The Shaar Learning Centre
Wednesdays, October 11, 18 , 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
7:00 PM; In-person
Hebrew 3.0: Beyond the Aleph Bet with Merav Luz
Throughout Jewish history, Hebrew has been a connection between Jewish communities around the world. For many people, learning Hebrew is the first step to reconnecting (or even opening up) their Jewish roots. Have you always wanted to read the Passover Haggadah? Perhaps follow along in the Siddur (prayer book)? In this course we will get you reading! For those who do not recognize an Alef from a Bet, Intro to Hebrew will be the perfect gateway! For those who are ready to improve, our 3.0 Beyond the Aleph Bet will be ideal for you.
FEE: $100 includes text book
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Merav was born and raised in Israel coming to Canada in her later teenage years. She has been an educator for over 25 years providing a focus on teaching Hebrew language and Judaic culture and tradition to a variety of ages. She has taught at a variety of schools and is currently teaching at Hebrew Foundation School where young individuals are provided a strong understanding and usage of Hebrew language and tradition.
Wednesdays, October 11, 18 , 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
8:00 PM; In-person
Introduction to Hebrew with Merav Luz
Throughout Jewish history, Hebrew has been a connection between Jewish communities around the world. For many people, learning Hebrew is the first step to reconnecting (or even opening up) their Jewish roots. Have you always wanted to read the Passover Haggadah? Perhaps follow along in the Siddur (prayer book)? In this course we will get you reading! For those who do not recognize an Alef from a Bet, Intro to Hebrew will be the perfect gateway! For those who are ready to improve, our 3.0 Beyond the Aleph Bet will be ideal for you.
FEE: $100 includes text book
____________________________________________
Merav was born and raised in Israel coming to Canada in her later teenage years. She has been an educator for over 25 years providing a focus on teaching Hebrew language and Judaic culture and tradition to a variety of ages. She has taught at a variety of schools and is currently teaching at Hebrew Foundation School where young individuals are provided a strong understanding and usage of Hebrew language and tradition.
The Essentials of Judaism
Taught by Rabbi Fishman along with the Shaar's clergy team, "Essentials of Judaism" is open to everyone. Together we approach Judaism as adults studying and discussing ways to find meaning for ourselves in ancient texts and practices. Over the course of this year we will explore the essential aspects of Jewish life.
Tuesday, February 6 – 7:30 PM; In-person
What is Jewish Law? With Rabbi Mark Fishman
Four week pre-recorded course with a live fifth class on Tuesday, December 6
7:30 PM; Online
One Story, 5 Perspectives With Aaron Kroller
The Binding of Isaac seen through the lens of multiple traditions.
This class will take us deep into the heart of the Binding of Isaac, the Akedah in the Hebrew Bible. We will begin by looking at how the story is told and the philosophical problems it raises, and then study how the story was understood by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim thinkers over the past 2500 years, including how it is retold in the New Testament and the Qur’an. Then we will turn to how modern philosophers such as Kierkegaard, Buber, and Soloveichik have used the Akedah in their own religious thought, and we will conclude with a study of one of the most profound of recent Jewish thinkers: Montreal’s own Leonard Cohen.
1. The Akedah within the Hebrew Bible: Storytelling and the philosophical problems
2. The Akedah as martyrdom narrative for Christians and Jews
3. (1) The Akedah in the Qur’an and the Jewish-Muslim conversation; (2) Criticizing Abraham in the Jewish tradition
4. Modern philosophers on the Akedah: Kierkegaard and “Akedah theology”, and the ethical value of the story
5. Leonard Cohen’s Akedah songs from the Vietnam War to a personal Kaddish
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Aaron Koller is professor of Near Eastern Studies at Yeshiva University. He is the author of Unbinding Isaac: The Akedah for Modern Jewish Thought and Esther in Ancient Jewish Thought, among other books, and the editor of five more. Aaron has previously served as a visiting professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the University of Cambridge, and as a visiting researcher at the Albright Institute for Archaeological Research, the Hartman Institute, and the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. He lives in Queens, NY with Shira Hecht-Koller and their children.
Monday, November 20, 27, December 4, 11,18
12:00 PM; Online
From Creation to the Flood with Rabbi Dr. David Harbater
The Dual Foundations of Judaism
In this course, we will examine the foundations of Judaism as they are presented in the opening chapters of Genesis. Through a close and careful reading of the text, we will discover there are two narratives that reflect two distinct worldviews regarding the nature of God, of human beings, of our role in the world, of the relationship between the man and the woman, and much more.
1. Adam and Eve, and Cain and Abel--what is the point of these stories?
In this class, we will try to understand the point of these stories within the larger moral and theological framework of the first part of Genesis.
2. Genealogies-who cares?
In this class, we will uncover the deeper meaning and importance of the early genealogies of Genesis.
3. The story, or stories, of the flood?
In this class, we will discover that there isn't one story of the flood, but two!
4. Flood story 1, its meaning and significance
Having established that there are two stories of the flood, we will see how version 1 of the flood fits into its own narrative flow and worldview.
5. Flood story 2, its meaning and significance
In this class, we will see how version 2 of the flood presents its own flow and unique worldview.
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Rabbi Dr. Harbater teaches “The Big Ideas of Jewish Thought” at different Jerusalem seminaries. He also teaches BA and MA level courses on the philosophy of education and on Jewish identity at Herzog College, and Jewish thought at the Gan Nachum high school in Rishon. Rabbi Harbater received his Ph.D. in education from the University of Haifa and his semicha from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg in Jerusalem. He lives with his family in Efrat.
Wednesdays, November 22, 29, December 6, 13
11:00 AM; Online
The Building Blocks of Community with Rabba Briah Cahana
This course will investigate some of the essential commandments that constitute the core of Jewish community. From honouring one's parents to welcoming guests; visiting the sick and caring for the deceased, how do we relate to these mitzvot personally and communally?
Wednesdays, November 22, 29, December 6, 13
7:30 PM; In-person
Intro to Talmud with Rabbi David Wallach
History and Laws of Chanukah