Sichat Anashim, CBI’s Tuesday morning study group, will begin a new DVD 24 lecture course on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. Between Cross and Crescent: Jewish Civilization from Mohammed to Spinoza presents an overview of Jewish culture and society from its rabbinic foundations in late antiquity until the dawn of modernity in the 17th century.
In so doing, it places a special focus on Judaism's creative encounter with Christianity and Islam, giving us a unique perspective from which to examine the three major Western religions as they interact over time, and noting especially their ability or inability to tolerate and even appreciate the "other," as viewed from the vantage point of the Jewish minority.
The course is taught by Professor David Ruderman, a widely honored scholar and teacher who is the Joseph Meyerhoff Professor of Modern Jewish History at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Advanced Judaic Studies.
Sichat Anashim meets Tuesday mornings at 10:30 AM and ends slightly before noon. We will meet in the Youth Lounge. All are welcome to join us for what promises to be a stimulating and informative 12 weeks. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Gonen or the Synagogue office.
Over the past year (2007 – 2008) our Tuesday morning study group, Sichat Anashim, has watched two DVD courses, Jewish Intellectual History: 16th to 20th Century and Old Testament. Both DVD courses are now available in the Congregation B’nai Israel library for your viewing pleasure. Each course consists of 24 half hour lectures. Take advantage of this opportunity and watch the DVD at home. It is time well spent. The lectures on Tanakh by Professor Levine are like reading a good book that you can’t put down. Not only is she enlightening, her course is fun. Professor Ruderman’s course on
Jewish Intellectual History is overflowing with new information. Below is a little introduction to each course taken from its DVD case. Jewish Intellectual History: 16th to 20th Century: Professor David B. Ruderman presents Judaism's thoughtful approach to change, challenge, and the modern world. David B. Ruderman is a professor of Modern Jewish History at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Advanced Judaic Studies. God. Torah. Israel. These three concepts—incorporated in personal belief, the meaning of Jewish ritual acts, and thepurpose of continued Jewish existence—have been the focus of Jewish thought throughout history. But the last four centuries have presented Jewish thinkers with difficult challenges:
• In a world having a history of untold suffering—especially, it seemed, for Jews—was the existence of an all-powerful and comforting God still tenable?
• What were the purpose and meaning of Jewish practices and customs, given the increasing number of Jews who placed greater value on their own autonomy?
• Could Jews still justify the notion of a "chosen people" in a society where Jewish integration and full participation with the rest of humanity had become the norm? These lectures present the varying ways in which a small group of thinkers has attempted to answer these challenges. Old Testament Taught by Professor Amy-Jill Levine. Amy-Jill Levine is a professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, where she also holds the position of Director of the Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality.
The Old Testament, or Tanakh, was written in ancient Israel over 1,000 years by many authors. It has meant more to more people than any other book in history. The influence of ancient Israel's religious and national literature is evident in everything from medieval mystery plays to modern novels, art, music, theater, film, and dance. Professor Levine's commentary thoughtfully explores selected passages from the texts called the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, and the Tanakh. She provides clear examples of how various approaches to biblical research and interpretation can enrich your understanding of this inexhaustibly fruitful and powerful text.
Although she focuses on historical and literary issues, Professor Levine also provides thoughtful reflections and useful information on the religious questions that arise from these sacred texts, and the lectures do not avoid raising issues of religious concern.