Welcome to this year's 10th grade Midrasha class. We are planning a very exciting year of learning and celebration. As you may know, the year is divided into two parts: an exploration of other faiths in the fall, and further learning about Judaism in the spring.

 

We begin with an unforgettable first semester learning about Judaism by comparing our faith to that of others. Experiencing the rituals of Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, various forms of Christianity, and Islam will give us new perspective on our own theology and practice. This means that we'll be traveling on most Sunday mornings to various religious institutions around

our community. We'll be relying on parents to share the transportation responsibilities and they are welcome to stay and attend the religious service s with our class.

 

This spring, Rabbi Leah Berkowitz will be teaching a new Midrasha course, entitled "Tough Questions, Jewish Answers." Do I have to believe in God to be Jewish? Is there a difference between being a good Jew and a good person? Does God care whom I marry? After spending a semester learning about other faiths, now we'll take a semester to explore our own, by asking ourselves these questions and more. Feel free to contact Rabbi Berkowitz with questions in advance so we can work them into the syllabus. This class will be on Sunday evenings from 5:30-7:30pm @ Midrasha.

 

We are also planning a weekend at the L’taken Social Justice Seminar of the Religious Action Center in Washington in the spring. You'll hear more about that in the weeks to come.

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Religious Plurality and Diversity in Our Community

Rabbi John Friedman and assisted by Dr. Margarita Suarez

 

September 7 – Orientation

This session is for parents and students. Please meet at Judea Reform, at 5pm. At this meeting Rabbi Friedman will discuss the first semester curriculum and coordinate transportation for the field trips.

 

[Dear Parents, I am waiting for a number of sites to confirm with me. If the word “tentative” appears following the name of the Religious site you will know that we are awaiting confirmation.]

 

September 14 – Holy Infant Roman Catholic Church (Svc. 11-12:15) (tentative)

Meet at the Judea Reform Education Bldg at 10:30 to drive to 5000 Southpark Dr in Durham. Fr. Joe Brennen is the new pastor. This will be our first visit to Holy Infant RC Church. Students should be back at Judea between 1:30 and 2pm.

September 21 –Visit to Fisher Memorial United Holy Church (Svc. 11 - 12:45) (tentative)

Meet at the Judea Reform Education Bldg at 10:30am to drive to 420 Piedmont Ave. in Durham. This is an African-American Church, small but very important in the religious life of the Durham Community. The church is led by Bishop Elroy Lewis and is affiliated with the United Holiness denomination. Students should be back to Judea by 1:30pm

 

September 28 – Visit to United Pentecostal Church (Svc. 10:50 - 12:45)

Meet at the Judea Reform Education Bldg at 10am. We will discuss the nature of Pentecostalism before we leave for the church at 10:25am. The church is located at 2008 Carver St. in Durham. Pentecostalism is a very conservative denomination. Be prepared to hear from the far right wing of Christianity. Students should be back to Judea by 2pm.

 

October 5 – First Presbyterian Church (Svc. 11 - 12)

Meet at the Judea Reform Education Bldg at 10:30am to drive to First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St. In Durham. We will attend their service s and then have lunch with some First Presbyterian youth and their ministers following worship. Students should be back to Judea Reform by 2pm.

 

October 12 – Conversation, 11am - 12:15pm – “How Christians Use Scriptures”

Meet at the Judea Reform Education Bldg for a discussion of how Christianity understands the Hebrew Bible as a rich source for the proof of the validity of the New Testament. What are the important passages cited by Christian proselytizers as proof for the validity of the messiahship of Jesus and the authority of the New Testament? How should we answer those who want to convert us to Christianity?

 

October 19 – Visit to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) (Service 11 - 12:15)

(tentative)

Meet at the Judea Reform Education building at 10:30am to travel to 1050 MLK Blvd in Chapel Hill. We will visit a Sacrament meeting of the church and then have a conversation with one of the lay leaders. This church does not have traditional ordained clergy. We should arrive back by 1:30pm.

 

October 26 – Visit to Masjid Ar-Razzaq (Svc. 12:30-1pm) (tentative)

Meet at the Judea Reform Education Bldg at 12:00n and travel to 1009 W. Chapel Hill St. in Durham. We will meet with Imam Matthew Ramadan and some of their youth at the Masjid, witness Islamic prayer, and then have lunch and conversation with the Imam and some of his congregation to learn a bit about Muslim prayer and ask our questions. Students should be back at Judea by 2:30pm.

 

November 2 – Visit to Buddha’s Light International Association (Svc. 10-11:30)

Meet at Judea’s Education Building at 9:00am to drive to the International Buddhist Progress Society in Cary. We will experience a Buddhist worship experience in Chinese and will meet with the Venerable Chueh Chuan afterwards to answer our questions. Students should be back to the Judea Reform Education Bldg by 12:30pm

 

November 9 –Conversation, 11am - 12:15pm, “Judaism and Christianity: The Growth of Early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism in the 1 st Century”

How did Judaism and Christianity become 2 separate faiths? What is the origin of Christian belief and why is the history of our relationship so painful? Why do Christians proselytize?

 

November 16 – Visit to Hindu Bhavan Temple (Service & Conversation 10:00 - 11:00)

Meet at the Judea Reform Education Bldg at 9:20 to travel to the Hindu Bhavan Temple located at 309 Aviation Parkway in Morrisville. Students should be back by 11:30am.

 

November 23 – Visit to Sikh Gurdwara (Svc. 11:30 - 12:30 intro session; 12:30-1:35 worship; 1:35-2:15 lunch)

Meet at the Judea Reform Education Bldg at 10:45am to travel to the Gurdwara located at 3214 Banner in Durham (not far from Durham Regional Hospital). This session will include a session of introduction to Sikhism, attendance at part of their service , and the “lungar” or communal meal. (Great veggie Indian food!) Back at Judea by 2:45pm.

 

December 14 – 6:15pm – Final Conversation- “Religious Differences in Your Life”

This special concluding program will begin at 5:00 with a pot luck dinner program for parents and students at the Judea Reform Education Bldg. We will have a discussion of universalism and particularism and their contrasting influence. When is it best to emphasize our universal similarity to all human beings? When should we focus on being Jews, set apart from the rest of the world? How do these factors play a role in our life choices such as college, marriage, child rearing, career choices, and spiritual quest? Wrap up and evaluation.