It’s hard to believe that summer is over and it’s back to school.  But at Temple Sinai, it’s not just the kids for whom we offer exciting learning opportunities.  Fall also marks the beginning of a new year of Adult Ed offerings.  The “mini-courses” that Rabbis Katz and Sapowith offered last year were so well-received that we have decided to follow the same format this year.  The series of mini-courses will kick off in October with Rabbi Sapowith offering: “War and Terrorism in Jewish Law”.  She will address issues of terrorism, torture, martyrdom, fighting in the Israeli (and other national) armies, and pacifism.  It promises to be a fascinating and evocative kick off for a year of Jewish learning!  Other mini-courses under development include:

·         “Anti-Semitism: Then and Now”

·          “Desperate Housewives? Marriage in the Talmud from a Women’s Perspective”

·          “The God You Don’t Believe in…I Probably Don’t Believe in Either: Wrestling with the ‘God Concept” in a World that Includes Pain, Suffering & Evil”

·        “What Makes Reform Judaism ‘Reform” and How Does it Differ from the Other Streams of Jewish Practice?”

·        “Three Thousand Years of Jewish History in a Few Easy Lessons!”

In addition to our Adult Ed mini-courses that meet from 9-10  and again from 11:30 -12:30 on most Sundays when Religious School is in session, we will be offering a variety of Hebrew classes (designed to meet the needs of folks at all different levels of Hebrew proficiency).  Watch the October Bulletin for more information.

Last – but CERTAINLY not least – we are proud to introduce “Basic Judaism from a Liberal Perspective”.  This 20-session course will be of interest to anyone (Jewish or not) wishing to gain a deeper understanding of basic Jewish belief and practice.  It can serve as an introduction for non- Jews involved in interfaith relationships (and their partners), people considering conversion, as well as Jews who would like a “refresher” on the basics!  You can read more about this offering in Rabbi Katz’s message as well as that of Ann Leonard.  Keep an eye out for additional information.

We look forward to an exciting and challenging year of Jewish learning and hope you will join us for some or all of these offerings.

Temple Sinaiis pleased to offer a new learning opportunity:

Basic Judaism from a Liberal Perspective

This 20-session course is for you if you are someone (Jewish or not) who would like a thorough introduction to (or review of) Judaism.  It will be especially helpful for anyone who is involved in a committed interfaith relationship as well as anyone who may be considering conversion.  This will be a place where you can ask questions in a safe and supportive atmosphere and get an idea of how Judaism is understood and practiced from a modern, egalitarian, and accepting viewpoint.  We invite you to join us for this unique learning experience!

October 17, 2010                 What is Judaism?  Who are the Jewish People?
October 24, 2010                 Sacred Literature: Tanakh (Bible)
October 31, 2010                 Sacred Literature: Rabbinic
November 14, 2010            Shabbat
November 21, 2010             Jewish Prayer and Worship I: Introduction
December 5, 2010               Jewish Prayer and Worship II: Learning to Participate
December 12, 2010             The Jewish Home
December 19, 2010              Holy Days: The Day of Awe
January 9, 2010                   Holy Days: The Three Major Festivals
January 16, 2011                 Holy Days: Minor and Modern Holidays
January 23, 2011                 Life Cycle I: Birth and Education
January 30, 2011                 Life Cycle II: Marriage and Divorce
February 6, 2011                 Life Cycle III: Death and Mourning
February 13, 2011               Jewish History I
March 6, 2011                      Jewish History II
March 13, 2011                    Anti-Semitism and Holocaust
March 20, 2011                    Zionism and Israel
April 3, 2011                        American Jewish Life
April 10, 2011                      Wrap Up and Ask the Rabbi

Additionally, there will be a Shabbat dinner at the Temple (Date to be determined)

The class will be held from 10-11 AM on Sunday mornings

Cost:  Temple Members: Price of books

Non-Temple Members $75 + books (Jewish partners of non-Jewish participants are welcome at no charge)

Interested?  We hope so! Call the Temple office (585-381-6890) for registration information.  We look forward to welcoming you!

Basic Judaism Class

The Rochester Board of Rabbis invites you to participate in the Basic Judaism Course. Discover an in-depth introduction to Jewish beliefs and practices. The instructors are Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Rabbis from the Rochester community. The class will meet for 13 sessions. David Orange will help guide the discussions and assist participants in creating connections with each other and with the materials. Participants must be sponsored by a Rabbi from the Rochester Board of Rabbis to enter the course. 

Classes begin Wednesday October 14, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, and will be held in room 106 at

Temple B'rithKodesh – 2131 Elmwood Avenue – 244-7060. The cost of the class is $180.

The order of classes will be:

1. What is Religion, What is a Jew             Oct 14        
2. Jewish Sacred Literature                        Oct 28        
3. Shabbat                                                  Nov 11       
4. The Holidays I                                         Nov 18
5. The Holidays II                                        Dec 2
6. Jewish Worship                                      Dec 16
7. The Jewish Home                                   Jan 6
8. Life Cycle Ceremonies I                          Jan 20        
9. Life Cycle Ceremonies II                         Feb 3
10. Jewish History                                     Feb 24
11. The Shoah                                             Mar 3
12. Zionism & Israel                                    Mar 17        
13. The American Jewish Community        Apr 7
14. Wrap up                                                Apr 14

For more information or to register please contact: David A. Orange

122 Buckland Ave, Rochester, NY 14618  daorange@earthlink.net  585-721-7568

Please enclose a check for $180 made payable to: Rochester Board of Rabbis along withyour name, address, phone number and email address, synagogue affiliation and referring Rabbi name.

Study With the Scholars! Eilu V'Eilu

After two successful years of Ten Minutes of Torah, the Unionfor Reform Judaism has expanded its e-mail study program to provide you the opportunity to join in discussion with leading scholars. Each month a new topic is introduced, and readers are encouraged to submit their questions and comments. To sign up for Eilu V'Eilu, go to www.urj.org/torah/ten/eilu. And while you are online, please check out the other Torah study that is available on the Web or by e-mail subscription.

Pesach: A Season for Justice

To help you bring to your Seder table modern social justice issues, including hunger, homelessness, immigration and refugee concerns and modern-day slavery, the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism has produced a special Passover guide. It includes readings and rituals as well as project ideas, links to websites and creative Haggadot and background information on various social action themes. To view the guide, go to: http://rac.org/pubs/holidayguides/passover2/.

Summer Learning

Whether you're headed for the beach, the mountains, or the countryside this summer, you can bring a bit of Jewish learning with you - just bring along your laptop, Blackberry, or other means of logging in. Ten Minutes of Torah, introduced at the 2001 Boston Biennial and delivered directly to your e-mail inbox each weekday, offers a personal connection to a Jewish text, issue or topic, including insight on the week's Torah portion, Israel, social justice, and Jewish ethics. To sign up, visit www.urj.org/torah/ten.