11th and 12th Grade courses
Fall 2008
The following classes are open to 11th and 12th graders:
These classes meet Sundays from 5:30-7:30pm and are preceded by Dinner for All Grades at 5pm:
The World Stands on Three Things - Rabbi Steve Sager - Sept. 14, Oct. 12, 26; Nov. 2, 16; Dec. 7
Job– the Movie - Rabbi Leah Berkowitz - Sept. 7, 21; Oct. 5; Nov. 9
This class meets Fridays, 5:30-8:15pm at Duke Hillel/FCJL:
Blue Devil Bet Midrash - Rabbi Michael Goldman - Sept. 26; Oct. 17; Nov. 21
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“The world stands upon three things…”
Rabbi Steven Sager
This year, my 30th as Rabbi of Beth El, is a year of celebration through the theme: “ The world stands upon three things, upon Torah/Learning, Avodah/Prayer, and Gemilut Hasadim/Acts of Community Caring.”
This teaching from Pirke Avot/Chapters of the Fathers , puts forward one ‘recipe’ for a healthy community.
In our time together, we will learn stories from the Talmud that follow this theme in its several parts. We will read stories in which the Rabbis offer ideas of Torah that we would have never imagined. Some stories will carry the sages hopes and misgivings about prayer. Gemilut Hasadim/Acts of Community Caring (and Tzedakah), we will find, are as complicated as they are necessary.
I hope that you will join me in this exploration and celebration.
Rabbi Sager
Blue Devil Bet Midrash - “The Mitzvah of Going Green”
Rabbi Michael Goldman
Come join us at Duke Hillel one Friday evening a month for the new Blue Devil Bet Midrash! We will meet at 5:30pm to study texts on “The Mitzvah of Going Green”. All Midrasha students will be partnered with a Duke student for these study sessions. At 6:15 pm we will break for Conservative and Reform Shabbat service s, followed at 7:15 by a delicious Shabbat dinner.
Job: The Movie
Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz
The Man:
As we experience our world as thinking people, we are faced with a number of frightening questions: Why do people suffer? Is God all-good, all-powerful, and/or all-knowing? Does the universe make any sense?
We aren’t alone in asking these questions, and we definitely aren’t the first. In fact, long ago, a man named Job dealt with the same challenges to the faith he grew up with. When his life was turned upside-down, he asked God for his day in court. And God answered him.
Even today, these questions are at the forefront of our minds. They make appearances in modern movies. In this class, we will discuss scenes from movies where people deal with challenges to their faith, and look at selections from the biblical book of Job, which started it all. . .
The Movies*:
“Saved!” (PG-13): The faith of a born-again Christian teenager is tested when she finds out her boyfriend is gay.
“Dogma” (R): A disillusioned Catholic woman is sent on a mission to save the world from two fallen angels on a killing spree.
“Bruce Almighty” (PG-13): After complaining that God isn’t doing God’s job properly, a Buffalo, NY anchorman is given God’s power.
“Oh God!” (PG): God comes to earth and enlists the help of a grocery store clerk to share a message with the world.
“Trading Places” (R): Two rich men make a bet that they can turn a criminal into a stockbroker and vice versa.
The Rabbi:
Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz is the new assistant rabbi at Judea Reform Congregation. She can be reached at 489-7062 x228 or rabbiberkowitz@judeareform.org .
*We will be viewing selected scenes from these movies at the rabbi’s discretion. If you have any concerns about what you or your child will be watching, please contact Rabbi Berkowitz.