Join our Jewish Studies Spring Signature Class with Rabbi Judy Schindler and Guest Scholars (who will join us on Zoom)
Dates: Wednesday, January 25 through March 29 (no class on March 8 and 15th for school spring breaks)
Time: 12:30-2 pm
Location: Queens campus and on Zoom
This eight-week course will examine Jewish ideas that have transformed the world including monotheism, human equality, peace, justice, liberty, the prophets and social reform, labor movements, mysticism, repairing the world and the Promised Land. Through this lens, the evolutions of texts and traditions over the past 2000 years will be explored. From sacred scripture to ritual to the holy land of Israel, students will evaluate Judaism’s successes and struggles and its transformative influence on the world today.
This course will be offered both in person at Queens and on Zoom. It will be recorded for those who are traveling. Guest scholars will join us for several of the sessions.
Wednesday, January 25 – Introduction to the Course and B’tzelem Elohim – The Equality of All with Rabbi Judy Schindler
Wednesday, February 1 – The Impact of Monotheism – One God and God Wrestlers with Dr. Adrian Bird, Interim Chaplain of Queens University.
Dr. Adrian Bird is Interim Chaplain at Queens University of Charlotte. Formerly he served as Affiliate Professor of Church History at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, and as Chair of Interfaith Partners of South Carolina. He has taught in a variety of international settings, including the UK, Zimbabwe, India and the US.
Wednesday, February 8 – Tikkun Olam – Repairing the World Being God’s Partner with Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz
Rabbi Yanklowitz is author, activist, Orthodox Rabbi, and resident & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, a pluralistic center for learning, social action and leadership development.
Wednesday, February 15 – The People of the Book – Text, Interpretation, and A System of Public Education with Rabbi Judy Schindler
Wednesday, February 22 – The Exodus Narrative and Liberation Theology with Rabbi Judy Schindler
Wednesday, March 1 – Shabbat and the Gift of Work Life Balance with Rabbi Anne Brenner
Rabbi Anne Brenner is a faculty member of both the Academy for Jewish Religion, LA and a founding faculty member of Yedidyas Morei Derekh- Jewish Spiritual Direction Training Program.
Wednesday, March 22 – “Judaism, Justice, and Courts of Law”– Rabbi Richard Block
“One of the top 25 pulpit rabbis in America” according to Newsweek, Rabbi Block is a Past President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and Senior Rabbi Emeritus of The Temple – Tifereth Israel, Cleveland, Ohio and Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills, CA. Prior to his rabbinical studies, Rabbi Block graduated with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and from Yale Law School, where he was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. He was a law clerk to a US District Court judge and served on active duty in the lUS Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, including a term as a Special Assistant US Attorney.
Wednesday, March 29 – A Mosaic of Additional Jewish Ideas that have transformed the World
The fee for the spring semester is $275 and includes texts and background readings. Financial assistance is available. Proceeds support Jewish Life at Queens University. We do not want costs to be a barrier. Space is limited.
To register, click here.
For more information, to register, or for financial assistance contact Judy Schindler, Schindlerj@queens.edu.