At the Rockland Jewish Community Campus, 450 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY

Quick preview of Rabbi Modek’s sessions:

Class session I    RAISING THE BAR ON BAR/BAT MITZVAH

Our ancestors passed on their Jewish legacy through rites of passage that were life transforming and life affirming.  Can we reclaim the existential depth of Bar/Bat Mitzvah?  Through surveying Jewish sources and current innovative practices we will search for the answer.

Class session II    HASSIDIC STORY TELLING
Through storytelling and discussion students will encounter the pearls of wisdom offered in tales of the Baal Shem Tov and other Hassidic masters.

To register  go towww.jewishrockland.orgto register on line
Questions?  Email: melton@jewishrockland.orgTHE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO ALL–$18 SUGGESTED DONATION
BABYSITTING PROVIDED

ALL CLASSES AND TEACHERS:

Class session I – 7:40-8:30 pm

1. SCARLET RIBBONS: RAHAV: SACRED PROSTITUTE? WOMAN OF VALOR?
Madonna may not know it, but the red string she loves to flaunt has everything to do with a feisty woman named Rahav who lived long ago in Jericho.  In this lively workshop, we will gain a clearer portrait of this unique “non-Jewish Jewish” heroine.
JUDITH ROSE
Educational Consultant, Director of Vital Movement™, Adult Education at CSI-Nyack

2. ETHICAL WILLS: A SACRED JEWISH PRACTICE
We will learn that although human life can be described in generalities, each life is unique in its blessings and difficulties.  Although it is true that we take nothing from the world when we leave it, it is the greatest human wish that along the way we leave something of value, some sign that the world is better because we lived here. We will discover how Ethical Wills give voice to these human dreams and wishes.
RABBI PAULA MACK DRILL
Orangetown Jewish Center; Melton Faculty

3. PARAHSAT HASHAVUA AS A CONSTRUCT IN TIME
How do you read the Torah? Learn how to study the Torah one day at a time. See how the weekly parasha can be lived out daily and applied to the weekly rhythm of our lives.
RABBI CRAIG SCHEFF
Orangetown Jewish Center

4. “PRAYER CAN BE…..”
Have you ever wondered if the act of t’fillah (prayer) could be more meaningful to you?  Have you ever explored t’fillah in unique ways….ways that are not found in conventional textbooks or siddurim?  In this session, we will use interactive and creative techniques to explore the prayer experience, and understand it in a more personal, nuanced and meaningful manner.
BETH KRAMER
Educational Director, Temple Beth El

5. A TASTE OF MELTON:
THE RIGHT TO LIFE OR THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE: A JEWISH PERSPECTIVE
In the past few years and undoubtedly in the coming years the national debate over the court case Roe v. Wade is center stage in our political and religious forums.  In this session we will take a look at the Jewish perspective based on many different sources and viewpoints that cross the spectrum of Jewish denominations, using the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School way of teaching.
RABBI JOSHUA GRUENBERG
Congregation Sons of Israel-Nyack; Melton Faculty

6.  SHOULD WE ACTIVELY SEEK CONVERTS TO JUDAISM?
We will discuss some of these questions:  Is this the time for us to stop obsessing about who is being lost to the Jewish community and instead to start acting on who might come in?  Does Judaism have something to offer to spiritual seekers?  Where do we begin?
RABBI ARYEH MEIR
West Clarkstown Jewish Center; Melton Faculty

7. RAISING THE BAR ON BAR/BAT MITZVAH
Our ancestors passed on their Jewish legacy through rites of passage that were life transforming and life affirming.  Can we reclaim the existential depth of Bar/Bat Mitzvah?  Through surveying Jewish sources and current innovative practices we will search for the answer.
RABBI REUBEN MODEK
Hebrew Learning Circles

8. JERUSALEM IS THE NAVAL OF THE WORLD! SONGS, MIDRASH AND MYSTICAL TALES OF THE HOLY CITY WE LOVE
Come learn sources and stories about Jerusalem, our holy city. Songs about the holy city inspire us, and midrash about Jerusalem is simply majestic! Everyone who loves the holy land and our precious City of Gold is invited to come learn together.
RABBI SCOTT BOLTON
Head of School, Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School

9. FINDING GOD WHILE PRAYING
Discover the different intentions of our prayers and where and how we can find God and godliness.
RABBI PAUL KURLAND
Nanuet Hebrew Center

10.  ISRAEL: 60 YEARS IN 50 MINUTES
A whirlwind tour as participants share memories and eye witness accounts during this decade by decade survey of the history of the Jewish state.
CAROL H. KING, LCSW
Jewish Family Service of Rockland

11.  PURIM EXPOSED—THE REAL STORY
Where are the miracles in the Purim story? Why is G-d’s name not mentioned in Megilat Esther (the only book of Torah missing G-d’s name)?
RABBI CHAIM ZVI EHRENREICH
Chabad Jewish Enrichment Center—Chestnut Ridge

12.  J, E, P, D- WHY REFORM AND CONSERVATIVE JEWS ARE NOT ORTHODOX
A look at the scholarly reasons why non-Orthodox Jews do not literally accept “Torah Mi-Sinai,” the concept of the entire Torah being given at Mt. Sinai.  Time permitting, we will also deal with the consequences of such a belief vis a vis Torah and mitzvot.
RABBI DANIEL PERNICK
Beth Am Temple

13. THE MIDRASHIC IMAGINATION: HOW WE LEARN TORAH FROM PEOPLE WHO RAISED SHEEP AND GOATS
An attempt to come to an understanding of how the Midrashic process helps us keep learning from the Torah although it was created so many thousand’s of years ago in a totally different culture and milieu from ours.
RABBI DAVID FASS
Temple Beth Sholom

14. ENRICHING YOUR GRANDCHILDREN’S JEWISH EXPERIENCES
Grandparents have a unique opportunity to demonstrate what it means to live a Jewish life (accompanied by a large dose of hugs and kisses!).  This workshop will examine how grandparents look at themselves and their personal grandparenting style and offer suggestions for ways of (subtly) adding Jewish values to family events and celebrations (w/o being the ‘family rabbi’ or guest lecturer!).
SHARON HALPER
Regional Educator, Union for Reform Judaism, Grandmother

15.    WAITER! THERE’S A SWEATSHOP IN MY SOUP!
Recent labor scandals in the kosher meat industry have forced us to re-examine our approach to one of the most basic aspects of our lives—our food.  Explore the question of the ethics of what we consume, as we discuss the issue in light of ancient and modern Torah teachings concerning labor justice.
RABBI MICHAEL ROTHBAUM
Campus Rabbi/Program Director, Hillels of Westchester

16.    FEMALE, ARAB, CHRISTIAN: NARRATIVE VOICE IN SAMI MICHAEL’S
“A TRUMPET IN THE WADI”
In this class we will examine how Baghdad-born Hebrew novelist Sami Michael integrates the quintessential Other into the center of Israeli culture simply by “playing” a trumpet in a Haifa Wadi. Participants are expected to have read this short novel (in English) before coming to class.
JOE LOWIN, Ph.D.

17.  DID THE EXODUS FROM EGYPT REALLY HAPPEN? (A TASTE OF MELTON)
In May 2001, Rabbi David Wolpe (Conservative Rabbi) said in a sermon that archeological evidence shows that the Exodus from Egypt never happened.  His statement generated an uproar in the Jewish community.  As Jews, must we believe that the Exodus really happened?
BARBARA ROSENTHAL BIRNBAUM
Melton Faculty, CSI Nyack Adult Ed

18.  OUTREACH IN THE OUTBACK
Stories and lessons from three years traveling around Australia connecting and reconnecting isolated Jewish people with their heritage…Christians in Cairns, Davening in Darwin, Bar Mitzvah in Blairgowrie and Torah in Townsville…
RABBI DOV OLIVER
Center for Jewish Life, RCC Hillel; Instructor, Rockland Community College

Class Session II — 8:40-9:30 pm

1.  EVERYTHING YOUR KIDS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX, DRUGS, BODY IMAGE AND TATTOOS*BUT WERE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT WITH YOU
Want to know about the Jewish view on these controversial issues and how to talk about them with your teens?  Join us for this exciting session.
BENJAMIN LEWIS
Educational Director, New City Jewish Center

2. SCARLET RIBBONS: RAHAV: SACRED PROSTITUTE?  WOMAN OF VALOR?
Madonna may not know it, but the red string she loves to flaunt has everything to do with a feisty woman named Rahav who lived long ago in Jericho.  In this lively workshop, we will gain a clearer portrait of this unique “non-Jewish Jewish” heroine.
JUDITH ROSE
Educational Consultant, Director of Vital Movement™, Adult Education at CSI-Nyack

3.  I WILL BOW TO NO MAN: ISSUES OF AUTHORITY IN THE BOOK OF ESTHER
Join us for a lively session of text study lead by JT Waldman, the author and illustrator of JPS’s critically acclaimed graphic novel, Megillat Esther.  This session will uncover how characters in the Esther story relate to systems of power and agents of authority. Open to students of all levels, previous experience with biblical text-study and familiarity with Hebrew is recommended.
JT WALDMAN
Jewish Publication Society

4.  TASTES OF JAPAN
Traditional yet kosher appetizers & main dishes from The Land of the Rising Sun emphasizing aesthetics and preparation that maintains the nutritional value of all ingredients.  Let’s create and taste an edible art we can enjoy on Shabbat and holidays! Registration is limited to the first 20 to sign up.
SIGALIT BEN ZEEV
Israeli Teacher of English as a Second Language in Japan among other talents.

5.  MAKING PRAYER MEANINGFUL: A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE OF MA’ARIV, THE EVENING SERVICE
Through an exploration of the structure and intentions of the evening service, we will have an opportunity to consider what prayer does and could mean to us.  There will be an opportunity for experiential learning and personal meaning making.
RABBI PAULA MACK DRILL
Orangetown Jewish Center; Melton Faculty

6. A TASTE OF MELTON: HOMOSEXUALITY AND JUDAISM
In this class we will explore sources both ancient and modern that deal with Judaism’s attitude toward homosexuality.  Together we will try to navigate through these difficult sources so that we can all see through a Jewish lens when looking at this important relevant national and religious issue, using the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School way of teaching.
RABBI JOSHUA GRUENBERG
Congregation Sons of Israel-Nyack; Melton Faculty

7. IS THERE A FUTURE FOR JEWISH-MUSLIM RELATIONS?
Jews and Muslims have a complicated and somewhat tortured history.  The Muslim presence in this country is growing rapidly and is felt in the public square.  Where and how can Jews dialogue with Muslims?
RABBI ARYEH MEIR
Melton Faculty; Rabbi, West Clarkstown Jewish Center

8.  HASSIDIC STORY TELLING
Through storytelling and discussion students will encounter the pearls of wisdom offered in tales of the Baal Shem Tov and other Hassidic masters.
RABBI REUBEN MODEK
Hebrew Learning Circles

9.  HOLOCAUST: FAITH AND OUR FIGHTING SPIRIT THROUGHOUT THE DISASTER INSPIRES
In this session, we will explore how Jews continued to keep our traditions and have faith, in the ghettos and in the camps.  Writings from Holocaust era writers inspire us to renew our commitment to our way of life. In the blessed memory of the holy ones who perished and with respect to the fighters and survivors, we will study together.
RABBI SCOTT BOLTON
Head of School, Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School

10.  IMAGES OF RESISTANCE AND REVOLT
Depiction of the Holocaust is not limited to images of Nazi atrocities. Join Rabbi Berkman for a slide presentation surveying several artists who identified with the heroes of the ghetto, partisans and other symbols of spiritual and active resistance.
RABBI DAVID BERKMAN
Rabbi, New City Jewish Center

11. BODY LANGUAGE
Our relationship with eating and dieting can be a reflection of a deeper psychological, social and spiritual hunger.  Let us examine together how our quest for wholeness, wellness and meaning can be honored and nourished.
CAROL H. KING
Jewish Family Service of Rockland

12.  MUST THE HUSBAND BE TOLD? A CASE STUDY.
A Ba’alat Teshuvah had an abortion while still non-religious. Her ultra-orthodox husband has no idea. He will be performing the Pidyon HaBen ceremony for their new son. If he does so, there is a problem of his taking the Lord’s Name in vain, as the mitzvah does not apply to a second pregnancy. A Rabbi knows her past. Must he or the wife warn the husband, despite her embarrassment? This is a real case. A teshuva was written in response. We will discuss that teshuva.
RABBI DAVID HOJDA
Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

13.    THE MORTGAGE & CREDIT MELTDOWN—A HALACHIC PERSPECTIVE
Who is accountable? Is it the lender, borrower, investor or broker?
RABBI CHAIM ZVI EHRENREICH
Chabad Jewish Enrichment Center—Chestnut Ridge

14. GREAT JEWISH MISCONCEPTIONS–THE SEQUEL
Join a continuation of last year’s SRO talk about beliefs that are commonly held about Judaism, but which happen to be completely false. No prerequisites!
RABBI DANIEL PERNICK
Beth Am Temple

15. THE MIDRASHIC IMAGINATION: HOW WE LEARN TORAH FROM PEOPLE WHO RAISED SHEEP AND GOATS
An attempt to arrive at an understanding of how the Midrashic process helps us keep learning from the Torah although it was created so many thousand’s of years ago in a totally different culture and milieu from ours.
RABBI DAVID FASS
Temple Beth Sholom

16. THE COMFORT, HEALING AND POWER OF PSALMS
At one time or another all of us face challenges in our lives, and particularly during these difficult times.  The words of the psalmist echo the universal call to God from our individual fox holes.
Join Rabbi Mitrani Knapp for an exploration of the words from this sacred part of our Tanakh.
RABBI SUSAN MITRANI KNAPP
Assistant Rabbi, New City Jewish Center

17. ORGAN DONATION
In the spectrum of Jewish thought.
RABBI DOV OLIVER
Center for Jewish Life, RCC Hillel; Instructor, Rockland Community College

18.  MOSES AS CROSS-ETHNIC ADOPTEE
We know his story well enough, but we forget that Moses was a Hebrew raised in the home of Egyptians.  What does Moses’ experience tell us about the particular challenges of the cross-ethnic family?  Join us to discuss the saga of the ultimate “hard-to-place” adoptee.
RABBI MICHAEL ROTHBAUM
Campus Rabbi/Program Director, Hillels of Westchester

19.  THE CREATION STORY IN GENESIS:  WHAT IS IT REALLY ABOUT? (MELTON)
The story of the creation of the world in Genesis has been variously translated and interpreted.  What does the actual translation say?  What does it mean?  Can it be reconciled with scientific theory?
BARBARA ROSENTHAL BIRNBAUM
CSI Nyack Adult Ed; Melton Faculty

9:30-10:15 pm—Dessert and Musical Program

“Cantors Amy & Barry Kanarek & the Temple Dudes”

Cantors Amy (Greenburgh Hebrew Center) & Barry (Nanuet Hebrew Center) Kanarek & The Temple Dudes, featuring Ken Blumberg on guitar, Bruce Pollack on drums and Rose Pollack on flute, perform a wide assortment of folk and rock music from Israel, America and the world over.  They frequently play at coffeehouses and festivals in the area and will appear in concert at the Nanuet Hebrew Center on March 22.  Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/TheTempleDudes