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JLearn

Limitless Jewish Learning

WINTER/SPRING CATALOG OF CLASSES 2024/5784

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Welcome to the Winter/Spring 2024 Catalog of Classes from JLearn, where adult Jewish learning meets today’s lifestyles. We are excited to offer a wide selection of classes on ZOOM, as well as expanded in-person opportunities. Join a community of learners guided by the most talented instructors from the Detroit area and across the world. Whatever your interests, wherever you are, JLearn has classes for you in history, religion, Talmud, ethics, Hebrew, the arts, current events and much more.Join us in person, from the comfort of your home, or even from your travels, as we offer limitless Jewish learning to our community and far beyond!

CON TEN TS Judaic Studies Classes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - 1 5 Monday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - 3 Tuesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 5 Wednesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 - 8 Thursday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1 3 Friday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 - 1 5 Hebrew Language and Literature Classes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 - 1 7 The Instructors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 - 2 1 Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

To register: 248-205-2557 or JLearn.online

Have You Had Your Morning Coffee Yet?

Join JLearn, Rabbi Joshua Bennett and Rabbi Joseph Krakoff for this unique opportunity with two rabbis who are stirring things up with relevant topics based on Jewish text, to help us navigate life.

Rabbi Joshua Bennett

When we combine a Conservative rabbi with his best friend, a Reform rabbi, we get a morning of great discussion, differing opinions, mutual respect and a lot of learning! Bring your coffee, questions and comments and join us monthly on ZOOM!

Rabbi Joseph Krakoff

J U DA IC S T U DI E S C L A S S E S MON DAY C L A S S E S TORAH LINE BY LINE: THE JOURNEY CONTINUES Rabbi/Dr. Mitch Parker Series 2: ZOOM Series 3: Hybrid I Max M. Fisher Federation Building MONDAYS, 10 – 11:15 AM Series 2: Jan. 8, 22, 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4 Series 3: Mar. 18, 25; Apr. 1, 8; May 6, 13, 20, June 3 Join us for the second half of the Book of Exodus as we continue to work our way, line by line, through the Torah. We resume as the Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah and to build their very first temple, the Mishkan, while briefly pausing for a golden calf interlude. Our up-close study of the text in both Hebrew and English is a combined effort of both those sitting around the classroom table and the wise interpretations of our sages across the ages. Tuition: $140 per 8-week series Series 3 may be attended either in-person or by ZOOM.

MONDAY (CONT’D)

MODERN JEWISH MEDICAL ETHICS: WINTER EDITION Jill Gutmann ZOOM MONDAYS, 10– 11:30 AM Monthly: Jan. 8; Feb. 5; Mar. 4; Apr. 1; May 6 Take a deep dive into the hot medical issues of the day with bio-ethicist Jill Gutmann. Whether it is a discussion of mental health or the physician and nursing shortage, you will be guided through an engaging discussion while looking at the science, politics, Jewish commentary and other relevant sources to frame your opinion. Never knowing what the timely topic will be until class, this fun, informative and engaging class is sure to make you think and want the discussion to continue long after the class has ended. Tuition: $95

READING BETWEEN THE LINES: SPRING SESSION

JUST ADDED

Rebecca Starr In-Person I Max M. Fisher Federation Building MONDAYS, NOON – 12:15 Monthly: Apr. 8; May 6; June 3 This is a challenging and historic time for Israel and the Jewish people. Join Rebecca for an opportunity to discuss books that offer education, engagement and that highlight challenges and triumphs of the last 100 years of Jewish and Israeli history. April: The Red Balcony by Jonathan Wilson, a mystery novel based on the true story of the murder of Haim Arlosoroff, one of the early leaders of Ben Gurion’s Labor Zionist party. May: The newly published non-fiction book by comedian Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovitt entitled Israel 201: Your Next-Level Guide to the Magic, Mystery, and Chaos of Life in the Holy Land. June: Ben Bastomski’s memoir, As Figs in Autumn: One Year in a Forever War is about an American Jew who chronicles his time in the Israeli army. Tuition: $55

MONDAY (CONT’D)

THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC — SONGS OF THE DIASPORA Dr. Talya Berger ZOOM MONDAYS, NOON – 1:30 PM Jan. 22, 29; Feb. 5, 12 In the centuries following dispersion from their ancestral lands and Spain, the Jews, scattered around the globe, developed an enormously rich diversity of musical traditions while preserving, for the most part, common liturgical texts. Explore the lesser-known musical traditions from Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, Algeria, Morocco, India, Ethiopia and North America, as well as Europe, in this class experience. Discuss topics such as, the influence of local cultures, aspects of assimilation, cultural identity and cultural appropriation in Judaism, and how music truly is a spoken language of Judaism. This class will include admission to a special SAJE (Seminars for Adult Jewish Enrichment) event at The Berman on Tuesday, May 13, at 7 PM. Exodus 91 - The Untold Story of Operation Solomon This extraordinary film follows Israeli diplomat, Asher Naim, on a seemingly insurmountable mission to bring 15,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel. As he learns more about these African Jews, he finds himself between worlds and faces a crisis of faith in himself and his country. Exodus 91 is a genre-blending docu-narrative film that weaves together narrative filmmaking, archival footage and documentary interviews — some of which are real and some of which are staged — to give a rich filmic experience. Join us for the Detroit Jewish Film Festival Closing Night Conversation with Jane F. Sherman, Trustee, Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. Tuition: $85 Co-sponsored by SAJE (Seminars for Adult Jewish Enrichment).

T U E S DAY C L A S S E S THE ORIGINAL HALACHIC DEBATES Rabbi Michele Faudem Series 2: ZOOM Series 3: In Person I Max M. Fisher Federation Building TUESDAYS, 9:30 – 10:30 AM Series 2: Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20 Series 3: Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26; Apr. 2, 9, May 7, 14 This class is reserved for students who previously have enrolled at this day and time. Tuition: $115 per 8-week series

CHAPTER AND VERSE: THE SECOND TEMPLE Rabbi Michele Faudem Series 2: ZOOM Series 3: In Person I Max M. Fisher Federation Building TUESDAYS, 10:45 – 11:45 AM Series 2: Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20 Series 3: Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26; Apr. 2, 9, May 7, 14 We have heard about the Babylonian exile and destruction of the First Temple, but what do we know about the building of the Second Temple and who rebuilt it? Did all of the Jews return to the Land of Canaan? What happened to prophecy? How did we transition to Rabbinic Judaism? Where does the book of Esther fit into all of this? Join us as we explore the building of the Second Temple, the last prophets of biblical Israel and the Book of Esther and, as always, ask more questions than we have answers. Tuition: $115 per 8-week series

DESIGNING JEWISH DETROIT Robbie Terman In Person I Max M. Fisher Federation Building TUESDAYS, NOON – 1:15 PM March 19, 26; Apr. 2, 9 Join Robbie for a journey back as we follow the building of Jewish Detroit and those responsible for designing it. Using historical materials, photographs and documents, this class will uncover the hidden stories behind our community’s beautiful buildings and artwork through a Jewish lens. Tuition: $70 4

JUST ADDED

TUESDAY (CONT’D)

JEWS AND JUDAISM: THE ESSENTIALS - PART 4: THE 20TH CENTURY - OLD AND NEW CENTERS OF JEWISH LIFE Professor Howard Lupovitch ZOOM TUESDAYS, 7 – 8:30 PM Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26; Apr. 2, 9 In this series, we focus on the ebb and flow of Judaism in the twentieth century. We begin with the rise of new forms of antisemitism and the Jewish response, including emigration to America and Zionism, and then turn to the seismic impact of World War I, the challenges of the Inter-war Years, the Destruction of European Jewry during the Shoah and the Creation of the State of Israel. We conclude by considering American Jewry and Israel as the two centers of World Jewry. Tuition: $125 Co-sponsored by the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies, Wayne State University and the Israel and Overseas Department, Jewish Federation of Detroit.

ONE-HUNDRED YEARS LATER THE JOHNSON-REED IMMIGRATION ACT Professor Howard Lupovitch ZOOM TUESDAYS, 7 – 8:30 PM Feb. 6, 13 The Johnson-Reed Act, passed by Congress in 1924, effectively ended unimpeded Jewish immigration to America for the first time ever. In this series, we consider the ways that Jewish immigration pre-1924 worked to the benefit of American society as much as it provided new opportunities for Jews; and the trans-formative impact that this xenophobia-driven legislation had on Jews both in America and in Europe, and on American society itself. Tuition: $40 Co-sponsored by the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies, Wayne State University.

The sky’s the limit with JLearn. 5

W E DN E S DAY C L A S S E S WISDOM WEDNESDAYS - THE MORAL VOICE OF RABBI JONATHAN SACKS Rabbi Michele Faudem ZOOM WEDNESDAYS, 10:30 – 11:45 AM Series 2: Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Feb. 7, 14, 21 Series 3: Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27; Apr. 3, 10; May 1, 8

In-Person I Max M. Fisher Federation Building WEDNESDAYS, 1- 2:30 PM Series 2: Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Feb. 7, 14, 21 Series 3: Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27; Apr. 3, 10; May 1, 8 Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020) was a global religious leader, philosopher, author of more than 25 books and a moral voice for our time. His thinking and writings have influenced and will continue to influence the mindset of world Jewry for generations to come. Join us each week as we explore his teachings and discuss how they impact our connection to Judaism, Israel, ourselves and each other. Tuition: $115 per 8-week series

WEDNESDAY (CONT’D)

BOOKED @THE J

JUST ADDED

Lauren Marcus Johnson In-Person I The J – West Bloomfield WEDNESDAYS, 11 AM – 12:15 PM Monthly: January 17; February 21; March 20

Read and discuss popular current fiction with Jewish content or by contemporary Jewish authors. This series of books features stories of intertwining lives that have profound effects across time and generations. January: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, a deeply moving character driven story of marginalized people, demonstrating how love and community sustain them through dark times. February: The Woman Beyond the Sea by Sarit Yishai-Levi, an immersive historical tale spanning the life stories of three women, tracing the paths of a daughter, mother and grandmother who lead entirely separate lives, until finally their stories and their hearts are joined together. March: The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes, inspired by the true story of the Council of Books in Wartime, this unforgettable historical novel is at once a haunting love story and testament to the beauty, power and goodness of the written word. Tuition: $36 Sponsored by the Henry & Delia Meyers Library and the Detroit Jewish Book Fair. A portion of this program is underwritten by the Henry & Delia Meyers Library.

WEDNESDAY (CONT’D)

POLICY PERSPECTIVES IN THE PROMISED LAND

JUST ADDED

Lior Zisser-Yogev In Person I Max M. Fisher Federation Building WEDNESDAYS, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27; Apr. 3, 10 Join Lior Zisser-Yogev, our community Shlicha (emissary), as she takes us into a deep dive of the public policies of Israel and the impact they have on Israeli society. Compare and contrast the systems in Israel and the U.S., learn what the Israeli government has in place for its population and the effect these policies have on everyday life. Topics include: • Education policy in Israel - Divided educational systems and successful outcomes. • Labor market policies - How to include disadvantaged populations in the labor market. • Housing and infrastructure policy - How to solve the ongoing housing crisis in the country with the largest natural increase in the developed world. • Immigration policy and Aliyah absorption - How are refugees and immigrants received in Israel, and how are they optimally integrated into society. • Public Health policy - Mandatory free public health care for all citizens. • LGBTQ policy in Israel - The interesting case of how a government that was in power for only one year managed to take governmental responsibility for the LGBTQ population in Israel. Tuition: $105

There’s no limit to learning.

T H U R S DAY C L A S S E S CONTEMPORARY HALACHIC DEBATES: MORE QUESTIONS, FEWER ANSWERS Rabbi Michele Faudem ZOOM THURSDAYS, 9:30 – 10:30AM Series 2: Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 Series 3: Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11; May 2, 9 Join Rabbi Faudem for a lively weekly discussion and debate on current, relevant topics. How does Halacha (Jewish Law) impact our everyday opinions and decisions? Participate in this round table discussion as Rabbi Faudem asks “What are your questions, comments and concerns?” Tuition: $115 per 8-week series

AGELESS LIVING: GETTING GREAT AT GETTING OLDER

JUST ADDED

Rabbi Joseph Krakoff In Person I Max M. Fisher Federation Building THURSDAYS, 10 – 11:30 AM May 9, 23, 30; June 6 It is said that with age comes wisdom. Join Rabbi Krakoff as he offers us navigation skills for the years between maturity and older age. Based on Jewish texts, both ancient and contemporary, he will offer insights and commentary that speak to approaches and strategies for getting great at getting older. Explore gaining wisdom and personal growth, relationships in your life, time for tikum olam and nurturing your emotional well-being. and discover the benefits that await! Tuition: $85

THURSDAY (CONT’D)

COFFEE WITH THE RABBIS: THE BONDS THAT BIND US – A STUDY OF LIFE RELATIONSHIPS Rabbi Joshua Bennett and Rabbi Joseph Krakoff ZOOM THURSDAYS, 10 – 11:30 AM Monthly: Jan. 4; Feb. 1; Mar. 7; Apr. 4; May 2 Join us for a deep dive into some of the most interesting and complex relationships in the Hebrew Bible and throughout Jewish literature.These essions will explore the intriguing, challenging, wonderful and sometimes confusing connection between siblings, parents, children, spouses and lovers. Together, we will endeavor to gain an understanding while developing strategies and approaches to enhance our own interpersonal relationships! Tuition: $190

SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS FOR A COMPLICATED LIFE Rabbi Michele Faudem ZOOM THURSDAYS, 10:45 – 11:45 AM Series 2: Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 Series 3: Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11; May 2, 9 Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) is a rich treasure trove of short, moral and ethical teachings that serve as guides for Jewish living. Join in the exploration of these inspiring materials as Rabbi Faudem presents these morsels of advice and insights of the leading rabbinic scholars of different generations. As relevant today as when they were written, they serve to help navigate our complicated lives. Tuition: $115 per 8-week series 10

THURSDAY (CONT’D)

ISRAEL’S TOP HITS OF ARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES

JUST ADDED

Dr. Michael Pytlik ZOOM THURSDAYS, NOON – 1:30 PM Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Mar. 7, 14, 21 Learn about some of the important discoveries made by archaeologists in Israel in the past few decades. We will learn how the sites were discovered and what was found in them. More importantly, how do these discoveries add to our understanding of ancient Israel, daily life and important historical events? Topics will include new research on the early kingdom of Judah, ancient synagogues, discoveries in the Dead Sea region and new sites found in the past few years that add to our understanding of the first settled sites in the Middle East. Tuition: $170

THE FORGOTTEN WOMEN OF THE HOLOCAUST

JUST ADDED

Katie Chaka Parks In Person I The Zekelman Holocaust Center THURSDAYS, 1 – 2:15 PM March 14, 21, 28 The Holocaust was not a gender-neutral genocide. Women experienced the Holocaust differently and were targeted specifically as women. Explore the unique experiences of women under Nazi control through the stories of Jewish victims, survivors and perpetrators of the Holocaust, and learn about women who risked their lives to resist hatred and help others. Discuss the impact that women had on the Holocaust and for generations of Jews moving forward. Tuition: $55 Co-Sponsored by The Zekelman Holocaust Center

To register: 248-205-2557 or JLearn.online 11

THURSDAY (CONT’D)

AN ANGEL ON YOUR BACK Rabbi Michele Faudem ZOOM THURSDAYS, 7 – 8 PM Series 2: Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 Series 3: Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11; May 2, 9 Do you ever get the feeling that a departed loved one is watching over you? Perhaps you have a strange feeling that someone is trying to communicate with you? Angels are supernatural beings that appear widely throughout Jewish literature. The Hebrew word for angel, mal’ach, means messenger, and the angels in early biblical writings deliver information or carry out specific tasks. Join Rabbi Faudem as we explore the mystical world of Jewish angels, the afterlife and our souls in the next world. Tuition: $115

THE SHTETL IN YIDDISH LITERATURE AND FILM Dr. Avi Blitz ZOOM THURSDAYS, 7:30 – 8:45 PM Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1, 8 From the Yiddish meaning small town, the word shtetl nowadays conveys a romantic image of traditional Jewish life in Eastern Europe, evocative of Tevye’s Anatevka from Fiddler on the Roof. But what was the reality? The small Jewish market towns of the Pale of Settlement were fraught with social tensions. In the early days, there existed in the shtetl a gulf between the rich and the poor, between the haves and the have-nots; in the nineteenth century, the shtetl was ravaged by the modernizing forces of urbanization, secularization and migration. Nevertheless, we continue to revere the shtetl as a locus of lost innocence. This course will lead you on a journey through the shtetl, real and imagined, in excerpts from Yiddish memoirs and in tales from Yiddish literature. Tuition: $105

THURSDAY (CONT’D)

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: FROM THE PALE OF SETTLEMENT TO THE BROADWAY STAGE Dr. Avi Blitz

JUST ADDED

ZOOM THURSDAYS, 7:30 – 8:45 PM March 7, 14, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11

Explore the world of Sholem Aleichem, the man whose stories inspired the Broadway musical, Fiddler on the Roof. Begin the journey by reading The Railroad Stories and consider what kind of world Sholem Aleichem inhabited. Read the tales of Tevye the Dairyman and consider how each of Tevye’s daughters represents a different possible future for the Jewish people. Look at the rise of Yiddish theater in New York and reflect on the conditions that made the production of Fiddler on the Roof possible. Finally, we will watch Tevya, a 1939 Yiddish film adaptation of the stories, which we will compare with the 1971 film of the Broadway show. Avi will be our guide as we compare how the Broadway musical changed the original stories to align with Jewish-American realities and explore the ways in which the play speaks to a universal immigrant experience in the United States. Tuition: $105

F R I DAY C L A S S E S PARSHA HASHAVUAH (WEEKLY TORAH PORTION) Community Rabbis, Cantors and Educators ZOOM FRIDAYS, 10 – 11 AM Series 2: Jan 12, 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar.1, 8, 15 Series 3: Mar. 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12; May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; June 7 Each week a different rabbi, cantor or educator will present the weekly Torah portion from his or her own perspective. You never know who will be teaching each week, but it is always enlightening and engaging! Sign up for one ten-week series or the entire year. Students need to have a Tanakh (Bible). Tuition: $140 per 10-week series Co-sponsored by: The Michigan Board of Rabbis and The Michigan Board of Cantors.

JEWISH FESTIVALS: THE REST OF THE STORY Rabbi Joseph Klein ZOOM FRIDAYS, 11:30AM – 1 PM Jan 5, 12, 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 How much do you really know about the origins, developmental histories and backstories of our Jewish festivals? We tend to take for granted the familiarity of our celebrations and commemorations, not realizing why and how these traditions came to be. The “Rest of the Story” will take an inside-out look at the Pilgrimage Festivals, High Holidays, Chanukah and Purim, for some surprising information about our celebratory calendar. Tuition: $170 14

FRIDAY (CONT’D)

RITES AND RITUALS, CUSTOMS AND COMMANDMENTS: TELL ME WHY Rabbi Joseph Klein ZOOM FRIDAYS, 11:30AM – 1 PM Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12; May 3, 10 We live our daily lives as dedicated to Judaism, yet the origins, backstories and histories of experiential Jewish life reveal that we often know little of what and why we do what we do as Jews. This course explores our life-cycle events and personal mitzvot, dietary and Shabbat restrictions, and the development of prayer and worship. Walk away with a proud understanding of why we, as Jews, do what we do. Tuition: $170

Limitless Jewish Learning To register: 248-205-2557 or JLearn.online

H E B R E W L A N G UAG E & L I T E R AT U R E C L A S S E S Supported by the Harold Wade Hebrew Literacy Fund. Scholarships for Hebrew classes available upon request. (Listed in order of levels, by Instructor)

Hebrew with Dorit Warfman LEARN TO READ HEBREW, PART 2

HEBREW 4

Dorit Warfman ZOOM

MONDAYS 11 – 12:15 PM

TUESDAYS 10 – 11:15 AM

Series 2: Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25; Apr. 1, 8

Series 2: Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27; Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26; Apr. 2, 9

Tuition: $160

If you ever wanted to learn the Hebrew letters, follow prayers in Hebrew or read signs in Israel, then this is the course for you. This may be a stand alone class or advance into the “Hebrew 1” class to learn conversational Hebrew.

HEBREW 6

Dorit Warfman ZOOM MONDAYS 7:30 – 8:45 PM

Tuition: $160

Series 2: Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25; Apr. 1, 8

HEBREW 2

Tuition: $160

Dorit Warfman ZOOM

HEBREW 8

Dorit Warfman ZOOM

MONDAYS 9:30 – 10:45 AM Series 2: Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25; Apr. 1, 8

MONDAYS 12:30 – 1:45 PM

Tuition: $160

Series 2: Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25; Apr. 1, 8 Tuition: $160

HEBREW LANGUAGE & LITERATURE CLASSES (CONT’D)

Hebrew with Nira Lev ADVANCED HEBREW LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

ADVANCED HEBREW

Nira Lev ZOOM

SUNDAYS 10 - NOON

Series 2: Jan. 8, 22, 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25; Apr. 1

Nira Lev ZOOM

MONDAYS 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Tuition: $265

Series 2: Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; Mar. 3, 10, 17, 31

ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE HEBREW

Tuition: $265

Nira Lev ZOOM

ADVANCED HEBREW

Nira Lev ZOOM

TUESDAYS 11:00 - NOON

MONDAYS 10:30 - NOON

Series 2: Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27; Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26

Series 2: Jan. 8, 22, 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25; Apr. 1

Tuition: $140

Tuition: $265

ADVANCED HEBREW LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

INTERMEDIATE HEBREW

Nira Lev ZOOM

MONDAYS 12:30 - 1:45 PM

WEDNESDAYS 10:00 - NOON

Series 2 Jan. 8, 22, 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25; Apr. 1

Series 2: Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28; Mar. 6, 13, 20

Tuition: $175

Tuition: $265

For more information about Hebrew classes or to discuss placement of new students, contact Nira Lev, Director of Hebrew Programs, 248-330-3601 or amnira@ameritech.net.

T H E I N S T RU C TO R S RABBI JOSHUA BENNETT is a rabbi at Temple Israel of West

Bloomfield. Ordained at Hebrew Union College in 1994, he holds a Masters Degree of Hebrew Letters as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Champaign. He has served the Jewish community in many roles including Michigan Jewish AIDS Coalition, Salvation Army Legal Aid Clinic, Young Adult Division of the Allied Jewish Federation and the ADL. Social justice is a primary concern of his.

DR. AVI BLITZ is a graduate of Oxford University and Indiana University,

has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and is an experienced Jewish educator. He has taught Yiddish, Hebrew and Jewish Studies at undergraduate and graduate levels in the United States, Israel and in Argentina, where he teaches through the Buenos Aires branch of YIVO. Avi enjoys writing about Yiddish and has published his work in In Geveb, the online journal of Yiddish Studies.

DR. TALYA BERGER is a member of the music faculty at Stanford

University where she teaches music theory, analysis, Jewish Music of the Diaspora and thorough bass accompaniment. A harpsichordist by training, Dr. Berger’s expertise on improvisatory practices in 17th and 18th century music has produced papers on an array of related topics. Her scholarly edition of Benedetto Marcello’s Cassandra cantata was published in 2016. Her modern scholarly edition of Varia Musica Sacra, Compositioni a 2-8 voice organo dai codici di Palazzo Altemps, was published in 2022 and is part of a larger ongoing research project studying the relationship between architecture and music performance practices.

RABBI MICHELE FAUDEM was ordained by the Jewish Theological

Seminary of America in 1995 where she also earned her M.A. in Education. She was the Coordinator of Adult Jewish Education at the Houston JCC and the Melton Director of Houston. Rabbi Faudem was a popular Melton instructor and teaches numerous JLearn classes. She is the Rabbi Educator for Hillel of Metropolitan Detroit.

JILL GUTMANN has experiences in Jewish ethics, halakha, medical ethics

and public health. She holds an A.B. from Smith College; Fulbright Grantee to South Korea; and Masters of Public Health from the University of Cincinnati and Jewish Ethics from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. She has served on hospital ethics boards and worked as an ethicist for the CDC and the Israeli Ministry of Health. She served on faculty at the Melton School in Auckland, New Zealand.

THE INSTRUCTORS (CONT’D)

LAUREN MARCUS JOHNSON has a Master of Library and

Information Science from Wayne State University. She is currently the Assistant Director of Cultural Arts at The J-Detroit, implementing the Detroit Jewish Book Fair, Detroit Jewish Film Festival and Seminars for Adult Jewish Enrichment. Lauren served as a Research Intern for the First Lady of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton; Program Assistant at the National Conference for Community and Justice; Founding staff member and Coordinator for the Detroit Jewish Coalition for Literacy; Assistant Coordinator of Youth Services at the Southfield Public Library, and Director of Libraries and Media Center at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.

RABBI JOSEPH KLEIN was the Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El of

Oak Park for 16 years before becoming Rabbi Emeritus in 2013. He holds a Master of Hebrew Letters and received his ordination from Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rabbi Klein has been Adjunct Professor at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana State University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is currently Adjunct Professor at Oakland University and Rochester University, and Visiting Rabbi with the Grosse Pointe Jewish Council.

RABBI JOSEPH H. KRAKOFF is the Chief Executive Officer of Jewish

Hospice and Chaplaincy Network ( JHCN). He is the author of the book Never Long Enough: Finding Comfort and Hope Amidst Grief and Loss. He also wrote the “What Is Hospice Care?” chapter in Now What? A Guide to the Gifts and Challenges of Aging. Rabbi Krakoff earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, a Masters degree from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, California, and was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, New York.

NIRA LEV holds two M.A. degrees from Hebrew University and Tel Aviv

University and is a graduate of the Post Graduate Leadership Training Program from NYU. For over 30 years, she has been teaching Hebrew, Bible and Literature, training teachers and presenting workshops nationwide. Ms. Lev is the author of several Hebrew textbooks and of several other publications, and was the editor of the Hebrew monthly, Ivriton. She currently teaches at Oakland University. She is a recipient of the Berman Outstanding Professional Service Award and of the Schochet Outstanding Teacher Award.

PROFESSOR HOWARD LUPOVITCH received a Ph.D. in Jewish

History from Columbia University. He has taught at Cornell University, Colby College, the University of Western Ontario and the University of Michigan, where he was also a fellow at the Frankel Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies. He is currently Associate Professor of History and the Director of the Cohn Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at Wayne State University. Professor Lupovitch is the 2009 winner of the Benard L. Maas Prize for Achievement in Jewish Culture and Continuity in the Area of Humanities. RABBI DR. MITCH PARKER has been teaching Torah in the Detroit 19

THE INSTRUCTORS (CONT’D)

area for more than two decades. He is a child psychologist working with the families of children with developmental and learning challenges. Mitch has previously worked in a Children’s Hospital and both a secular and a Jewish school for children with developmental disabilities in Buffalo and Toronto. He developed the Parent Education Program for the Florence Melton School and was the Special Needs Director at Hillel Day School of Detroit. Mitch has just retired as the Rabbi of B’nai Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield.

KATIE CHAKA PARKS is a Ph.D. Candidate in European History at

Wayne State University. She has taught courses for the History Department and Gender, Sexuality, and Women Studies Program at WSU. Her dissertation research addresses the intersectionality of experiences of gender and sexuality during the Holocaust and the inclusion/exclusion of women’s experiences within museum exhibits across the United States. Katie is also the Manager of Adult Education at The Zekelman Holocaust Center.

DR. MICHAEL PYTLIK is Adjunct Assistant Professor in Anthropology

and Religion, and the Director of Jewish Studies at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan. He has excavated a number of biblical and more recent sites in Israel and takes students from Oakland to Israel each year on excavations. Dr. Pytlik has a Bachelor’s degree in History and Philosophy, a Masters in Jewish Studies and a Doctorate in Jewish Studies from Spertus College of Judaic Studies and Leadership, Chicago. His area of study was historical and theological questions relating to the early Israelite monarchy at the time of King David.

REBECCA STARR is the Director of Regional Programs for the Shalom

Hartman Institute of North America. Rebecca is a respected Jewish educator and community organizer. She served as an assistant director at Federation’s Alliance for Jewish Education at the Jewish Federation of Detroit and as Education Director at Northern Hills Synagogue in Cincinnati. Raised on a sheep farm in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Rebecca is a proud product of the University of Michigan where she earned undergraduate degrees in Education and Judaic Studies, as well as a Master’s degree in Social Work and a certificate in Jewish Communal Service.

ROBBIE TERMAN is the Director of the Leonard N. Simons Jewish

Community Archives. She holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science and a certification in Archival Administration from Wayne State University. As an archivist, she uses her research skills to uncover stories of the past. She has performed extensive genealogy research for herself and others and has taught workshops for beginning genealogists.

DORIT WARFMAN was a public educator in Israel from 1998 - 2006.

She was a superintendent for a kibbutz school, responsible for the programming of children ages 1-18. She holds both a teaching certificate and an Industrial Engineering degree. Ms. Warfman and her husband recently moved from Israel to Michigan to be close to her sons and their families. 20

THE INSTRUCTORS (CONT’D)

LIOR ZISSER-YOGEV grew up in Givat Ella in Emek, Israel, Detroit’s

Partnership2Gether region. After meeting the Detroit Jewish community at Camp Tamarack, Lior got involved in Shlichut (ambassadorship) and Israel education. After finishing her army service as a combat soldier and a teacher, Lior spent two years as a Shlicha in Illinois, and Sydney, Australia. Lior has a B.A. in Education and Political Science, and an M.A. in Public Policy and Management — both from the Hebrew University — and a teaching certificate in Civil Studies. For the past eight years, Lior has worked in various roles for different ministries in the Israeli government, including the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Ministry for Social Equality and the Civil Service Commission.

R E G I S T R AT I O N

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Name____________________________________________ Phone_________________________ Address__________________________________ City_____________ State_______ ZIP________ Email ___________________________________________ Year you were born_____________ Course Name_____________________________ Day______ Tuition $___________ Course Name_____________________________ Day______ Tuition $___________ Course Name_____________________________ Day______ Tuition $___________ Total Enclosed $ ___________________ By joining Friends of Adult Jewish Learning Scholarship Fund, you will receive 40% off of your tuitions, once you exceed $600, as our thanks. (Hebrew classes with Nira are excluded.) ___ Yes, I would like to join Detroit Friends of Adult Jewish Learning, 2024. ___ $54 (Friend) ____ $72 (Supporter) ____$180 (Sustainer) ____ $360 (Backer) ____ Other SCHOLARSHIPS: Through a generous grant from the family and friends of Susan Robin, the Susan R. Robin Memorial Scholarship is available to students in need of financial assistance. Additional scholarships also are available through the Detroit Friends of Adult Jewish Learning and The J. Please call the office at 248-205-2557 for scholarship information. CANCELLATIONS: All courses are subject to cancellation due to insufficient enrollment. Classes are limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Refunds will be given after first class, no refunds thereafter.