Jewish Study Center
Course Schedule, Spring 2002

PEACE CAFE: "The Rock"
Thursday, May 30
5:00 pm
Mimi's American Bistro, 2120 P Street NW
Kanan Makiya, author of _The Rock: A Tale of Seventh-Century Jerusalem_, will join the Jewish Study Center and Mimi's American Bistro for a "Peace Cafe" reading and discussion at Mimi's.

_The Rock_ offers a fascinating look at the confluence of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism around "the Rock" -- on which, according to overlapping religious tradition, trod Adam, Abraham and Isaac, Solomon, Jesus, Muhammad, and even the Creator. In looking back at a shared heritage, Makiya's tale suggests a hopeful vision for the future. This reading/discussion offers an opportunity to explore that vision as expressed in _The Rock_ and in participants' own views.

Andy Shallal, owner of Mimi's and co-founder of the Peace Cafe series with Theater J (DCJCC) Artistic Director Ari Roth, will host Makiya as part of the Peace Cafe, a series of events designed to help Arabs, Jews, and their friends share perspectives on issues of common concern. This event is presented in conjunction with a four-part Jewish Study Center course on _The Rock_ offered by Rich Blaustein this spring at the DCJCC.

Kanan Makiya, author of _Cruelty and Silence: War, Tyranny, Uprising, and the Arab World_ as well as other works of nonfiction, teaches at Brandeis University. He was born in Baghdad and directs the Iraq Research and Documentation Project at Harvard University. _The Rock_ is his first work of historical fiction.

Mondays at the DCJCC
16th & Q Streets, NW

Gender and Judaism: a survey course
Mondays, May 6 - June 17 (5 classes; no class May 13, May 27)
7:00 - 8:15 pm
Members: $55/Non-Members: $65
DCJCC
Does HaShem ("the name," a pseudonym for God) have a gender? What sex roles do the imahot (Matriachs) and avot (Patriarchs) embody and how is that reflected in their relationship to HaShem? How does prayer book language affect our relationship to the Source? To ourselves? How has feminism influenced our thinking on life-cycle events, from birth/covenant rituals to betrothal/marriage? This course will survey some of the ways gender plays a role in the most basic aspects of Judaism and will also consider how classical Jewish tradition uses gender (and gender-bending) in some imaginative ways to depict the God-human relationship. Torah, siddur, Pirke Avot, and contemporary commentary will be used throughout the course, which will conclude with bibliodrama.
Editor of "Blessed Bi Spirit: Bisexual People of Faith," Debra Kolodny gives workshops on Judaism, Gender and Sexuality throughout the USA. She has been an activist in women's, glbt, faith and social justice causes for over 20 years, is a member of Fabrangen, and is the Chair of the Board of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal.

Applied Kindness:
Chofetz Chaim in the 21st Century
Mondays, May 6 - June 10 (5 classes; no class May 27)
8:30 - 9:45 pm
Members: $55/Non-Members: $65
DCJCC
What do death, loans, weddings, and payment of wages have in common? Each provides an opportunity for an act of chesed (loving-kindness). The routine and extraordinary moments of our days--at home, workplace, and elsewhere in the community--are replete with such chances, according to tthe Chofetz Chaim (1838-1933). Learning to recognize such moments and act with kindness in them is a way of imitating God's kindness and helps both the individual and the world. This course will explore the concept of chesed and its application to finance, hospitality, and other areas of life.
The text, Chofetz Chaim's Ahavath Chesed (Love of Kindness), translated by Leonard Oschry, is published by Feldheim in paperback. Copies will be available for purchase on the first class night.
Barbara Sahli studied Ahavath Chesed with the Duties of the Heart study group at the DCJCC and attempts to apply these teachings in, among other places, her capacity as president of Chroma Design and Communications, a design and marketing consulting firm.

Endless Light: Kabbalah for Spiritual Practice
Thursdays, May 23 - June 6
Members: $35/Non-Members: $45
DCJCC
The book, Endless Light, by R. David Aaron, offers a basic, accessible approach to ideas of God, love, life, soul, and growth. This course will explore these basic concepts in kabbalistic thought, with an emphasis on the book's bringing together of two essential ideas: Ha Shem (God) <=> Here and Now. Participants should acquire a copy of the text (available at local bookstores) before the course and begin reading, if possible.
Yale Rodman has studied kabbalah with US and Israeli teachers, including R. David Aaron, director of the Isralight Institute and author of Endless Light and Seeing God.

The Rock : A Tale of 7th Century Jerusalem
Mondays, June 3 - June 17 (3 classes)
8:30 - 9:45 pm
Members: $35/Non-Members $45
DCJCC
The Rock: A Tale of Seventh-Century Jerusalem explores the integrated origins, intertwined claims, and inevitable interfacings of the three Monotheistic religions -- Judaism, Islam, and Chrisitianity -- in Jerusalem. With a passionate focus at the contentious site of the religious narratives of Abraham's "near" sacrifice of Isaac and Muhammad's ascent to heaven, The Rock explores a heritage in common and politics that divide. Written by the prominent Iraqi-born dissident and Harvard University Scholar Kanan Makiya, The Rock's looking back offers an unsentimental, but subtle and hopeful vision for the future.
For this course students are asked to acquire the hardcover book and start reading on their own in order to finish the book by the fourth class.
Rich Blaustein has taught nine courses at the Jewish Study Center. This course continues with the exploration of Monotheism pursued in the prior courses,"Freud's Moses" and "Human Sacrifice".

Tuesdays at the DCJCC
16th & Q Streets, NW

Basic Judaism
Tuesdays, May 7 - June 18 (7 classes)
7:00 - 8:15 pm
Members: $75/Non-Members: $85
DCJCC
This course will outline core Jewish beliefs, customs, and practices. It will introduce basic Jewish textual sources and avenues for further exploration, such as study, home observance, and synagogue life. "Field trips" will present opportunities to experience Judaism directly and get to know a range of synagogues and other resources in the local Jewish community. We will discuss what it means to live a Jewish life and consider next steps in what can become a lifetime of Jewish study.
Tom Diaz is a lawyer. He and his wife are members of Kesher Israel and Adas Israel Congregations.

Priest and Community
The Weight of the Vanguard
Tuesdays, May 7 - May 28 (4 classes),
8:30 - 9:45 pm
Members $45/Non-Members $55
DCJCC
While many of the Levitical laws strike a modern reader as arcane, the act of worship through sacrifice occupies a great amount of space and a place of importance in the Torah. As an accessible way of better understanding this station we will examine some of the priestly personalities and how establishing the sacrificial system affected their lives. In specific, we will investigate the story of Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aaron who die when offering "a foreign fire." The fallout from this episode provides insight into the purposes of sacrifice, the necessity for a priestly class, and the manner in which Divine encounters would be institutionalized. While no prior use of Hebrew is required, some texts may be examined in the original language.
Kenneth Jeruchim works in the field of international development. He studied philosophy and history at Wesleyan University and attended the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem.

American Jews and the US-Israel Relationship
Tuesdays, May 7 - June 4 (5 classes)
7:00 - 8:45 pm
Members $65/Non-Members $75
(special pricing for returning participants)
DCJCC
During the Study Center's winter term, a group of participants began discussing their varying levels of involvement with the State of Israel and their wide-ranging views of the US-Israel relationship. Perspectives ranged those of the One Israel Fund, a charitable organization endorsed by The YESHA Council of Settlements, to AIPAC, to those of Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel, a DC-based anti-occupation organization. As hoped, participants found both variety in their views and unity in their desire to learn from one another and to begin building bridges. This term, new views will be explored; points of agreement and disagreement, examined in more depth. New participants are encouraged to enroll and contribute their views.
Liana Brooks works in the Refugees Bureau at the State Department, has Masters Degrees in Middle Eastern Studies and Public Policy, and previously lived in Israel for three years. Brad Rubin is an international trade lawyer in D.C. and co-taught "Human Rights and Religion" for the Jewish Study Center.

Wednesdays at Adas Israel
2850 Quebec Street, NW

The Many Moods of Shabbat
Wednesdays, May 8 - 22 (3 classes)
8:30 - 9:45 pm
Members $35/Non-Members $45
Adas Israel
Any one aspect of Shabbat -- candle lighting, e.g., or the week's Torah reading -- can, for reasons of preference or logistics, come to dominate Shabbat observance. But each of Shabbat's three main phases -- from Kabbalat (welcoming) Shabbat, through Shacharit (morning) and Torah Services, to Seudah Shlishit (third meal) and Havdalah (distinquishing Shabbat from the ordinary and marking the new week) -- contributes something unique to the whole. And recognizing the unique gift of each phase can add to Shabbat's depth and beauty. Here's an opportunity to examine differences in liturgy, music, and mood for each phase; consider how these form an overall progression; and explore ways to add new notes to your Shabbat's melody. Texts will include traditional and contemporary sources in addition to the prayerbook.
Shalom Flank has taught many courses for the Jewish Study Center and celebrates various aspects of Shabbat with members of the Zoo Minyan and others.

Synagogue Skills: Understanding and Leading
the Torah/Concluding Service
Wednesdays, May 15 - June 5 (4 classes) -- Please note change of date
7:00 - 8:45 pm
Members $55/Non-Members $65
Adas Israel
This "hands-on" course will familiarize students with the liturgy and melodies of the Sabbath morning Torah service and concluding service (Aleynu, Mourner's Kaddish, Eyn Keloheinu, etc.), and at the same time provide a context for exploration of our personal connections with the service and with Judaism generally. Newcomers are welcome, including those who "can't sing" or do not yet read Hebrew. At the conclusion of the course, participants will have an opportunity to lead a service at Fabrangen, a local havurah congregation.
John Spiegel, a member of Fabrangen, has been teaching synagogue skills courses at the Jewish Study Center for more than a dozen years.

An Introduction to Laws of Kings and their Wars
Wednesdays, May 8 - May 29 (4 classes)
7:00 - 8:15 pm
Members: $45/Non-Members: $55
Adas Israel
" The king," wrote Maimonides (1135-1204), "shall be occupied day and night with the study of the Law and the needs of Israel." This occupation has implications for the king's personal actions, such as drinking intoxicants and engaging in sexual activity, as well as more public behavior, such as levying taxes and conducting battles. Maimonides also explains how to distinguish the Messiah King from other kings and outlines the relationship between a king of Israel and non-Jews of the realm. This course will explore portions of Maimonides' Hilchot Melachim (Laws of Kings; a part of his Mishneh Torah), other traditional views of these laws, and some modern implications for leaders in and outside Israel.
Peter Berkowitz teaches at George Mason University Law School and is a contributing editor at The New Republic.

Conflict Resolution in Jewish Tradition
Wednesday, June 5 (1 class)
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Members$18/Non-Members $20
Adas Israel
Jewish law provides strong precedent for resolving conflicts through mediation as opposed to litigation. This course will explore the meaning, origins, and application of the concept of P'shara (defined as compromise or settlement) in Jewish law. In this interactive workshop, participants will (1) examine the Jewish approach to conflict and peacemaking, (2) learn how Jewish law uses P'shara to generate peace between conflicting parties, (3) compare and contrast P' shara with modern concepts of conflict resolution including litigation, arbitration, and mediation, and (4) obtain support from Jewish texts for using mediation (a modern form of P'shara) to resolve family, business and other disputes.
Ivor Heyman is a private mediator and facilitator (please visit www.mediate-faciliate.com for more information) who works with nonprofit and other organizations in the DC metropolitan area to resolve internal conflict and undergo systemic change.

The Problem of Evil in the Prophets and in the Kabbalah
Cancelled

Thursdays at the DCJCC
16th & Q Streets, NW

The U.S. Civil War and
the American Jewish Community
Thursdays, May 23 - June 20(5 classes)
7:00 - 8:15 pm
Members $55.00/Non-Members $65.00
DCJCC
Jews in this country experienced anti-Semitism on an unprecedented level both in the North and in the South during the Civil War, but they emerged as a stronger and more cohesive community in the war's aftermath. In this course we will explore subjects such as Jewish attitudes toward slavery (in both North and South), Jewish participation iin the Civil War, and incidents of anti-Semitism.
Jeffrey Kaplan, a lawyer with the FTC, serves as archivist of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia (founded 1740) and frequently teaches, for the Study Center and beyond, on American Jewish and Sephardic history.

Understanding the Battle for God
Thursdays, May 23 - June 20 (5 classes)
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Members $55/Non-Members $65
DCJCC
Using the book, The Battle for God, by Karen Armstrong as background, this discussion will consider questions such as: Is fundamentalism the same in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism? Is fundamentalism a religious or a political movement? Does the impulse for fundamentalism come from within or outside the faith community? How can individuals with different understandings of religious text and law engage with fundamentalists? Guest teachers from different faith groups are being invited.
Virginia Spatz is director of the Jewish Study Center.
The Jewish Study Center welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds to all of its programs. The Study Center particularly encourages interested Muslims and Christians to join in exploring The Battle for God.

Thursdays on Capitol Hill

Rhythm of Torah--returns in Fall 2002
This informal, portion of the week discussion course meets on Capitol Hill. Drop-in and pro-rated tuition is available to accommodate travel and work schedules.
David Goldston works on environmental issues on the Hill and has taught several text-based courses for the Study Center.