The Hebrew month that leads up to the High Holidays, Elul, is meant to be a period of reflection and preparation for the Holy Days to come. In this course, we will explore some of the many sources on Teshuva, Repentance, and other texts that will guide us in reflecting on the year that is finishing so that we can prepare ourselves to grow in the year to come. We will have lots of opportunities to discuss what it means to repent, and how we can do it in a modern world. Participants in this class will also receive journal prompts for personal reflection opportunities.

Have you ever wondered where our prayer melodies come from? Why can’t we just sing them the same way every day? Come to explore more about the way our melodies enhance the experience of praying. 

Most of us have never lived through this level of antisemitism in our lifetimes. We see it online, in the news, in political discourse, in the uptick of antisemitic violence, on our children's and grandchildren’s college campuses and in their public schools, and in comments by neighbors, co-workers, friends, and strangers.  How do we distinguish between antisemitism and normal political or social discourse? What do we do and say when we see or hear something antisemitic? How do we engage family, friends, bosses, co-workers, etc., in thoughtful discussions that build understanding and cooperation in fighting the rise of antisemitism?

Building on last year’s successful lecture series, The Oldest Hate, Season Two will focus on audience participation to actively practice identifying when something is or is not antisemitic and when and how to respond in different situations thoughtfully.  This series will include a brief overview of how to identify the modern use of historical anti-Jewish tropes that repeatedly appear in verbal and visual antisemitism today.

You need not have attended last year’s series to benefit from this one.