A community partnership for adult Jewish learning with
Congregation Bet Ha’am, Temple Beth El, Sha’arey Tphiloh, Etz Chaim Synagogue - Portland, Congregation Etz Chaim – Biddeford, Beth Israel Congregation - Bath, and the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA)
SPRING 2019 – FALL 2019 Courses
Advanced registration required.
Courses are offered with a suggested tuition.
For more information and to register, please visit WWW.SHALOMME.COM, scroll down to the course listings below, or call (207) 772-1959.
Courses subject to change or cancellation pending minimum enrollment.
HOST ORGANIZATIONS:
Beth Israel Congregation
862 Washington Street
Bath
(207) 443-4606
www.bethisraelbath.org
Congregation Bet Ha’am
81 Westbrook Street
South Portland
(207) 879-0028
www.bethaam.org
Temple Beth El
400 Deering Avenue
Portland
(207) 774-2649
www.tbemaine.org
Jewish Community Alliance
1342 Congress Street
Portland
(207) 772-1959
www.mainejewish.org
A Taste of Mussar
With Barbara Merson
Tuesdays: June 18, 25; July 2, 9
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Congregation Bet Ha'am - 81 Westbrook St., South Portland
Suggested tuition: $54
4 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: June 13
A Taste of Mussar is a four week course curriculum that has been developed by the Mussar Institute as an entry to learning about the tradition of Mussar learning and practice that has engaged and helped people for centuries. In a nutshell, Mussar practice developed in the 19th century and focuses on "soul work" using middot (virtues or values) and texts to illuminate our how we live our lives through values. The first week focuses on the history and principles of Mussar practice, the next two weeks focus on specific middot, and the final week looks at texts and practices.
Create Your Own Ceramic Judaica - CANCELLED
With Toby Rosenberg
Wednesdays: July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Aug. 7
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: JCA - 1342 Congress St., Portland
Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Part I With Rabbi Rachel Isaacs - CLASS IS FULL. See below for Part II of the class starting in October.
An iEngage course developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute
Tuesdays: July 9, 16, 30; Aug. 6, 13, 20 (skip July 23)
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: JCA - 1342 Congress St., Portland
Suggested tuition: $18 for the course
6 sessions - Advanced registration required.
24 Student Max.
Jewish Values and the Israeli Palestinian Conflict (Part I), the first six sessions of a 12-session course developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute, explores one of the most divisive issues affecting the Jewish people today.
Through the study of Jewish narratives about Israel and the unpacking of the complex meanings of peace in Jewish tradition, participants are invited to explore the ideas and values that animate different attitudes toward the conflict and how these values shape their own political understandings. Though a common political platform may not be attainable, this course strives to achieve a shared respect for our differences.
The class will be facilitated by Rabbi Rachel Isaacs of Colby College and Beth Israel Congregation in Waterville, and includes readings, group discussion and video clips of lectures and interviews of prominent thinkers, scholars and public figures.
Advanced registration required. Finances should not be a barrier to participation. Please contact Deena at dschoenfeld@mainejewish.org or 772-1959 to inquire about subsidized tuition.
Part II of this course will be offered in the fall.
Introduction to Holocaust Education
With David Greenham
Tuesdays: July 16, 23, 30
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Congregation Bet Ha'am - 81 Westbrook St., South Portland
Suggested tuition: $36
3 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: July 11
The Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine (HHRC) reaches nearly 4,000 secondary school students throughout Maine with its free educational outreach. This class will focus on the programs and lessons we teach, as well as information about our partners: Facing History and Ourselves, Teaching Tolerance (Southern Poverty Law Center), and Echoes and Reflections (Yad Vashem), among others.
Famous (& Favorite) Disputes in the Talmud
With Zoë Lang
Sundays: July 21, 28; August 4, 18 (skip August 11)
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Temple Beth El - 400 Deering Ave., Portland
Suggested tuition: $54
4 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: July 17
This course will present a survey of Talmudic texts that feature disputes. We will see rabbis arguing with rabbis, rabbis arguing with Romans, and even rabbis arguing with God. Who will reign supreme? Come find out how the Talmud presents the art of the dispute!
Jewish Genealogy: How to find good sources for 'your' history
With Harris Gleckman
Wednesdays: September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 16, 23, 30 (skip October 9)
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Congregation Bet Ha'am - 81 Westbrook St., South Portland
Suggested tuition: $65
7 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: September 6
Week 1 : Start with the living members of your family
Week 2 : Using government records and Ancestry.com
Week 3 : Using Documenting Maine Jewry records, part I
Week 4 : Connecting genes to the community : Documenting Maine Jewry resources part II
Week 5 : Historical context
Week 6 : Going back 2, 3, 4 generations with JewishGen – introduction, Part I
Week 7: Going back 2, 3, 4 generations with JewishGen – Part II
American Jewish History
With Anna Wrobel
Wednesdays: October 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Temple Beth El - 400 Deering Ave., Portland
Suggested tuition: $72
5 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: October 11
This course will delve into a textual analysis of primary documents related to the more than four century span of American Jewish history; some secondary literature will be used to provide context. Discussion will be guided by Anna Wrobel, an American historian and teacher to connect the variety of factors involved in each epoch of Jews in America.
Jews, Baseball & Social Justice
With Paul Linet
Wednesdays: October 16, 23, 30; November 6
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Beth Israel Congregation - 862 Washington St., Bath
Suggested tuition: $54
4 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: October 11
This course focuses on the under publicized story of the efforts of a Jewish politician to force the Boston Red Sox to integrate BEFORE Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Teaching Jewish Values Through Film
With Barbara Merson
Thursdays: October 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14, 21
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: JCA - 1342 Congress St., Portland
Suggested tuition: $86
6 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: October 11
This course will look at Jewish values (both mitzvot – commandments or good deeds, and middot – values or virtues) by using film examples. Some of the films will be features, some will be shorter films. The first session will frame the discussion and all films will be followed by analysis and discussion facilitated by the instructor.
Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Part II With Melanie Weiss
An iEngage course developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute
Tuesdays: Oct. 29; Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26; Dec. 3
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: JCA - 1342 Congress St., Portland
Suggested tuition: $18 for the course
6 sessions - Advanced registration required.
24 Student Max.
Jewish Values and the Israeli Palestinian Conflict (Part II), six sessions of a 12-session course developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute, explores one of the most divisive issues affecting the Jewish people today.
Through the study of Jewish narratives about Israel and the unpacking of the complex meanings of peace in Jewish tradition, participants are invited to explore the ideas and values that animate different attitudes toward the conflict and how these values shape their own political understandings. Though a common political platform may not be attainable, this course strives to achieve a shared respect for our differences.
The class will be facilitated by Melanie Weiss - Director of Summer Programs, The Center for Small Town Jewish Life and Director of Education, Beth Israel Congregation - Waterville, and includes readings, group discussion and video clips of lectures and interviews of prominent thinkers, scholars and public figures.
Advanced registration required. Finances should not be a barrier to participation. Please contact Deena at dschoenfeld@mainejewish.org or 772-1959 to inquire about subsidized tuition.