Presented by: Matt Check The Talmudic rabbis led fantastic lives. In this Downtown Lunch and Learn, you will learn about the biography of Rabbi Gamliel, one of the most significant rabbis of our tradition. The lessons we take from his life may surprise you!
Presented by: Rabbi Zachary Goodman Join us for a fascinating deep dive into the extraordinary life of Rabbi Nelson Glueck: world-renowned archaeologist, president of Hebrew Union College, pioneer of Reform Jewish education, and undercover intelligence operative during World War II. He unearthed ancient cities, built a modern seminary, and gathered intelligence behind enemy lines—all while [...]
Presented by: Rabbinic Fellow Jamie Starr What do we do when sacred texts offend our modern moral sensibilities? From violence and vengeance to patriarchy and slavery, the Torah contains passages that are simply incompatible with our sense of justice and morality. And yet, the whole of Torah is meant to be holy, sacred, and divinely [...]
Presented by: Matt Check Explore the remarkable life of Salman Schocken—entrepreneur, publisher, and cultural visionary. From building a department store empire to founding Haaretz and championing Hebrew literature, Schocken’s story is one of passion, purpose, and profound influence on modern Jewish thought and identity.
Presented by: Rabbi Anna Burke As the month of Elul opens the gates to the High Holy Days, Jewish tradition invites us into a time of reflection, repair, and return. In this class, we’ll explore the spiritual themes and poetic language of Elul through key Psalms and the hauntingly beautiful prayers of the Selichot service.
S.Y. Agnon is perhaps somewhere between Shakespeare and Faulkner when it comes to the literature of The State of Israel. Join Matt Check to hear about the extraordinary life of this Nobel prize winner and one the most important writers in modern Jewish history.
Presented by: Jamie Starr Who was really at fault for Eve eating the forbidden fruit? How might an oven teach us about our relationship to God? Why is the Hebrew in the Torah written like that? Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of rabbinic midrash, reading age old tales from our tradition, [...]
Presented by: Courtney Anthony Eve is the first woman, mother of all the living, and partaker in fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. We may think we know her story, but a close look at Genesis suggests there is more to Eve than meets the eye. In this class, we will examine the Torah passages [...]
Presented by: Rabbi Lewis Kamrass With the rise of anti-Semitism, Rabbi Kamrass will lead us to examine the different types of prejudice and hatred against Jews throughout history, how the different types were manifested, the source of their power in different circumstances and eras, as well as what is old and yet new in the [...]
In this class, we will journey through the history, folklore, and contemporary customs of Halloween; unraveling the diverse ways in which Jewish communities engage with the popular Western holiday. From discussing the origins of Halloween to exploring Jewish perspectives on themes like death, remembrance, and festive celebration, this class offers a unique lens through which [...]
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