The Shaar Learning Centre
Tuesdays, October 10 , 17, 24
11:00 AM; Online
Taming the Inner Critic with Rabbi Mark Fishman
Transforming Attitudes by Judging Favourably
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.
Thursdays, October 12, 19, 26, November 2
2:00 PM; In-person
Bold Beginnings with Rabbi Adam Scheier
Exploring the themes of Rabbi Moshe Shapiro through the lens of language,
textual interpretation and spirituality
Mondays, October 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13
12:00 PM; Online
Think Good and it Will be Good with Rabbi Dr. Joel Zeff
Building a Life of Personal Wholeness and Joy
Rabbi Abraham Kook offers compelling ideas, deeply rooted in Kabbalah, that can empower us to “think good, so it will be good.” Join us as we explore Rav Kook’s fascinating models for cognitive reframing. This is not just another course - but an opportunity to make major strides towards greater personal wholeness and joy.
1. Introduction to Cognitive Therapy, Rabbi Kook and Cosmic Return
Change and growth are difficult. They seem to require swimming upstream in the face of all manner of challenges. Rav Kook suggests an extraordinary rethinking of the inner momentum of all existence.
2. Failure as Success
Failure to accomplish our goals is part of the human condition. Tragically, failure demoralizes us and breeds more failure. Rav Kook reframes “failure” has a source of positive empowerment.
3. The Challenge of Ends ands Means
We all have dreams that inspire us and lift our spirits, yet the means to accomplish those dreams is so often tasteless, dreary, and even painful. Rav Kook clarifies the relationship between ends and means.
4. Nautral Teshuvah
Taking stock of our physical health is not often perceived as an integral component of our spiritual life. Rav Kook asks us to reconsider.
5. The Positive Root of the Negative
We often view our failures as flowing from deep-seated defects in our personality and psyche. Rav Kook urges to dig deeper into those “defects” to reveal their divine root.
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Rabbi Dr. Joel Zeff holds a bachelor’s degree in Hebrew language and literature, a master’s degree in Jewish history, rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University, and a doctorate in pastoral counseling. Rabbi Dr. Zeff is particularly interested in the interface between psychology, spirituality, and ethics. He is well known as an unusually gifted speaker and teacher, and a compassionate, wise, and skilled therapist.
Wednesdays, October 18, 25, November 1, 8
12:00 PM; Online
Does Judaism Stand a Chance With Rabbi Dr. Moshe Koppel
Exploring the challenges to traditional Judaism
1. The Moral Challenge
Western culture has in many ways diverged from the basic values of Jewish tradition. Borrowing a bit from Jonathan Haidt’s book The Righteous Mind, I’ll outline the underlying differences in approach and suggest some responses to the challenge.
2. The Charge of Irrelevancy
It is often claimed by critics of Jewish tradition that it is outdated and that there are now more effective means of responding to the issues that tradition is meant to solve. Using an analogy to language (and borrowing from the economist FA Hayek), I’ll explain how traditional norms evolve and adapt.
3. The Possible Challenge of AI
Artificial Intelligence is advancing at an astonishing pace. I’ll explain how it works and why it might pose particular challenges to Jewish tradition.
4. The Challenge of Jewish Statehood
For 2000 years, Jewish tradition evolved as a counter-culture. Can it adapt to Jewish statehood where it might soon become a mainstream culture?
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Moshe Koppel is a member of the department of Computer Science at Bar-Ilan University and serves as chairman of the Kohelet Policy Forum. He received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Courant Institute and did post-doctoral work in the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Dr. Koppel has also published two books and many articles on Rabbinic literature, with special emphasis on logic and probability. Dr. Koppel’s political activity includes co-drafting two proposed constitutions for Israel, including a joint proposal with Michael Eitan, formerly chairman of the Knesset’s Constitution and Law committee. Several laws that Dr. Koppel drafted have been passed by the Knesset.
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.
The Essentials of Judaism
Tuesday, October 24 – 7:30 PM; In-person
What are Jewish Values? With Rabbi Mark Fishman
Tuesday, October 31 – 7:30 PM; In-person
What are the 10 Commandments? With Rabbi Mark Fishman
Tuesday, November 7 – 7:30 PM; In-person
The 70 Faces of the Torah. With Rabbi Adam Scheier
Tuesday, December 5 – 7:30 PM; In-person
What is Shabbat and why do we need it every week? With Rabba Briah Cahana
Four week pre-recorded course with a live fifth class on Tuesday, November 14
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.
Wednesdays, November 15, 22, 29, December 6
12:00 PM; Online
What is Kabbalah? With Dr. Biti Roi
An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism
In recent decades, interest in Kabbalah has been increasing and at times much information on the subject can be misleading and confusing. The aim of this course is to introduce students with no background in Kabbalah to the major ideas and practices of the Kabbalah in their historical and cultural settings. The ideas are presented in an accessible manner.
Friday, November 17
6:00 PM; In-person
Shabbaton Scholar-in-Residence & Congregational Dinner
With Dr. Marc Shapiro
The Limits of Orthodox Theology
Shabbat, November 18
Services at 8:45 AM; In-person
Shabbaton Scholar-in-Residence
Major Themes in the Philospophy of Rav Kook
With Dr. Marc Shapiro
Wednesdays, November 22, 29, December 6, 13
7:30 PM; In-person
Intro to Talmud With Rabbi David Wallach
History and Laws of Chanukah