Gerson D. Cohen Institute for Adult Jewish Learning
We are a center for serious Jewish learning.
Synagogue classes offer everyone opportunities to discover new meanings
in Judaism and Jewish culture.
What kinds of classes do we offer? Here is a recent sampling:
Over the last several years, many adults have studied Mishna, learned to
read Hebrew, and to understand the complexities of the Shabbat prayers.
Ten adult women celebrated their adult Bat Mitzvah after attending a
two-year course.
We are hosting the two-year Meah program, sponsored by Hebrew-Union
College, which includes an intensive four semester study of Jewish
history from the Biblical through the Modern Period.
We have regular dialogue evenings with our neighbors at Christ Church of
Riverdale. For Hebrew speakers, we offer a monthly Hug Ivri. There has
been a Yiddish class, a series on “Tropical Jews,” concerts, and art
shows. We have explored the rise and fall of the Catskills, and the ups
and downs of the Jewish Bronx.
Each year, we welcome a scholar in residence to our community. Included
in our list of recent speakers is:
Rabbi Elliot Dorff, “Jewish Medical Ethics”
Former JTS Chancellor Ismar Schorsch, “The State of Conservative Jewry”
Rabbi David Golinkin, “Jewish Law”
Rachel Brodie, “It’s About Time”
Charles Moerdler, Esq., “The Story of Austrian Reparations to Holocaust
Victims”
Rabbi Asher Ostrin, “The Jews of the Former Soviet Union”
Gary Rosenblatt, “The State of the Jews”
Our adult learning program is named for Rabbi Gerson
D. Cohen, a widely respected historian and Chancellor of the Jewish
Theological Seminary of America from 1972 to 1986.
Fall/Winter 2008/2009 Adult Education Programs
Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat
Friday, January 30 and Saturday,
January 31, 2009
Join us as we welcome Dr. Adriane Leveen, Assistant Professor Bible at
Hebrew Union College
Dr. Leveen’s theme will be “Thoughts for an Inaugural Season: Biblical
Reflections on Leadership”
Friday evening, January 30
6:00 pm – Kabbalat Shabbat Services
7:00 pm – Dinner (prepaid reservations required)
8:00 pm – Dr. Leveen will present: “Models of Leadership in a Time of
Chaos”
(This talk is open to the entire community; no reservations are
required.)
Saturday, January 31
9:00 am – Shabbat Services
Followed by kiddush/lunch
12:45 pm – Dr. Leveen will present: “Power and Politics—A Biblical View”
(Babysitting will be provided.)
For more information, call the synagogue office at 718-543-8400.
Hug Ivri
Second Saturday of each month after Kiddush (1:00PM) in the
Board Room
Hebrew discussion group. Meet other Hebrew speakers (Israelis, Americans
and Others) for an hour of conversation on everything from literature to
history. Yaakov Taitz- Coordinator.
Call Synagogue for full schedule. FREE, open to all Hebrew Speakers.
(Re)Introduction to Judaism
If you were born Jewish and want to connect with Judaism in a deeper way
or if you are not Jewish and want to learn about basic Jewish practices
and beliefs, this class is for you. Over this year-long course we will
study ethics, the Sabbath and holidays, prayer, dietary laws, life cycle
events (such as weddings, mourning rituals and birth ceremonies), the
Jewish people and Israel.
For non-Jewish participants, this course can serve as preparation for
conversion to Judaism. It can also be a good introduction to the faith
of family members or good friends. If you are enrolling in the course in
context of a relationship, we recommend that both partners participate.
If you are considering conversion, special sessions will be arranged
with a member of CSAIR’s clergy.
For more information regarding content and tuition, contact Rabbi Barry
Dov Katz, 718-543-8400.
The Riverdale Open Beit Midrash
Every other Wednesday night, beginning October 29, 2008 from
8:00-9:15 pm
We are opening our congregational house for anyone, from any
congregation, who wants to come and learn in a comfortable, warm,
welcoming environment. Each session will begin with a discussion of the
weeks' Torah portion, with a different presenter each time we meet. Then
we will split into pairs to continue studying the Torah portion through
guided reading or to spend time studying another text– Talmud, ethics,
philosophy, politics or anything you choose. For experienced learners
and newcomers to Jewish learning.
Jonathan Slutzman, Coordinator.
FREE. Open to all.
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Wednesdays 7:30-9:00 pm.
Informational meeting October 29. Classes begin November 5
This course is designed for adult learners of any age who are members of
CSAIR. Rabbi Barry Dov Katz and Rabbinic Intern Noah Arnow will provide
an in-depth study of the Jewish lifecycle, holidays, history, and core
Jewish concepts. You will learn to chant from the Torah and participate
in a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony in Spring 2010. No prior experience is
necessary. If you need to learn/improve your Hebrew reading , we can
arrange for tutoring. Volunteer donation each semester.
Great Jewish Thinkers: What Do Their Words
Teach Us Today?
Tuesday mornings beginning November 4 from 10:30-Noon
In our Sisterhood class this year we will study the biographies and
selected writings of people throughout the ages who have tackled
Judaism’s most vexing questions: What is the nature of God? How
should we demonstrate our faith? What is the place of Judaism and Jews
in the world? Join us for discussion and learning.
Free to Sisterhood members and members of CSAIR affiliates. Nominal fee
for others.
Sponsored by Sisterhood.
