Basic Judaism
Course Outline
Week 1
Jan. 11
|
Introduction to Judaism
Expectations The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Rosh Hashanah & Yamim Noraim (High Holidays) High Holidays music and prayers Jewish Calendar, Elul Hebrew – Alef bet, Lessons 1-3 |
Week 2
Jan. 18 |
The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Yom Kippur
Movements in Judaism – Comparison of Ideologies Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 10-12 |
Week 3
Jan. 25 |
The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Tu B’Shvat
Biblical Texts and History Prayer, Jewish meditation, Kavanah Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 13-15 |
Week 4
Feb. 1 |
The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret & Simhat Torah
Introduction to Jewish worship and services A first look at Basic Jewish Books: Torah, Tanakh, Mishna, Talmud, Midrash, Siddur Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 16-18 |
Week 5
Feb. 8 |
G-d: Covenant with Avraham, at Sinai, 13 Attributes
Deep dive into the Siddur Blessings The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Purim Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 19-21 |
Week 6
Feb. 15 Presidents Day
|
The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Passover, Haggadah, Seder
How to Prepare for Passover Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 22-24 |
Week 7
Feb. 22 |
Kashrut (Jewish Dietary Laws) – Why? How?
The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Counting of the Omer K’riat Shema (The readings of the Shema), Themes and Theology, Mitzvot (Commandments) Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 25-27 |
Week 8
Mar. 1 |
Israel: History and Meaning to Contemporary Jews
The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Yom Hazikaron, Yom HaAtzma’ut Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 28-30 |
Week 9
Mar. 8 |
Shabbat – Its Meaning and Centrality in Judaism
Observing & Remembering – Two Dimensions of Shabbat Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 31-33 |
Week 10
Mar. 15 |
How to Make Shabbat at Home
Mysticism and Kabbalah Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 34-37 |
Week 11
Mar. 22 |
Songs and Chants of the Synagogue: Trope, Nusach, MiSinai Tunes, Cantorial Music
The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Chanukah Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 38-41 |
Week 12
Mar. 29 |
Jewish Home and Family Life: Part I
Baby Naming, Brit Milah, Pidyon HaBen, and choosing your Jewish name Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 42-45 |
Week 13
Apr. 5 |
Anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, and its impact on the Jewish psyche
The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Yom HaShoah (April 8 this year) Tzedakah and Gemilut Hassadim; Shalom Bayit Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 46-49 |
Week 14
Apr. 12 |
Jewish Home and Family Life: Part II
Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Marriage Divorce, Death Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 50-53 |
Week 15
Apr. 19 |
Biblical Texts and History
Yiddish songs, expressions, stories, Jewish foods and humor Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 54-57 |
Week 16
Apr. 26 |
The Jewish Holiday Cycle: Shavuot
The Book of Ruth Affiliating with a new religion and community Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 58-62 |
Week 17
May 3 |
Conversion Practicalities & Unanswered Questions
An Open Forum Preparing for the Conversion Ceremony Selecting Hebrew Names Scheduling Hebrew Reishit Binah, pp. 63-66 |
Week 18
May 10 |
Brit Milah (men), Mikveh, Bet Din, Conversion Ceremony
No Class – May 17 is Shavuot, Day 1 – service attendance |
Week 19
May 24 |
Optional additional class:
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Welcoming Ceremony |
Cost considerations for you:
- Whichever Jewish books you will want to own for your library
- Mikvah (ritual bath) fee
- Brit Milah or Hatafat Dam Brit (for men)
- Tallit, Kippot, Tefillin
- Mezuzot, other Judaica
- Candlesticks, Shabbat candles
- Menorah
- Wine, wine cup
- Havdalah candle and spices