:: WHC Academy

WHC Academy Announces Second Semester

Monday evenings, our rabbis and educators offer multiple short-term and longer-term courses through our own, new WHC Academy. Designed to inform and enrich the lives of Jewish adults, the new Academy semester begins February 4!  Due to popular demand, Academy classes now will be offered at both the Temple and the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center. The Academy begins at 7:00 pm at both locations with a wonderful series of mini-courses, each lasting three to four weeks. At 8:15 pm, the semester-long Beyond Basics course will explore one topic in an in-depth manner. Join us for meaningful Jewish learning and community!

Julia Bindeman Suburban Center Mini-Courses, 7-8pm

• Renew Passover: Teachings for Your Seder and Beyond! February 4 – 25, Rabbi Shankman will discuss new ideas and texts that can enhance our Passover Seders and observance.
• New Music for Shabbat March 4 – 18, Cantor Susan Bortnick will teach a course during which you will sing and listen to the new music we will hear during Shabbat services.

Temple Mini-Courses, 7-8pm

• Homosexuality and Judaism, February 11 – 25, Rabbi Aaron Miller will explore contemporary debates in Jewish thought about same-sex marriage and sexual orientation.
• Hate Speech: Its History and the Law, March 4 – 18, Professor Melvin Urofsky will examine the increasing incivility and polarization in America today
• Great Debates in Judaism, April 1 – 22, Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig will explain the controversies that have shaped the course of Jewish thought through textual study and discussion
• Wisdom, Laughs, and Surprises for Yiddish, April 29 – May 20, Rabbi Noah Fabricant will teach about the words, phrases, jokes, and the place of the Yiddish language in Jewish Culture

Julia Bindeman Suburban Center Beyond Basics, 8:15 – 9:15pm

At JBSC, February 4 – April 22, Gerdy Trachtman’s Introduction to Kabblah will be a fascinating guide to Jewish mysticism—some of the most unusual, spiritual, and powerful teachings in Jewish history. Students will be introduced to the key texts and ideas of this spiritual, magical area of Judaism. Learn about the important place of angels and demons, spells, out-of-body experiences, and mediation in Jewish history and thought.

Temple Beyond Basics, 8:15 – 9:15pm

At Temple, February 4 – May 20, Rabbi Fabricant will teach Introduction to Talmud – what it is, who wrote it, and why it is important. The Talmud may be the most influential Jewish text of all time. Join this class for a fun and enlightening exploration of absolutely essential Jewish knowledge. (Please note: the February 4 class will begin at 7pm with a special lecture by Rabbi Judith Abrams.)

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THREE WAYS TO REGISTER:

1) Fill out the registration form and mail/fax/e-mail it to Rabbi Fabricant
    (see form for details).
2) Fill out the registration form and drop it in the “WHC Academy” box
    in the Temple lobby.
3) *PAPERLESS*: E-mail Rabbi Fabricant (NFabricant@whctemple.org)
    and tell him which courses you would like to attend.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
We look forward to seeing you!