Rabbi Aaron S. Gold Institute of Jewish Studies

Rabbi Aaron S. Gold, z"l

Schedule for 2009/10

Click here to enroll online.

Hebrew

Hebrew school was never like this! Come study Hebrew with us this year. Maybe you’ve heard that our courses are different: All of them use the same method as is used in the popular “Ulpan San Diego” (or Hebrew High; San Diego State University; University of California, San Diego; and Tifereth Israel Hebrew School). But these synagogue “mini-courses” are strongly focused on pronouncing and comprehending classical Jewish texts, including the prayer-book (sidur).

Hebrew Mini-Course 1: Alef-Bet Crash Course

Rapid introduction to pronouncing Hebrew words, with fun ‘associations’ like the “Pirate with a Pin.” Hebrew school was never like this! The curriculum is newly revised this year (so come if you want review!), drawing on the years of experience here, and includes a tiny bit of speaking and reading biblical verses. 6 sessions. Dates & times: Sundays, 10:50 a.m. – 12:00 noon, November 1, 8, 15, & 22, & December 6 & 13, 2009. Fee: free, but please register; book is $14. Instructor: Zev bar-Lev, professor of linguistics at SDSU, and founder/director of the Language Bazaar.

A message from Professor bar-Lev:

Custom course materials for ALEF-BET CRASH COURSE published by University Readers are now available online at www.universityreaders.com. I have written and revised these materials over my years teaching this course to give you a maximally effective, custom learning experience. It contains important elements not included in previous years (such as a small amount of speaking and reading comprehension, along with alef-bet study) — so it will be suitable for review, although aimed at those with no background in Hebrew or foreign language at all.

The course booklet costs $11.49, and provides materials that we will use in class at each of our six Sunday meetings, so you should purchase your own copy. To purchase the course pack, please follow the instructions below:

Step 1: Log on to www.universityreaders.com.

Step 2: Click on the white “STUDENTS BUY HERE” button located in the “Student Store” section (upper right-hand corner of the page).

Step 3: Create an account or log in if you have an existing account to purchase.

Step 4: Easy-to-follow instructions will guide you through the rest of the ordering process. Payment can be made by all major credit cards or with an electronic check.

Orders are typically processed within 24 hours and the shipping time will depend on the selected shipping method and day it is shipped (orders are not shipped on Sundays or holidays). If you experience any difficulties, please email orders@universityreaders.com or call 800.200.3908.

With best wishes,
Zev bar-Lev

P.S. After purchasing, you will also be emailed instructions on how to download a FREE 20% PDF to get started on your required readings right away.

Hebrew Mini-Course 2: Beyond the Alphabet

Learn what Hebrew means! (You wouldn’t say you can read Turkish just because you can pronounce it!) Here you will learn how Hebrew is like challah (English is like sliced bread), and how kabbalah can help build your vocabulary rapidly through roots and roots of roots. 6 sessions. Dates & times: Sundays, 10:50 a.m. – 12:00 noon, January 3, 10, 24 & 31, & February 7 & 21, 2010. Fees: $35 (members), $40 (non-members), plus about $15 for books.  Instructor: Zev bar-Lev, professor of linguistics at SDSU, and founder/director of the Language Bazaar.

Judaism

Basic Judaism

This course explains Jewish concepts, values and rituals. It provides a good review of subjects learned in Torah School on an adult level, and is a required course for conversion to Judaism. A Hebrew Literacy component of this course is scheduled for November 1 – December 13 (at no additional charge). (See Hebrew Mini-Course 1: Alef-Bet Crash Course on pg 2.) Dates & Times: Sundays, 9:30 — 10:45 a.m., September 13, 2009 – April 25, 2010. Additional session: Thursday, September 24, at 7:00 p.m. Fees: $40 (members), $150 (non-members), plus books (scholarships are available). Instructor: Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal. Click here to download the class syllabus.  Click here to purchase the required and recommended books for this course online.

Adult B’nai Mitzvah

Even though not everyone becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah when they reach the age of 13, many Jews feel something missing from their lives if they do not participate in this very moving coming of age ceremony. Fortunately, it is never too late to celebrate becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah! Students will learn to chant from the Torah and Haftarah, and to lead the service. The year will culminate at a moving and inspirational Adult B’nai Mitzvah service. (Please note: Adult B’nai Mitzvah students must be simultaneously enrolled in, or have previously completed, Rabbi Rosenthal’s Basic Judaism class. The class is open to TIS members only.) Dates & Times: TBA. Fees: $118. Instructor:Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal.

The Mitzvah Initiative: Seeking the Sacred

Jews often complain that Judaism lacks spirituality — a way to help them connect with God. “Seeking the Sacred: The Mitzvah Initiative” is a series of workshops which explore how Judaism brings the Divine into every day life.

“Seeking the Sacred” is not a conventionally taught class, but rather a series of open and honest workshops and discussion by participants which examine some of the most critical elements of Jewish life. Among the topics to be explored are Prayer, Tikun Olam, Bikur Cholim (attending to the ill and suffering), and God, Love and Mitzvah. Workshop sessions will also feature guest speakers and an opportunity to turn words into action.

This series of fifteen sessions will be held twice this year: Sunday morning classes will be geared specially to the needs of the families with young children and we encourage Preschool and Torah School parents to join us; the Thursday evening classes will address more general interests for our congregation at large. Both sessions will be facilitated by Rabbi Rosenthal.

Tifereth Israel Synagogue is one of over fifty Conservative congregations participating in the Mitzvah Initiative, a project of Chancellor Arnold Eisen of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

Sunday Dates & Times: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., November 1, 2009 – March 15, 2010
Fees: Free, but please register. Please also let us know if you will need child care.

Thursday Dates & Times: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., October 29, 2009 – March 4, 2010
Fees: Free, but please register.

Instructor: Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal.

Click here to enroll online.