Enjoy Torah study during your lunch break.
The environment is informal. The content is approachable. The people are welcoming. Come with your curiosity. Ask questions or simply listen. Try it – you’ll be glad you did.
One Thursday per month
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | See class dates below.
One East Fourth, 14th Floor (4th & Vine)
Questions? Contact Celeste Lawler at 513.793.2997 or clawler@wisetemple.org
2022-2023 Schedule
| Jewish Ethical Dilemmas with Rabbi Goodman | 9/01/2022 | Complex situations arise in our lives all too often and making the “ethical choice” is not always so straightforward. Together, we will explore a number of Jewish values and what to do when they conflict with one another. Join us for this interactive conversation about ancient texts and contemporary dilemmas. |
| Jewish Views of Organ Donation with Rabbi Kamrass | 10/20/2022 | Many people believe that Jewish law prohibited or greatly discouraged organ donation out of respect to the body. However, while the respect for the body that animates so much of Jewish burial tradition is strong, so is the value of respect for human life. Come learn several areas of concern that have been strongly raised against organ donation Jewish law in, in fact, create a pathway for choosing to donate one’s organs for life-sustaining purposes. The discussion, led by Rabbi Lewis Kamrass, promises to be a fascinating view of how Jewish law balances deep and seemingly competing values. |
| A History of Jews & Rabbis in the American Military with Rabbinic Intern Matt Derrenbacher | 12/01/2022 | An exploration of the rich history of Jewish soldiers, rabbis, Jewish religious practice, and religious accommodation in the US military. We will be unpacking how American Judaism changed the way the American military understood the role and practice of chaplains. |
| The Book of Proverbs from the Lens of Social Justice with Rabbi Thomashow | 01/26/2023 | Three seasons ago, we studied the Book of Jonah from the lens of social justice, inspired by the then CCAR publication of the Book of Jonah, a Social Justice Commentary. This year, the CCAR press has published the Book of Proverbs, a Social Justice Commentary, by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, and we will have the opportunity to read a handful of those newly published commentaries and once again see our ancient texts in a new light. There will be much wisdom to glean for those new to the Book of Proverbs, as well as those who will return to this text for an umpteenth time. |
| Caveman Judaism with Rabbi Jonathan Hecht | 03/16/2023 | What does it means to study Torah? In this session, participants will study the odd story of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son who hid from the Romans in a cave. From this story, we will glean lessons about Torah and study. |
| The Problem of Theodicy: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? with Jamie Starr, Rabbinical Student | 05/11/2023 | Join us as we explore an age-old conundrum that has sparked debate for thousands of years: if God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good, why do bad things happen to good people? We will look at different Jewish perspectives on the topic, both historical and contemporary, and discuss how these perspectives can help us process events of the day. |