparison of the US experience with that of several other large Jewish Diaspora communities (especially English-speaking ones) across a range of topics. In this course to mark the USA’s 250th birthday, we will approach American Jewish history from a different angle—via biographical profiles of about 20-25 key figures since the origins of American Jewry in 1654. We will look at the lives and legacies of religious leaders, statesmen and jurists, philosophers, poets, writers and linguists, journalists, scientists, military leaders, and philanthropists to tease out some broad themes in the study of Jewish history in the United States.

Intro to Judaism

in

Introduction to Judaism is a class for anyone interested in learning more about Judaism – interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. Taught by all three NVHC clergy, this weekly cohort-based class gives a broad overview of Jewish life – holidays, theology, the Torah and other texts, history, antisemitism, life cycle celebrations, Israel, and Jewish culture. This class will feature holiday celebrations with the greater NVHC community and community reflection sessions with learned lay leaders to help students integrate into community life.

Click here for more information and to register.

Examining American Jewish History via Biography

in

Taught by Andrew Stein
Sundays, October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15; December 6, 13; January 10, 17 24, 31; February 7, 21, 28; March 7, 14; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 16, 23
10:45-12:00
In Person & Online

Over the last few years, we have explored American Jewish history topically and chronologically, and with a systematic comparison of the US experience with that of several other large Jewish Diaspora communities (especially English-speaking ones) across a range of topics. In this course to mark the USA’s 250th birthday, we will approach American Jewish history from a different angle—via biographical profiles of about 20-25 key figures since the origins of American Jewry in 1654. We will look at the lives and legacies of religious leaders, statesmen and jurists, philosophers, poets, writers and linguists, journalists, scientists, military leaders, and philanthropists to tease out some broad themes in the study of Jewish history in the United States.