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Events

Why We Gather: Exploring the transformative power of community

A virtual event presentation by Rabba Shani Gross ABOUT THE EVENT: TBA ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabba Shani Gross is the Senior Education Advisor at Pardes North America. Shani most recently served as PNA’s Director of Programs and as the Director of Education....

04/19/24

The 2024 Election: Reflections on the Jewish Vote

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Steven Windmueller ABOUT THE EVENT: This session will examine the history of Jewish political engagement, explore the types of Jewish political actors, and analyze why American politics has such significant meaning and impact for the Jewish community....

04/08/24

One Year After: Reflections on the Impact of October 7th

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Serach bat Asher: The Most Underrated Woman in the Tanach A Journey from Peshat to Derash ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe serves as the Associate Rabba at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in Bronx, NY. She is grateful for the opportunity to teach Torah classes, instruct the conversion program, answer Halachic questions, facilitate tefillot, offer pastoral guidance, craft lifecycle events, and connect with families and singles, young and old....

02/09/24

Yalta and the Place of Anger in Leadership

A virtual event presentation by Rabba Sara Hurwitz ABOUT THE EVENT: Is anger ever a useful tool to bring about change? Or is anger destructive and unbecoming for leaders?...

02/09/24

Jewish Teachings and Climate Action

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Yonatan Neril ABOUT THE EVENT: Rabbi Yonatan Neril will explore Jewish teachings that relate to ecology and why it’s so critical that Jewish communities mobilize to address the climate crisis. We are facing the greatest challenge we have ever faced and Jewish wisdom has a critical role in informing values and environmental behavior....

02/09/24

The 10 Greatest Jewish Ideas

A virtual class series hosted by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz ABOUT THE CLASS: This series will consist of 40 classes....

11/03/23

Compassion, Kindness & Dignity

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Gil Gershon and Dr....

11/01/23

Embracing Impermanence for Mindful Living

A virtual event presentation by Melanie Gruenwald ABOUT THE EVENT: Be fully present to what is present, and integrate past and future into this moment. Kabbalah Experience Awareness Practice Impermanence is a principle of harmony....

10/31/23

Our Relationship to Time Reflected in the Counting of The Omer

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David Sanders ABOUT THE EVENT: Have you been curious about your relationship to time?...

10/31/23

This Antisemitic Moment on the College Campus: An Analysis of the Hostility and Hatred Directed at Jewish Students

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: In this seminar we will consider how we've arrived at this moment of an outpouring of anti-Jewish venom on campus and what can be done to reintroduce civility and mutual respect between the alienated and offended groups. What is the underlying cause of this explosion of hostility and what is the University's responsibility to address the issue?...

10/31/23

Beyond Cleaning Our Room: Responsibilities and Opportunities in Honoring Our Parents As They Age

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Edward Bernstein EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The fifth of the Ten Commandments is “Honor your father and mother.” It is one of the few commandments in the Torah that attaches a reward for its successful performance: “that your days may be long.” We might think that if we follow the command in our youth, clean our rooms and do other things that our parents ask, then we’ve checked that box. The reality is that honoring our parents is among the most difficult and grows in complexity as children—and their parents—age....

10/31/23

40 Great Philosophers and What They Mean for Judaism

A virtual class series hosted by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz ABOUT THE CLASS: This series will consist of 40 classes....

10/06/23

40 Great Philosophers and What They Mean for Judaism

10/05/23

How History and Genetics Define Jewish Diversity and Identity

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Boris Draznin EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Dr....

09/19/23

The Primacy of Morality over Ritual in the Prophets

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Jeremiah Unterman ABOUT THE EVENT: The polytheism of the ancient Near East conceived of the gods as natural beings who needed sacrifices and libations to physically sustain them....

09/18/23

Women’s Empowerment = Jewish Empowerment

A virtual event presentation by Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: American Jewish Women have made enormous strides over that past century, opening up new avenues for women to engage meaningfully with Judaism and Jewish life. In so doing, they have enriched not only their own lives but also American Jewry and the Jewish tradition as a whole....

09/12/23

How Can Qohelet Quell the Curious Mind? An exploration of a new translation and commentaries on the strangest book of the Hebrew Bible

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Aubrey Glazer ABOUT THE EVENT: Merest Breath is a provocative and contemporary translation with two new commentaries on Qohelet (Ecclesiastes)....

09/11/23

But What If I Love The Greeks?!: Chanukah for Philosophers

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Leah Sarna EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: On Hannukah we light candles and commemorate a time "when the evil Greek kingdom rose up against Your people Israel." Those of us who love studying Greek philosophy and literature must ask ourselves some big questions on this holiday. Fortunately, the Jewish tradition has a great deal to offer us as we try to make sense of it....

09/07/23

Is Judaism a Religion? New Perspectives on the Old Notion of ‘Dat’ in the Scroll of Esther

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Nadav Shifman Berman ABOUT THE EVENT: In this class, which would take place just before Purim 5784, we shall focus on one important term in the Scroll of Esther, namely "Dat", and ask: Is Judaism really a "Religion"?...

09/07/23

Mistreating Widows and Orphans: Whom does this law address?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The Bible is full of commandments that say “do x” or “don’t do y,” almost always without specifying who is being addressed. When the Bible says not to mistreat widows and orphans, was it addressing judges?...

09/07/23

Why Should Jews Care About a New Interpretation of the (Christian) “Apostle” Paul?

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Mark Nanos EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Most interpretations of Paul understand the apostle to argue that Jews who did not share his faith in Jesus Christ had lost their original covenant standing....

09/06/23

Tashlich with VBM & AJJ

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09/01/23

Standing Out or Blending In? Passing vs. Looking Jewish in Texts and Today

A virtual event presentation by Rav Sarah Mulhern EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Is there a value to being publicly identifiable as Jewish? Is there a value to looking more like our non-Jewish neighbors?...

08/30/23

Self & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah

A virtual, five-part series presented by Professor Eitan P. Fishbane ABOUT THE EVENT: In what would become the legendary kabbalistic hilltop town of Tzfat in the 1500s—the birthplace of such timeless texts as Lekha Dodi and Yedid Nefesh; a location whose larger-than-life figures included such luminaries as Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yitzhak Luria (the ARI), and many others— there unfolded one of the most remarkable chapters in the entire history of Judaism, and of Jewish mysticism in particular....

08/24/23

When “The Hands of Esau” replace “Love the Stranger”: The Corruption of Jewish Power

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Avidan Freedman EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Trends in Israeli society today highlight the crucial choice that the Jewish state is faced with as the Jewish people face the moral challenge of power. More and more, "Jewish Power" (now also the name of a political party in Israel) reflects an approach to this challenge that is diametrically opposed to the approach espoused by the Torah....

08/23/23

Judaism & Religious Diversity: Global Meetings with Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Alan Brill EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Much has changed in the last 20 years after 9/11 regarding interfaith, especially the new landscape of accepting religious diversity and the acceptance of the dignity of difference....

08/23/23

Jews, Judaism, and anti-Judaism in the Gospel of John

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Adele Reinhartz EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This talk will explore some of the issues pertaining to the portrayal of Jews and Judaism in the Fourth Gospel....

08/21/23

Highlights of 50+ Years of Women in the Rabbinate

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Mary Zamore EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Explore the history of women in the Rabbinate from 1938 to 2023 and learn how this history has impacted Judaism as the face of Jewish leadership continue to change. Much has been accomplished, but there are still many challenges to full equity for women in the rabbinate....

08/17/23

Food, Clothing, and Shelter: Human Rights or Charity?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Shlomo Levin EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Numerous times the Torah commands us to help those in need. Is this also a statement of human rights?...

08/15/23

Radical Jewish Views of God: Maimonides vs Spinoza

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Micah Streiffer EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Think your beliefs about God are “out there?“ Think again! In this session, we will delve the unexpected views of two of Judaism’s greatest thinkers - Maimonides and Spinoza....

08/02/23

Halacha and the Jewish State: Uncomfortable Conversations and Inspiring Solutions Regarding the Treatment of Minorities

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Ian Pear ABOUT THE EVENT: Since Israel's founding - continuing until today - the relationship between the state's Jewish majority and its non-Jewish minority has been fraught with challenges. Liberal Democracies, of course, have something to say about such relationships, but Israel is unique in a variety of ways, not the least of which is it was established to be the world's lone Jewish state....

07/19/23

The Healing Power of Storytelling

A virtual event presentation by Maggid Jim Brulé EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Stories have the power to entertain, inform, enlighten, and motivate. They also have the power to heal, and this will be the focus of this hour-long zoom workshop with Maggid Jim Brulé....

07/17/23

The Sacred Earth: Jewish Perspectives on our Planet

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Andy Kahn ABOUT THE EVENT: As world temperatures continue to rise, and weather patterns, ocean levels, and wildfires continue to shift, change, and intensify, it is easy to feel unmoored and disconnected. The Sacred Earth: Jewish Perspectives on our Planet, seeks to provide new ways to approach each other and the earth around us to keep us engaged, connected, and hopeful. This session will review some of the ways the book addresses these issues, and will offer tangible Jewish modes of maintaining our equilibrium and earth-consciousness....

07/11/23

Who is in charge? Philosophy of halakhah through the eyes of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Zachary Truboff EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: One of the ongoing debates of modern Jewish life is the extent to which human beings or God should be given the final say on religious questions of ultimate importance. For many, this dilemma is seen as an either/or, and one must choose a side, but a look at two of orthodoxy's most influential thinkers can shed light on the ways in which the question is far more complicated than most realize....

07/05/23

ZEICHICK FAMILY LECTURE: Eilu v’Eilu – A Debate on Jewish Values and American Politics

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Saperstein & Dr. Tevi Troy EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: As the 2024 elections loom, America and the Jewish community have rarely felt as divided over politics and policies as it does today....

06/30/23

Rain, Nostalgia, and Empathy: Liturgical Poems for the Holiday of Sukkot

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Yitz Landes EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: What is the connection between rain, the Temple, and caring for the other?...

06/16/23

Antisemitism: Why is it still around and whose fault is it?

A virtual event presentation by Avi Posen EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Why is it that even post-Holocaust, Jews experience a large percentage of the world’s hate crimes, despite being less than 0.2% of the world’s population? That’s because the Holocaust wasn’t an antisemitic exception — it was the culmination of years of religious, scientific, cultural and political anti-Jewish sentiment....

05/30/23

Mayko-mashmelon: A Survey of Yiddish Art Song

A virtual event presentation by Anthony Russell ABOUT THE EVENT: In the 20th century, Yiddish art song acted as a kind of performative repository of Ashkenazi Jewish music-making of all kinds, containing elements of khazones and liturgical music, Eastern European folk song, Yiddish theatre music and Chassidic music, as well as popular and art music of the time. In this session, we’ll take a brief survey of the genre and explore the meaning it had to its performers and its audiences....

05/30/23

Jews on the Move: The geographic dimension of Jewish survival in North America

A virtual event presentation by Michael Weil EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Throughout history, Jews have been a people on the move, from the nomadic Abraham and Sarah to Moses wandering in the desert, to the massive relocations of the modern era often spurred by antisemitic violence and poverty. As roughly 90% of all Jews now reside in either Israel or North America, it can be argued that in the 21st century the Jewish people at last achieved a level of demographic stability....

05/24/23

SHERMAN MINKOFF MEMORIAL LECTURE: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Sharon Brous EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World (on-sale: 1/9/24), makes the case that in an era of loneliness, social alienation and ideological extremism, our deepest spiritual work is finding our way to one other—in celebration, sorrow, and solidarity. Relationships of care and curiosity, Brous argues, are essential to both personal healing and social change....

05/19/23

History of Jews in Uganda & Their Sukkot Experience

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Gershom Sizomu EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Rabbi Sizomu will speak about the origins of Abayudaya, the challenges occasioned by the dictatorial reign of president Iddi Amin Dada, antisemitism and living as a minority in a country that is predominantly Christian and Muslim. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Gershom Sizomu is a Be’chol Lashon Rabbinic Fellow and the spiritual leader of the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda....

05/09/23

Introduction to Dreams and Kabbalah

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David Sanders EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: “A dream not interpreted is like a letter not read.” This quote is not from Freud or Jung but from the Zohar, the classic medieval Kabbalah text connecting dreams and our spiritual growth....

05/05/23

Mystical Hebrew Letters

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David Sanders EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The early Kabbalah focused on the Hebrew letters and language and how this code underlies creation....

05/05/23

Finding Light in Darkness

A virtual event presentation by Melanie Gruenwald EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." ~ Leonard Cohen Please join us for this workshop on Kabbalistic and contemporary sources and conversations about light, darkness, hope, grief and resilience. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Executive Director of Kabbalah Experience, Melanie Gruenwald brings over 25 years of non-profit leadership and community-organizing to her position....

05/05/23

The Gifts of Imperfection: Brene Brown through a Kabbalah Lens

A virtual event presentation by Melanie Gruenwald EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Dr. Brene Brown’s teachings on vulnerability, courage, worthiness and shame, will serve as the text, and Kabbalah will serve as the commentary....

05/05/23

Jewish Diversity in Medieval Jewish Babylonia: Beyond Rabbanites and Karaites

A virtual event presentation by Eliyahu Freedman ABOUT THE EVENT: In this session, we will discover the plurality of Jewish groups that lived in Babylonia during the 8th to 10th centuries. Meet important personalities such as Anan Ben David, Mīshawayh al-ʿUkbarī, Saadya Gaon and Jacob al-Qirqisani. With indpendent scholar Eliyahu Freeman, get to the heart of the main issues that concerned Medieval Jews and led to heated disagreement and conflict between them....

05/04/23

Debut Fiction and the Holocaust: When Fiction Steps in for History

A virtual event presentation by Martha Anne Toll EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: How does a novelist approach a historical subject as overwhelming as the Holocaust? What decisions go into jettisoning history, or the reverse, hewing closely to it, when writing a historical novel?...

03/27/23

George Washington’s Vine and Fig Tree: Micah 4:4 and the Religious Character of the American Republic

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Aaron Tugendhaft EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: As anyone who has seen Hamilton knows, George Washington loved to quote the prophet Micah's vision of humankind each sitting under their own vine and fig tree....

03/23/23

Practicing Judaism in the 21st Century: Rereading the Torah as a Spiritual Handbook

A virtual, six-part series presented by Rabbi Dr. Darren Kleinberg ABOUT THE EVENT: In this mini course, we welcome back Valley Beit Midrash founder, Rabbi Darren Kleinberg, for a new encounter with the Torah....

03/14/23

Transcendental Judaism–Hearing the “still small voice.”

A virtual event presentation by David Lieberman EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This class is about Jewish spirituality…making a palpable connection with God. Judaism teaches that we connect with God by performing the commandments, the mitzvot....

03/14/23

Women’s Sexual Assertiveness: An exploration of Talmudic perspectives

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Sarit Horwitz EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: How did the rabbis view women as sexual beings? How does it reflect on their own masculinity?...

03/13/23

The Jews and Japan: Inherited Discourses and Creative Adaptation in the Japanese Imaginaire

A virtual event presentation by Dr. James Baskind EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Although the Jewish history in Japan is relatively recent and there have never been significant numbers settled in the country, Jews loom large in the Japanese imagination, and popular books that peddle everything from fascination to fear are perennial best sellers....

03/13/23

Reading Matthew from a Jewish Perspective

A virtual presentation by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine and Dr....

03/07/23

Bioethics in the Shadow of the Holocaust

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Nadav Davidovitch REGISTER HERE: https://asuevents.asu.edu/event/JSBioethics?eventDate=2023-04-11T12%3A00 EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Bioethics emerged mainly after the holocaust and since then it has had an enormous impact on the practice of medicine and life sciences research. Despite bioethics’ profound influence, the study of the development and evolution of the bioethical discourse is scarce....

03/06/23

Will the Environment Survive A Renewed Middle East Peace Process? A Blueprint for Progress

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Alon Tal REGISTER HERE: https://asuevents.asu.edu/event/JSEnvironment?eventDate=2023-03-20T19%3A00 EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Because of its modest size, Israel’s environmental problems are largely transboundary. Without cooperation with its neighbors, progress in areas from stream restoration to species repatriation will be modest at best....

03/06/23

Do the Hebrew Prophets Speak to You?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Barbara Symons EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: For many Jews, the prophets' voices are only heard during worship if even there and then only in Hebrew. Even in English their words are a challenge. After studying the job qualifications and tasks of a prophet and learning when and why Judaism says that prophecy ended, we will use contemporary interpretations to better hear their ancient words which often feel challenging in both form and content. Reaching beyond, we will look at alternative prophet-like voices that can inspire us to realize the words of the haftarah blessing: toward holiness, rest, honor and glory....

02/24/23

Crying with God: Suffering and Divinity in the Thought of the Aish Kodesh

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Tali Adler ABOUT THE EVENT: What did it look like to find God in the Warsaw Ghetto? How did one man make sense of deepest human suffering while locating himself uncompromisingly within Jewish tradition?...

02/23/23

When was the Last Time you Invited God to a Social Get-together?

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Our journey to come close to God is often sought out alone....

02/23/23

Stories: The Incredible Power of a Story to Change Lives

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The Judaism of the 21st century demands that we each become compelling and thrilling storytellers. Could you imagine a world without a creation narrative that experiences order in the universe, that looks at a rainbow and sees a promise of life, stories filled with real struggles of fathers and sons, brothers, husbands and wives?...

02/15/23

Listening to the Heart of Genesis: Parashat Vayeitzei: Jacob’s Ladder

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Leila Gal Berner EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Having pioneered a new gateway into Torah learning called ˆkriat hakodesh,” (reading the holy), Rabbi Dr. Leila Gal Berner will lead us through a deep, contemplative journey through the heart of the parsha, Vayera, helping participants to discover the profound personal meaning of the Torah text....

02/15/23

How the Jewish Awakening May Transform American Religion

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Joshua Stanton EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Our narrative of communal decline overlooks remarkable growth of the American Jewish community, both numerically and in vibrancy. This conversation will reflect upon the social startups redefining the American Jewish landscape, of which the Valley Beit Midrash is one....

02/15/23

Esther the Graphic Novel: How the OG Wonder Woman Took Flight

A virtual event presentation by Jordan B. Gorfinkel EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: An interview and discussion with Jordan B....

02/14/23

Is Territory Sacred? Unexpected Kabbalistic Teachings for an Age of Religious Conflict

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Nathaniel Berman EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: What can kabbalistic teachings contribute to a world in which rival claims to sacred land continue to cause such suffering?...

02/06/23

Tov! — What I’ve Learned About Jewish Ethics By Studying The Good Place

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Jonathan Spira-Savett EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: One of the most nuanced recent explorations of teshuvah is a television show that has been described as “the smartest, dumbest show on TV.” The Good Place follows four human beings whom we meet in a "neighborhood” of the afterlife supervised by two eternal beings. (This description will try not to spoil the show for those who haven’t watched it, but the session will definitely have spoilers!) One of the humans is a professor of ethical philosophy, and another quickly reveals to him that she has been sent there by mistake....

02/06/23

Celebrate Purim with Valley Beit Midrash!

Monday, March 6th Time: 6pm Event: Jewish Solidarity Rally Location : Southeast Corner of Scottsdale Rd & Thunderbird Rd: 13665 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Time: 7pm Event: Megillah Reading, Light Dinner & Drinks Location: Valley Beit Midrash 7580 E. Gray Rd, Suite 102 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Tuesday, March 7th Time: 8am Event: Megillah Reading, Breakfast, Learning with Reb Ilan & Preparing Bags for the Unsheltered Location : Valley Beit Midrash 7580 E....

01/27/23

Is There a Future for American Zionism? American Zionism in the Era of the Ethnic State

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Mike Feuer EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Zionism was initially a small element of Jewish life in America, running at times counter to the mainstream. Israel's independence forced a revolution on American Jews as well, and a new covenant with the state was stuck which placed Zionism at the base of American Jewish life....

01/24/23

The Prayer Book

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The words of the Jewish prayer may be described as a confluence of the most personal of moments and the story of an entire nation....

01/24/23

The Jewish Jail Lady and the Holy Thief: A Film Screening and Q&A (DENVER)

In-person or virtual presentation with Rabbi Mark Borovitz and Harriet Rossetto EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: “The Jewish Jail Lady and the Holy Thief” is a heartwarming documentary about Rabbi Mark Borovitz and Harriet Rossetto, the founders of Beit T’shuvah, a Jewish Recovery community in Los Angeles. This film tells the remarkable story of Mark and Harriet‘s lives and the birth of their spiritual mission to help Jewish addicts and criminals find recovery, and who saved the lives of thousands over a thirty year period....

12/14/22

Was the Holocaust a Divine Punishment?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This shiur (session) deals with the questions of whether the kelalot (curses) in the Torah are applicable to the Holocaust and the different shitot (theories) concerning the Holocaust....

12/13/22

Speaking Truth to Power

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Russ Linden EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: We Jews like to debate and argue – with each other, with our teachers, even with God....

12/06/22

Activating the Soul! Lighting a Fire Within!

A virtual presentation by Rabbi Avi Weiss EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Learn with Rabbi Avi Weiss about the transformative potential of Jewish spirituality. How can prayer, meditation, learning, and even activism sustain our inner flame?...

12/06/22

Jewish Bulgaria: A Virtual Sephardic Journey

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Joseph Benatov EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Join us for a dynamic interactive trip through Bulgaria’s rich Jewish heritage....

12/06/22

ZEICHICK FAMILY LECTURE: Zionism and the Challenge of Power – Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman

Photo credit: Noam Feiner A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Israel did not only establish the homeland of the Jewish people....

11/30/22

The God of Possibilities

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller ABOUT THE EVENT: This discussion constitutes a personal effort at articulating a meaningful notion of God that is spiritually fulfilling, intellectually uncompromising and morally compelling. The search ranges across the Jewish tradition from the fundamentals of Biblical monotheism to Maimonides' rationalism and onto Hasidic mysticism....

11/25/22

Pharaoh Never Died: Midrash and the Art of Text-Weaving

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Kasher EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The Israelites made it across the Red Sea just in time. As they touched shore on the other side, the miraculously parted waters came crashing back down and Pharaoh his army, chariots and all, drowned in the water....

11/21/22

This Book is On Fire: The Radical Linguistic Theology of the Rabbis

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Kasher EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Rabbinic Judaism emerged like a phoenix out of the ashes of the destruction of the Great Temple in Jerusalem. The rabbis proposed that the new center of Jewish life could be located not in a building, but in a book....

11/21/22

Green Burial and Jewish Law

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Adina Lewittes EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Cultural and environmental trends of the 21st century are raising important challenges to long-accepted notions of Kevod Hamet ("respect for the deceased") in the way we handle bodies after death. Are our assumptions around the requirements for burial grounded in our sacred texts?...

11/18/22

Post-Midterms Interfaith Panel: Where Do We Go From Here? A Conversation on Constructive Dialogue

A VBM Denver in-person event. ABOUT THE EVENT: Following the 2022 midterm elections, we convene public leaders from diverse backgrounds - Mayor Michael B....

11/11/22

What if: Faith for non believers and other ways of rethinking emunah

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Mira Neshama Weil EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: At a time in winter where we're invited to trust the silent work of nature under the earth before the explosion of spring, this session is an opportunity to revisit the idea of faith (emunah) in the Jewish tradition....

10/07/22

Rav Kook’s Universalism

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Bezalel Naor EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Rav Abraham Isaac Kook (1865-1935) was a highly complex individual: legalist and philosopher, mystic and poet. In his role of Chief Rabbi of Erets Israel (1921-1935), he emerged as a leader of world Jewry....

10/06/22

Antisemitism in Admissions in Higher Education

A virtual event presentation by Professor Ari Kelman EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The place of American Jews in higher education is a complicated story. It is at once a story that is central to American Jewish class mobility, yet it is also undercut by evidence of antisemitism at some of the United States' most revered institutions. The story of antisemitic exclusion at many of the Ivy League schools in the early decades of the 20th century has been well-documented. What is less known is the story of other schools which also engaged in exclusionary practices in the decades following World War II. In this presentation, Professor Kelman will examine one such instance of systematic exclusion in admissions. It is a story of administration, admissions, and antisemitism. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Professor Kelman's research focuses on the forms and practices of religious knowledge transmission....

10/04/22

Rethinking Gender and Power in Jewish Texts

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This session will focus on two Talmudic stories about rabbinic power and gender....

10/04/22

Inside the Mind of God: Plato, Christians, and Jews

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Joshua Garroway EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Description: Ancient Jewish and Christian admirers of Plato struggled to reconcile the philosopher's concept of creation with Genesis 1....

10/03/22

“Repairing the World” (Tikkun Olam): Radical Justice or Conscientious Consequentialism?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Will Friedman EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The Jewish phrase "because of repairing the world" has become a widespread slogan for a commitment to a broad array of social justice causes. But many scholars and activists have cautioned that a phrase that can advocate anything can end up meaning nothing....

10/03/22

Evil: A Brief Biography

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Is evil manmade or divine?...

10/03/22

Agreeable Jews, Dead Jews, and the Challenge of Diversity

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Dara Horn Presented in partnership with: ABOUT THE EVENT: Is there any connection between recent antisemitic attacks and recent controversies about public Holocaust education? Actually, yes, and it's built into a strange historic bargain struck between Jews and non-Jewish societies, including here in the United States....

10/03/22

The Maternal Divine

A virtual event presentation by Deena Aranoff ABOUT THE EVENT: In this class we will participate in a close study of Torah texts that reveal maternal aspects of the divine. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Deena Aranoff is Faculty Director of the Richard S....

10/03/22

Being Intimate with the Bible

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: How did a prominent Moroccan rabbi depict a woman of valor in a sermon dedicated to his mother?...

10/03/22

The Secret War Against Hate: American Resistance to Anti-Semitism and White Supremacy After 1945

A virtual event presentation by Steven Ross ABOUT THE EVENT: On January 6, 2021, Americans were shocked as thousands of self-proclaimed patriots stormed the Capitol, many carrying Confederate flags and wearing anti-Semitic sweatshirts. What the nation witnessed that cold winter afternoon was the continuation of a battle that goes back to 1945, when Americans began fighting a second Civil War over two distinct visions of the future—and have continued fighting ever since with one key difference....

10/03/22

Can the Phoenix/Scottsdale Jewish Community be United: Looking at our Unity and Divisions

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual). ABOUT THE EVENT: Join us for a panel discussion featuring leaders from our local community....

09/29/22

Letters from Chanukahs and Purims Past: The Establishment of “Minor” Holidays and Judea-Diaspora Relations

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Malka Simkovich EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: In the Hellenistic era, Judean leaders in Jerusalem sent letters to Jews living in Egypt imploring them to observe the holidays of Chanukah and Purim....

09/19/22

The World in which God Placed Humans

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer ABOUT THE EVENT: Some of the best kept secrets in kabbalistic literature deal with understanding what it means to be human and the interconnectedness between mankind, flora, fauna and even the pebbles by a lake....

09/06/22

HAMMERMAN FAMILY LECTURE: A Journey of Discovery and Truth-telling

Photo credit: Mike Lovett EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Letty Cottin Pogrebin In-person event to be held at : 16415 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 ABOUT THE EVENT: Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz in conversation with Letty Cottin Pogrebin, writer, activist, and co-founding editor of Ms.magazine, about her new book, SHANDA: A MEMOIR OF SHAME AND SECRECY ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Letty Cottin Pogrebin, a writer, activist, and national lecturer, is a founding editor of Ms. magazine, and the author of twelve books....

07/22/22

The Jewish Jail Lady and the Holy Thief: A Film Screening and Q&A

04/28/22

“Shomei Keoneh” (Hearing Legally Counts as Speaking): Creating a Community Which is Inclusive of the Blind, the Deaf and the Infirm

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Ysoscher Katz EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Halakha has certain mechanisms which allow people to perform mitzvot vicariously. One of those mechanisms is Shomei Ke'ona; hearing equals reciting....

04/28/22

LIVING on the SIDE of LIFE: An Interpretation of Jewish Living

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The unique core teaching of Jewish religion is that the human mission is to fill this world (planet) with life.Judaism predicts that In partnership with God , humanity can vanquish all the enemies of life in this world -poverty, hunger, oppression/discrimination/unjust inequality,war, sickness.Eventually, in the Messianic age, even death itslf can be defeated....

04/28/22

Is Peace possible in Jerusalem?

A virtual event presentation by Ittay Flescher EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: In this session, Ittay Flescher will share his reflections about the different identities of Jewish, Muslim and Christian youth through his experience co-leading a youth movement for Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem. There will also be opportunities to ask questions about the benefits and challenges of interfaith dialogue between diverse populations....

04/28/22

Staying Human – Can Judaism speak to the issues raised by Artificial Intelligence?

A virtual event presentation by Harris Bor EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: AI raises innumerable questions about our desires for the future and what it means to be human. Can Judaism speak to these questions?...

iframe { display: block; width: 100%; height: 900px !important;} A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin in Denver EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Extraordinary advances have been made in medicine science and technology over the past century because scientists, medical researchers and scholars have devoted the full resources of their intellectual imagination to solve problems that had been thought to be insoluble. But comparable progress has not been made in moral areas, one reason being that people rarely devote the same intellectual and imaginative efforts to solve moral problems. Yet such solutions can be achieved by any of us, if we try hard enough and study the behaviors of people we regard as moral heroes....

02/17/22

The Twenty-First Century: A Jewish Vision, One Day At A Time

A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin in Phoenix HAMMERMAN FAMILY LECTURE EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: One of the sad things that has happened to Jewish life in modern times is that people define “religious” solely in terms of ritual observance (one who keeps Shabbat or Kashrut is religious, one who doesn’t is not), as if ethics in Judaism were an extracurricular activity, nice, but not very important. In this talk, based on Rabbi Telushkin’s award-winning book, A Code of Jewish Ethics: Volume 1: You Shall be Holy, he examines, along with other issues as well, four Jewish values and how they apply in daily life. The first is forgiveness; Telushkin delineates when Jewish law considers forgiveness obligatory, when optional, and when forbidden, and shows how and when to apply these perspectives in our daily behavior. A second area examined in this speech are the Jewish laws concerning anger and how to express it fairly....

02/17/22

Celebrate Purim with Valley Beit Midrash!

Wednesday, March 16th Time: 6pm Event: Jewish Solidarity Rally Location : Southeast Corner of Scottsdale Rd & Thunderbird Rd: 13665 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Time: 7pm Event: Megillah Reading, Light Dinner & Drinks Location: Valley Beit Midrash 7580 E. Gray Rd, Suite 102 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Thursday, March 17th Time: 8am Event: Megillah Reading, Breakfast, Learning with Rabbi Daniel & Preparing Bags for the Unsheltered Location : Valley Beit Midrash 7580 E....

02/15/22

Living to Die and Dying to Live: Lessons from a Mussar Teacher & a Palliative Care Doctor

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Alan Morinis and Dr. Beverly Spring This event is co-sponsored by: ABOUT THE EVENT: We all know we are going to die and yet we live as if it will never happen to us....

02/09/22

My journey in science and engineering as a Torah observant Jewish woman

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This class will discuss Dr....

02/09/22

Prozbul: Innovative Halachic Change or Gaming the System?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Together we will explore both the mechanics of how the the prozbul enables lenders to receive payment even after a Sabbatical year, and how this innovation serves as a prime example of how the Sages understand their role as both protectors of the Halakhic system and innovators responsible for responding to social and economic change. We will also compare Prozbul to other examples of innovation and resisitance to innovation ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield teaches Talmud, Halakha and Jewish Thought at Pardes. In addition, Zvi is a faculty member of the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators and has been training and mentoring Jewish Educators for over ten years in Tefilah in educational settings, critical issues in modern Jewish thought, and Israel education....

02/09/22

Brothers Crying Out from the Ground:The Biblical Origins of Our Divided Society

A virtual event presentation by Judy Klitsner EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: For its first human beings, the Bible presents a strife-ridden nuclear family; for its first murder, a fratricide. As we examine several sibling-centered stories in the book of Genesis, we will draw a line from these narratives to the Jewish people today, noting the enduring theme of fractiousness among “siblings,” and seeking signs of hope for repair....

02/09/22

Third-Party Peacemakers in Judaism: Text, Theory, and Practice – Book Talk with Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: In the race to discover real solutions for the conflicts that plague contemporary society it is essential that we look to precedent....

02/09/22

The Battle of Definitions: What is Antisemitism and why does its definition matter?

A virtual event presentation by Professor Joshua Shanes EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This class will be a conversation/talk about the competing definitions about antisemitism, what led to their foundation, the differences between them, and what's at stake. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Joshua Shanes is Associate Professor of Jewish Studies, and Director of the Arnold Center for Israel Studies, at the College of Charleston....

02/09/22

Finding God in Pain

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Morris Panitz EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This class will center on a powerful teaching in Eicha Rabbah (Proem 24) that explores themes related to God’s suffering, arguing with God, divine-human reconciliation. What does it mean for our pain and God’s pain to serve as a meeting point in the human-divine relationship? ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Morris Panitz is an Assistant Rabbi at IKAR, a spiritual community in Los Angeles. Previously, he served as the Director of the Ziering BCI Program and Director of Immersive Experiences at American Jewish University.  He cherishes the opportunity to partner with people who are seeking meaningful connection to Jewish wisdom and community. Morris received rabbinical ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and was a recipient of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship. Prior to rabbinical school, he combined his love for Jewish, experiential education and environmental sustainability as the Program Director of the Pearlstone Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Morris completed a Certificate in Jewish, Experiential Education from Yeshiva University and received his B.A....

02/09/22

Shmitta: From Biblical Narratives to Contemporary Perspectives

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Rabbi Avital Hochstein EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: In this class we will look at the diverse biblical narratives of Shmita, how they play out - practically and ideologically, in later Talmudic and Halachic sources and ponder what this all had to do with our current day awareness of the challenge and threat to sustainability ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr....

02/09/22

Cain and Abel’s Day In Court: What The World’s First Murder Can Teach Us About Dispensing Justice And Injustice

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dan Ornstein EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Cain and Abel is a foundational story about sibling rivalry and fraternal responsibility, but in the hands of rabbinic tradition, it's also a powerful "script" for understanding the moral basis of law and justice. We'll re-read this great Torah narrative using classic mishnaic and midrashic interpretations that seek to clarify the enduring values lying just beneath the surface of the Torah’s laws about dispensing justice....

02/09/22

On Diplomacy & Negotiation – A Book Talk with Former US Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk

A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Ambassador Martin Indyk EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz will be interviewing Ambassador Martin Indyk about his new book (Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger And The Art Of Middle East Diplomacy), followed by questions from the audience and a book signing....

02/01/22

What would Isaiah say? Israeli arms sales and the challenge of Jewish sovereignty

A virtual event presentation by Former MK Tehila Friedman, Rabbi Dr. Daniel Gordis and Rabbi Avidan Freedman EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The establishment of a Jewish state reintroduced the Jewish people to moral dilemmas of sovereignty and power with which they did not have to grapple for 2000 years....

01/21/22

Frankenstein and the Golem

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Paul Root Wolpe ABOUT THE EVENT: Two paradigms of human-created ‘monsters’ have reverberated through modern history as models for considering everything from genetic safety, to scientific hubris, to man’s relationship to the material world and G-d. In this talk we compare these two legends and discuss why they portray Humankind so differently and teach such different lessons....

01/13/22

Is Judaism Woke or Unwoke?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Asher Lopatin EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Through the millennia, Judaism and Jewish thinkers have strived to make an ancient religion meaningful and applicable in various environments and social norms where Jews have lived. Modern Orthodoxy has specifically espoused finding ways to combine the traditions and laws of Judaism, passed down from rabbis and communities 2000 years ago, with the ethics, morals and standards of the modern, contemporary world? Does this work? Is this really possible? Rabbi Lopatin will explore contemporary issues that challenge Jewish traditions and laws. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Asher Lopatin is the Executive Director of the JCRC/AJC of Detroit and the founding rabbi of Kehillat Etz Chayim of Detroit....

01/13/22

The Tragedy of Heruta: The Madonna who Became a Whore

A virtual event presentation by Gila Fine EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Why are women divided into saintly and seductive? How does a married couple go for years without intimacy?...

01/13/22

Power of the Image: Photographic Thoughts on Torah Values

A virtual event presentation by Shira Hecht-Koller EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Themes that are central to the rise and impact of the powerful platforms available to us 24 hours a day – power of the image, democratization of experience, deliberate curation - are at once both cutting edge and age-old, and are central to the experience of being human. They are also, in many ways, deeply rooted in our sacred texts....

01/13/22

The Biblical Plagues and OUR Plague: An Anthropocentric “Theology” and a Lesson for Our Times

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler Feller EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The onset of the coronavirus brought with it a slew of perverse efforts to identify the ‘sinful’ behaviors for which the plague was God’s punishment. Through an analysis of “Vehaya im Shamoa”(Deut.11:13-21) I offer an alternative understanding of punishment as a disciplinary act attributed to God but, actually, the direct consequence of human conduct....

01/13/22

Interreligious Heroes – Book Talk

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Alon Goshen-Gottstein EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The class will discuss Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalom as one of the interreligious heroes featured within the book as well as a conversation between Rabbi Dr....

01/13/22

Devorah the Prophet: A Model of Leadership Irrespective of Gender

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dina Najman EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This class will discuss Devorah as a leader that is not gender specific, as she is often compared to Moshe and David. Devorah is a prophet, a warrior, a general, a poet, a judge, a mother - the people follow her based on her skill....

12/24/21

The Social Justice Torah Commentary – Book Talk with Rabbi Barry Block

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Barry Block Event co-sponsored by: ABOUT THE EVENT: An interview between Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz and Rabbi Barry Block on his new book "The Social Justice Torah Commentary". Book description and where to purchase featured below....

12/10/21

Hiddur Mitzva: A Journey Through Jewish Ritual Art

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler Feller EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: A virtual tour of the Seidler-Feller collection of objects of Jewish material culture from Alsace and Iran, from India and Italy and from the US and Israel. Items include an 18th Century embroidered Italian tallit, a Yemenite wedding headdress, ketubot from across the globe and contemporary Israeli silver....

12/10/21

Peace-Building Insights After Eight Years of Meeting Palestinians

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger ABOUT THE EVENT: One of the founders of Roots/Shorashim/Judur, the Israeli Palestinian grassroots initiative for understanding, nonviolence and transformation, Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger has spent the last 8 years meeting Palestinians and building bridges of trust and mutual recognition between Palestinians and Israelis, by and large religious Israeli living in the West Bank/Judea and Samaria. In this presentation he will discuss some of his insights concerning the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the hurdles to be overcome in moving towards a lasting solution. Some of the concepts he will be discussing include: identity, trauma, normalization, the hubris of exclusivity, and the difference between coexistence and reconciliation....

12/09/21

Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness

A virtual class series hosted by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz *Kindness Class 4 has been rescheduled for 11am PT (2pm ET)....

12/09/21

Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Marc D. Angel ABOUT THE EVENT: Moses Maimonides (1138-1204) is the classic Jewish thinker who strove to reconcile Judaism and philosophy/science....

12/09/21

King David: Man of War and Politics, Man of God, Man of Contradictions. Based on a close reading of the Books of Samuel

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Rosen EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: King David: Man of War and Politics, Man of God, Man of Contradictions....

12/09/21

To Be a Holy People, Jewish Tradition and Ethical Values

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Eugene Korn Event co-sponsored by: ABOUT THE EVENT: This event will be a public conversation with Rabbi Shumly about ethical issues challenging Jewish life today as a follow up to the book Rabbi Eugene Korn has just published. Book description below....

12/09/21

Noah’s Wine vs. Pharaoh’s Beer: The Barroom Brawl and Culture War that Shaped Jewish History

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jon Greenberg EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The Jewish preference for wine over beer and other beverages for sacramental purposes has extremely ancient roots....

12/09/21

Messianism, Zionism, and Religious Radicalism: Spiritualties in Israel

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Menachem Creditor EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: How did Zionism represent theological revolution? Does Israel's reality represent a new Judaism?...

12/09/21

White Supremacy and Antisemitism: Lessons from the Capitol Attack

A virtual event presentation by Professor Jonathan D. Sarna EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Some of the White Nationalists who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021 hoped to trigger a "Great Revolution" that in its most extreme form would result in the extermination of the Jews. An examination of images related to the attack sheds light on extreme right-wing antisemitism in our day....

12/09/21

Suffering Servants! How to Deal with the Missionary at the Door

A virtual event presentation by Rabba Dr Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: For centuries certain texts in the book of Isaiah have been used by (some) Christians to try to convert Jews. What are these texts and what is the Jewish perspective on them?...

12/09/21

Changing the Mind to Change the World – Book Talk with Rabbi Marc Gopin

A virtual presentation by Rabbi Marc Gopin ABOUT THE EVENT: Around the globe, people who work in the helping professions are often heroic bridge-builders and creators of peaceful societies. They have in common, Marc Gopin argues, a set of cultivated moral character traits and psychosocial skills....

11/23/21

The Seven Questions You’re Asked in Heaven

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Ron Wolfson EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: When you get to heaven, what questions do you think you'll be asked about how you lived your life on earth?...

11/15/21

The Pen and the Sword in the Warsaw Ghetto

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David I....

11/04/21

Brave Space Dialogue: Racism in the Jewish Community

A virtual presentation by Kiyomi Kowalski and April Powers ABOUT THE EVENT: The Jewbian Princess team led by Kiyomi Kowalski and April Powers, two Black, Jewish women, will create a brave space for a thoughtful dialogue about what it takes to create a welcoming community for Jews of all races and ethnicities. Jewbian Princess provides a space where people have an opportunity to practice their skills as upstanders and disruptors in a situation where they are witnessing and/or experiencing prejudice....

10/13/21

A Virtual Tour of the First Jewish Community in North America!

A virtual event presentation by Janet R. Kirchheimer EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Join Janet R....

10/07/21

Zionism according to a New York Sheriff & a Serbian Kabbalist

A virtual event presentation by Jonnie Schnytzer Event co-sponsored by: ABOUT THE EVENT: Serbian kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai may or may not have heard of New York Sheriff Mordechai Emmanuel Noah and vice versa. Contemporaries, both had a Zionist dream more than half a century before Theodore Herzel....

10/06/21

Requiring Brit Mikvah for female trans converts?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Adina Lewittes EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: How does Jewish law, a system based on such binaries as muttar (permitted) and assur (prohibited) and hayav (obligated) and patur (exempt), inform our contemporary understanding of gender which is increasingly shaped by fluidity and in some cases hybridity? In this particular case, would a trans woman who has not had gender confirmation surgery be required to undergo a ritual circumcision as part of her conversion process?...

10/06/21

How to Answer a Fool

A virtual event presentation by Professor Christine Hayes EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: What is the best way to engage with those who appear to us to be ignorant or wicked? What can biblical and rabbinic debates over the duty, utility, and virtue of answering a fool teach us about the possibilities and limitations of the disappearing art of civil discourse....

10/06/21

The Significance of the Mitzvot of Purim in our lives today

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Sharona Halickman ABOUT THE EVENT: On Purim we observe four main mitzvot as well as various customs. Where did these laws and customs originate from and are they still relevant today?...

10/06/21

Embers of Pilgrimage – Interview with Dr. Eitan Fishbane on his new book!

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Eitan Fishbane EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This event will be a book interview of Dr....

09/17/21

A Nation That Dwells Alone: Questions and Implications

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Noam Weissman EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: This session will explore the age old question about the ontological nature of the Jewish people....

09/03/21

From Flood to Rainbow

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Avi Strausberg EVENT Co-sponsored by: ABOUT THE EVENT: Just chapters after the flood that nearly destroyed the world, we see that humankind has quickly rebounded and all of the peoples have joined together to build a tower that nearly scrapes the sky. But, how did we get from there to here? What was it like to step out of the ark and begin again? In this session, we'll revisit the familiar story of the flood and read it again through the eyes of a modern new midrash that imagines what it was like for the dove and the raven to leave the ark and begin again. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Avi Strausberg is the Director of National Learning Initiatives at Hadar, and is based in Washington, DC....

08/12/21

Early Zionist Approaches to the Existing Arab Population

A virtual event presentation by Lauren Cohen Fisher EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: The Zionist Movement often saw Israel as a "land without a people" for a "people without a land". And yet, there were many Arab-Palestinian communities throughout the Land of Israel....

08/12/21

Torah with the Way of the Land: The Legacy of German Judaism and Some Questions for Ethically Engaged Jews Today

A virtual event presentation by Professor Paul Franks EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: What is the legacy of German Judaism, and what can it still offer us today? German Judaism began with Moses Mendelssohn’s controversial German translation of the Humash in 1783, and ended with the Nazi pogrom of November 1938. The best known slogan of the Torah-true wing of German Judaism is “Torah im derekh erets” (“Torah with the way of the land”). But this slogan is often misunderstood as nothing more than an educational philosophy that came in one flavor. In fact, it is an ideal of humanity articulated, in several competing versions, in the context of the quest for Jewish civil rights. The German-Jewish tradition raises vital questions that remain relevant today: What is the mission of Jews within civil society? What makes a Jewish community Jewish? What role should Jews play within the ongoing struggle for social justice and civil rights? ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Paul Franks is the Robert F....

08/12/21

When, If Ever, Is It Right To Publicly Criticize Israel?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Gideon Sylvester EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Discussion description TBD. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Gideon Sylvester serves as the British United Synagogue's rabbi in Israel....

07/29/21

The Shemitta Year & Jewish Justice!

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Leah Shakdiel ABOUT THE EVENT: A class on the relevance of Shmita (meaning, letting go periodically of a GOOD practice) to Jewish morals (as distinguished from teshuva which is letting go of sinful practice. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Jerusalem-born rabbi Leah Shakdiel is a proud iconoclast....

07/28/21

Respecting The Elderly

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Sharona Halickman ABOUT THE EVENT: While the secular world may respect the elderly out of politeness or as a moral obligation, in Judaism, the Torah teaches us that we must observe the mitzvah of respecting the elderly. What does that entail?...

07/28/21

Reading Intolerant Texts in a Tolerant Society

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Norman Solomon EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Discussion details TBD. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Norman Solomon was born in Cardiff, South Wales, on 31 May 1933....

07/28/21

Practical Teshuva Workshop – “Guided Introspection”

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David I....

07/28/21

The Jewish Genius for Surviving Catastrophe

A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Rabbi Ed Feinstein This lecture is in honor of Dr. Sherman Minkoff....

07/27/21

Is A Person Obligated To Receive Medical Assistance?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig ABOUT THE EVENT: When we don't feel well, we usually go and see the doctor. But do we have to?...

07/26/21

Knowing Life Through Death

A virtual presentation by Jonnie Schnytzer EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THE EVENT: Taking a journey back in time with texts from Midrash & Kabbalah, we will look at how death can be understood and as a result, perhaps what life is about (this can be 1-4 lessons spanning from the idea of death in the Bible and the circle of life in kabbalah through to the idea of resurrection of the dead and the secret of death according to Zohar). ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Jonnie Schnytzer is a Phd candidate focusing on medieval kabbalah....

07/26/21

Disability and the Politics of Healing

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Julia Watts Belser EVENT Co-sponsored by: ABOUT THE EVENT: The lame shall leap and the mute shall sing? In a famous passage from Hebrew Bible, the prophet Isaiah imagines the world to come as a world where human bodies are transformed. But what are the social and political implications of these images of heavenly healing, and how do they resonate with contemporary calls for disability pride and disability justice?...

07/26/21

How Heschel Taught Me To Be An Artist

A virtual event presentation by Mindy Weisel Event co-sponsored by: ABOUT THE EVENT: This compelling and candid memoir (AFTER: The Obligation of Beauty) by Mindy Weisel, an internationally acclaimed artist and author, traces her search for beauty in her life, which began as a child born in the Bergen-Belsen Displaced Person’s Camp to parents who had survived the Auschwitz concentration camp. This is not her parents’ story, rather, it is a courageous and honest portrait of her struggle to understand the black hole she was born into....

07/26/21

Hanukkah in the Bible?

A virtual event presentation by Professor Marc Zvi Brettler EVENT Co-Sponsored by: ABOUT THE EVENT: Hannukah is a prime example of a post-biblical festival—but it has left its tracks in the Bible, and is based on biblical texts. We will look at the earliest evidence we have for this festival, and how it has changed over time. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Marc Zvi Brettler is the Bernice and Morton Lerner Distinguished Professor of Judaic Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at Duke University. His books How to Read the Jewish Bible; The Jewish Study Bible (edited with Adele Berlin); and The Bible and the Believer (with Peter Enns and Daniel Harrington). He co-edited The Jewish Annotated New Testament, and co-authored The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently, both with Amy-Jill Levine. He is deeply committed to making the Jewish community more aware of the richness of Jewish literature from the past, including the New testament, and to introducing academic biblical study to the broader community, as reflected in TheTorah.com, which he co-founded. Marc describes himself as a liberal observant Jew....

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Minna Bromberg, Founder and President of Fat Torah ABOUT THE EVENT: How is body liberation as Jewish issue? In this session, we will learn about the Jewish roots, as well as the Jewish future, of the body liberation movement....

06/18/21

The Messianic Idea – A Conversation with Rabbi Avi Orlow

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Avi Orlow, Vice President at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. ABOUT THE EVENT: Join Rabbi Avi Orlow for a zoom class about the Messianic Idea....

06/09/21

Becoming a Soulful Parent

A virtual event presentation by Dasee Berkowitz, founder of Ayeka's Becoming a Soulful Parent program EVENT Co-sponsored by: ABOUT THE EVENT: Combining insights from thousands of years of traditional Jewish wisdom and contemporary literature on spirituality with her own utterly relatable first-person storytelling, author Dasee Berkowitz helps readers embrace every moment with their families while leaning into the challenges of parenting with renewed perspective and enthusiasm. This is not a parenting how-to book....

06/09/21

Faith, Culture, and Justice with Emily McDonnell

A virtual event presented by Emily McDonnell, an enrolled member of the (Diné) Navajo Nation ABOUT THE EVENT: Join Emily McDonnell, an enrolled member of the (Diné) Navajo Nation for an in depth Zoom conversation on faith, culture and justice. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Emily McDonnell is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, where she lived until she graduated from high school....

05/25/21

How does the Rambam resolve a clash between Torah and Reason?

A virtual event presentation by Professor Tamar Ross, Bar-Ilan University ABOUT THE EVENT: Professor Ross will discuss the virtues and limitations of employing allegory as a method of reconciling religious truth claims with science, as evidenced in Maimonides' defense of creation ex nihilo in his Guide to the Perplexed. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Professor Tamar Ross is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Jewish philosophy at Bar Ilan University....

05/14/21

Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood

A virtual event presentation by Mark Oppenheimer, from the Podcast Unorthodox ABOUT THE EVENT: This event will cover the Tree of Life shooting and how the historically Jewish community of Squirrel Hill embodied resilience in the aftermath ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Mark Oppenheimer directs the Yale Journalism Initiative and is a lecturer in Yale’s English department, political science department, and Divinity Schools. He received his B.A....

05/13/21

Learn with a Jewish Community in South Africa!

In this new class, we will learn the Torah portion (Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei) with VBM's Rabbi Shmuly along with the Beit Luria synagogue in Johannesburg, South Africa! ZOOM link (separate from Valley Beit Midrash's) will be sent out upon registration.

03/01/21

Everyone Eats: Fundamental Rights of the Individual in the Community

ABOUT THIS CLASS: Join us for a Zoom class on the dynamics of individuality and community within Jewish settings. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Aberson, who prefers to be addressed as ‘Rabbi Brodie’, received his ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies....

03/01/21

Observing Yom HaShoah Together Through Stories and Poetry

A virtual presentation hosted by Janet R. Kirchheimer ABOUT THIS EVENT: Come together to observe Yom HaShoah and remember its victims....

02/19/21

למען תזכור: Remembering the Exodus after George Floyd, o”h

A virtual event presented by Rabbi David Almog EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: The commandment to remember the Exodus serves as both a theological and ethical principle which has accompanied the Jewish people throughout our history. Rather than being a static and unchanging perspective on the past, however, this mitzvah has given voice to the responsibilities and hopes of Jews for liberation in different times and varying circumstances of persecution. This raises the question of what role the story of the Exodus plays for American Jews and how it informs both our ethical responsibilities today and how we engage in the study of textual traditions composed by those under oppression. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: David Almog is currently pursuing a PhD in Talmud and Rabbinics at JTS....

02/15/21

The Mind of Rav Moshe Feinstein: Method, Mission and Masorah

A virtual presentation hosted by Rabbi Alan Yuter ABOUT THIS CLASS: ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Alan Yuter, a highly respected American Orthodox rabbi, went on Aliyah with his wife upon his retirement. They currently reside in Jerusalem....

02/09/21

Where I’m From: Your Jewish Memoir

01/20/21

The 10 Most Important Jewish Ideas To Change The World!

In this class with Rabbi Shmuly, we will explore (through text study & stories) the 10 most important Jewish ideas that can change the world forever. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr....

01/18/21

Shmirat Ha’Lashon: The Ethics of Speech in the Social Media Age

A virtual presentation hosted by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz ABOUT THIS EVENT: ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr....

01/18/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!

A virtual class series hosted by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz ABOUT THE CLASS: In this class, we will explore the 40 greatest debates in Jewish history....

01/13/21

Social Neuroscience Perspectives on Empathy and Compassion

ABOUT THIS CLASS: Recently, the nascent field of social neuroscience has provided research evidence concerning processes contributing to empathy and compassion. The talk will explore this body of research and examine its relationship to traditions that endeavor to cultivate compassion....

01/12/21

Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Three-Part Series – Class 3

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Join Valley Beit Midrash's President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the third and final part of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife....

01/11/21

Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Three-Part Series – Class 2

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Join Valley Beit Midrash's President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the second part of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife....

01/11/21

Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Three-Part Series – Class 1

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Join Valley Beit Midrash's President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the first part of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife....

01/11/21

Arizona Jews for Justice – ‘Justice has not Been Done’: Police Accountability in Jewish Law

Join Arizona Jews for Justice and Rabbi David Polsky for a conversation on Jewish law and police accountability.

01/07/21

The Jews’ Indian: Colonialism, Pluralism and Belonging in America

A virtual presentation hosted by Dr. David Koffman EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: The Jews’ Indian investigates the history of American Jewish relationships with Native Americans, both in the realm of cultural imagination and in face-to-face encounters....

01/05/21

Arizona Jews for Justice – Torah and Police Brutality

Join Arizona Jews for Justice and Rabbi Aryeh Bernstein for a Zoom presentation on Police Brutality & reflections one can observe from Torah NOTE - The registration option for this event can be found at the bottom of the event list on the registration page.

01/04/21

The Old Man Kohelet: His Life On Review

A virtual presentation hosted by Rabbi Dr. Kerry Olitzky EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: A deep dive into the book and the man: Kohelet....

12/30/20

The Four Books That Changed Jewish History

A virtual presentation hosted by Jonnie Schnytzer EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: Let’s forget everything we’ve been told about what it means to be Jewish and delve into the four books which forever made, and changed Jewish history; The Bible – where our story begins; The Talmud – when we are told to question everything; The Guide for the Perplexed – the book which told to be rational, & The Zohar – the book which revealed God’s secret. In this class we will learn about the unique revolution offered by each book, unravel what it has meant to be Jewish over time, and perhaps even come to question what being Jewish means for each one of us....

12/30/20

Praying for the Monsoon: An Arizona Liturgical Adventure

A virtual presentation hosted by Dr. Daniel Stein Kokin Co-hosted by: ABOUT THIS EVENT: The summer months typically supply a significant portion of Arizona’s annual rainfall, but in recent years have been bone dry....

12/30/20

Beauty, Mystery, and Significance in a Vast Universe

Event co-sponsored by: ABOUT THIS EVENT: ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Dr. Jennifer J....

12/14/20

Skepticism 101: How to Think Like a Scientist

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Despite our best efforts, we're all vulnerable to believing things without using logic or having proper evidence—and it doesn't matter how educated or well read we are. But there is a method for avoiding such pitfalls of human nature, and it's called skepticism....

12/08/20

What Does God Do All Day Long? Rabbinic Reflections on the Divine Daily Schedule

A virtual session presented by Dr. Sarit Kattan Gribetz EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS CLASS: During this pandemic, our sense of time and our daily routines have changed significantly. Have you ever wondered what God has been doing all day? In this class, we'll explore a number of rabbinic stories that imagine God's daily schedule and nightlife. These narratives are playful and quirky but beneath the whimsical surface they address profound theological questions about how the world operates and how each of us ought to use the hours of each day....

11/30/20

Anti-Racism Webinar with Ilana Kaufman

Join Arizona Jews for Justice for our anti-racism webinar!

11/25/20

Fifteen Profound Teachings from The Thirteen Petalled Rose by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz

A virtual session presented by Rabbi Arthur Kurzweil ABOUT THIS EVENT: Arthur Kurzweil will explore 15 of the many profound and fundamental ideas of Jewish theology to be found in the contemporary classic, The Thirteen Petalled Rose, written by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Arthur Kurzweil is also the author of The Encyclopedia of Jewish Genealogy as well as My Generations: A Course in Jewish Family History....

11/12/20

The Legacy of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: A Close Look at his Scholarship & Leadership

A virtual session presented by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz....

11/10/20

Cultivating Trust: Exploring the Writings of Etty Hillesum

A virtual event presented by Rabbi Dorothy Richman EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: In this time of pandemic and social disruption, is it wise or naive for us to trust? We’ll explore the experience of trust by looking at the writings of Etty Hillesum, a Dutch woman in her late twenties living in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam....

10/27/20

Real Questions and Fake Questions at the Seder

A virtual event presented by Channa Lockshin Bob EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: We will study traditional texts that explore the role of questions and questioning at the Passover Seder and in life. Are some questions more legitimate than others?...

10/26/20

How Jewish Wisdom Can Inspire a Paradigm Shift with Renewed Leadership

A virtual session taught by Rabbi Yehuda Sarna EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Rabbi Yehuda Sarna serves as the University Chaplain and Executive Director at the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at New York University. He is a Senior Fellow at the Of Many Institute for Multifaith Leadership at NYU, where he designs educational experiences and curricula to train the next generation in interfaith action....

10/26/20

Mystical and Psychological Perspectives on the Seder

A virtual session taught by Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: In this session, we will explore together the centrality of speech and storytelling to the Seder night. How do our biblical, rabbinic, and mystical texts understand the connection between speech and freedom?...

10/20/20

If Rashi had Facebook: Jewish Perspectives on Cancel Culture and Online Shaming

A virtual event taught by Rabbanit Karen Miller Jackson ABOUT THIS EVENT: Social media is a powerful tool. It can be used for social activism or to connect us (especially when socially distanced)....

10/20/20

The Making of a Torah Scroll: Exploring Jewish Scribal Arts

Join us for a virtual event taught by Julie Seltzer EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: What goes into creating Torah scrolls and other sacred writing? Participants will get an inside peek into the materials used, including parchment and writing instruments, as well as the process of writing, such as letter formation and spiritual intention....

10/19/20

Who and What Should I Fear: Early Rabbinic Views

Event co-sponsored by: ABOUT THIS EVENT: Although we generally think of emotions as experiences of individuals, a great deal of recent research demonstrates that emotions are often socially formed and serve social roles. Societies define when certain emotions are appropriate and often cultivate individuals to experience these emotions in particular circumstances. By endorsing or condemning the experiencing and displaying of particular emotions, groups seek to regulate the behavior of their members. A prime example of the effort at shaping emotional experience is how societies through a variety of media, written, visual, oral, deploy the emotion of “fear.” A group can come to be defined by the people or developments it should fear. The politics of fear is rampant in our world today, as the events of the past year amply demonstrates. Cultures, religions, and societies, however, have endorsed or condemned “fear” over the course of human history. “Fear” is the most commonly mentioned emotion throughout the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). Although there has been a good deal written about “fear” in the Tanakh, including both the fear of God and the fear of humans, the limited analysis of references to “fear” in rabbinic texts has focused primarily upon the fear of the divine, with little investigation of what these texts say about interpersonal fear. In my shiur I will examine what early rabbinic texts say about who and what we ought and ought not to fear. We will come to see how these texts seek to shape the emotions and behaviors of both individuals and groups....

10/19/20

Jewish Debates about Marital Intimacy

ABOUT THE EVENT: This class will explore the two-millenium Jewish debate on marital intimacy, from espionage in the Talmudic bedroom to the contentious ultra-Orthodox division of today. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Noam Zion is a Research Fellow of the Kogod Research Center at the Shalom Hartman Institute since 1978....

10/19/20

Inspired Torah Wisdom for our Times of Radical Uncertainty

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz Presents: "Inspired Torah Wisdom for our Times of Radical Uncertainty" Learn more and Register AT THIS LINK

10/16/20

Awe: Perspectives from Psychological Science and Jewish Tradition

A virtual session presented by Professor Michelle "Lani" Shiota. ABOUT THIS EVENT: ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Michelle "Lani" Shiota is an associate professor of social psychology at Arizona State University....

10/06/20

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Her Legacy While Standing on One Foot

ABOUT THIS EVENT: The nation mourned the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg earlier this year, but what made her important? Why was RBG notorious?...

09/30/20

PANEL DISCUSSION – Environmental Activism: Judaism, Ecology, and Social Change

REGISTER HERE Valley Beit Midrash is proud to partner with Arizona State University for the annual Judaism, Science & Medicine Group conference. The Judaism, Science and Medicine Group (JSMG) is an international organization of natural and social scientists, philosophers, historians, physicians, rabbis, theologians and educators who act to promote and facilitate a close relationship between Jewish religion, cultures and values, and the sciences, for the mutual benefit of both....

09/30/20

The Habitability of Our Nearest Exoplanet Neighbor and What Does It Mean to You

A virtual presentation hosted by Professor Evgenya Shkolnik EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: Exoplanets are everywhere, and in fact, outnumber the stars in our galaxy. Of these, billions of them are potentially habitable, including our nearest neighbor, 'Proxima b’, which lies only 4 lightyears away....

09/24/20

Till Death Do Us Part: Family Life and the Afterlife in Jewish Thought

A virtual presentation by Dr. David Shyovitz....

09/23/20

Are Pit Bulls Really Dangerous? Reflections on Rabbinic Constructions of Risk

A virtual event presented by Dr. Beth Berkowitz EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: People used to fear bloodhounds....

09/22/20

Strangers in a Strange Text: Non-Jews in (and around) the Talmud

EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: In this event, will examine how the Talmud has been a site for tensions and relationships among Jews and non-Jews throughout the centuries. Our session will combine a historical overview with text study....

09/21/20

Emergent Judaism: How an Ancient Tradition Gets New Ideas

EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The paradox within any tradition is that it is supposed to be old, venerable and stable and yet, in order to stay alive and relevant, it needs to change. Judaism is a strong tradition that has survived for thousands of years....

09/21/20

The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility

A virtual event presented by Elliott Rabin EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Elliott Rabin is the Director of Thought Leadership at Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools, where he edits Prizmah's magazine HaYidion. ABOUT THE EVENT: Why are biblical characters so often portrayed as less-than-heroic?...

09/21/20

The Soul of a Stranger: Reading God and Torah from a Transgender Perspective

A virtual event presented by Dr. Joy Ladin EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: Reading some of the best-known Torah stories through the lens of transgender experience, Joy Ladin will explore fundamental questions about how religious texts, traditions, and the understanding of God can be enriched by transgender perspectives, and how the Torah and trans lives can illuminate one another. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr....

09/21/20

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi: Interreligious Pioneer

A virtual event presented by Rabbi Or Rose EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: Trained as a HaBaD-Lubavitch rabbis in the 1940s, Zalman Schachter-Shalomi soon began a wide-ranging exploration of other religious and humanistic traditions Over the next several decades this brought him into close contact with such luminaries as Howard Thurman, Thomas Merton, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In this interactive presentation, we will examine Reb Zalman’s (a more informal title he preferred) pioneering and idiosyncratic interreligious journey and the spiritual and ethical principles that emerged from these experiments in dialogue....

09/21/20

Exploring Human Dignity in Jewish Thought!

ABOUT THIS EVENT: In this session, Rabbi Shmuly will explore the Biblical and Rabbinic understandings of kavod habriot (human dignity) and the moral relevance of these theologies and ethics today! This class will include both text study and inspiring stories.

09/11/20

Arizona Jews for Justice: Jewish & Native American Dialogue

Join Eddie Chavez Calderon and Native activist & public speaker Rosetta Walker from the Rosebud Sioux tribe for an engaging ZOOM conversation. September 22 @ 9 AM PDT RSVP: eddieazjews4justice@gmail.com Suggested Donation: $18

09/10/20

Arizona Jews for Justice: Jewish-Native Dialogue: What Does Tradition & Ritual Mean To Me?

Join AJJ's Eddie Chavez Calderon and Native community leader and advocate Debbi Nez Manuel for a Zoom conversation about the role of ritual and tradition.

09/10/20

Are We Alone? Reason, Religion, and the Search for Life in the Universe

A virtual presentation by Professor Ariel Anbar EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: The religions of the world - including Jewish tradition - give humanity a central role. The clash between science and religion is fundamentally a consequence of science demoting humanity from this pedestal....

09/01/20

The Jewish Response to Hunger & Poverty

Join Arizona Jews for Justice and our partners at AJWS and MAZON for an educational ZOOM webinar on the Jewish RESPONSE to hunger and poverty!

09/01/20

As Long as the Candle Burns, Repair is Possible: Rav Yisrael Salanter and The Mussar Movement

A virtual presentation by Rabbi Steven Exler EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Rabbi Steven Exler serves as Senior Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale – The Bayit, a large open Orthodox synagogue in the Bronx. He grew up in Baltimore, MD, has a B.A....

09/01/20

Is the State of Israel the Beginning of the Final Redemption

A virtual class with Rabbi Dov Lipman EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dov Lipman was elected to the 19th Knesset in January 2013. He is the author of seven books about Judaism and Israel, and holds rabbinic ordination from Ner Israel Rabbinical College and a masters in education from Johns Hopkins University....

08/31/20

Arizona Jews for Justice: Police Accountability & Faith Leadership

A virtual social action learning event with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz & Umar Hakim ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Rabbi Dr....

08/28/20

On Chanukah: Lighting our Inner Souls

A virtual class with Rabbi Avi Weiss EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Avi Weiss founded Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in 1999 and is also the founder of Yeshivat Maharat. He is founding Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, a congregation of 850 families in Bronx, NY....

08/28/20

“For In the Image of God Was Adam Created” – Jewish Attitudes to the ‘Other’: Xenophobic Bias vs. Expansive Inclusion in the Judaic Tradition

A virtual class presented by Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS CLASS: Who is Adam? Are all humans created in God’s image?...

08/28/20

Can an Israeli-Palestinian Confederation Work?

A Virtual Event With Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: For nearly three decades, the Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict faltered at the negotiating table....

08/28/20

Politics and Torah: What Should We Learn From One About The Other?

A virtual event with Rabbi David Wolpe EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Named one of the 500 Most Influential People in Los Angeles in 2016 and again in 2017, Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem Post, David Wolpe is the Max Webb Senior Rabbi of Sinai Temple. Rabbi Wolpe previously taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, Hunter College, and UCLA....

08/26/20

Chanukah: Cultivating Courage for Righteous Action

Join Valley Beit for this virtual event! EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: During dark and turbulent days, we need courage more than ever. But instead, if we are honest, we are often filled with fear. In this session, we will explore insights and practices that help us deal with our fear wisely and connect with our innate courage in order to help us move forward to bring blessing to ourselves and to others....

08/21/20

Incredible Stories from the Front Lines: Confronting Complex Ethical Scenarios and Dilemmas in the Hospital

Join Valley Beit Midrash for this virtual event! Co-hosted by: ABOUT THIS EVENT: A discussion of key principles of the most essential Jewish medical ethics dilemmas that arise in contemporary healthcare....

08/21/20

Beyond Polarization: Judaism and our Public Culture

Join us for this virtual event! EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: America faces unprecedented levels of unrest and animus towards "the other." Can Jewish wisdom contribute to a healthier American public conversation?...

08/21/20

Torah & Song: Rabbinic Tributes to the Life & Service of Rabbi Micah Caplan, ztz”l

An hour-long virtual session with rabbinic voices to honor the life and service of Rabbi Micah Caplan, of blessed memory. Speaker Line-up Brianah Caplan with an opening musical tribute Rabbi Dr....

08/14/20

Solomonic Justice: Is Dual Motherhood a Halakhic Possibility?

In this virtual session, with Rabbi Ysoscher Katz, we will explore Surrogacy and Motherhood! ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Ysoscher Katz is the Chair of the Department of Talmud at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah....

08/13/20

Judaism and the Environmental Crisis

A virtual session led by Professor Hava Tirosh-Samuelson EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: CO-SPONSORED BY: ABOUT THIS EVENT: We live in the midst of a massive eco-crisis that challenges not only the future of human life but the future of life itself on Earth. The eco-crisis has challenged all world religions to reexamine their attitudes toward nature and reinterpret their tradition in response to the crisis. Since the 1970s in the diaspora and in Israel, Jews have become more environmentally aware and concerned, giving rise to Jewish environmental movement. This lecture highlights the ethics of care and responsibility that undergird Jewish environmental activism. The Sabbath, the Sabbatical Year (Shemitah), the prohibition on wanton destruction (Bal Tashchit), the concern for the welfare of animals (Tza`ar Ba`aley Hayim), and the laws of Kashrut offer the inspiration for Jewish religious environmentalism that links concern for the environment to worship of God and to social justice. The lecture highlights leading Jewish environmental organizations in the US, explores the relevance of environmentalism for Jewish moral education, and encourages interfaith activism. ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Hava Tirosh-Samuelson is Regents Professor of History, Irving and Miriam Lowe Professor of Modern Judaism, and Director of Jewish Studies at Arizona State University. She holds a Ph.D....

08/12/20

Do Jews Believe in Heaven?

A virtual session led by Rabbi Marc Gellman. EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: ABOUT THE SPEAKER: In 1972, Rabbi Marc Gellman was the youngest rabbi ever ordained by the Hebrew Union College. He is presently the Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Torah in Melville, New York, where he was elected to the pulpit in 1981. Rabbi Gellman was the president of the New York Board of Rabbis during the attacks of 9/11 and delivered one of the three principal speeches at the 9/11 memorial service September 24, 2001....

08/12/20

Lessons From My Teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz

In this interview-style session, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz will interview Rabbi Pinchas Allouche about his teacher, the late Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz....

08/11/20

Tears and Laughter: The Spiritual and Emotional Journey Through the High Holidays

A new virtual class presented by Estelle Frankel. ABOUT THIS EVENT: The High Holidays take us on a journey through the full range of human emotions....

07/22/20

Annual Hammerman Lecture – “The Seismic Shift in American Jewish Life – Where Are We Headed?”

A virtual event presented by Dr. Daniel Gordis....

07/16/20

“Concealed”— Memoir of a Jewish/Iranian Daughter Caught Between the Chador and America

Virtual event facilitated by Elana Storch ABOUT THE BOOK: Esther Amini grew up in Queens, New York during the freewheeling 1960s. She also grew up in a Persian-Jewish household, the American-born daughter of parents who had fled Mashhad, Iran....

07/14/20

A Wave Theory Approach to Unethical Aspects of Torah

A virtual presentation taught by Rabbi Dr. Zev Farber ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Zev Farber is a fellow for Project TABS (Torah and Biblical Scholarship) and the editor of its website, TheTorah.com....

07/13/20

Re-examining Our Moral Obligations to the Other

ABOUT THIS SESSION: In this class, we will explore how the mitzvah of tzedakah challenges us to expand our moral horizon. To do this we will analyze a Talmudic story through the lens of provocative thinkers such as Emmanuel Levinas, Slavoj Zizek, and Rebbe Nachman of Breslov....

07/10/20

Can We Talk About God?

Presented by Rabbi Dr. Darren Kleinberg in a virtual setting!...

07/07/20

What’s Our Response to a Sex Offender Who Says He Has Repented?

Presented by Rabbi Dov Linzer in a virtual setting! ABOUT THIS EVENT: ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Rabbi Dov Linzer is the President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, and is the primary architect of its groundbreaking curriculum of Torah, Halakha, pastoral counseling, and professional training....

07/06/20

Hope & Light: An Hour of Musical Inspiration!

Maya Abramson with music and Rabbi Shmuly with Torah! ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Maya Elise Abramson is an Oakland, CA based musician, songwriter, & song leader who’s work empowers individuals and communities to use song as a way to heal, uplift, grieve, and connect.

07/01/20

SCHOLARS’ CIRCLE – Bonus Session – Superman Smashes the Klan

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang (writer), Gurihiru, (art) and Janice Chiang (Letters) Facilitated by AJ Frost ABOUT THE BOOK: The year is 1946. Teenagers Roberta and Tommy Lee just moved with their parents from Chinatown to the center of Metropolis, home to the famous hero, Superman....

06/19/20

Dan Nadel’s Wandering Song: An Afternoon of Mystical Music & Poetic Prayer

Blending his roots in flamenco, jazz and Middle-Eastern music, guitarist Dan Nadel presents The Wandering Song Ensemble, a partnership with a cohort of expert musicians from around the world. They engage with piyutim (Jewish liturgical poetry) as a foundation for musical exploration, showcasing Jewish heritage through universal sounds....

06/16/20

Practice Spiritual Writing with Rabbi Shmuly

In this 1 hour session, Rabbi Shmuly will guide us to take pen to paper and reflect on our inner lives and our outer communal and societal experience. This is a chance to not only connect with one another but to deepen our inner clarity and inner calm through the art of spiritual writing....

06/15/20

LEARN CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH – CLASS 5

FINAL CLASS

06/08/20

LEARN CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH – CLASS 4

06/01/20

LEARN CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH – CLASS 3

05/26/20

LEARN CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH – CLASS 2

05/19/20

SCHOLARS’ CIRCLE – Here All Along

Here All Along by Sarah Hurwitz Facilitated by Judi Gottschalk Tuesday, September 8 ABOUT THE BOOK: Hurwitz was the quintessential lapsed Jew—until, at age thirty-six, after a tough breakup, she happened upon an advertisement for an introductory class on Judaism. She attended on a whim, but was blown away by what she found: beautiful rituals, helpful guidance on living an ethical life, conceptions of God beyond the judgy bearded man in the sky—none of which she had learned in Hebrew school or during the two synagogue services she grudgingly attended each year....

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS HAS CLOSED. ABOUT THIS VIRTUAL CLASS: As we journey from the freedom of Passover to the responsibility of Shavuot, let's reflect on revelation and our inherited tradition. Join Rabbi Shmuly in this new inspiring text study session!...

04/17/20

Spiritual Hope

REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED Virtual Torah Learning! Join Rav Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, for a special Zoom learning session titled "Spiritual Hope!" Wednesday, April 1 at 1 pm PST (Zoom log-in code will be given upon RSVP)....

03/26/20

POSTPONED: A Jewish Journey In The White House And Beyond

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: From 2009 to 2017, Sarah Hurwitz served as a White House speechwriter, first for President Barack Obama and then as the chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama. Hurwitz worked with Mrs....

02/18/20

Immortal Melodies: Songs of Remembrance and Hope

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Be renewed and hear the sweet sounds of memory. Join Valley Beit Midrash and Arizona Jews for Justice for a night of song, remembrance, and hope....

01/09/20

Systems of Confinement & The Dignities of Freedom

08/30/19

The Prophetess: A Modern Story About Rachel, An American Teen Called to Join a Secret Community of Jewish Prophets

REGISTRATION CLOSED WALK UPS WELCOME-ABOUT THIS EVENT: The Prophetess tells a modern story about Rachel, an American teenage girl called to join a secret community of Jewish prophets. The story weaves Jewish tradition, mysticism, modern Jewish American life, and discovery of Isreal, into a coming-of-age story of a girl discovering her power and purpose in life....

08/29/19

Was The Golem Jewish? Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and Jewish Identity

REGISTRATION CLOSED, WALK UPS WELCOME LM

08/16/19

Rabbi Google: Jewish Law, the Internet, and the Power of Online Torah

07/24/19

Are Jewish Law & Jewish Values Separate Philosophical Systems?

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS NOW CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THIS CLASS: In this new session, Rabbi Shmuly will examine texts that explore the relationship between law and values....

07/23/19

Wisdom from Reb Zalman: Embracing the Jewish Spirit

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS STILL WELCOME** ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Rabbi Dr....

07/15/19

If Not Now, When? A Social Justice Retreat

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Join Valley Beit Midrash and Arizona Jews for Justice for a social justice retreat that will recharge your spiritual batteries and awaken your sense for reflection & renewal! Over the course of this three-day retreat, participants will take in a reflective Shabbat dinner, participate in workshops, and enjoy a festive barbecue to celebrate the efforts of all the work we have done so far over the last several months....

07/10/19

Immigrant Rights in the Bible & Talmud

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In this fascinating class, Rabbi Dr....

07/05/19

“Tikkun Olam”: Exploring the Concept of Repairing the World Throughout Jewish Intellectual History!

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) is a concept often invoked but rarely understood....

06/07/19

We Were Strangers in Egypt: Our Attitude as Jews to non-Jewish Strangers

REGISTRATION CLOSED, WALK UPS WELCOME: ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The Torah only tells us how to relate to converts, leaving us with no instructions with regard to aliens/strangers. ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Zvi Zohar is a senior research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute....

06/04/19

All Jews are Jews by Birth: Are Jews a Faith Community?

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: A person born as a Jew remains a Jew, however s/he behaves. Surprisingly, this is stated in the Talmud only with regard to one kind of Jew: a former Gentile who became Jewish by the halakhic process of giyyur....

06/04/19

Reflections on the Conflict, Anti-Zionism, and American Jews.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Micha, a rabbi and writer, who has lived in Israel for the past 32 years, will share snapshots from his personal experience as an Israeli, an American Jew, and a journalist on the current debate about Zionism, the conflict and Israel. Why do emotions on this issue run so high, and disagreements hurt so much?...

05/13/19

Shabbos in Somalia: Reflections on Judaism and the Global South

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Rabbi Micha Odenheimer covered stories and crises in Africa and Asia for Haaretz, the Washington Post and others, beginning with the Ethiopian aliyah in 1991 and continuing with Haiti, Somalia, Iraq, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia....

05/13/19

VBM OPENING EVENT – Time to Change? Jewish Identity for the 21st Century – First Sherman Minkoff Memorial Lecture – REGISTRATION CLOSED, WALK UPS WELCOME

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Dr. Erica Brown is an associate professor of curriculum and pedagogy at The George Washington University and the director of its Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership....

05/09/19

The Hammerman Family Lecture – Almighty? No Way! Embracing the God We Actually Love

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME." ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Many of us struggle with questions of faith, God, meaning....

05/09/19

Violence, Morality and Megillat Esther

05/08/19

POSTPONED: Emergent Judaism: How an Ancient Tradition Gets New Ideas

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The paradox within any tradition is that it is supposed to be old, venerable and stable and yet, in order to stay alive and relevant, it needs to change. Judaism is a strong tradition that has survived for thousands of years....

REGISTRATION CLOSED, WALK UPS WELCOME: ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In the classical Jewish tradition, to be Jewish is to be born into a covenant and the mitzvot. In this workshop, we consider how twentieth-century Jewish philosophers reworked rabbinic understandings of obligation to speak to the realities of life in the modern era....

05/08/19

There’s a Riot Goin’ On”: Violence in Rabbinic Thought

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS NOW CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THIS LECTURE: We read the story of Jonah every Yom Kippur but have we studied it in depth yet?...

05/03/19

Understanding Human Suffering: Theological, Moral, & Spiritual Explorations

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THIS LECTURE: How might we spiritually respond to our own pain and suffering?...

04/29/19

Elijah the Prophet: The Jewish Superhero who Never Died

REGISTRATION CLOSED, WALK UPS WELCOME: ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Elijah the prophet appears in the Bible as a fierce champion of God, slaughtering the false prophets of Baal and inspiring the Israelites to reaffirm their belief in YHVH. At the end of his time on earth, according to the Bible, he ascended to heaven in a fiery chariot, escaping death....

04/16/19

Judaism and Reproductive Justice: Reframing the Jewish Conversation on Abortion from Torah to Today.

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In this class we will explore the continuing dialogue within Judaism around issues of reproductive health, specifically focusing on abortion....

04/09/19

Jewish Power and Jewish Vulnerability in the Age of Trump

***REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME*** ABOUT THE LECTURE: Professor Beinart will help explain the very different visions that left and right-leaning Jews have about Trump, Israel and anti-Semitism....

02/06/19

Illustrating the Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THIS EVENT: In "Illustrating the Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel…Or: Everything I Needed To Know About the Haggadah I Learned From Batman," veteran comic book creator and editor Jordan B....

01/16/19

Who Gave You Permission? The Memoir of a Child Sexual-Abuse Survivor Who Fought Back

***REGISTRATION CLOSED, WALK UPS WELCOME!*** ABOUT THE LECTURE: Manny Waks was raised in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family, the second oldest of 17 children. As an adolescent he was sexually abused at the religious school across the road from where he lived....

12/11/18

Music and the Holocaust: Musical Stolpersteine and Recovered Music from the Holocaust

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Dr....

12/06/18

Water and Food Security in Israel and Beyond: Can We Do Better?

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED. WALK-UPS STILL WELCOME** The world, stimulated by population growth, climate instability, desertification, and rising lifestyles, is facing severe water and food security problems that are getting worse every year....

11/14/18

Mussar and Film: Movies That Help Us Grow!

Movies are not simply entertainments. They also can serve as vehicles for self-discovery....

10/24/18

Nurturing Your Child’s Creativity at Home

ABOUT THE EVENT: Art, technology and science are great areas to develop your child’s creativity and imagination. In this session, you will learn how to use methods such as questioning, providing feedback and creating home projects to inspire your child to think and do things more creatively....

09/13/18

LGBT Shabbat

A Shabbat dinner for LGBTQ+ Jew & allies to join together, reflect, renew our spiritual selves, and brainstorm ways to build our community and create meaningful change together! We are here to listen to you and support you!...

09/05/18

Hammerman Family Lecture – The Search for the Sacred: The Jewish Debate with Modernity

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Ed Feinstein is senior rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California....

08/31/18

What Does a Jewish Community Really Look Like?

The Torah teaches that people are not meant to go through this world alone. Yet, too often, we struggle to engage with a definition of a "Jewish establishment" because of the decentralized nature of Jewish community structures....

08/13/18

Unequal Justice? Jew/Non-Jew Distinctions in Civil and Criminal Halakha

One of our basic democratic principles is that everyone deserves equal treatment under the law. In religious law, however, there tends to be a privileging of those who are members of the faith over those who are not....

08/13/18

Jews on the Big Screen: Understanding New Israeli Film and Television

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

08/13/18

Iran is Closer Than You Think: The ‘Iranian’ Talmud

As its very name indicates, the Talmud Bavli was produced in Babylonia in the centuries following the compilation of the Mishnah. But politically and culturally speaking, Talmudic Babylonia was actually at the center of a powerful IranianEmpire....

08/13/18

Jewish Social Justice: What Type of Courage Do We Need Today?

Social justice is imbued in Jewish thought. Indeed, We learn that no less than thirty-six times throughout the Torah, we are commanded to love and protect the stranger, the refugee, and the immigrant....

08/13/18

Making Enemies into Friends

This lecture will be an articulation of the Torah's mandates toward encountering our enemies and transforming them into friends, including the exception for the category of Amalek, and the reasons for this. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, Ph.D is the President of the Academy for Jewish Religion, California....

***EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS*** This class will look at the history of vaccinations in the Jewish religious community and analyze the Jewish ethical principles that surround the topic. We will focus on responsibility for one's self, one's inner circle, one's community, and the global community at large, as well as the concept of herd immunity and pandemics according to Jewish law....

08/13/18

Artificial Reproductive Technologies and the Jewish Tradition

*** EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS*** This session will reflect on the Jewish approaches to assisted reproductive technologies including artificial insemination, IVF, and. surrogacy....

08/13/18

Jewish Identity and Justice

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALK UPS WELCOME!*** Rooted in the week's Parsha, we will explore the text through lenses of Jewish Identity, Community and Justice....

08/13/18

A Community of ‘Others’: Jews, Peoplehood, and Justice

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALK UPS WELCOME!*** Together we will explore the multi-layered complexities of social identities and what it means for Jewish communities to be inclusive, exclusive, and expansive....

08/13/18

Existentialist Messianism

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALK UPS WELCOME!*** Martin Buber ended a 1909 lecture he gave in Prague with a parable suggesting that each of us is responsible for bringing the Messiah....

08/13/18

Maimonides on Who Wrote the Torah

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED|WALK-UPS WELCOME** Maimonides says in his Commentary on the Mishnah and his Mishneh Torah that Moses wrote every word of the Torah at the dictation of God. But Maimonides also says that God can't talk, and that anyone who thinks God can talk is an idolater....

08/13/18

Etrog: How a Chinese Fruit Became a Jewish Symbol

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALK UPS WELCOME!*** Every year before the holiday of Sukkot, Jews all around the world purchase an etrog—a lemon-like fruit—to participate in the holiday ritual....

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALK UPS WELCOME!*** Elie Wiesel, who passed away July 2, 2016, was a Holocaust witness, human rights activist, author, and confidant of presidents and prime ministers....

08/13/18

Human cloning and Embryo research: The Ethical and Jewish Legal Implications

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALK UPS WELCOME!*** Within the last few decades, medical technological developments have changed the landscape for what is possible for medical treatments....

08/13/18

Withholding/Withdrawing Treatment of the Terminally Ill

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALK UPS WELCOME!*** Pikuach Nefesh (saving a life), as well as kavod haBriyot (human dignity), are central principles in Jewish law....

08/13/18

A Jewish Approach to the Afterlife

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALK UPS WELCOME!*** Angels with harps?...

08/13/18

Jewish Literacy: The Importance of the Page

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** The Jews are often called “The People of Book” (or alternatively, “The Prosen People”), but how obsessed are Jews with the written word?...

08/13/18

Fresh Perspective: Supporting Jews With Special Needs

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALK UPS WELCOME!*** "Special Needs" – "Disability" – "Inclusion" – so many ways to describe individuals in our community who have differences....

08/13/18

Women are from Genesis, Men are from Leviticus! Does Gender Read the Bible?

***REGISTRATION CLOSED. WALKS UPS WELCOME!*** In theory, gender is fluid....

08/13/18

Discovering God in the Natural World: Insights from Kabbalah and Hasidism

***REGISTRATION TO THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** Divine sparks beneath the surface of the mundane....

08/13/18

Is the Human Being Divine? Soul and Body in Jewish Mystical Thought

**REGISTRATION TO THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** Influential kabbalists argued that the soul is the essence of a person and that the soul is a direct emanation from God....

08/13/18

Love of Neighbor, Love of God: How the Two are One in Jewish Mystical Thought

08/13/18

A Father’s Story: My Fight for Justice Against Iranian Terror

**REGISTRATION TO THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** This is the story of one brave father's determination to bring his daughter's murderers to justice through the American justice system....

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** Jewish thinkers commonly argue that the Torah is meant to provide a complete, all-pervasive guide to Jewish life....

08/13/18

The Art of Charity: What Does it Mean to Really Give?

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** Charity is an essential part of the Jewish approach to a fulfilled life....

08/13/18

Eating Ethically: Religion and Science for a Better Diet

**REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED. WALK-UPS WELCOME** Few activities are as essential to human flourishing as eating, and fewer still are as ethically fraught....

08/13/18

Stumbling Stones: The Oldest Form of Jewish Spirituality

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

07/13/18

A Restoration of All Things—An Intra-Faith Introduction to Mormon History & Theology

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

06/27/18

How To Break Out Of Tribalism and Still Be Proudly Jewish

Updated Lecture Topic - It could be argued that tribalism, valuing one's own group more than others, often leading to hurting others, has become one of the defining problems in our generation. But how does one balance that against the call by our very religion to act, in so many ways, as a tribe?...

06/22/18

The Change-Making Power Of Community

THIS EVENT IS OPEN EXCLUSIVELY TO YOUNG JEWISH PROFESSIONALS IN PHOENIX We have been inundated recently with stories about how "echo chambers" hurt political discourse and make it harder to affect positive change. But what if there was more to the story?...

06/22/18

Book Launch ~ Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS CLOSED Please join Valley Beit Midrash as we celebrate the launch of Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz's latest book, Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary....

06/13/18

Cultivating Spiritual Awe & Living a Life of Learning!

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz will lead a day-time discussion at The Palazzo in Phoenix about awakening your spiritual awareness and elevating your soul through learning....

06/08/18

Choosing the Right School for Your Child

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. ABOUT THIS CLASS: Public, charter or private school?...

06/05/18

From Punishment to Compassion

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

05/09/18

Saving God From True Believers: (It’s the Least We Can Do for Him After Everything He Did for Us)

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

05/06/18

Navigating Change and Tradition: A Case Study

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. Modernity emphasizes human autonomy....

05/06/18

OPENING LECTURE OF THE SEASON – Wise Aging: Getting Good at Getting Older!

Occasionally, we meet an older person we admire and think: “I want to be like her when I grow up. I want to be wise, joyful, grateful, compassionate, patient, funny, curious, optimistic!” As Estelle Reiner said in the classic deli scene from When Harry Met Sally: “I want what she’s having.” The question for us as we get older is: what do I need to do now to become the eighty-five-year-old I someday hope to be?...

04/22/18

Honoring Women Within Judaism: Sexism, Sexuality and Spirituality of Modern Judaism

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. At a moment where the importance of hearing women’s voices in contemporary spaces in business, medicine, the arts, and politics is a growing need, Rabbi Elana Kanter (The Women's Jewish Learning Center) and psychologist Dr....

04/04/18

Raising Resilient Children

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

04/03/18

Secular Education in Hasidic Yeshivas: Why We Should All Care

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

02/26/18

Preparing for Shavuot! Exploring Tensions Between Tradition & Innovation

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz will explore texts, in preparation for Shavuot, on the tension between tradition and innovation in Jewish law and philosophy.

02/14/18

Interreligious Engagement & Building Community in 2018

Rabbi David Sandmel A look and conversation at fostering interreligious understanding and collaborative work to support vulnerable and marginalized communities. Rabbi Sandmel, treasurer of IJCIC, is a scholar of Jewish-Christian relations and interfaith activist....

12/28/17

The Rabbi and the Sheikh: A Tale of an Inter-Faith Quest and a Human Relationship in 18th Century Damascus

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

12/27/17

Inclusiveness as a Religious Value: Sephardic Rabbinic Response to a Major Challenge of Modernity

Community Panel Discussion There are so many different rituals, holidays, prayers, & community events. But what is their ultimate purpose?...

08/27/17

The Jewish Story? Inclusion, Exclusion, and the Jewish ‘Other’ Within

Professor Aaron Hahn Tapper Jews and non-Jews frequently speak about “the Jews” as if they are a single, cohesive, interconnected group. But whether in their previous incarnations as Hebrews, Israelites, or Judeans, Jews have never been uniform or homogenous....

08/27/17

Transcending the Great Right-Left Divide in Israel Through Spirituality

08/27/17

Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life – Daytime

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. Join Valley Beit Midrash as we welcome Dr....

08/27/17

New Approaches to Jewish Spirituality!

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. Community Panel Discussion On the one hand, Jewish spirituality is timeless....

08/27/17

Judaism, Justice, and Holiness

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

08/27/17

Jewish Megatrends: Charting the Course of the American Jewish Future

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. Rabbi Dr....

08/27/17

Some Basic Principles of Kabbalistic Spirituality

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. What distinguishes the world-view of the kabbalist from other kinds of Jews?...

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. Rabbi Haim Ovadia The different cultures and religious approaches of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews are products of over a thousand years of living under the rule of two opposing religions, Islam and Christianity....

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

08/27/17

Jewish Wisdom on Actualizing Your Unique Life Potential – Part 1

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

08/26/17

An Evening of the Liturgical Poetry of the Sephardic World

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted....

08/25/17

How is Anti-Semitism Used in the American Jewish Conversation

American Jews have always been anxious about anti-Semitism, even in times when occurrences of anti-Semitism are quite low. We are nervous when anti-Semitism exists and we are nervous when it doesn’t....

08/25/17

Emerging Challenges & Opportunities for Our Local Jewish Community!

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. The Greater Phoenix Jewish community is dynamic and growing....

08/25/17

Ambition Addiction: How to Go Slow, Give Thanks, and Discover Joy Within

Benjamin Shalva Join Valley Beit Midrash as we welcome Rabbi Benjamin Shalva for a thought provoking discussion on his latest book, Ambition Addiction: How to Go Slow, Give Thanks, and Discover Joy Within. Rabbi Benjamin Shalva About the Author: I am a writer, rabbi, yoga instructor, meditation teacher, and spiritual guide born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and residing now in Reston, Virginia with my wife, Sara, and our two children....

08/25/17

Rav Shmuly at Taste of Limmud

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz will present one of three sessions at Taste of Limmud, a one-night mini Limmud event that will give you a feel for what is to come at the full Limmud AZ event....

08/25/17

Can I Trust You? Kashrut, Social Dynamics, and Jewish Unity

Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz A lecture describing Rav Aaron’s alternative Kosher supervision project Hashgacha Pratit that has been making waves in Israel, disrupting the troublesome dynamics between religion and state. Rabbi Aaron is the founder of ‘Hashgacha Pratit’, an alternative community based Kosher food supervision challenging the monopoly of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. His smicha is from Rabbis Shlomo Riskin and Chaim Brovender....

08/25/17

Chutzpah & High Heels: The Search for Love and Identity in the Holy Land – Evening

Registration for this event is now closed. Walks ups will be accepted. Join Valley Beit Midrash as we welcome Jessica Sara Fishman for a thought provoking discussion on her latest book, Chutzpah & High Heels: The Search for Love and Identity in the Holy Land....

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz will lead a discussion about selichot (penitential poems and prayers) during an evening of learning!...

08/25/17

Next Generation Judaism: How College Students and Hillel Can Help Reinvent Jewish Organizations

Join Valley Beit Midrash as we welcome Rabbi Mike Uram for a thought provoking discussion on his latest book, Next Generation Judaism: How College Students and Hillel Can Help Reinvent Jewish Organizations. About the Author: Rabbi Mike Uram is the Executive Director and Campus Rabbi for the Hillel at University of Pennsylvania and the author of the new book entitled, Next Generation Judaism: How College Students and Hillel Can Help Reinvent Jewish Organizations, which recently won a National Jewish Book Award....

08/25/17

Do We Always Have to Forgive?

Forgiveness can be difficult – sometimes too difficult. During the course of this panel, panelists will explore the scope of Jewish “forgiveness ” whether tradition requires us to forgive or not, and the related dynamics and tensions inherent in the act....

07/27/17

Film Screening: Hiding and Seeking

In a testimony to the power of tolerance, filmmaker Menachem Daum, his wife, and their sons travel to a Polish town where his father-in-law and his two brothers hid from the Nazis with a non-Jewish family for 28 months. Daum proposes the journey when he becomes increasingly worried that his ultraorthodox sons, who live in Israel, have become affected by a culture of interfaith intolerance and distrust....

03/30/24

The 10 Greatest Jewish Ideas: Everything Matters

In this 10-part class series, Rabbi Shmuly will explore, what he proposes to be, the 10 most amazing Jewish insights that have transformed and beautified the world for millennia.

Tags

Insights

About the Speaker:
Dr. Nadav Shifman Berman is a research fellow at the Faculty of Law, University of Haifa. Nadav’s research explores Jewish Thought vis-a-vis Pragmatism on the one hand and vis-à-vis Agape on the other. More broadly, Nadav’s research investigates the dialectic between pragmatism(s) and fundamentalism(s). In collaboration with Prof. Tal Z. Zarsky of the University of Haifa, Nadav leads an ISF-funded project on intersections between Law, Technology, and Jewish Thought. Before his IDF service, Nadav studied at Yeshivat Ma’aleh Gilbo’a (shiluv 4).

Tags

Jewish Texts

Holidays: Purim

03/26/24

Is Judaism a Religion? New Perspectives on the Old Notion of ‘Dat’ in the Scroll of Esther

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Nadav Shifman Berman

Tags

Jewish Texts

Holidays: Purim

03/26/24

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #45 Kwame Anthony Appiah

Enjoy the 45th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Class: In this class series, Rabbi Shmuly will teach 45 classes, each about a different philosopher. The common thread of this series is exploring influential philosophers and how their teachings and beliefs relate to Jewish values and traditions.

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

03/22/24

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #45 Kwame Anthony Appiah

Enjoy the 45th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

03/22/24

A Conversation with Tara Strong: Using Her Powerful Voice for Justice for Israeli Hostages

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz has a conversation with Tara Strong. A renowned actress known for her talented voice work in animation & now for her powerful voice for justice for Israeli hostages.

Tara Strong began her acting career at the age of 13 in Toronto, Canada. She landed several TV, film, and musical theater roles as well as her first lead in an animated series as the title role of “Hello Kitty.” After a short run at Toronto’s Second City theater company, she moved to Los Angeles with an extensive resume that included her sit-com and well over 20 animated series. Upon arriving in Hollywood, she quickly made her mark in several TV and Film projects, such as “Party of Five,” “National Lampoon’s Senior Trip,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” and more. She has an iconic voice-over career, including roles such as Bubbles in “The Powerpuff Girls,” Timmy Turner in “The Fairly OddParents,” Dil Pickles in “Rugrats,” Raven in “Teen Titans,” “Batgirl,” “Family Guy,” “Drawn Together,” “Ben 10,” Melody in “The Little Mermaid 2,” “Spirited Away,” etc. She is Miss Collins on Nickelodeon’s “Big Time Rush” and the current voice of “Harley Quinn.” She is Emmy nominated, a Shorty Award winner, Twilight Sparkle in “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” and currently playing “Unikitty” in the new hit series. She appeared in the Hallmark Christmas movie, “A Very Merry Toy Store.” She has 350,000 Twitter followers and has used her social media to raise several hundred thousand dollars for kids with cancer and animal rescue groups, as well as using her commanding voices for her anti-bullying platform. She lives in Los Angeles. From between 2000 and 2019, she was married to former actor and real estate agent Craig Strong. However, the couple went their separate ways in July 2019 and, eventually, they formally divorced in January 2022. They have two sons together.
– IMDb Mini Biography By: Amazon Video X-Ray

Tags

Holidays: Purim

03/20/24

Parshat Vayikra: On the Unintended Consequences of Our Actions

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/19/24

Parshat Vayikra: On the Unintended Consequences of Our Actions

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/19/24

Liberalism’s Crises in Israel, and Elsewhere

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Mirsky

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel

About the Event:
Liberalism is in crisis everywhere, and everywhere the crises bear similarities and real differences. We will look at what has been going on in Israel, to understand it on its terms, as a Jewish and Democratic state, and about liberalism’s vicissitudes around the world.

About the Speaker:
Yehudah Mirsky is a Professor of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University and is on the faculty of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies. He was, in the Spring Semesters of 2022 and 2023, a Visiting Professor at Harvard University. A native New Yorker, he lives in Jerusalem with his family and is both an active scholar and committed activist.

His scholarship and teaching focus on the intersections of politics and religion, the historical and theological underpinnings of liberalism and human rights, and, in recent years, on ecological ethics. He teaches courses in Jewish Thought (medieval and modern), history of Zionism and the State of Israel, and political and ethical thought.

He served in the US State Department’s human rights bureau during the Clinton Administration as a Public Affairs Officer and Special Advisor and has written on religion, politics, and culture for The New York Times, The Washington Post, New Republic, The Economist, Foreign Policy, New Lines and many other publications. He also was an aide to then-Senators Bob Kerrey and Al Gore and worked at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the ACLU, and other NGOs. An ordained rabbi, he was the chaplain with the Red Cross after 9-11.

03/15/24

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #44 Martha Nussbaum

Enjoy the 44th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

03/15/24

Rising Anti-Semitism on American Campuses: A Conversation with Dara Horn

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz sits down with Dara Horn to talk about the rising anti-semitism on American campuses.

Dara Horn is the award-winning author of six books, including the novels In the Image (Norton 2002), The World to Come (Norton 2006), All Other Nights (Norton 2009), A Guide for the Perplexed (Norton 2013), and Eternal Life (Norton 2018), and the essay collection People Love Dead Jews (Norton 2021). One of Granta magazine’s Best Young American Novelists, she is the recipient of two National Jewish Book Awards, the Edward Lewis Wallant Award, the Harold U. Ribalow Award, and the Reform Judaism Fiction Prize, and she was a finalist for the JW Wingate Prize, the Simpson Family Literary Prize, and the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Her books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books, Booklist’s Best 25 Books of the Decade, and San Francisco Chronicle’s Best Books of the Year, and have been translated into eleven languages. Her nonfiction work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Smithsonian, and The Jewish Review of Books, among many other publications, and she is a regular columnist for Tablet. Horn received her doctorate in Yiddish and Hebrew literature from Harvard University. She has taught courses in these subjects at Sarah Lawrence College and Yeshiva University and has held the Gerald Weinstock Visiting Professorship in Jewish Studies at Harvard. She has lectured for audiences in hundreds of venues throughout North America, Israel, and Australia. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and four children.

Tags

Antisemitism

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

College and University

Interview

03/14/24

Rising Anti-Semitism on American Campuses: A Conversation with Dara Horn

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz sits down with Dara Horn to talk about the rising anti-semitism on American campuses.

Tags

Antisemitism

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

College and University

Interview

03/14/24

Hammerman Family Lecture: In the Haunted Present: Jews in a Non-Jewish World

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Dara Horn

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

About the Event:
In her latest book, acclaimed author Dara Horn explores a pointed question: Why do far too many people seem to love dead Jews, but ignore the living ones? In 2022, the Holocaust continues to make headlines, fill our films and fiction, and generate extraordinary interest far beyond our community. Yet ignorance and indifference towards Jew-hatred today seem to be higher than ever. What’s going on?

About the Speaker:
Dara Horn is the award-winning author of six books, including the novels In the Image (Norton 2002), The World to Come (Norton 2006), All Other Nights (Norton 2009), A Guide for the Perplexed (Norton 2013), and Eternal Life (Norton 2018), and the essay collection People Love Dead Jews (Norton 2021). One of Granta magazine’s Best Young American Novelists, she is the recipient of two National Jewish Book Awards, the Edward Lewis Wallant Award, the Harold U. Ribalow Award, and the Reform Judaism Fiction Prize, and she was a finalist for the JW Wingate Prize, the Simpson Family Literary Prize, and the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Her books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books, Booklist’s Best 25 Books of the Decade, and San Francisco Chronicle’s Best Books of the Year, and have been translated into eleven languages. Her nonfiction work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Smithsonian, and The Jewish Review of Books, among many other publications, and she is a regular columnist for Tablet. Horn received her doctorate in Yiddish and Hebrew literature from Harvard University. She has taught courses in these subjects at Sarah Lawrence College and Yeshiva University and has held the Gerald Weinstock Visiting Professorship in Jewish Studies at Harvard. She has lectured for audiences in hundreds of venues throughout North America, Israel, and Australia. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and four children.

Tags

Antisemitism

Dan earned his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2017 and lives with his wife and son in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he works in venture capital.

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/28/24

Parshat Ki Tisa: Looking at God’s Back

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/28/24

A Conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous: Losses of a Parent, Love, and Overall Loss

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yankolwiz converses with Rabbi Sharon Brous, founding and Senior Rabbi of IKAR.

Sharon Brous is the founding and senior rabbi of IKAR, a trail-blazing Jewish community based in Los Angeles. Built in 2004, IKAR has grown into a diverse, dynamic, multi-generational community, one of the fastest-growing and most influential in the country. Brous has been named #1 Most Influential Rabbi in the U.S. by Newsweek/The Daily Beast. She blessed both President Obama and President Biden at their National Inaugural Prayer Services, and her TED Talk “Reclaiming Religion” has been viewed 1.5 million times. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Washington Post. A New Yorker at heart, she’s grown deeply enamored of the sunshine and promise in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and children.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Death, Grief & Mourning

Interview

02/28/24

A Conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous: Losses of a Parent, Love, and Overall Loss

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yankolwiz converses with Rabbi Sharon Brous, founding and Senior Rabbi of IKAR.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Death, Grief & Mourning

Interview

02/28/24

Sherman Minkoff Memorial Lecture: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Sharon Brous

The event was co-hosted by Temple Solel

About the Event:
The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World, makes the case that in an era of loneliness, social alienation, and ideological extremism, our deepest spiritual work is finding our way to one other—in celebration, sorrow, and solidarity. Relationships of care and curiosity, Brous argues, are essential to both personal healing and social change. This is how we reawaken our humanity.

About the Speaker:
Sharon Brous is the founding and senior rabbi of IKAR, a trail-blazing Jewish community based in Los Angeles. Built-in 2004, IKAR has grown into a diverse, dynamic, multi-generational community, one of the fastest-growing and most influential in the country. Brous has been named #1 Most Influential Rabbi in the U.S. by Newsweek/The Daily Beast. She blessed both President Obama and President Biden at their National Inaugural Prayer Services, and her TED Talk “Reclaiming Religion” has been viewed 1.5 million times. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Washington Post. A New Yorker at heart, she’s grown deeply enamored of the sunshine and promise in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and children.

The event was presented in loving memory of Dr. Sherman Minkoff

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/27/24

Sherman Minkoff Memorial Lecture: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Sharon Brous

The event was co-hosted by Temple Solel

The event was presented in loving memory of Dr. Sherman Minkoff

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/27/24

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #41 Daniel Dennett

Enjoy the 41st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

02/22/24

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #41 Daniel Dennett

Enjoy the 41st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

02/22/24

Parshat Tetzaveh

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/20/24

Parshat Tetzaveh

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/20/24

Why Should Jews Care About a New Interpretation of the (Christian) “Apostle” Paul?

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Mark Nanos

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

About the Event:
Most interpretations of Paul understand the apostle to argue that Jews who did not share their faith in Jesus Christ had lost their original covenant standing. Yet, at the same time, they maintain that there will come a time when Jews will believe (based on the same terms as Gentile sinners), and then “all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26). In this class we will trace some of the developments in Dr. Nanos’ lifetime journey, as a Jew, to read and then re-read the texts in Romans 11, wherein Paul sets out his view of his fellow Jews and discover alternatives for translating and interpreting these texts.

About the Speaker:
Mark D. Nanos is a widely known lecturer and author of many books and articles. He received his PhD from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and an Honorary PhD from the University of Lund, Sweden. His book, The Mystery of Romans, won The National Jewish Book Award in Jewish-Christian Relations in 1996 and he is a co-founder of the “Paul within Judaism” section at the Society for Biblical Literature.

Tags

Jewish Texts

02/19/24

Why Should Jews Care About a New Interpretation of the (Christian) “Apostle” Paul?

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Mark Nanos

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

Tags

Jewish Texts

02/19/24

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz Interviews Rabbi Daniel Askenazi

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz interviews Rabbi Daniel Askenazi, Chief Rabbi of Barcelona.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/14/24

Parshat Terumah

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/14/24

Standing Out or Blending In? Passing vs Looking Jewish in Texts and Today

A virtual event presentation by Rav Sarah Mulhern

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Chai & Temple Emanuel

About the Event:
Is there a value to being publicly identifiable as Jewish? Is there a value to looking more like our non-Jewish neighbors? In this session, we will explore how Jewish texts have engaged with these questions over time, and interrogate our instincts and experiences. We will focus on classical Jewish texts about distinctive Jewish dress to launch a broad conversation about the ethics of passing and outing oneself and when and how we wish to display our Jewishness or other identities to the broader world when we do not, and why.

About the Speaker:
Rav Sarah Mulhern is a Rabbi, educator, and community builder. She serves as the Rabbi of Silverstein Base Lincoln Park, opening her home and her heart to young adults in Chicago. She passionately believes that Torah matters and that Judaism can enrich human life and better society.
Rav Sarah is also a nationally-regarded Torah educator, frequently teaching in a wide variety of Jewish adult education settings, particularly on topics of ethics, gender, and Jewish practice. As a rabbi, some of her areas of focus include grief support, feminist and queer niddah education, and crafting joyful halachic egalitarian life cycle rituals. She is deeply committed to inspiring traditional prayer and is a passionate shaliach tzibur.

Rav Sarah was ordained by the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, where she also earned a Master’s in Jewish Education, and received private rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Daniel Landes. She is an alumna of Brandeis University, Yeshivat Hadar, Pardes Institute, Drisha Institute, Beit Midrash Har El, the Wexner Graduate Fellowship, and the David Hartman Center Fellowship. She can be reached at sarahemulhern@gmail.com or @Rav_Sarah.

Tags

Identity

Jewish Texts

02/14/24

Standing Out or Blending In? Passing vs Looking Jewish in Texts and Today

A virtual event presentation by Rav Sarah Mulhern

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Chai & Temple Emanuel

*Source Sheet:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ROWtjcrXYoV_Gxzz-l184CLig_xVkAxv/view?usp=sharing

Tags

Identity

Jewish Texts

02/14/24

Eye for an Eye for an Eye: The Poetics of Jewish Law

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Kasher

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Chai

About the Event:
We often divide the Torah into two categories: narrative and law. But the laws of the Torah themselves are often written in poetic language, inviting us to use the tools of literary criticism to analyze them. That poetic quality is prominently on display in one of the Torah’s most (in)famous legal formulations: An Eye for an Eye. A careful literary reading of this law in the Torah can reveal hidden layers of meaning.

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz engages in an enlightening conversation with Rabbi David Kasher, exploring the divinity of the Torah.

Tags

Divrei Torah

Interview

02/09/24

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #39 Noam Chomsky

Enjoy the 39th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

02/08/24

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #39 Noam Chomsky

Enjoy the 39th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

02/08/24

Jews, Judaism, and Anti-Judaism in the Gospel of John

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Adele Reinhartz

The event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ

About the Event:
This talk will explore some of the issues about the portrayal of Jews and Judaism in the Fourth Gospel. In analyzing this very important topic, it is always necessary to have a dual focus, with one eye on what the Gospel itself says, and the other on what scholars have said. This talk will have three main parts:
1. Jesus as a Jew in the Gospel of John
2. Jesus and the “Jews” in the Gospel of John
3. Is John Jewish, Anti-Jewish, or both?

About the Speaker:
Adele Reinhartz is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Ottawa, where she is also a Professor in the Department of Classics and Religious Studies. Her main research contributions have been in the study of ancient Judaism and Christianity, and the Bible in/and Film. Adele served as the General Editor of the Journal of Biblical Literature for 7 years (2012-2019) and as the President of the Society of Biblical Literature in 2020. Adele was inducted into the Royal Society of Canada in 2005, and into the American Academy for Jewish Research in 2014. Her most recent books are Cast Out of the Covenant: Jews and Anti-Judaism in the Gospel of John (2018) and The Bible and Cinema: An Introduction (2nd edition, 2022). She is currently working on a project on the so-called “parting of the ways” and the origins of Christianity.

Tags

Jewish Texts

02/06/24

Jews, Judaism, and Anti-Judaism in the Gospel of John

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Adele Reinhartz

The event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ

Tags

Tags

History

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/30/24

Parshat Yitro: On Fundamentalism and Humility

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/30/24

How Can Qohelet Quell the Curious Mind? An Exploration of a New Translation and Commentaries on the Strangest Book of the Hebrew Bible

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #36 Albert Camus

Enjoy the 36th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

01/17/24

Parshat Bo: From the Darkness Comes Redemption

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/16/24

Parshat Bo: From the Darkness Comes Redemption

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/16/24

The Healing Power of Storytelling

A virtual event presentation by Maggid Jim Brulé

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanual

About the Event:
Stories have the power to entertain, inform, enlighten, and motivate. They also have the power to heal. Maggid Brulé will weave together traditional Jewish stories from a variety of cultures, interspersed with reflections on the reasons that stories affect us so deeply and opportunities for discussion and dialogue.

About the Speaker:
Jim Brulé is a maggid – a transformational storyteller, teacher, and mentor with a very diverse background: he has advanced degrees in clinical psychology and artificial intelligence. His online school – Transformational Storytelling – trains spiritual storytellers from multiple traditions to tell stories that inspire healing and spiritual growth.

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #35 Isaiah Berlin

Enjoy the 35th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

01/12/24

Parshat Vayera: On the Four Languages of Redemption

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/10/24

Parshat Vayera: On the Four Languages of Redemption

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/09/24

Introduction to Dreams and Kabbalah

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David Sanders

The event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ

About the Event:
“A dream not interpreted is like a letter not read.” This quote is not from Freud or Jung but from the Zohar, the classic medieval Kabbalah text connecting dreams and our spiritual growth. We spend an average of 9 years dreaming. What do our dreams reflect to us of our experience? How are dreams guides for our emotional and spiritual development? Come and see the significance of dreams. Journaling and sharing your dreams helps you apply the Kabbalah dream framework.

About the Speaker:
Dr. David Sanders, Founder and Spiritual Director of Kabbalah Experience, combines over thirty years of experience as both a psychologist and Kabbalist helping guide people to deeper awareness and fulfillment in their lives. His transformation from religious studies to mysticism intrigued him to broaden the study of Kabbalah to practical spiritual growth. Transformative Kabbalah combines traditional mysticism, contemporary psychology, and quantum physics.

It is David’s joy to help others challenge their views of themselves and the world. Through study and practice, students regularly change their perceptions and choose to alter or modify their behavior – which in turn brings positive change to their relationships and community and find greater and more fulfilling expression of their life purpose. He is the author of 2 books on mysticism and language and is currently writing a book on MASKS, the subject of one of KE’s most popular courses.

David maintains an active therapy practice, specializing in working with couples and families. He sees psychological and spiritual growth as a continuum of learning and becoming more aware of the self and others. His creation of the Kabbalah Experience is a way to enter into people’s lives from a different premise – spiritual learning and guidance that does not have a starting point of “my problem.” Based on the methodology of study at KE on adult-centered learning, everyone is linked in the awareness to work together as the teacher becomes the student and the student becomes the teacher.

David considers it his fortune to live with and learn from his wife Rita every day. With two sets of twins and an eldest son, life is rich for the whole family.

Tags

Dreams

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

01/08/24

Introduction to Dreams and Kabbalah

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David Sanders

The event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ

David considers it his fortune to live with and learn from his wife Rita every day. With two sets of twins and an eldest son, life is rich for the whole family.

Tags

Dreams

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

01/08/24

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #34 Simone de Beauvoir

Enjoy the 34th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

01/04/24

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #34 Simone de Beauvoir

Enjoy the 34th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

01/04/24

Parshat Shemot: On Infanticide

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/03/24

Parshat Shemot: On Infanticide

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/03/24

When “The Hands of Esau” Replace “Love the Stranger”: The Corruption of Jewish Power

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Avidan Freedman

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #33 Hannah Arendt

Enjoy the 33rd session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 45 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

12/29/23

Parshat Vayechi: Inhabiting the World to Come

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/27/23

Parshat Vayechi: Inhabiting the World to Come

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/27/23

Radical Jewish Views of God: Maimonides vs Spinoza

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Micah Streiffer

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel

About the Event:
Think your beliefs about God are “out there?“ Think again! In this session, we will delve into the unexpected views of two of Judaism’s greatest thinkers – Maimonides and Spinoza. Both rebel against the “traditional” notion of God found in the prayerbook, but in very different ways. We’ll explore what each of them has to say about what God is (and what God isn’t), and we’ll explore our theology along the way.

About the Speaker:
Micah Streiffer is a rabbi, teacher, writer, and lifelong student who is known for his engaging style in the classroom and his ability to make Jewish texts and ideas come to life. Micah founded LAASOK, a virtual Beit Midrash (“House of Study”) that empowers liberal Jewish learners to deepen their connection with Judaism through study. He also serves Kol Ami, a Reform congregation in the Toronto area, and hosts the popular Seven Minute Torah podcast. Ordained a rabbi at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (Cincinnati 2007), Micah has served as a congregational rabbi for 16 years. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Jewish thought at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Jewish Texts

12/26/23

Radical Jewish Views of God: Maimonides vs Spinoza

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Micah Streiffer

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

12/21/23

Parshat Vayigash: On Provisions for the Journey

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/19/23

Parshat Vayigash: On Provisions for the Journey

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/19/23

But What If I Love The Greeks?!: Chanukah for Philosophers

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Leah Sarna

The event was co-sponsred by BMH-BJ

*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A4EbgCH5S44QjGS2p0OD_UzefcieYvHZ/view

About the Event:
On Hannukah we light candles and commemorate a time “when the evil Greek kingdom rose against Your people Israel.” Those who love studying Greek philosophy and literature must ask ourselves some big questions on this holiday. Fortunately, the Jewish tradition has much to offer us as we try to make sense of it.

About the Speaker:
Rabbanit Leah Sarna is the Faculty and Director of Teen Programs at Drisha. She previously served as Director of Religious Engagement at Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel Congregation in Chicago, a leading urban Orthodox congregation. She was ordained at Yeshivat Maharat in 2018, holds a BA from Yale University in Philosophy & Psychology, and trained at the SKA Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz, Drisha, and the Center for Modern Torah Leadership. She was a Wexner Graduate Fellow and a winner of the Covenant Foundation’s Pomegranate Prize.

Rabbanit Sarna’s published works have appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Lehrhaus, and The Jewish Review of Books. She has lectured in Orthodox synagogues and Jewish communal settings worldwide and loves spreading her warm, energetic love for Torah and Mitzvot with Jews in all stages of life.

Tags

Philosophy

Holidays: Chanukah

12/18/23

But What If I Love The Greeks?!: Chanukah for Philosophers

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Leah Sarna

The event was co-sponsred by BMH-BJ

*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A4EbgCH5S44QjGS2p0OD_UzefcieYvHZ/view

Tags

Philosophy

Holidays: Chanukah

12/18/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #31 Jean-Paul Sartre

Enjoy the 31st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

12/14/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #31 Jean-Paul Sartre

Enjoy the 31st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

12/14/23

Parshat Miketz: On Liberating Power

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/13/23

Parshat Miketz: On Liberating Power

12/10/23

Self & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah – Class #5

A virtual, five-part series presented by Professor Eitan P. Fishbane

About the Event:
In what would become the legendary kabbalistic hilltop town of Tzfat in the 1500s—the birthplace of such timeless texts as Lekha Dodi and Yedid Nefesh; a location whose larger-than-life figures included such luminaries as Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yitzhak Luria (the ARI), and many others— there unfolded one of the most remarkable chapters in the entire history of Judaism, and Jewish mysticism in particular. Through various concerns, ideas, and genres of writing, the mystics of this time and place expressed a pronounced focus on the nature of the human self and spiritual psychology: its essence and character, its fundamental state of relationship to Divinity. In the sessions of this course, we will explore a range of these issues and modes of creativity as they appeared in sixteenth-century Tzfat. We will explore such major topics as Soul, Body, and Reincarnation (Gilgul); The Ethics and Piety of Self-Transformation (Kabbalistic Musar); Mystical Autobiography; Emotion, Feeling, and Mind.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Eitan Fishbane is Professor of Jewish Thought at The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), where he has taught for 17 years. A 2015-2016 JTS Chancellor’s Fellow, Fishbane has served on the JTS Faculty Executive Committee; as a B.A. and M.A. Advisor in Jewish Thought; and on The Rabbinical School Council. He is a former Division Chair for Jewish Mysticism at the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS); current Chair of the Oxford Interfaith Forum on Mysticism; and Book Review Editor for Jewish Mysticism at The Marginalia Review of Books. He receives grants from The Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture and The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), as well as the Charles A. Ryskamp Fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS).

Among Professor Fishbane’s published books are: The Art of Mystical Narrative: A Poetics of the Zohar (Oxford University Press, 2018); As Light Before Dawn: The Inner World of a Medieval Kabbalist (Stanford University Press, 2009); and, most recently, Embers of Pilgrimage (Panui Poetry Series, 2021). He is currently at work on several book projects, among them Shabbat in Ḥasidic Thought: Sacred Time and Mystical Consciousness; Self & Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah; and The Zohar as Mystical Poetry. In addition to these academic projects, Fishbane is working on a spiritual-theological commentary on the Torah cycle and the Jewish holidays, tentatively entitled, Written on the Heart: Meditations & Readings; and he is completing his second volume of original poetry, entitled, Soul Fragments. Fishbane received his Ph.D. and B.A., summa cum laude, from Brandeis University. Visit him at www.eitanfishbane.com.

Tags

Art & Culture

History

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Series: Self & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah

12/08/23

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/05/23

Parshat Vayeshev: On the Mitzvah to Rescue

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/05/23

Who Is in Charge? Philosophy of Halakhah Through the Eyes of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Zachary Truboff

The event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ

About the Event:
One of the ongoing debates of modern Jewish life is the extent to which human beings or God should be given the final say on religious questions of ultimate importance. For many, this dilemma is seen as an either/or, and one must choose a side, but a look at two of orthodoxy’s most influential thinkers can shed light on how the question is far more complicated than most realize.

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Zachary Truboff is the Director of Rabbinic Education for the International Beit Din, and his work focuses on educating rabbis about halakhic solutions to the agunah problem. He is the author of Torah Goes Forth From Zion: Essays on the Thought of Rav Kook and Rav Shagar, and his writings on contemporary Jewish thought and Zionism have appeared in the Lehrhaus, Arutz Sheva, and Akdamot. Before making aliyah, he served as the rabbi of Cedar Sinai Synagogue in Cleveland, Ohio. He has taught in a variety of adult education settings, such as the Wexner Heritage Program and the Hartman Institute. He received semikha from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Ian Pear

11/29/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #29 Martin Buber

Enjoy the 29th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

11/29/23

Parshat Vayishlach: Preparing to See & Be Seen

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Ian Pear

About the Event:
This text-based class will focus on the nature of Israel’s army. It will look at the halachot of being a soldier in a Diaspora army, based on the Chafetz Chaim’s Machane Yisrael, and compare that to being an individual soldier in the Israeli army today.

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Chaim (Ian) Pear, a Rabbi, lawyer and social activist living in Jerusalem, is the founder of Shir Hadash, a popular Jerusalem based Synagogue, Educational Institute and Community Center, as well as an expert in Israeli and Jewish environmental law – he worked at Israel’s premier environmental law firm, Laster and Goldman – and a leader in the Spiritual Diplomacy efforts made on behalf of Israel. A one-time aspiring standup comedian, Rabbi Pear received his ordination from Yeshiva University, and holds law degrees from Hebrew University (LLM, with a focus on Mishpat Ivri) and NYU School of Law (JD, with a concentration in international law), and a degree in International Law, Politics and Security from Georgetown University’s School for Foreign Service. The author of three books, he is married to Dr. Rachel Pear and is the father of five children.

Tags

Israel

Jewish Texts

Military

11/24/23

Jewish Military Ethics: A Comparison of Being a Soldier in the Diaspora and the Israeli Army Today

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Ian Pear

Tags

Tags

Antisemitism

11/21/23

Antisemitism: Why Is It Still Around and Whose Fault Is It?

A virtual event presentation by Avi Posen

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel and Temple Israel

Tags

Antisemitism

11/21/23

Parshat Vayeitzei: On Radical Honesty

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/21/23

Parshat Vayeitzei: On Radical Honesty

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/20/23

The Sacred Earth: Jewish Perspectives on Our Planet

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Andy Kahn

About the Event:
As world temperatures continue to rise, and weather patterns, ocean levels, and wildfires continue to shift, change, and intensify, it is easy to feel unmoored and disconnected. The Sacred Earth: Jewish Perspectives on our Planet, seeks to provide new ways to approach each other and the earth around us to keep us engaged, connected, and hopeful. This session will review some of the ways the book addresses these issues and will offer tangible Jewish modes of maintaining our equilibrium and earth-consciousness.

Series: Self & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah

11/17/23

About the Speaker:
Michael Weil, an economist by training, born and educated in Great Britain, has spent most of his career working in strategic change, organizational development, economic, social and urban planning. Weil has a B.Sc. in Economics with Technology from City University, London and a MA in Development Economics from Sussex University. In 2008 Weil was voted one of the 50 most influential Jews in America by the Forward newspaper. Today, he serves as a member of the International Advisory Board of Limmud, the Board of Limmud North America and the Management Board of the Israel Movement for Urbanism. From 2013-2016, he served on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency as the sole representative of 54 Intermediate Federations. Currently, Michael Weil lives in Jerusalem, Israel and Scottsdale, Arizona while traveling frequently in-between, and works on a select number of strategic assignments.

Tags

History

Travel

11/14/23

Jews on the Move: The Geographic Dimension of Jewish Survival in North America

A virtual event presentation by Michael Weil

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

Tags

History

Travel

11/13/23

Self & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah – Class #1

A virtual, five-part series presented by Professor Eitan P. Fishbane

About the Event:

In what would become the legendary kabbalistic hilltop town of Tzfat in the 1500s—the birthplace of such timeless texts as Lekha Dodi and Yedid Nefesh; a location whose larger-than-life figures included such luminaries as Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yitzhak Luria (the ARI), and many others— there unfolded one of the most remarkable chapters in the entire history of Judaism, and of Jewish mysticism in particular. Through a variety of concerns, ideas, and genres of writing, the mystics of this time and place expressed a pronounced focus on the nature of the human self and spiritual psychology: its essence and character, its fundamental state of relationship to Divinity. In the sessions of this course, we will explore a range of these issues and modes of creativity as they appeared in sixteenth century Tzfat. We will explore such major topics as: Soul, Body, and Reincarnation (Gilgul); The Ethics and Piety of Self-Transformation (Kabbalistic Musar); Mystical Autobiography; Emotion, Feeling, and Mind. Please join us as we dive deeply into this fascinating and inspiring landscape of ideas, feeling, and spirituality!

About the Speaker:

Dr. Eitan Fishbane is Professor of Jewish Thought at The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), where he has taught for 17 years. A 2015-2016 JTS Chancellor’s Fellow, Fishbane has served on the JTS Faculty Executive Committee; as B.A. and M.A. Advisor in Jewish Thought; and on The Rabbinical School Council. He is a former Division Chair for Jewish Mysticism at the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS); current Chair of the Oxford Interfaith Forum on Mysticism; and Book Review Editor for Jewish Mysticism at The Marginalia Review of Books. He is the recipient of grants from The Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture and The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), as well as the Charles A. Ryskamp Fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS).

Among Professor Fishbane’s published books are: The Art of Mystical Narrative: A Poetics of the Zohar (Oxford University Press, 2018); As Light Before Dawn: The Inner World of a Medieval Kabbalist (Stanford University Press, 2009); and, most recently, Embers of Pilgrimage (Panui Poetry Series, 2021).He is currently at work on several book projects, among them Shabbat in Ḥasidic Thought: Sacred Time and Mystical Consciousness; Self & Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah; andThe Zohar as Mystical Poetry. In addition to these academic projects, Fishbane is working on a spiritual-theological commentary on the Torah cycle and the Jewish holidays, tentatively entitled, Written on the Heart: Meditations & Readings; and he is completing his second volume of original poetry, entitled, Soul Fragments. Fishbane received his Ph.D. and B.A., summa cum laude, from Brandeis University. Visit him at www.eitanfishbane.com.

Tags

Art & Culture

History

Jewish Texts

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Series: Self & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah

11/13/23

Self & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah – Class #1

A virtual, five-part series presented by Professor Eitan P. Fishbane

About the Event:

About the Speaker:

Among Professor Fishbane’s published books are: The Art of Mystical Narrative: A Poetics of the Zohar (Oxford University Press, 2018); As Light Before Dawn: The Inner World of a Medieval Kabbalist (Stanford University Press, 2009); and, most recently, Embers of Pilgrimage (Panui Poetry Series, 2021).He is currently at work on several book projects, among them Shabbat in Ḥasidic Thought: Sacred Time and Mystical Consciousness; Self & Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah; andThe Zohar as Mystical Poetry. In addition to these academic projects, Fishbane is working on a spiritual-theological commentary on the Torah cycle and the Jewish holidays, tentatively entitled, Written on the Heart: Meditations & Readings; and he is completing his second volume of original poetry, entitled, Soul Fragments. Fishbane received his Ph.D. and B.A., summa cum laude, from Brandeis University. Visit him at www.eitanfishbane.com.

Tags

Art & Culture

History

Jewish Texts

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Series: Self & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth Century Kabbalah

11/13/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #26 Mary Wollstonecraft

Enjoy the 26th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

11/09/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #26 Mary Wollstonecraft

Enjoy the 26th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

11/09/23

Parshat Chayei Sarah: On the Importance of Marriage

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/08/23

Parshat Chayei Sarah: On the Importance of Marriage

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/07/23

Women’s Sexual Assertiveness: An Exploration of Talmudic Perspectives

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Sarit Horwitz

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel

About the event:
How did the rabbis view women as sexual beings? How does it reflect on their own masculinity? Join us to study a few different Talmudic passages, and explore what it has to say about the rabbis who wrote these stories.

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Sarit Horwitz is the rabbi of Beth Sholom Synagogue in Memphis, TN. She was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, was a Marshall T Meyer Rabbinic Fellow at B’nai Jeshurun in NYC, and a Wexner Graduate Fellow.

Tags

Talmudic

Women & Gender

11/06/23

Women’s Sexual Assertiveness: An Exploration of Talmudic Perspectives

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Sarit Horwitz

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel

Tags

Talmudic

Women & Gender

11/06/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #25 Friedrich Nietzsche

Enjoy the 25th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Class: In this class series, Rabbi Shmuly will teach 40 classes, each about a different philosopher. The common thread of this series is exploring influential philosophers and how their teachings and beliefs relate to Jewish values and traditions.

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

11/03/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #25 Friedrich Nietzsche

Enjoy the 25th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

11/02/23

Mayko-Mashmelon: A Survey of Yiddish Art Song

A virtual event presentation by Anthony Russell

About the Event:
In the 20th century, Yiddish art song acted as a kind of performative repository of Ashkenazi Jewish music-making of all kinds, containing elements of khazones and liturgical music, Eastern European folk song, Yiddish theatre music, and Chassidic music, as well as popular and art music of the time. In this session, we’ll take a brief survey of the genre and explore the meaning it had to its performers and its audiences.

About the Speaker:
Anthony Russell is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in Yiddish culture. Anthony’s work with Klezmer trio Veretski Pass resulted in Convergence, an exploration of a century of African-American and Ashkenazi Jewish music. His recent release on the Borscht Beat label with accordionist and keyboardist Dmitri Gaskin, Kosmopolitn, features their original settings of Yiddish modernist poetry for voice and string ensemble. Anthony has also been an essayist in several publications, including The Forward, Tablet Magazine, JTA, PROTOCOLS, Full Stop Magazine, Ayin Press, and Jewish Currents. He lives in Atlanta with his husband of eight years, Rabbi Michael Rothbaum.

Find all of the music Anthony Russell talked about: https://rsa.fau.edu/judaic

Tags

Art & Culture

11/01/23

Mayko-Mashmelon: A Survey of Yiddish Art Song

A virtual event presentation by Anthony Russell

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Mary Zamore

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Chai

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #24 William James

Enjoy the 24th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

10/25/23

Parshat Lech Lecha: On Wealth & Poverty

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/24/23

Parshat Lech Lecha: On Wealth & Poverty

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/24/23

Mystical Hebrew Letters

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David Sanders

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

About the Event:
The early Kabbalah focused on the Hebrew letters and language and how this code underlies creation. The beauty of the letters is expressed through their meaning, shape, name, and numerical value. The Hebrew letters are containers for the energies of time, including the months of the year and the 12 Spiritual Senses of Soul explained in Sefer Yetzirah (The Book of Formation).

It is David’s joy to help others challenge their views of themselves and the world. Through study and practice, students regularly change their perceptions and choose to alter or modify their behavior – which in turn brings positive change to their relationships and community, and finds greater and more fulfilling expression of their life purpose. He is the author of 2 books on mysticism and language and is currently writing a book on MASKS, the subject of one of KE’s most popular courses.

David maintains an active therapy practice, specializing in working with couples and families. He sees psychological and spiritual growth as a continuum of learning and becoming more aware of the self and others. His creation of the Kabbalah Experience is a way to enter into people’s lives from a different premise – spiritual learning and guidance that does not have a starting point of “my problem.” Based on the methodology of study at KE on adult-centered learning, everyone is linked in the awareness work together, the teacher becomes the student and the student becomes the teacher.

David considers it his fortune to live with and learn from his wife Rita every day. With two sets of twins and the eldest son, life is rich for the whole family.

Tags

Jewish Texts

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

10/24/23

Mystical Hebrew Letters

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David Sanders

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

It is David’s joy to help others challenge their views of themselves and the world. Through study and practice, students regularly change their perceptions and choose to alter or modify their behavior – which in turn brings positive change to their relationships and community, and finds greater and more fulfilling expression of their life purpose. He is the author of 2 books on mysticism and language and is currently writing a book on MASKS, the subject of one of KE’s most popular courses.

David maintains an active therapy practice, specializing in working with couples and families. He sees psychological and spiritual growth as a continuum of learning and becoming more aware of the self and others. His creation of the Kabbalah Experience is a way to enter into people’s lives from a different premise – spiritual learning and guidance that does not have a starting point of “my problem.” Based on the methodology of study at KE on adult-centered learning, everyone is linked in the awareness work together, the teacher becomes the student and the student becomes the teacher.

On issues like abortion, church-state relations, civil rights claims v. religious freedom claims, climate change, economic justice v. economic freedom, autocratic countries that support Israel, immigration, and religious freedom — what are the merits of their respective views? Are bipartisan/cross-ideological comity, compromise, and common ground possible?

Dr. Tevi Troy (best-selling presidential historian, former senior Bush White House aide, Deputy Secretary of HHS, and former White House Liaison to the Jewish Community) and Rabbi David Saperstein (former Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom in the Obama Administration) will debate these issues and model how even political protagonists with differing political, religious, and ideological views can debate respectfully and constructively.

About the Speakers:
Rabbi David Saperstein
For 40 years, Rabbi Saperstein directed the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, representing the Reform Jewish Movement, the largest segment of American Jewry, to the U.S. Congress and Administration.

Designated by Newsweek Magazine as the most influential rabbi in America and by the Washington Post as the “quintessential religious lobbyist on Capitol Hill,” during the second term of the Obama administration, Rabbi Saperstein served as the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, carrying out his responsibilities as the country’s chief diplomat on religious freedom issues. Since leaving government, he has served as the Senior Advisor on Policy and Strategy to the Union for Reform Judaism. Also an attorney, he taught seminars on Church–State law and on Jewish Law for 35 years at Georgetown University Law Center and later at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and Center for Jewish Civilization. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations he also serves as a “Distinguished Fellow” at the PM Glynn Center at the Australian Catholic University.

Rabbi Saperstein served in 2019-20 as the President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, the international arm of the Reform Jewish Movement.

Dr. Tevi Troy
Tevi Troy is a best-selling presidential historian and a former senior government official. His latest book is Fight House: Rivalries in the White House, from Truman to Trump.

On August 3, 2007, Dr. Troy was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As Deputy Secretary, Dr. Troy was the chief operating officer of the largest civilian department in the federal government, with a budget of $716 billion and over 67,000 employees.

Dr. Troy has extensive White House experience, having served in several high-level positions over five years, culminating in his service as Deputy Assistant and then Acting Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. Dr. Troy has held high-level positions on Capitol Hill as well. From 1998 to 2000, Dr. Troy served as the Policy Director for Senator John Ashcroft. From 1996 to 1998, Troy was Senior Domestic Policy Adviser and later Domestic Policy Director for the House Policy Committee, chaired by Christopher Cox.

In addition to his senior-level government work and healthcare expertise, Dr. Troy is also a presidential historian, making him one of only a handful of historians who has both studied the White House as a historian and worked there at the highest levels. He is the author of the best-selling book, What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted: 200 Years of Popular Culture in the White House, as well as Intellectuals and the American Presidency: Philosophers, Jesters, or Technicians?, and Shall We Wake the President? Two Centuries of Disaster Management in the Oval Office. He has written over 250 published articles, for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New Republic, Commentary, National Review, Washingtonian, The Weekly Standard, and other publications. He is a frequent television and radio analyst and has appeared on CNBC, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox News, Fox Business, and The NewsHour, among other outlets.
Dr. Troy’s many other affiliations include adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute; contributing editor for Washingtonian magazine; member of the publication committee of National Affairs; member of the Board of Fellows of the Jewish Policy Center; a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute; and a member of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense.

Dr. Troy has a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in American Civilization from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Troy lives in Maryland with his wife, Kami, and four children.

The event was presented in loving memory of Gloria & Herb Zeichick

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Education

Politics & Government

10/19/23

Eilu v’Eilu – A Debate on Jewish Values and American Politics

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Saperstein & Dr. Tevi Troy

The event was co-hosted by Temple Chai

Rabbi Saperstein served in 2019-20 as the President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, the international arm of the Reform Jewish Movement.

Dr. Tevi Troy
Tevi Troy is a best-selling presidential historian and a former senior government official. His latest book is Fight House: Rivalries in the White House, from Truman to Trump.

The event was presented in loving memory of Gloria & Herb Zeichick

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Education

Politics & Government

10/19/23

Interview with Rabbi David Saperstein: Serving as an Ambassador for International Freedom

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz interviews Rabbi David Saperstein.

Rabbi David Saperstein (former Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom in the Obama Administration) will debate these issues and model how even political protagonists with differing political, religious, and ideological views can debate respectfully and constructively.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

Politics & Government

10/18/23

Serving as an Ambassador for International Freedom, an Interview with Rabbi David Saperstein

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz interviews Rabbi David Saperstein.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

Politics & Government

10/18/23

Interview with Dr. Tevi Troy – Fight House: Exploring the Tensions of the American Presidency

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz interviews Dr. Tevi Troy.

Dr. Tevi Troy (best-selling presidential historian – Fight House: Rivalries in the White House, from Truman to Trump, former senior Bush White House aide, Deputy Secretary of HHS, and former White House Liaison to the Jewish Community).

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

Politics & Government

10/18/23

Interview with Dr. Tevi Troy – Fight House: Exploring the Tensions of the American Presidency

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz interviews Dr. Tevi Troy.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

Politics & Government

10/18/23

Judaism & Religious Diversity: Global Meetings with Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Alan Brill

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel

About the Event:
Much has changed in the last 20 years after 9/11 regarding interfaith, especially the new landscape of accepting religious diversity and the acceptance of the dignity of difference. We will discuss finding wisdom in other religions for self-understanding. This talk will include stories from my recent time spent in Indonesia, Singapore, UAE, India, and within the diversity of the USA.

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Prof. Alan Brill is the Cooperman/Ross Endowed Chair for Jewish-Christian Studies at Seton Hall University, Brill is an expert on interfaith relations. He is the author of many books including Judaism and World Religions: Christianity, Islam, and Eastern Religions (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012), and Judaism and Other Religions: Models of Understanding (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010). Brill was a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award for research and teaching at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh India. This research produced his recent volume Rabbi on the Ganges: A Jewish Hindu Encounter (Lexington Books, 2019). His forthcoming book is A Jewish View of the Trinity, Incarnation, and Salvation(Fortress Press, 2025). He has done interfaith work in Indonesia, India, UAE, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere.

Tags

Art & Culture

Interfaith

Travel

10/17/23

Judaism & Religious Diversity: Global Meetings with Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Alan Brill

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Emanuel

Tags

Art & Culture

Interfaith

Travel

10/16/23

Parshat Bereshit: On New Beginnings

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/12/23

Parshat Bereshit: On New Beginnings

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/11/23

History of Jews in Uganda & Their Sukkot Experience

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Gershom Sizomu

The event was co-sponsored by BMH-BJ

10/05/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #22 Henry David Thoreau

Enjoy the 22nd session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/05/23

Parshat V’Zot HaBerachah: On Beginning Again with Heart

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/03/23

Parshat V’Zot HaBerachah: On Beginning Again with Heart

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/03/23

Rain, Nostalgia, and Empathy: Liturgical Poems for the Holiday of Sukkot

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Yitz Landes

The event was co-hosted by Beth El Congregation

09/27/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #21 Søren Kierkegaard

Enjoy the 21st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

09/27/23

The Gifts of Imperfection: Brene Brown through a Kabbalah Lens

A virtual event presentation by Melanie Gruenwald

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Israel

About the Event:
Dr. Brene Brown’s teachings on vulnerability, courage, worthiness and shame, will serve as the text, and Kabbalah
will serve as the commentary. We will engage together in this guide to living a whole-hearted life, weaving Dr.
Brown’s research and anecdotes, with the timeless teachings of Kabbalah.

About the Speaker:
Executive Director of Kabbalah Experience, Melanie Gruenwald brings over 25 years of non-profit leadership and community organizing to her position. Engaged with senior citizens, families, college students, and teens, Melanie has extensive professional experience with communal leadership and informal Jewish education.

Melanie is energized by building relationships, understanding people’s needs, and finding ways to connect them to one another. She loves the balance of organizational leadership and teaching which she engages in on a daily basis at Kabbalah Experience.

She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Binghamton University (S.U.N.Y), and her Master in Social Work and Certificate in Jewish Communal Service from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Melanie has pursued additional Judaic and spiritual studies at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, the Conservative Yeshiva, and most recently, the Kabbalah Experience.

Melanie is married to Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald, Associate Rabbi at the Hebrew Educational Alliance, and is a mom to three children, Koby (z”l), Hannah, and Micah.

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

09/26/23

The Gifts of Imperfection: Brene Brown through a Kabbalah Lens

A virtual event presentation by Melanie Gruenwald

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Israel

Melanie is married to Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald, Associate Rabbi at the Hebrew Educational Alliance, and is a mom to three children, Koby (z”l), Hannah, and Micah.

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

09/26/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #20 John Stuart Mill

Enjoy the 20th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

09/20/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #20 John Stuart Mill

Enjoy the 20th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

09/20/23

Parshat Haazinu: On a Torah Life

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

09/07/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #18 Jeremy Bentham

Enjoy the 18th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

09/07/23

Parshat Nitzavim-Vayeilech: On Choosing Life & Living Without Regrets

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

09/06/23

Parshat Nitzavim-Vayeilech: On Choosing Life & Living Without Regrets

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

08/31/23

Parshat Ki Tavo: On Learning to See and Hear

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/29/23

Parshat Ki Tavo: On Learning to See and Hear

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/29/23

Transcendental Judaism–Hearing the “still small voice”

A virtual event presentation by David Lieberman

The event was co-hosted by Temple Solel and BMH-BJ

About the Event:
This class is about Jewish spirituality…making a palpable connection with God. Judaism teaches that we connect with God by performing the commandments, the mitzvot. Our tradition also teaches that we interpret Torah and the mitzvot at multiple levels. The focus of this class is on the mystical level called sod. Connecting at this level may be more accessible to a wide range of Jews who might view themselves as “spiritual, but not religious.” Many of us look outside our religion for spirituality. In fact, spirituality can be found right in our own backyard.

Over the millennia, there has been an evolution in how Jews connect with God. In an era we call biblical Judaism, we felt a deep connection with God through the practice of animal sacrifices. Now, in the era we call rabbinic Judaism, we make connections through prayer, acts of charity, repentance, and study.

The next era may become characterized as transcendental Judaism. Through the meditative quieting of the mind, we can directly experience the “still small voice” that Elijah sensed on that mountaintop. This is not mindfulness. It’s an expansive experience of complete calm, oneness, and a sense of connection with everything around us. Many of us have fallen into that transcendental experience: while watching a sunset or holding a newborn baby. What if we were able to enter into that transcendental experience at will? This class describes how those repeated experiences heal us and influence our actions toward repairing the world.

About the Speaker:
David Lieberman was raised in a Reform Jewish household and began to immerse himself in Torah in 2003. He has been an elementary school teacher, management consultant, and spiritual director, and has served on the Board of Directors of VBM. He lives in Phoenix with his wife. They have two daughters.

Visit www.TranscendentalJudaism.com for links to order the book and to contact David with questions or to speak at your book club, study group or adult education class.

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

08/28/23

Transcendental Judaism–Hearing the “still small voice”

A virtual event presentation by David Lieberman

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

About The Event:
Although the Jewish history in Japan is relatively recent and there have never been significant numbers settled in the country, Jews loom large in the Japanese imagination, and popular books that peddle everything from fascination to fear are perennial best-sellers. An avid student of Western culture and technology since the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912), much of this Japanese interest stems from European propaganda regarding the Jews; however, not steeped in millennia of European antisemitism, the Japanese reaction, on the whole, was one more of fascination and awe. Although allies with Nazi Germany during World War II, Japan refused to turn over its Jews to the Nazis and even entertained the idea of bringing Jews to Japan in the hopes of bringing about national flourishing. This talk will examine the historical factors that have contributed to this multifaceted and unique perspective toward Jews and their culture.

About The Speaker:
Dr. Baskind received his Ph.D. from Yale University in 2006. His area of academic research is Japanese Buddhism and culture, with a focus on how Chinese models—represented by the Obaku School—were received in Edo-period Japan. Other areas of research and writing include Buddhist-Christian interaction in early modern Japan, as well as the Zen/Pure Land dialectic as it pertains to Japanese Buddhist discourse. His current project critically examines tea culture in East Asia, and how it became widely perceived as inextricably linked with Zen and its associated arts. Most recently he held the position of Associate Professor of Japanese Thought at Nagoya City University in Nagoya, Japan. While in Japan his research was supported by numerous grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Apart from his academic pursuits he has also studied and practiced the tea ceremony (both sencha and matcha) as well as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which he currently teaches. In addition, he has nearly completed a book on the cultural history of jiu-jitsu, entitled, Jiu-jitsu: A History of Soft Power.

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Art & Culture

History

Travel

08/21/23

The Jews and Japan: Inherited Discourses and Creative Adaptation in the Japanese Imaginaire

A virtual event presentation by Dr. James Baskind

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

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Art & Culture

History

Travel

08/18/23

Parshat Shoftim: On Environmental Protection

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/16/23

Parshat Shoftim: On Environmental Protection

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/15/23

Reading Matthew from a Jewish Perspective

A virtual presentation by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine and Dr. Marc Brettler

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Ian Pear

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Israel

08/11/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #15 David Hume

Enjoy the 15th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

08/10/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #15 David Hume

Enjoy the 15th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

08/10/23

Parshat Re’eh: On Being a Treasured People

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/09/23

Parshat Re’eh: On Being a Treasured People

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/09/23

Do the Hebrew Prophets Speak to You?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Barbara Symons

The event was Co-Sponsored by Temple Emanuel

About The Event:
For many Jews, the prophets’ voices are only heard during worship if even there, and then only in Hebrew. Even in English, their words are a challenge. After studying the job qualifications and tasks of a prophet and learning when and why Judaism says that prophecy ended, we will use contemporary interpretations to better hear their ancient words which often feel challenging in both form and content. Reaching beyond, we will look at alternative prophet-like voices that can inspire us to realize the words of the haftarah blessing: toward holiness, rest, honor, and glory.

About The Speaker:
Rabbi Barbara AB Symons graduated from the University of Michigan and was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1994. Since 2006, she has been serving Temple David in Monroeville, Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh. She is thrilled to have even a small part in raising up prophetic voices through the many diverse voices included in her book Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah (CCAR Press 2023).

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Jewish Texts

08/08/23

Do the Hebrew Prophets Speak to You?

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A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Leila Gal Berner

The event was Co-Sponsored by Rodef Shalom

About The Event:
Having pioneered a new gateway into Torah learning called “kriat hakodesh,” (reading the holy), Rabbi Dr. Leila Gal Berner will lead us through a deep, contemplative journey through the heart of the Parsha, Vayera, helping participants to discover the profound personal meaning of the Torah text. Silence, learning about the text through midrashim, chant, deep personal questions (contemplated privately) and conversation will all be part of the experience. This approach stems from Rabbi Berner’s book, Listening to the Heart of Genesis: A Contemplative Path.

About The Speaker:
Rabbi Leila Gal Berner was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and holds a second ordination from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (of blessed memory). She received her doctorate in medieval Jewish history from UCLA, with expertise in the history of Jews in medieval Spain. Her dissertation, “On the Western Shores: The Jews of Barcelona during the Reign of Jaume I, ‘el Conqueridor 1213-1276” has been widely cited and she has taught about the Spanish Reconquista in many Jewish communities. She has also taught in many communities about the “Golden Age of Spanish Jewry under Muslim Rule.”

Enjoy the 12th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

07/19/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #12 Baruch Spinoza

Enjoy the 12th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

About The Event:
Our narrative of communal decline overlooks the remarkable growth of the American Jewish community, both numerically and in vibrancy. This conversation will reflect upon the social startups redefining the American Jewish landscape, of which the Valley Beit Midrash is one.

About The Speaker:
Rabbi Joshua Stanton is spiritual co-leader of East End Temple and Director for Leadership at CLAL – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, where he focuses on questions of religious pluralism in the United States and Israel. He likewise serves on the Board of Trustees of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in America, and on the Board of Governors of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations, which presides over Jewish-Christian relations with the Vatican and World Council of Churches. You may have already seen Rabbi Stanton on CNN or in a documentary film, or read about him in syndicated media, publications, and articles that have appeared in ten languages.

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Art & Culture

Community

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

07/17/23

How the Jewish Awakening May Transform American Religion

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Joshua Stanton

The Event Was Co-Hosted by Hebrew Educational Alliance

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Art & Culture

Community

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

07/17/23

Practicing Judaism in the 21st Century: Rereading the Torah as a Spiritual Handbook – Class #6

A virtual, six-part series presented by Rabbi Dr. Darren Kleinberg

About the Event:
In this mini-course, we welcome back Valley Beit Midrash founder, Rabbi Darren Kleinberg, for a new encounter with the Torah. Commonly understood as a book of laws and stories, Rabbi Kleinberg will unlock new ways of reading through the words of Judaism’s foundational sacred text to unlock practices that can be incorporated into our daily lives to increase insight and well-being.

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Darren Kleinberg, Ph.D., is a Senior Fellow with the Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. In partnership with a group of visionary community leaders, Rabbi Kleinberg became the Founding Executive Director of Valley Beit Midrash in 2007.

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

07/13/23

Practicing Judaism in the 21st Century: Rereading the Torah as a Spiritual Handbook – Class #6

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

07/13/23

George Washington’s Vine and Fig Tree: Micah 4:4 and the Religious Character of the American Republic

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Aaron Tugendhaft

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Chai and BMH-BJ

About the Event:
As anyone who has seen Hamilton knows, George Washington loved to quote the prophet Micah’s vision of humankind each sitting under their own vine and fig tree. This seminar will explore this prophetic phrase within a colonial and American revolutionary context and consider how Washington’s adept use of Micah’s image served a larger purpose of forging the religious character of the early American Republic. Special consideration will be given to Washington’s celebrated letter to the Jewish community in Newport, Rhode Island, and to that letter’s place within a broader correspondence with diverse religious communities at the moment of Washington’s first inauguration.

About the Speaker:
Aaron Tugendhaft studied history and philosophy at the University of Chicago, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Sorbonne. Since receiving his doctorate in Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies from New York University in 2012, he has taught broadly within the humanities on four continents and has become a staunch advocate of traditional liberal education as a corrective to premature professionalization, academic hyper-specialization, and political polarization. His most recent book, The Idols of ISIS: From Assyria to the Internet (University of Chicago Press, 2020), is a philosophical meditation on the political power of images and the significance of their destruction. Since 2021, he has served as History Department Chair and Director of Interdisciplinary Programs at the Ramaz School in New York City.

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Politics & Government

07/10/23

George Washington’s Vine and Fig Tree: Micah 4:4 and the Religious Character of the American Republic

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Aaron Tugendhaft

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Chai and BMH-BJ

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Politics & Government

07/10/23

Practicing Judaism in the 21st Century: Rereading the Torah as a Spiritual Handbook – Class #5

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

07/07/23

Practicing Judaism in the 21st Century: Rereading the Torah as a Spiritual Handbook – Class #5

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Rabbi Elkins is the rabbi emeritus at The Jewish Center of Princeton NJ.

Book Recommendations: Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul, Jewish Stories from Heaven and Earth: Inspiring Tales to Nourish the Heart and Soul, and The Book of Legends/Sefer Ha-Aggadah: Legends from the Talmud and Midrash

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Art & Culture

History

07/03/23

Stories: The Incredible Power of a Story to Change Lives

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins

Rabbi Elkins is the rabbi emeritus at The Jewish Center of Princeton NJ.

Book Recommendations: Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul, Jewish Stories from Heaven and Earth: Inspiring Tales to Nourish the Heart and Soul, and The Book of Legends/Sefer Ha-Aggadah: Legends from the Talmud and Midrash

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Art & Culture

History

07/03/23

Practicing Judaism in the 21st Century: Rereading the Torah as a Spiritual Handbook – Class #4

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

06/27/23

Parshat Chukat-Balak: On Calmness in Leadership & On Being a People That Dwells Apart

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

06/27/23

Crying with God: Suffering and Divinity in the Thought of the Aish Kodesh

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Tali Adler

About the Event:
What did it look like to find God in the Warsaw Ghetto? How did one man make sense of the deepest human suffering while locating himself uncompromisingly within Jewish tradition? Join us as we study the Aish Kodesh, the Piacezna Rebbe’s weekly sermons delivered each Shabbat in the Warsaw Ghetto, and attempt to uncover how his Torah might help us make sense of our lives today.

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Tali Adler is a member of the Hadar faculty. A musmekhet of Yeshivat Maharat and alumna of Stern College for Women, Rabbi Adler has studied at a number of institutions including Hadar, Drisha, and Midreshet HaRova.

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

06/27/23

Crying with God: Suffering and Divinity in the Thought of the Aish Kodesh

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Tali Adler

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Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

06/26/23

Practicing Judaism in the 21st Century: Rereading the Torah as a Spiritual Handbook – Class #3

A virtual, six-part series presented by Rabbi Dr. Darren Kleinberg

About the Event:
In this mini-course, we welcome back Valley Beit Midrash founder, Rabbi Darren Kleinberg, for a new encounter with the Torah. Commonly understood as a book of laws and stories, Rabbi Kleinberg will unlock new ways of reading through the words of Judaism’s foundational sacred text to unlock practices that can be incorporated into our daily lives to increase insight and well-being.

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Darren Kleinberg, Ph.D., is a Senior Fellow with the Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. In partnership with a group of visionary community leaders, Rabbi Kleinberg became the Founding Executive Director of Valley Beit Midrash in 2007.

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

06/26/23

Practicing Judaism in the 21st Century: Rereading the Torah as a Spiritual Handbook – Class #3

A virtual, six-part series presented by Rabbi Dr. Darren Kleinberg

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Antisemitism

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interfaith

Interview

06/22/23

Antisemitism in the UK & Global Interfaith Bridgebuilding in London: An Interview with Rabbi Alexander Goldberg

Dr. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz (Dean of Valley Biet Midrash) interviews Rabbi Alexander Goldberg in London, England.

He contributes regularly to BBC Radio 2’s Pause for Thought and appears regularly on television, radio, and in print media. He is an advisor to the UK Religious Media Centre. He chairs the Football Association's Faith Network and in 2012, was an Olympic / Paralympic Chaplain where his work was recognized by the Olympic Peace Truce Centre. Nominated by the Conference of European Rabbis, he serves as a full member of the European Muslim Jewish Religious Leaders Council and was named an Interfaith Associate and partner in Christian-Jewish and interfaith dialogue by the Lord Bishop of Guildford.

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Antisemitism

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

Politics & Government

06/21/23

Liberal Judaism in Paris: An Interview with Rabbi Tom Cohen

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yankolwitz (Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) interviews Rabbi Tom Cohen in Paris, France.

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

Politics & Government

06/21/23

Is Territory Sacred? Unexpected Kabbalistic Teachings for an Age of Religious Conflict

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Nathaniel Berman

The event was co-hosted by Hebrew Educational Alliance

About the Event:
What can kabbalistic teachings contribute to a world in which rival claims to sacred land continue to cause such suffering? It is true that some kabbalistic teachings make such conflicts worse – bestowing specific sites with absolute value, making compromise impossible. Other kabbalistic teachings, however, insist that we look for true sacredness in unexpected places – strange lands, remote villages, barren deserts – rather than in official holy sites. These teachings embody the deepest kabbalistic imperative: to seek out the holiest in the most profane, whether in the world or in our own souls. We can trace the roots of such teachings too often neglected strands of biblical texts and we can see them flourishing in the writings of key Hasidic sages.

About the Speaker:
Nathaniel Berman is the Rahel Varnhagen Professor in Brown University’s Department of Religious Studies. He is the author of Passion and Ambivalence: Colonialism, Nationalism, and International Law (Brill 2011) and Divine and Demonic in the Poetic Mythology of the Zohar: the ‘Other Side’ of Kabbalah (Brill 2018).

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Jewish Texts

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

06/20/23

Is Territory Sacred? Unexpected Kabbalistic Teachings for an Age of Religious Conflict

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Nathaniel Berman

The event was co-hosted by Hebrew Educational Alliance

About the Event:
Rav Abraham Isaac Kook (1865-1935) was a highly complex individual: legalist and philosopher, mystic and poet. In his role as Chief Rabbi of Eretz Israel (1921-1935), he emerged as a leader of world Jewry. Since his passing, Rav Kook’s literary legacy has exercised generations of scholars and thinkers (such as Rabbis J.B Soloveitchik, Isaac Hutner, and Jonathan Sacks, to name a few). That legacy, which contains elements of nationalism and universalism, continues to baffle his admirers and detractors. In this class, we will glimpse Rav Kook’s spiritual renaissance and his vision of humanity’s evolving consciousness.

About the Speaker:
Bezalel Naor is the author of many works of Jewish thought in English and Hebrew – philosophy, Kabbalah, and Hasidism – with a major concentration on the writings of the great Seer of Israel, Rav Kook. He is also the translator of Orot, Rav Kook’s seminal work.
Naor’s published books include: Navigating Worlds: Collected Essays Vols. 1 & 2 (2021), The Legends of Rabbah bar Bar Hannah (2019), The Koren Rav Kook Siddur (2017), When God Becomes History: Historical Essays of Rav Kook (2016), Mahol la-Tzaddikim; The Controversy between Rabbi Moshe Hayyim Luzzatto and Rabbi Eizik Epstein of Homel Concerning the Divine Design in Creation (2015), Kana’uteh de Pinhas (2013), an analysis of the critique of Leshem Shevo ve-Ahlamah, The Kabbalah of Relation (2012), and The Limit of Intellectual Freedom: Letters of Rav Kook (2011).

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Jewish Texts

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

06/13/23

Rav Kook’s Universalism

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Bezalel Naor

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Jonathan Spira-Savett

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion & BMH-BJ

About The Event:
One of the most nuanced recent explorations of teshuvah is a television show that has been described as “the smartest, dumbest show on TV.” The Good Place follows four human beings whom we meet in a “neighborhood” of the afterlife supervised by two eternal beings. (This description will try not to spoil the show for those who haven’t watched it, but the session will definitely have spoilers!) One of the humans is a professor of ethical philosophy, and another quickly reveals to him that she has been sent there by mistake. Together, they get to work keeping her from being expelled to the “bad place”, by studying ethics and applying the concepts to working on her character. In the course of four seasons, the show explicitly teaches concepts in ethical philosophy and portrays their application to moral self-improvement. There is almost no specific religious reference in the show, beyond the gestures to “heaven” and “hell.” But what has intrigued Jewish educators are moves that seem like midrashim on teshuvah in a Maimonidean sense and on the book of Esther, and echoes of many core Jewish ethical concepts. The Tov! podcast began with the idea of just juxtaposing each episode’s theme against Jewish teaching — hardly a sophisticated educational methodology. But the further we went, the more alive certain texts become for me, particularly those about teshuvah. And the more I have been surprised at realizations about the moral significance of things like time, friendship, and theology. In the session, we’ll watch and hear some tastes from the TV show and the podcast along with my own story, and hopefully, you’ll be intrigued to watch the show on your own, or re-watch it with a new lens!

Enjoy the 9th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

05/24/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #9 Thomas Hobbes

Enjoy the 9th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

05/24/23

The Prayer Book

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer

The event was co-sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

About the Event:
The words of the Jewish prayer may be described as a confluence of the most personal of moments and the story of an entire nation. Diving into its pages we will learn of moments of faith and fears, moments of indescribable ecstasy and sheer suffering – moments that created prayer. Leafing together through its pages, we will come to discover, not only historic moments which led to canonized prayer but also, what our inner prayer book might look like as well.

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #8 Moses Maimonides

Enjoy the 8th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

05/19/23

Zionism and the Challenge of Power

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman

The event was co-hosted by Temple Solel

About the Event:
Israel did not only establish the homeland of the Jewish people. It established the Jewish people as a people of power. This power, which enabled Israel’s survival, and was a primary source of attraction and identification with Israel, is increasingly becoming a source of criticism and at times alienation. For Zionism to play a central role in contemporary Jewish life we need to develop a new narrative of power. How do we understand power? Is it a value? What is its role in 21st-century Jewish life?

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman is president of the Shalom Hartman Institute and holds the Kaufman Family Chair in Jewish Philosophy. He is the author of the highly regarded 2016 book, Putting God Second: How to Save Religion from Itself, and is the host of “For Heaven’s Sake,” one of the most popular Jewish podcasts in North America.

He has a Ph.D. in Jewish philosophy from Hebrew University, an M.A. in political philosophy from New York University, an M.A. in religion from Temple University, and a Rabbinic ordination from the Shalom Hartman Institute. Donniel is the author of The Boundaries of Judaism, co-author of Spheres of Jewish Identity, and co-editor of Judaism and the Challenges of Modern Life. His new book entitled Who Are The Jews and Who We Can Become, will be published by JPS in the fall of 2023.

Tags

Zionism

05/19/23

Pluralism, Democracy & Israeli Protests: An Interview with Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (President and Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) interviews Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman
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Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman is president of the Shalom Hartman Institute and holds the Kaufman Family Chair in Jewish Philosophy. He is the author of the highly regarded 2016 book, Putting God Second: How to Save Religion from Itself, and is the host of “For Heaven’s Sake,” one of the most popular Jewish podcasts in North America.

He has a Ph.D. in Jewish philosophy from Hebrew University, an M.A. in political philosophy from New York University, an M.A. in religion from Temple University, and a Rabbinic ordination from the Shalom Hartman Institute. Is the author of The Boundaries of Judaism, co-author of Spheres of Jewish Identity, and co-editor of Judaism and the Challenges of Modern Life. His new book entitled Who Are The Jews and Who We Can Become, will be published by JPS in the fall of 2023.

He is married to Adina and is the father of three children and five grandchildren.

Tags

Interview

Israel

05/19/23

Pluralism, Democracy & Israeli Protests: An Interview with Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman

He has a Ph.D. in Jewish philosophy from Hebrew University, an M.A. in political philosophy from New York University, an M.A. in religion from Temple University, and a Rabbinic ordination from the Shalom Hartman Institute. Is the author of The Boundaries of Judaism, co-author of Spheres of Jewish Identity, and co-editor of Judaism and the Challenges of Modern Life. His new book entitled Who Are The Jews and Who We Can Become, will be published by JPS in the fall of 2023.

He is married to Adina and is the father of three children and five grandchildren.

Tags

Interview

Israel

05/19/23

Zionism and the Challenge of Power

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman

The event was co-hosted by Temple Solel

Tags

Zionism

05/18/23

Looking at Eretz Yisrael in the Scriptures: What Can We Learn? A Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman

Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman is president of the Shalom Hartman Institute and holds the Kaufman Family Chair in Jewish Philosophy. He is the author of the highly regarded 2016 book, Putting God Second: How to Save Religion from Itself, and is the host of “For Heaven’s Sake,” one of the most popular Jewish podcasts in North America.

Donniel is the founder of some of the most extensive education, training, and enrichment programs for scholars, educators, rabbis, and religious and lay leaders in Israel and North America. He is a prominent essayist, blogger, and lecturer on issues of Israeli politics, policy, Judaism, and the Jewish community. He has a Ph.D. in Jewish philosophy from Hebrew University, an M.A. in political philosophy from New York University, an M.A. in religion from Temple University, and a Rabbinic ordination from the Shalom Hartman Institute.

He is the author of The Boundaries of Judaism, co-author of Spheres of Jewish Identity, and co-editor of Judaism and the Challenges of Modern Life. His new book entitled Who Are The Jews and Who We Can Become, will be published by JPS in the fall of 2023.

He is married to Adina and is the father of three children and five grandchildren.

*Source Sheet: https://docs.google.com/file/d/1QkrbKZygfbNUnmprCTCQU5tPkxELn7dp/edit?filetype=msword

Tags

Israel

Jewish Texts

05/18/23

Looking at Eretz Yisrael in the Scriptures: What Can We Learn? A Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman

He is married to Adina and is the father of three children and five grandchildren.

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Russ Linden

The event was co-sponsored by Rodef Shalom

About the Event:
We Jews like to debate and argue – with each other, with our teachers, even with God. Indeed, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ZT”L wrote that “God loves those who argue.”* Why? Because we mortals can’t see the entirety of an issue, so we need to hear another side. However, it’s one thing to debate and argue, and quite another to do so persuasively. How do we speak our truth so that those in power can consider it? In this session, we’ll learn from Abraham, Moses, and the five daughters of Zelophehad, who were able to help God see “another side” and change course.

*Rabbi Sacks’ essay is at: https://www.rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/shemot/god-loves-those-who-argue/

About the Speaker:
Russ is a management educator and author of six books. Since the mid-1980s he has taught public and nonprofit executives and managers about leadership, collaboration, the human side of change, resilience, crisis leadership, and related topics. His latest book is Loss and Discovery: What the Torah Can Teach Us about Leading Change. He has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Virginia and the Federal Executive Institute for over 35 years. In 2003 he was the Williams Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the State University of New York (Fredonia) School of Business. He has consulted with numerous government agencies and elected officials, as well as nonprofits in the U.S. and Israel.

Russ is a former president of his congregation, where he sometimes gives the d’var Torah during Shabbat services. He was the president of the local Jewish federation and served on the University of Virginia Hillel board. Russ has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Michigan. He has a Ph.D. in organizational leadership from the University of Virginia. His volunteer activities include leading an organization that works to make the community more open and welcoming for refugees and immigrants. He and his wife live in Charlottesville. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.

Tags

Jewish Texts

05/15/23

Speaking Truth to Power

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Russ Linden

The event was co-sponsored by Rodef Shalom

*Rabbi Sacks’ essay is at: https://www.rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/shemot/god-loves-those-who-argue/

Tags

Jewish Texts

05/15/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #7 Averroes

Enjoy the 7th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Divrei Torah

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

05/11/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #7 Averroes

Enjoy the 7th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Tags

Interview

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

05/08/23

Cultivating Spiritual & Moral Imagination: An Interview with Rabbi Mike Feuer

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (President and Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) interviews Rabbi Mike Feuer.

Tags

Interview

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

05/08/23

Is There a Future for American Zionism? American Zionism in the Era of the Ethnic State

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Mike Feuer

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Chai

About the Event:
Zionism was initially a small element of Jewish life in America, running at times counter to the mainstream. Israel’s independence forced a revolution on American Jews as well, and a new covenant with the state was stuck which placed Zionism at the base of American Jewish life. This class will explore the nature of the relationship between American Jewry and Israel and the role Zionism has played in its evolution. A look at the past and present will serve as a foundation for asking the pressing questions of the future. What lies ahead for Israel and American Jewry, and what role will Zionism play between them?

About the Speaker:
Rav Mike Feuer is an educational entrepreneur, content creator, and spiritual counsellor who uses the power of story to teach and inspire. He is host of the Jewish Story history podcast, co-author of The Age of Prophecy biblical fantasy series, and offers narrative therapy to people around the world. No matter how Rav Mike is engaged, his mission is always the same – telling a story of the past to uphold an identity in the present equipped to build the future of which we dream.

Tags

History

Israel

Zionism

05/08/23

Is There a Future for American Zionism? American Zionism in the Era of the Ethnic State

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi Mike Feuer

The event was co-sponsored by Temple Chai

Tags

History

Israel

Zionism

05/05/23

Parshat Emor: On Sanctifying God’s Name

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

05/04/23

Parshat Emor: On Sanctifying God’s Name

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

05/04/23

Inside the Mind of God: Plato, Christians, and Jews

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Joshua Garroway

The event was Co-Hosted by Temple Emanuel Denver

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #6 Avicenna

Enjoy the 6th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

About the Event:
The Jewish phrase “because of repairing the world” has become a widespread slogan for a commitment to a broad array of social justice causes. But many scholars and activists have cautioned that a phrase that can advocate anything can end up meaning nothing. A careful reappraisal of the rabbinic usage of the term, however, reveals something more: that “repairing the world” was code for public policy that considered the full range of potential consequences for the vulnerable people it meant to protect.

About the Speaker:
William Friedman is a doctoral candidate in Ancient Judaism at Harvard University, writing a dissertation on reasons for laws in the ancient near east. He also has rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Daniel Landes (Yashrut) and was a Kogod Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. He has studied and taught at a wide variety of Jewish institutions, including Pardes, YCT, JTS, and Hebrew College. He lives in Chicago with his spouse, Rabbi Sarah Mulhern, and two children, where he is the rabbinic spouse (rebbetzin) of Base LNCLN, welcoming college students and young adults for learning, service, and Jewish experiences.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

04/25/23

“Repairing the World” (Tikkun Olam): Radical Justice or Conscientious Consequentialism?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Will Friedman

The event was Co-Hosted by Temple Solel

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

04/24/23

Parshat Tazria-Metzora: On Examining Others’ Wounds & On Cleansing the House

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Rabbi Benjamin Berger, Vice President for Jewish Education and Experience Rabbi Ben Berger oversees Jewish and Israeli education at Hillel International, including three major priority areas: student experiences, educator development, and movement culture. Together these pillars of Hillel’s work center are Jewish learning and powerful Jewish experiences with the goal of growing the skills, knowledge, connections, and confidence of students and professionals. Ben has many years of experience at several campus Hillels including Cornell University, the University of Michigan, and The Ohio State University. He was formerly the director of the Wexner Heritage Program, which has the mission to expand the vision, deepen the knowledge, and build the confidence of Jewish volunteer leaders throughout the North American Jewish community. Ben was ordained by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School.

He, his wife Rachel, also a Hillel International professional, and their four daughters live in Washington, DC.

Hillel website: https://www.hillel.org/

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

College and University

Education

Interview

Israel

03/31/23

Israel Education on Campus: Rabbi Benjamin Berger Interviewed by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz

He, his wife Rachel, also a Hillel International professional, and their four daughters live in Washington, DC.

Hillel website: https://www.hillel.org/

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

College and University

Education

Interview

Israel

03/31/23

Green Burial and Jewish Law

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Adina Lewittes

Event Co-Sponsored by Temple Emanuel

About the Event:
Cultural and environmental trends of the 21st century are raising important challenges to long-accepted notions of Kevod Hamet (“respect for the deceased”) in the way we handle bodies after death. Are our assumptions around the requirements for burial grounded in our sacred texts? Is burial really a mitzvah? Is cremation absolutely prohibited? Can alternatives to traditional practices live within a halakhic (Jewish legal) framework?

*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fRFOJ32L_f7aW1PpEU_dear17_ylEB-X/view?ts=6425874c

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Adina Lewittes founded Sha’ar, a northern NJ/NYC-based, values-driven Jewish community oriented around the call to societal, environmental, and spiritual sustainability. For nearly twenty years, Sha’ar provided multiple gateways into Jewish life exemplified by a commitment to inclusiveness, diversity, innovation, scholarship, excellence, and collaboration.

Adina recently served as the Scholar in Residence at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in NYC, a synagogue renowned for its commitment to social justice and spiritual activism. Adina is also a member of the senior rabbinic faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute, and she sits on the Board of Trustees of the Abraham Joshua Heschel School and on the Board of Keshet. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member of the Rabbinical School at JTS where she teaches contemporary Jewish Law.

Previously, Adina served as the Assistant Dean of the Rabbinical School at JTS, and founded a synagogue in Englewood, New Jersey, modeling shared leadership and collective communal responsibility. Adina regularly enjoys speaking engagements in the US and Canada and publishing essays on topics including Jewish identity, modern Jewish law, leadership, Jewish innovation, sexual/gender diversity, multifaith/multiheritage marriage and engagement, and contemporary Jewish spirituality. She is married to Andi Lewittes and has four children, two stepchildren, and one incredible dog.

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Jewish Texts

03/30/23

Green Burial and Jewish Law

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Adina Lewittes

Event Co-Sponsored by Temple Emanuel

*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fRFOJ32L_f7aW1PpEU_dear17_ylEB-X/view?ts=6425874c

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

03/30/23

Parshat Tzav: On Drawing Near

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/29/23

Parshat Tzav: On Drawing Near

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/29/23

Evil: A Brief Biography

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer

Event Co-Hosted by BMH-BJ

About the Event:
Is evil manmade or divine? Do evil things happen due to our own faulty actions or are there forces of evil constantly trying to disrupt the divine plan? This class does not attempt to answer these questions. Rather, we shall go on a textual journey through the bustling port city of Alexandria through to the lavender blossoming fields of medieval Provance, to see how Jewish intellectual giants grappled with these questions.

About the Speaker:
Jonnie Schnytzer is probably the only Ph.D. in Jewish Philosophy, focusing on medieval kabbalah, who can say that he once beat the head of Israeli Naval Commandos in a swimming race? His dissertation focused on the scientific kabbalah of Rabbi Joseph ben Shalom Ashkenazi. Jonnie’s forthcoming book is about Ashkenazi’s Kabbalah as well as a critical edition of the kabbalist’s majestic commentary on Sefer Yesira. Jonnie’s also the author of Mossad’s thriller, The Way Back, which paints a picture of contemporary Israel. Jonnie also orchestrated the publishing of an English edition of ‘The Hitler Haggadah’, an important piece of Moroccan Jewish history from the Holocaust. Jonnie has also taken on several leadership roles in the Jewish world, including advisor to the CEO of Birthright and executive manager with StandWithUs. He lectures on a wide variety of topics relating to Judaism and Israel, especially about the untold stories and unspoken heroes of Jewish history. Jonnie is happily married, with four gorgeous little kids, lives in Israel, and thinks that Australian Rules Football is the greatest sport ever invented.

Tags

Jewish Texts

03/28/23

Evil: A Brief Biography

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer

Event Co-Hosted by BMH-BJ

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Jewish Texts

03/28/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #1 Confucius

Enjoy the 1st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Series: 45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism

03/22/23

45 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism – #1 Confucius

Enjoy the 1st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “40 Great Philosophers & What They Mean for Judaism” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Jewish Texts

03/22/23

Antisemitism in Admissions in Higher Education

A virtual event presentation by Professor Ari Kelman

Event Co-Hosted by Hebrew Education Alliance

About the Event:
The place of American Jews in higher education is a complicated story. It is at once a story that is central to American Jewish class mobility, yet it is also undercut by evidence of antisemitism at some of the United States’ most revered institutions. The story of antisemitic exclusion at many of the Ivy League schools in the early decades of the 20th century has been well-documented. What is less known is the story of other schools which also engaged in exclusionary practices in the decades following World War II. In this presentation, Professor Kelman will examine one such instance of systematic exclusion in admissions. It is a story of administration, admissions, and antisemitism.

About the Speaker:
Professor Kelman’s research focuses on the forms and practices of religious knowledge transmission. He holds a specific research interest in American Jewry and writes broadly about the American Jewish experience. Recently, his focus has landed on questions of how American Jews come to understand themselves as a distinct community, and how social science methods reveal and conceal dimensions of American Jewish life including, most significantly, the racial and ethnic identities of American Jews.

He is the author of Shout to the Lord: Making Worship Music in Evangelical America (NYU 2018) and Station Identification: A Cultural History of Yiddish Radio (California, 2009). He is also the co-editor (with Jon Levisohn) of Beyond Jewish Identity (2019: Academic Studies Press), the editor of Is Diss a System?: A Milt Gross Comic Reader (NYU, 2010), co-author of Sacred Strategies: Transforming Synagogues from Functional to Visionary (Alban Institute, 2011). Together with research partners at Stanford and elsewhere, he maintains an active research agenda and publishes regularly in venues both scholarly and popular. He serves as the chairperson of the Network for Research in Jewish Education. He is also an editor of Jewish Social Studies and serves on the executive board of the Association for Jewish Studies.

Tags

Antisemitism

Education

History

03/22/23

Antisemitism in Admissions in Higher Education

A virtual event presentation by Professor Ari Kelman

Event Co-Hosted by Hebrew Education Alliance

Tags

Antisemitism

Education

History

03/21/23

Parshat Vayikra: On the Wholeness Offering

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/21/23

Parshat Vayikra: On the Wholeness Offering

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/20/23

Reading Megillat Esther More Closely

In-Person presentation by Ilan Kogan

About the Event:
We will be looking at several verses from the Book of Esther and seeing what questions could be gleaned from those verses. Several verses in the Book of Esther utilize double language, missing or additional letters, and sometimes what seems to be contradictory information. After discussing possible questions that could be found in those verses, we will look at the commentary on each of those verses that answered at least one question from each verse. We will be able to see that the Rabbis were not dismissive of these “abnormalities” in the text, but in fact, recognized their importance and attempted to explain them.

About the Speaker:
Ilan Kogan is a first-year student at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Ilan is from Queens, NY. He has a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from CUNY Queens College. In addition to spending his time studying at YCT, he also runs a Tik Tok account detailing his life as a Rabbinical Student, as well as containing humorous content about Judaism and questions and answers about Yiddishkeit. Ilan currently lives on the Upper West Side in New York City.

Link to Sefaria Source Sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/467850.10?lang=he

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

03/15/23

Parshat Vayakel-Pekudei: On the Right to Rest & Re-Centering

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/13/23

Parshat Vayakel-Pekudei: On the Right to Rest & Re-Centering

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/13/23

Activating the Soul! Lighting a Fire Within!

A virtual presentation by Rabbi Avi Weiss

Event Co-Sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

About the Event:
Learn with Rabbi Avi Weiss about the transformative potential of Jewish spirituality. How can prayer, meditation, learning, and even activism sustain our inner flame? How wisdom have the Hasidic masters left us on how to live a life that is soulful?

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Avi Weiss founded Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in 1999. He is also the founding rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale-the Bayit, a congregation of 850 families in the Bronx, New York, founder of Yeshivat Maharat, and the co-founder of the International Rabbinic Fellowship (IRF). Rav Avi served as National Chairman of the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry (SSSJ) from 1982 to 1991 and subsequently as the National President of AMCHA – the Coalition for Jewish Concerns, raising a voice of moral conscience on behalf of the Jewish people and humankind throughout the world. He is the author of Women at Prayer: A Halakhic Analysis of Women’s Prayer Groups, Spiritual Activism: A Jewish Guide to Leadership and Repairing the World, Open Up the Iron Door: Memoirs of a Soviet Jewry Activist, and Journey to Open Orthodoxy. His new book, Torat Ahavah: Loving Torah will be published this year.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

03/13/23

Activating the Soul! Lighting a Fire Within!

A virtual presentation by Rabbi Avi Weiss

Event Co-Sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

03/13/23

Hitlamdut (Always Learning) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #39

Enjoy the 39th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

03/10/23

Hitlamdut (Always Learning) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #39

Enjoy the 39th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

03/10/23

Jewish Bulgaria: A Virtual Sephardic Journey

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Joseph Benatov

Event Co-Sponsored by Temple Emanuel

About the Event:
Join us for a dynamic interactive trip through Bulgaria’s rich Jewish heritage. Our virtual tour will make stops in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s largest cities, and will take us inside the sumptuous Neo-Moorish Sofia synagogue. Other highlights along the way include the medieval capital, the grand Rila Monastery, and the mountain town of Samokov, home to the affluent Arie dynasty. You will have a chance to learn about the history and culture of the Bulgarian Sephardic Jews. We will discuss the historical details surrounding both the deportation to Treblinka of nearly 11,400 Greek and Macedonian Jews as well as the survival of all 50,000 Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust. We will note some of the most prominent politicians, clergymen, and intellectuals who stood up for their Jewish neighbors. Our final destination will be Jaffa, Israel, where large numbers of Bulgarian Jews settled between 1948 and 1952.

About the Speaker:
Joseph Benatov holds a doctorate in comparative literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches Hebrew. He has written on competing national narratives of the saving of the Bulgarian Jews during World War II; Jewish identity politics in Philip Roth’s early fiction; and the sensationalism of U.S. representations of life behind the Iron Curtain. He has translated fiction, poetry, and drama, including several plays staged to wide acclaim in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is also the English translator of the contemporary Bulgarian novel Zift. Every summer Dr. Benatov leads Jewish heritage trips to the Balkans.

Tags

Art & Culture

Education

History

Travel

03/09/23

Jewish Bulgaria: A Virtual Sephardic Journey

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Joseph Benatov

Event Co-Sponsored by Temple Emanuel

Tags

Art & Culture

Education

History

Travel

03/09/23

Parshat Ki Tisa: On the Masks We Wear

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/07/23

Parshat Ki Tisa: On the Masks We Wear

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

03/07/23

Agreeable Jews, Dead Jews, and the Challenge of Diversity

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Dara Horn

Presented in partnership with: Scottsdale Arts and Congregation Beth Israel

About The Event:
Is there any connection between recent antisemitic attacks and recent controversies about public Holocaust education? Actually, yes, and it’s built into a strange historic bargain struck between Jews and non-Jewish societies, including here in the United States. Here are the parameters of that bargain, and the reasons why we all should opt-out.

About The Speaker:
Dara Horn is the award-winning author of six books, including the novels In the Image (Norton 2002), The World to Come (Norton 2006), All Other Nights (Norton 2009), A Guide for the Perplexed (Norton 2013), and Eternal Life (Norton 2018), and the essay collection People Love Dead Jews (Norton 2021). One of Granta magazine’s Best Young American Novelists, she is the recipient of two National Jewish Book Awards, the Edward Lewis Wallant Award, the Harold U. Ribalow Award, and the Reform Judaism Fiction Prize, and she was a finalist for the JW Wingate Prize, the Simpson Family Literary Prize, and the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Her books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books, Booklist’s Best 25 Books of the Decade, and San Francisco Chronicle’s Best Books of the Year, and have been translated into eleven languages. Her nonfiction work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Smithsonian, and The Jewish Review of Books, among many other publications, and she is a regular columnist for Tablet. Horn received her doctorate in Yiddish and Hebrew literature from Harvard University. She has taught courses in these subjects at Sarah Lawrence College and Yeshiva University and has held the Gerald Weinstock Visiting Professorship in Jewish Studies at Harvard. She has lectured for audiences in hundreds of venues throughout North America, Israel, and Australia. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and four children.

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Death, Grief & Mourning

03/07/23

Agreeable Jews, Dead Jews, and the Challenge of Diversity

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Dara Horn

Presented in partnership with: Scottsdale Arts and Congregation Beth Israel

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Death, Grief & Mourning

03/07/23

Jewish Spies in the Civil War and Contemporary Polarization: An Interview With Dara Horn

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (President and Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) interviews Dara Horn.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Interview

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

03/03/23

Jewish Spies in the Civil War and Contemporary Polarization: An Interview With Dara Horn

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (President and Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) interviews Dara Horn.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Interview

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

03/03/23

Esther the Graphic Novel: How the OG Wonder Woman Took Flight

A virtual event presentation by Jordan B. Gorfinkel

Event Co-Sponsored by Rodef Shalom

About The Event:
An interview and discussion with Jordan B. Gorfinkel—Gorf—about Esther the Graphic Novel and the history of the original female superhero!

About The Speaker:
Jordan B. Gorfinkel—Gorf—is a veteran Batman Editor working in graphic novels, film, and TV (www.gorfy.com). He created the #1 bestselling Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel and is launching the non-profit Jewish Graphic Novel Initiative. His studio Avalanche Comics Entertainment produces corporate storytelling. He draws @JewishCartoon weekly. As a musician, he pioneered professional Jewish A Cappella (www.KolZimra.com). And he travels the world to speak and give workshops, spreading the message: Make Judaism Your Superpower!

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Interview

03/03/23

Esther the Graphic Novel: How the OG Wonder Woman Took Flight

A virtual event presentation by Jordan B. Gorfinkel

Event Co-Sponsored by Rodef Shalom

About The Event:
An interview and discussion with Jordan B. Gorfinkel—Gorf—about Esther the Graphic Novel and the history of the original female superhero!

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Interview

03/02/23

Ometz (Striving for Courage) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #38

Enjoy the 38th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

03/01/23

Ometz (Striving for Courage) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #38

Enjoy the 38th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

02/28/23

Parshat Tetzaveh: On Clothing

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/27/23

Parshat Tetzaveh: On Clothing

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/27/23

Was the Holocaust a Divine Punishment?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo

Event Co-Sponsored by BMH BJ

About The Event:
This shiur (session) deals with the questions of whether the kelalot (curses) in the Torah are applicable to the Holocaust and the different shitot (theories) concerning the Holocaust.

About The Speaker
Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo is the Founder and Dean of the David Cardozo Academy and the Bet Midrash of Avraham Avinu in Jerusalem. A sought-after lecturer on the international stage for both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences, Rabbi Cardozo is the author of 13 books and numerous articles in both English and Hebrew. Rabbi Cardozo heads a Think Tank focused on finding new Halachic and philosophical approaches to dealing with the crisis of religion and identity amongst Jews and the Jewish State of Israel. Hailing from the Netherlands, Rabbi Cardozo is known for his original and often fearlessly controversial insights into Judaism. His ideas are widely debated on an international level on social media, blogs, books, and other forums.

Written by NLC and Ilana Sinclair

Tags

Education

History

Holocaust

Jewish Texts

02/27/23

Was the Holocaust a Divine Punishment?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo

Event Co-Sponsored by BMH BJ

Written by NLC and Ilana Sinclair

Tags

Education

History

Holocaust

Jewish Texts

02/24/23

Parshat Terumah: On the Sanctity of the Table

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

02/14/23

Parshat Mishpatim: On the Parent-Child Relationship

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/14/23

Parshat Mishpatim: On the Parent-Child Relationship

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/14/23

The Maternal Divine

A virtual event presentation by Deena Aranoff

About The Event:
In this class, we will participate in a close study of Torah texts that reveal maternal aspects of the divine.

About The Speaker:
Deena Aranoff is the Faculty Director of the Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish studies at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. She teaches rabbinic literature, medieval patterns of Jewish thought, and the broader question of continuity and change in Jewish history. Her recent publications engage with the subject of childcare, maternity, and the making of Jewish culture.

Tags

Divrei Torah

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Jewish Texts

02/13/23

The Maternal Divine

A virtual event presentation by Deena Aranoff

About The Event:
In this class, we will participate in a close study of Torah texts that reveal maternal aspects of the divine.

Tags

Divrei Torah

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Jewish Texts

02/10/23

Emunah u’Bitachon (Holding Faith and Trust)- Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #36

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Jewish Texts

02/10/23

Emunah u’Bitachon (Holding Faith and Trust)- Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #36

Enjoy the 36th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

02/10/23

Parshat Yitro: On Leadership and Management

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/08/23

Parshat Yitro: On Leadership and Management

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

02/08/23

Tu B’Shevat Seder: Tasting Israeli Fruit and Wine & Exploring Israel’s Political Landscape with a Settler-Orthodox Rabbi

An in-person event by Rav Yehuda HaKohen

About The Event:
Learning to see the subtle stirrings of social & political change beneath the surface. A Tu B’shvat Seder.

About The Speaker:
Rav Yehuda HaKohen is an Israeli organizer & educator. As a leader in the Vision movement, he works to empower students to become thought leaders & active participants in the current chapter of Jewish history. As a Jew living in the West Bank / northern Judea, HaKohen also organizes grassroots dialogue sessions for Palestinians & Israelis seeking to transcend competing one-sided narratives in favor of a more holistic analysis of the conflict.

Tags

Israel

Politics & Government

02/08/23

Tu B’Shevat Seder: Tasting Israeli Fruit and Wine & Exploring Israel’s Political Landscape with a Settler-Orthodox Rabbi

An in-person event by Rav Yehuda HaKohen

About The Event:
Learning to see the subtle stirrings of social & political change beneath the surface. A Tu B’shvat Seder.

Tags

Israel

Politics & Government

02/08/23

Pharaoh Never Died: Midrash and the Art of Text-Weaving

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Kasher

Event Co-Sponsored by BMH BJ

About The Event:
The Israelites made it across the Red Sea just in time. As they touched shore on the other side, the miraculously parted waters came crashing back down and Pharaoh his army, chariots and all, drowned in the water. But wait, says the midrash. Pharoah somehow made it out alive! And you’ll never guess where he ended up…

About The Speaker:
Rabbi David Kasher serves as an Associate Rabbi at IKAR, a non-denominational spiritual community in Los Angeles. He received his BA in Political Science at Wesleyan University, holds a J.S.D. from Berkeley Law, and received his Rabbinic Ordination at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Rabbi Kasher grew up bouncing back and forth between the Bay Area and Brooklyn, hippies, and Hassidim – and has been trying to synthesize these two worlds ever since. He was part of the founding team at Kevah, a nonprofit specializing in Adult Jewish Education. He has served on the faculty of Berkeley Law, the Wexner Heritage Program, Reboot, and The BINA Secular Yeshiva, and also taught at Pardes, SVARA, The Hartman Institute, AJR, and HUC. Rabbi Kasher is a teacher of nearly all forms of classical Jewish literature, but his greatest passion is Torah commentary, and he just published a book on the subject, ParshaNut: 54 Journeys Into the World of Torah Commentary.

Tags

Divrei Torah

History

Jewish Texts

02/06/23

Pharaoh Never Died: Midrash and the Art of Text-Weaving

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Kasher

Event Co-Sponsored by BMH BJ

Tags

Divrei Torah

History

Jewish Texts

02/06/23

This Book is On Fire: The Radical Linguistic Theology of the Rabbis

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Kasher

Event Co-Sponsored by Beth El Phoenix

About The Event:
Rabbinic Judaism emerged like a phoenix out of the ashes of the destruction of the Great Temple in Jerusalem. The rabbis proposed that the new center of Jewish life could be located not in a building, but in a book. But in order to make such a bold move, they had to develop a dynamic new way of reading that book. And to do that, they would need a whole new theology.

About The Speaker:
Rabbi Dr. David Kasher serves as an Associate Rabbi at IKAR, a non-denominational spiritual community in Los Angeles. He received his BA in Political Science at Wesleyan University, holds a J.S.D. from Berkeley Law, and received his Rabbinic Ordination at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Rabbi Kasher grew up bouncing back and forth between the Bay Area and Brooklyn, hippies, and Hassidim – and has been trying to synthesize these two worlds ever since. He was part of the founding team at Kevah, a nonprofit specializing in Adult Jewish Education. He has served on the faculty of Berkeley Law, the Wexner Heritage Program, Reboot, and The BINA Secular Yeshiva, and also taught at Pardes, SVARA, The Hartman Institute, AJR, and HUC. Rabbi Kasher is a teacher of nearly all forms of classical Jewish literature, but his greatest passion is Torah commentary, and he just published a book on the subject, ParshaNut: 54 Journeys Into the World of Torah Commentary.

Tags

Art & Culture

Education

History

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/06/23

This Book is On Fire: The Radical Linguistic Theology of the Rabbis

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Kasher

Event Co-Sponsored by Beth El Phoenix

Tags

Art & Culture

Education

History

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/06/23

Get Real! Can Psychedelics Be Healing?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Aaron Cherniak

Event Co-Hosted by Temple Chai

About The Event:
In recent decades, there has been a revival of scientific and clinical research into psychedelic drugs and their therapeutic potential. In this talk, I will review some emerging findings and offer some important context, which will provoke larger questions about psychological – and spiritual – healing, both with the use of psychedelic substances and in everyday life.

About The Speaker:
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Cherniak is a research and clinical psychologist completing his Ph.D. at Stockholm University, as well as the Director of the JPSYCH Lab of Judaism and Mental Health.

He studies spirituality/religion and its link to lifespan development, relationships, and mental health. His research examines beliefs, behaviors, and experiences related to spirituality/religion in an attachment theory framework, which describes how internalized feelings of safety and security in formative relationships guide social and emotional functioning. His dissertation research explores these patterns in individuals’ subjective experiences with psychedelics and efforts to integrate those experiences into their personal identity and narrative.
As a clinician, Rabbi Cherniak has treated individuals and families with a wide range of needs, including in Bnei Brak’s Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center. He has lectured on spiritual/religious issues in mental health and clinical practice to both professional and communal audiences. Through JPSYCH, Rabbi Cherniak disseminates psychoeducational resources to the global Jewish community.

He is a married father of two, rabbi, avid canoeist, and unrepentant punster.

Tags

Medicine & Physical Health

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/06/23

Get Real! Can Psychedelics Be Healing?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Aaron Cherniak

Event Co-Hosted by Temple Chai

He is a married father of two, rabbi, avid canoeist, and unrepentant punster.

Tags

Medicine & Physical Health

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/02/23

Yirah (Living with Awe) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #35

Enjoy the 35th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

02/01/23

Yirah (Living with Awe) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #35

Enjoy the 35th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

01/31/23

Parshat Beshalach: On Protecting the Weary

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/30/23

Parshat Beshalach: On Protecting the Weary

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/30/23

Women’s Resilience and Survival in the Holocaust

A virtual event presentation by Professor Bjorn Krondorfer

Event Co-Sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

About The Event:
This talk will trace the lives of two women Holocaust survivors who both grew up in traditional Jewish families in Bedzin, Poland, and later became residents of Arizona: Jane Lipski (Tucson) and Doris Martin (Flagstaff). They managed to survive the Nazi onslaught as adolescent girls. While Jane was able to escape the ghetto and join the resistance movement in Slovakia, Doris was sent to Auschwitz and selected for labor at a women’s camp near the Gross-Rosen concentration camp. While Doris was liberated in 1945 by the advancing Soviet forces and ended up in a Displaced Person Camp in Germany, Jane was arrested by the Soviets as a suspected spy and remained in captivity in Soviet labor camps until 1947. I will introduce the complex history of the Holocaust through the lives of Doris and Jane, with particular attention to women’s resourcefulness in their struggle so to survive.

About The Speaker:
Björn Krondorfer is Regents’ Professor and the Director of the Martin-Springer Institute at Northern Arizona University. As an Endowed Professor of Religious Studies, he also teaches in the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies. He received his Ph.D. at Temple University, Philadelphia. His field of expertise is religion, gender, and culture, and (post-) Holocaust and reconciliation studies. His scholarship helped to define the field of Critical Men’s Studies in Religions.

As director of the Martin-Springer Institute, he has organized several international academic symposia. He has mentored the creation of several exhibits: Through the Eyes of Youth: Life and Death in the Bedzin Ghetto; Resilience: Women in Flagstaff’s Past and Present; and the permanent installation of a Berlin Wall exhibit at NAU. He has curated the art exhibitions Wounded Landscapes (2014) and Echoes of Loss: Artistic Responses to Trauma (2018). In 2019, he has been awarded a one-month residential fellowship at the Santa Fe Art Institute on the theme of “truth and reconciliation.”

Tags

Education

History

Holocaust

Women & Gender

01/27/23

Women’s Resilience and Survival in the Holocaust

A virtual event presentation by Professor Bjorn Krondorfer

Event Co-Sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

Tags

Education

History

Holocaust

Women & Gender

01/26/23

Parshat Bo: On Periodic Renewal

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/20/23

Being Intimate with the Bible

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer

Event Co-Hosted by Hebrew Education Alliance

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/20/23

Can the Phoenix/Scottsdale Jewish Community Be United: Looking at Our Unity and Divisions

A panel discussion featured leaders from our local community. The panelists; Rabbi Pinchas Allouche, Rabbi Nitzan Stein Kokin, Richard Kasper, and Rabbi John Linder discussed the topic of “Can the Phoenix/Scottsdale Jewish Community be United: Looking at our Unity and Divisions.” Moderated by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Community

Education

Interview

01/19/23

Can the Phoenix/Scottsdale Jewish Community Be United: Looking at Our Unity and Divisions

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Community

Education

Interview

01/19/23

Tikvah (Rejecting Despair and Cynicism) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #34

Enjoy the 34th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

01/17/23

Tikvah (Rejecting Despair and Cynicism) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #34

Enjoy the 34th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi David Wolpe

Event Co-Sponsored By Temple Emanuel and BMH-BJ

About The Event:
The search for happiness and meaning, lessons from ancient traditions and modern science.

About The Speaker:
Named The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem Post, and twice named one of the 500 Most Influential People in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, David Wolpe is the Max Webb Senior Rabbi of Sinai Temple. Rabbi Wolpe previously taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, Hunter College, and UCLA. A weekly columnist for the New York Jewish Week and weekly Torah columnist for the Jerusalem Post, Rabbi Wolpe has been published and profiled in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, The Atlantic, and many more. He has been featured on The Today Show, Face the Nation, ABC This Morning, and CBS This Morning.

In addition, Rabbi Wolpe has appeared prominently in series on PBS, A&E, History Channel, and Discovery Channel, and has engaged in widely watched public debates with Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, and many others about religion and its place in the world. Rabbi Wolpe, who has spoken in seminars, public and scholarly forums, and scholar-in-residence appearances hundreds of times all over the world from Israel to India, is the author of eight books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times (Riverhead). His new book is titled David, the Divided Heart (Yale U Press). It was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards and has been optioned for a movie by Warner Bros.

Tags

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Science & Technology

01/13/23

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

ABOUT THE EVENT:
On January 6, 2021, Americans were shocked as thousands of self-proclaimed patriots stormed the Capitol, many carrying Confederate flags and wearing anti-Semitic sweatshirts. What the nation witnessed that cold winter afternoon was the continuation of a battle that goes back to 1945 when Americans began fighting a second Civil War over two distinct visions of the future—and have continued fighting ever since with one key difference.

The Secret War Against Hate: American Resistance to Anti-Semitism and White Supremacy After 1945 tells the chilling story of the decades-long battle between four postwar hate group leaders and the three New York-based anti-fascist groups that fought to stop them. On one side stood Emory Burke, Jesse B. Stoner, James Madole, and George Lincoln Rockwell who saw themselves as dedicated patriots protecting the white Christian world they knew before the War against all who would now degrade and destroy it. As millions of veterans returned home in 1945-1946, these charismatic White Supremacist leaders built violent networks of terror and planned deadly attacks on Jews and Blacks throughout the nation.

Opposing these four leaders and their deadly organizations were three New York-based groups that waged a secret undercover war to defeat organized White Supremacists: the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the American Jewish Committee (AJC), and the Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League (ANL).

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Steven J. Ross is a Distinguished Professor of History, Dean’s Professor of History, and Director of the University of Southern California’s Casden Institute for the Study of the Jewish Role in American Life. His most recent book, Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews Foiled Nazi Plots Against Hollywood and America was named a Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History for 2018 and has been on the Los Angeles Times Bestseller List for 23 weeks.

His previous book Hollywood Left and Right: How Movie Stars Shaped American Politics, received the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Film Scholars Award and a Pulitzer Prize nomination. Working-Class Hollywood: Silent Film and the Shaping of Class in America, won the Theater Library Association Book Award for 1999, as well as a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. Ross’s current book, The Secret War Against Hate: American Resistance to White Supremacy After 1945, will be published by Bloomsbury Press.

Tags

Antisemitism

Education

History

Politics & Government

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

01/06/23

The Secret War Against Hate: American Resistance to Anti-Semitism and White Supremacy After 1945

Tags

Antisemitism

Education

History

Politics & Government

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

01/06/23

Lihyot b’Simchah (Emanating Joy) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #32

Enjoy the 32nd session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

01/04/23

Lihyot b’Simchah (Emanating Joy) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #32

Enjoy the 32nd session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

01/03/23

Parshat Vayechi: On Carrying the Righteousness of Our Ancestors

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/03/23

Parshat Vayechi: On Carrying the Righteousness of Our Ancestors

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

01/03/23

Letters from Chanukahs and Purims Past: The Establishment of “Minor” Holidays and Judea-Diaspora Relations

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Malka Simkovich

Event Co-Hosted by BMH BJ

About the Event:
In the Hellenistic era, Judean leaders in Jerusalem sent letters to Jews living in Egypt imploring them to observe the holidays of Chanukah and Purim. Why were these holidays important to these leaders, and why were they so focused on the practices of their Jewish kin in Egypt? This lecture will explore the complex dynamics of Judea-diaspora relations in the ancient world, and how the observance of holidays was used as an opportunity for Judeans to enforce the idea of Judean exceptionalism.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich is the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and the director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies program at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is the author of The Making of Jewish Universalism: From Exile to Alexandria (2016) and Discovering Second Temple Literature: The Scriptures and Stories That Shaped Early Judaism (2018), which received the 2019 AJL Judaica Reference Honor Award. Simkovich’s articles have been published in academic journals such as the Harvard Theological Review and the Journal for the Study of Judaism, and in mainstream publications such as The Jewish Review of Books and The Christian Century. She is involved in numerous interreligious dialogue projects which help to increase understanding and friendship between Christians and Jews.

Tags

History

Holidays: Chanukah

Holidays: Purim

12/30/22

Letters from Chanukahs and Purims Past: The Establishment of “Minor” Holidays and Judea-Diaspora Relations

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Malka Simkovich

Event Co-Hosted by BMH BJ

Tags

History

Holidays: Chanukah

Holidays: Purim

12/29/22

Hafchatat De’agah (Reducing Worry) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #31

Enjoy the 31st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

12/28/22

Hafchatat De’agah (Reducing Worry) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #31

Enjoy the 31st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

12/27/22

Parshat Vayigash: On Heroism and Self-Sacrifice

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/27/22

Parshat Vayigash: On Heroism and Self-Sacrifice

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/27/22

The God of Possibilities

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller

About the Event:
This discussion constitutes a personal effort at articulating a meaningful notion of God that is spiritually fulfilling, intellectually uncompromising, and morally compelling. The search ranges across the Jewish tradition from the fundamentals of Biblical monotheism to Maimonides’ rationalism and onto Hasidic mysticism. The result is a contemporary notion of God that can nurture personal humility and the development of an ethical personality.

About the Speaker:
Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller is a faculty member at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. He recently celebrated 40 years of working with students and faculty as the Executive Director of the Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center for Jewish Life at UCLA, where he is now Director Emeritus.

Ka’as (Restraining Anger) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #30

Enjoy the 30th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

12/21/22

Parshat Mikeitz: On Moral Regret

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Jewish Texts

Holidays: Chanukah

12/16/22

Darkness Will Envelop Me: Meditations on Chanuka and Winter

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Devorah Steinmetz

Event Co-Sponsored by Rodef Shalom

Tags

Jewish Texts

Holidays: Chanukah

12/16/22

Nothing But the Truth? Balancing an Embrace of Tradition with Personal Integrity

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Leon Morris

Event Co-Hosted by Hebrew Education Alliance

About The Event:
Many of us are drawn to Jewish texts and tradition, and at the same time bring commitments and perspectives that are part and parcel of who we are. How do we balance our own sense of truth with the inherited claims of Jewish tradition to which we are drawn? What is the place of “personal integrity” in religious life? What do we do when our own experience of the world seems so different from those who shaped Jewish law and tradition? Discover a surprising radical text from the Babylonian Talmud (Tractate Yoma 69b) that reveals how the early Rabbis themselves struggled with these same questions. Pair that text with a contemporary Israeli pop song that mines these issues in a decidedly 21st-century way. How can our Jewish lives be both “ours” and “Jewish”?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/13/22

Parshat Vayeshev: On Human Trafficking

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

12/13/22

Responding to Extremism in the New Israeli Government Coalition: Interview With Rabbi Danny Landes

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (President and Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) interviews Rabbi Danny Landes
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Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

Israel

Politics & Government

12/13/22

Responding to Extremism in the New Israeli Government Coalition: Interview With Rabbi Danny Landes

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

Israel

Ms. Pogrebin’s articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Tablet, The Forward, and many other periodicals of Jewish interest. She is a co-founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus, the UJA Task Force on Women, and the Ms. Foundation for Women, and is a past president of the Authors Guild and of Americans for Peace Now.

She currently serves on the board of the Brandeis University Women’s and Gender Studies Program and performed past board service for the Women’s Studies in Religion Program at the Harvard Divinity School. Ms. Pogrebin’s honors include a Yale University Poynter Fellowship in Journalism, a Matrix Award for excellence in communication and the arts, and an Emmy Award for her work on Free to Be You and Me. Her writing and activism have also been honored by dozens of Jewish organizations and synagogues.

Letty Cottin Pogrebin lives with her husband in New York City and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The couple has three children and six grandchildren.

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

12/06/22

A Journey of Discovery and Truth-Telling with Letty Cottin Pogrebin

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Letty Cottin Pogrebin

Event Co-Sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

Letty Cottin Pogrebin lives with her husband in New York City and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The couple has three children and six grandchildren.

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interview

12/06/22

Parshat Vayishlach: On the Importance of Food Laws

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/28/22

Shemirat HaTeva (Guarding the Earth) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #27

Enjoy the 27th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

11/23/22

Shemirat HaTeva (Guarding the Earth) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #27

Enjoy the 27th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Michael Marmur

Event Co-Sponsored by Rodef Shalom

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/15/22

Parshat Chayei Sara: On the Importance of Prayer

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/15/22

Rethinking Gender and Power in Jewish Texts

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi

Event Co-Hosted by Temple Emanuel

About The Event:
This session will focus on two Talmudic stories about rabbinic power and gender. They share two elements that we’ll study closely: the role of the body and the emotion of anger. We’ll ask: How are each portrayed in each of the Talmudic narratives and how do we understand them and manage them in today’s Jewish world?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/07/22

Parshat Vayeira: On Knowing the Right Sacrifices

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/07/22

Nadav and Avihu: A Pastoral Study in Bereavement

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Joseph Ozarowski

Event Co-Hosted by Hebrew Education Alliance

About The Event:
We will take an in-depth look at a tragic Biblical narrative for its contextual, halachic, and pastoral value.

About The Speaker:
Rabbi Dr. Joseph S. Ozarowski is Rabbinic Counselor and Chaplain for JCFS Chicago and Jewish Chaplain for the North Shore Health Care System. He is also an adjunct professor at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership as well as the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles. Rabbi Ozarowski was cited by Chicago Jewish News as a “Top Jewish Chicagoan of 2013,” and received the “Rabbi Mordechai Simon Award” from the Chicago Board of Rabbis in 2014. He served as president of the Board of Rabbis from 2015 to 2017 and now serves as President of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC). An engaging, nationally known teacher and speaker, Ozarowski has served congregations in Pennsylvania, California, Minnesota, and the New York area.

Rabbi Dr. Ozarowski is a Board-Certified Chaplain. He received his undergraduate degree from the Loyola University of Chicago, his rabbinic ordination from Skokie’s Hebrew Theological College, and his doctorate from Lancaster (PA) Theological Seminary. He has served on the Jewish Federation of Chicago (JUF) Board and on the North Shore University HealthCare System Institutional Ethics Committee.

A prolific author, Rabbi Ozarowski co-authored Common Ground, (1998, Jason Aronson) and has written numerous articles. His first book, To Walk in God’s Ways – Jewish Pastoral Perspectives on Illness and Bereavement, (hardcover 1995, Jason Aronson, paperback 2004, Rowman and Littlefield) is considered a standard in the field of Judaism and Pastoral Care.

Rabbi Ozarowski is married to Ashira (nee Rapoport) and has four children and nineteen grandchildren.

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Jewish Texts

11/07/22

Nadav and Avihu: A Pastoral Study in Bereavement

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Joseph Ozarowski

Event Co-Hosted by Hebrew Education Alliance

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/01/22

Parshat Lech Lecha: On Protecting Family Relationships

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

11/01/22

What is the Jewish Future in America? – Rabbi David Wolpe

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Wolpe

Event Co-Hosted by Temple Solel

About The Event:
This talk surveys antisemitism and its impact on Jews in America, religiosity and its decline, and looks at the question of the future of the American Jewish community.

About The Speaker:
Named The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem Post, and twice named one of the 500 Most Influential People in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, David Wolpe is the Max Webb Senior Rabbi of Sinai Temple. Rabbi Wolpe previously taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, Hunter College, and UCLA. A weekly columnist for the New York Jewish Week and weekly Torah columnist for the Jerusalem Post, Rabbi Wolpe has been published and profiled in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, The Atlantic, and many more. He has been featured on The Today Show, Face the Nation, ABC This Morning, and CBS This
Morning. In addition, Rabbi Wolpe has appeared prominently in series on PBS, A&E, History Channel, and Discovery Channel, and has engaged in widely watched public debates with Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, and many others about religion and its place in the world. Rabbi Wolpe, who has spoken in seminars, public and scholarly forums, and scholar-in-residence appearances hundreds of times all over the world from Israel to India, is the author of eight books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times (Riverhead). His new book is titled David, the Divided Heart (Yale U Press). It was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards and has been optioned for a movie by Warner Bros.

Event Presented In Loving Memory of Dr. Sherman Minkoff.

Tags

Antisemitism

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Education

Politics & Government

11/01/22

What is the Jewish Future in America? – Rabbi David Wolpe

A hybrid event (in-person and virtual) by Rabbi David Wolpe

Event Co-Hosted by Temple Solel

About The Event:
This talk surveys antisemitism and its impact on Jews in America, religiosity and its decline, and looks at the question of the future of the American Jewish community.

Event Presented In Loving Memory of Dr. Sherman Minkoff.

Tags

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

10/25/22

Ichpatiyut La’Acheirim (Reaching Out to Others) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #23

Enjoy the 23rd session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change)

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

10/25/22

Parshat Noach: On the Value of Diversity

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/24/22

Parshat Noach: On the Value of Diversity

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/24/22

Shalom Aleichem: A Model for Working With Development Trauma

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Lisa Goldstein

Event co-hosted by Temple Chai

About The Event:
Developmental trauma occurs when a child’s earliest needs go unmet and they develop unconscious patterns that cause life-long psychological and wellness challenges, as well as interpersonal difficulties. Fortunately, the field of trauma healing is developing new and effective treatments, some of which include a strong spiritual grounding. In this class, we will explore a surprising and helpful connection between Shalom Aleichem, the song Jews sing to welcome the ministering angels to our Shabbat evening meal, and the powerful work of healing developmental trauma.

About The Speaker:
Rabbi Lisa Goldstein is a teacher, consultant, and certified practitioner of NARM, a modality of healing complex trauma. She teaches a wide variety of online courses with an emphasis on spiritual wisdom, prayer and meditation, and the teachings of R. Nahman of Breslov. She also works one-on-one to support people in their journeys of healing and spiritual growth.

Educated at Brown University and Hebrew Union College, Rabbi Goldstein has almost 25 years of executive experience, serving as the director of Hillel of San Diego, and the executive director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. She is a faculty member for Jewish Pedagogies for Well Being at M2, a research program for master educators, and has helped create and implement online learning programs, including self-paced highly produced courses.

She lives in New York City with her husband, Igal Harmelin, and their foster son, Seydou.

Tags

Jewish Texts

Medicine & Physical Health

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Alix Cramer of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Doug Seserman, CEO of Americans for Ben-Gurion University.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

College and University

Interview

Israel

10/07/22

Interview: Doug Seserman, Americans for Ben-Gurion University

Alix Cramer of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Doug Seserman, CEO of Americans for Ben-Gurion University.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

College and University

Interview

Israel

10/07/22

Hakarat Ha’Tov (Sharing Gratitude) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #22

Enjoy the 22nd session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

10/04/22

Hakarat Ha’Tov (Sharing Gratitude) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #22

Enjoy the 22nd session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

10/04/22

Parshat Ha’Azinu: On Stability in God

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/03/22

Parshat Ha’Azinu: On Stability in God

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

10/03/22

Parshat Vayeilech: On Universal Education

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

09/29/22

Parshat Vayeilech: On Universal Education

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

09/29/22

“Shomea K’oneh” (Hearing Legally Counts as Speaking): Creating a Community Which is Inclusive of the Blind, the Deaf, and the Infirm

A Virtual Event Presentation by Rabbi Ysoscher Katz

Event Co-Sponsored by Hebrew Education Alliance

About The Event:
Halakha has certain mechanisms which allow people to perform mitzvot vicariously. One of those mechanisms is Shomea K’oneh; hearing equals reciting. We will explore how this “legal fiction” can be utilized to create a Halakha that is inclusive of people with certain disabilities, particularly the person who is deaf or blind.

About The Speaker:
Rabbi Ysoscher Katz is the Chair of the Department of Talmud at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Rabbi Katz received ordination in 1986 from Rabbi Yechezkel Roth, Dayan of UTA Satmar, and studied at Yeshivat Beit Yosef, Navaradok for over ten years. A graduate of the HaSha’ar Program for Jewish Educators, Rabbi Katz has taught at the Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls and SAR High School.

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Jewish Texts

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

09/22/22

“Shomea K’oneh” (Hearing Legally Counts as Speaking): Creating a Community Which is Inclusive of the Blind, the Deaf, and the Infirm

A Virtual Event Presentation by Rabbi Ysoscher Katz

Event Co-Sponsored by Hebrew Education Alliance

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Jewish Texts

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

09/22/22

Savlanut (Being Patient with Others) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #21

Enjoy the 21st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

09/20/22

Savlanut (Being Patient with Others) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #21

Enjoy the 21st session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Jewish Texts

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

09/20/22

Parshat Nitzavim: On the Inclusiveness of Torah

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

09/19/22

Parshat Nitzavim: On the Inclusiveness of Torah

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

09/19/22

God’s Prayer: The Central Image of Selihot

A Virtual Event presentation by Rabbanit Leah Sarna

Event Co-Sponsored by BMH-BJ

About The Event:
Join Rabbanit Leah Sarna for a transformative exploration of the thirteen attributes of divine mercy which make up the backbone of our Selihot and Yom Kippur prayer services

About The Speaker:
Rabbanit Leah Sarna is the Associate Director of Education and Director of High School Programs at Drisha. She previously served as Director of Religious Engagement at Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel Congregation in Chicago, a leading urban Orthodox congregation. She was ordained at Yeshivat Maharat in 2018, holds a BA from Yale University in Philosophy & Psychology, and also trained at the SKA Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz, Drisha, and the Center for Modern Torah Leadership. She was a Wexner Graduate Fellow and a winner of the Covenant Foundation’s Pomegranate Prize.

Rabbanit Sarna’s published works have appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Lehrhaus, and The Jewish Review of Books. She has lectured in Orthodox synagogues and Jewish communal settings around the world and loves spreading her warm, energetic love for Torah and Mitzvot with Jews in all stages of life.

Tags

Jewish Texts

09/16/22

God’s Prayer: The Central Image of Selihot

A Virtual Event presentation by Rabbanit Leah Sarna

Event Co-Sponsored by BMH-BJ

About The Event:
Join Rabbanit Leah Sarna for a transformative exploration of the thirteen attributes of divine mercy which make up the backbone of our Selihot and Yom Kippur prayer services

Rabbanit Sarna’s published works have appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Lehrhaus, and The Jewish Review of Books. She has lectured in Orthodox synagogues and Jewish communal settings around the world and loves spreading her warm, energetic love for Torah and Mitzvot with Jews in all stages of life.

Tags

Jewish Texts

09/16/22

Staying Human – Can Judaism Speak to the Issues Raised by Artificial Intelligence?

A Virtual Event Presentation by Harris Bor

Event Co-Sponsored by Congregation Or Tzion

About The Event:
AI raises innumerable questions about our desires for the future and what it means to be human. Can Judaism speak to these questions? Technology shows us what is possible. Can Jewish theology show us what is wise? Harris Bor explores these questions and other themes from his new book “Staying Human – A Jewish Theology for the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” Featuring Spinoza, Heidegger, terrible sci-fi films, and classical Jewish texts.

About The Speaker:
Harris Bor is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at the London School of Jewish Studies and a barrister (trial advocate) specializing in international arbitration and commercial litigation. He has written in both the Jewish and legal fields. He holds a Ph.D. in theology from Cambridge University, is a Rabbinic Scholar with the Montefiore Endowment, and has been a visiting scholar at Harvard University and University College London.

Purchase The Book:
Harris’s book (including e-book) can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online booksellers.

Tags

Education

Science & Technology

09/14/22

Staying Human – Can Judaism Speak to the Issues Raised by Artificial Intelligence?

A Virtual Event Presentation by Harris Bor

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

09/13/22

Parshat Ki Tavo: On the Right to Clothes and Shoes

Repentance as the Transformation of Self Through the Call of the Other

A Virtual Event Presentation by Dr. Tanya White

Event Co-Sponsored by Temple Emanuel

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

09/07/22

Parshat Ki Teitzei: On Precautions to Preserve of Life

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

09/07/22

Finding Spirituality in the Laws and Customs of the High Holidays

A Virtual Event Presentation by Rabbanit Sharona Halickman

About The Event:
Shofar, Tashlich, Fasting, Prayer…Where do these laws and customs originate from and what is the deeper meaning behind the unique Mitzvot of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur?

About The Speaker:
Sharona holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Stern College and an MS in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School, Yeshiva University. Sharona was the first Orthodox woman to serve as a member of the clergy as the first Congregational Intern and the first Madricha Ruchanit at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, NY. After making aliya in 2004, Sharona founded Torat Reva Yerushalayim, a non-profit organization based in Jerusalem that provides Torah study groups for students of all ages and backgrounds.

Tags

Jewish Texts

Prayer

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/02/22

Finding Spirituality in the Laws and Customs of the High Holidays

A Virtual Event Presentation by Rabbanit Sharona Halickman

About The Event:
Shofar, Tashlich, Fasting, Prayer…Where do these laws and customs originate from and what is the deeper meaning behind the unique Mitzvot of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur?

Tags

Jewish Texts

Prayer

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/02/22

The Problem of Evil

A Virtual Event Presentation by Rabbi Samuel Lebens

Event Co-Sponsored by Hebrew Educational Alliance

About The Event:
Is there any way for the Jew to make sense of our belief in an all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing God, in the face of all the pain and suffering that we see around us? How might philosophical acrobatics conducted in the ivory tower, regarding the problem of evil, have any impact on the lived experience of faith in the face of suffering?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Samuel Lebens is an Orthodox Rabbi and an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Haifa. He has published books and articles on a wide array of topics, from the work of Bertrand Russell, to the philosophy of Judaism. He specializes in metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophy of literature, and the philosophy of religion. He lives with his wife and three children in Netanya, Israel.

Tags

History

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/01/22

The Problem of Evil

A Virtual Event Presentation by Rabbi Samuel Lebens

Event Co-Sponsored by Hebrew Educational Alliance

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Samuel Lebens is an Orthodox Rabbi and an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Haifa. He has published books and articles on a wide array of topics, from the work of Bertrand Russell to the philosophy of Judaism. He specializes in metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophy of literature, and the philosophy of religion. He lives with his wife and three children in Netanya, Israel.

Tags

History

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/01/22

Gemilut Chasadim (Random Acts of Kindness) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #18

Enjoy the 18th Session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” Series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Class: In this new class series, Rabbi Shmuly will teach 40 classes, each with its own unique theme. The common thread of the series is living with deeper kindness. How can the Torah inspire us to live with deeper love and compassion? How can Jewish Pearls of Wisdom inform how we care for one another?

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

08/31/22

Gemilut Chasadim (Random Acts of Kindness) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #18

Enjoy the 18th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

08/31/22

Parshat Shoftim: On Competition

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/30/22

Parshat Shoftim: On Competition

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/30/22

Parshat Re’eh: On Healthy Skepticism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

Guest Speaker: Dr. James Baskind

Event Co-Sponsor: Congregation Or Tzion

About The Event:
The story of the Kaifeng Jews is a little-known episode of the Diaspora, but its existence caught the imagination of both European missionaries and prominent Jews, with far-reaching effects. An investigation of this isolated yet enduring enclave will highlight the dynamic tension between fidelity to, and adaptation within, tradition, while under the rule of a dominant and highly codified culture.

About The Speaker:
Dr. Baskind received his Ph.D. from Yale University in 2006. His area of academic research is Japanese Buddhism and culture, with a focus on how Chinese models—represented by the Obaku School—were received in Edo-period Japan. Other areas of research and writing include Buddhist-Christian interaction in early modern Japan, as well as the Zen/Pure Land dialectic as it pertains to Japanese Buddhist discourse. His current project critically examines tea culture in East Asia, and how it became widely perceived as inextricably linked with Zen and its associated arts. Most recently he held the position of Associate Professor of Japanese Thought at Nagoya City University in Nagoya, Japan. While in Japan his research was supported by numerous grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Apart from his academic pursuits, he has also studied and practiced the tea ceremony (both sencha and matcha) as well as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which he currently teaches. In addition, he has nearly completed a book on the cultural history of jiu-jitsu, entitled, Jiu-jitsu: A History of Soft Power.

Tags

Education

History

Immigration & Migration

08/19/22

The Jews of China: Enduring Survival in the Middle Kingdom

Guest Speaker: Dr. James Baskind

Event Co-Sponsor: Congregation Or Tzion

Tags

Education

History

Immigration & Migration

08/19/22

Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh LaZeh (Protecting Jews) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #16

Enjoy the 16th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

08/17/22

Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh LaZeh (Protecting Jews) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #16

Enjoy the 16th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

About the Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

08/17/22

Parshat Eikev: On Remembering the Big Picture

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

History

Jewish Texts

08/15/22

Prophecy: What Does it Mean Anyway?

Tags

History

Jewish Texts

08/15/22

Parshat Vaetchanan: On the Unity of God

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/10/22

Parshat Vaetchanan: On the Unity of God

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

08/10/22

A Memoir That Explores the Stories of Survival, Tragedy, and Hope

A virtual event presentation by Joel Poremba

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Congregation Or Tzion

ABOUT THE EVENT:
A memoir that explores the stories of survival, tragedy, and hope against the backdrop of the resilience of a nine-year-old Polish Jew between 1939 and 1945.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Joel Poremba is a business attorney with twenty-three years of litigation experience in both state and federal courts. He represents small and medium-sized companies in complex business disputes and handles insurance defense matters. Prior to this, Joel litigated against billion-dollar insurance companies over breached disability policies. He is a graduate of Western State University, College of Law, and the University of California, San Diego with a degree in political science.

Joel is the son of Holocaust survivor, Nathan Poremba. Stunned after hearing his father give his testimony to the Shoah Foundation Visual History Archive in 1998, it subsequently took 21 years and an inspiring trip to Israel for Joel to finally watch his father’s video testimony. Determined, Joel subsequently sat down and further interviewed his father about the details of his Holocaust survival.

Tags

Art & Culture

Death, Grief & Mourning

History

Jewish Texts

08/05/22

A Memoir That Explores the Stories of Survival, Tragedy, and Hope

A virtual event presentation by Joel Poremba

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Congregation Or Tzion

ABOUT THE EVENT:
A memoir that explores the stories of survival, tragedy, and hope against the backdrop of the resilience of a nine-year-old Polish Jew between 1939 and 1945.

Tags

Art & Culture

Death, Grief & Mourning

History

Jewish Texts

08/05/22

V’Ahavta L’Rei’acha Kamocha (Love Your Neighbor) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #15

Enjoy the 15th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

ABOUT THE CLASS: In this new class series, Rabbi Shmuly will teach 40 classes, each with its own unique theme. The common thread of the series is living with deeper kindness. How can the Torah inspire us to live with deeper love and compassion? How can Jewish pearls of wisdom inform how we care for one another?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

08/03/22

V’Ahavta L’Rei’acha Kamocha (Love Your Neighbor) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #15

Enjoy the 15th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

08/03/22

Parshat Devarim: On Fairness in Judgment

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President; Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly Parsha (Torah portion).

07/29/22

Shtisel’s Shas: A Talmudic Look at the Hit Israel T.V. Show

Tags

Art & Culture

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

History

07/29/22

Parshat Matot–Masei: On Inviting Others In

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

07/26/22

Parshat Matot–Masei: On Inviting Others In

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

Jewish Texts

07/26/22

All Hands on Deck: The Gifts That Introverts and Extroverts Bring to Jewish Leadership and Why It Matters

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Edward Bernstein

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Temple Emanuel

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Introverts and extroverts in Jewish leadership possess different gifts and leadership styles. Rabbi Bernstein explores key differences between the two and reflects, from an introvert’s perspective, how both will be key to revitalizing Jewish communal life as we rebuild from the COVID-19 lockdown.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Rabbi Edward Bernstein serves as Chaplain for Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida. He also hosts My Teacher Podcast: A Celebration of the People Who Shape Our Lives. Rabbi Bernstein edited Love Finer Than Wine: The Writings of Matthew Eisenfeld and Sara Duker, a 2016 National Jewish Book Awards Finalist. Rabbi Bernstein was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He served congregations in New Rochelle, NY; Beachwood, OH; and Boynton Beach, FL. Rabbi Bernstein has also served on the faculty of Camp Ramah Darom, Moishe House and the JTS Florida Office.

Source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/407988

Tags

Jewish Texts

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

07/21/22

All Hands on Deck: The Gifts That Introverts and Extroverts Bring to Jewish Leadership and Why It Matters

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Edward Bernstein

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Temple Emanuel

ABOUT THE EVENT:

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/407988

Tags

Jewish Texts

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

07/21/22

Dibbur Yafeh (Speaking Kindly) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #14

Enjoy the 14th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Jewish Texts

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

07/20/22

Living on the Side of Life: An Interpretation of Jewish Living

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: BMH-BJ

ABOUT THE EVENT:

The unique core teaching of the Jewish religion is that the human mission is to fill this world (planet) with life. Judaism predicts that In partnership with God, humanity can vanquish all the enemies of life in this world -poverty, hunger, oppression/discrimination/unjust inequality, war, and sickness. Eventually, in the Messianic age, even death itself can be defeated. This session will focus on how we should live now until the final redemption is achieved. The answer is: to live on the side of life. Every life behavior, every human action should be shaped and reshaped to insure that we maximize life (or quality of life)in that behavior. No behavior or moment in life is ‘neutral’. We will review every behavior -eating, sleeping, exercising, speaking, befriending, sexuality and communication, having children and raising them, business and professional activity-to see how we can maximize life and minimize death or decay elements in them. This presentation will argue that even religious/ritual activities are intended to lead us to live on the side of life.

Art & Culture

Israel

07/15/22

Corona Exegesis: Political Cartoons, Jewish Holidays, and Israeli Society

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Matt Reingold

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

07/11/22

Parshat Balak: On Listening to One’s Conscience

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

07/11/22

Zionism and Its Critics

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Sara Yael Hirschhorn

ABOUT THE EVENT:

This lecture on “Zionism and Its Critics” will examine the proponents and opponents of the Zionist idea from the 1880s until the present, illuminating the diversity of this ideology over its short history and how it has changed over time from dream of early thinkers like Theodore Herzl to a state and society that will be celebrating its 75^th anniversary next year.

Israel

Zionism

07/08/22

The Battle of Definitions: What Is Antisemitism and Why Does Its Definition Matter?

A virtual event presentation by Professor Joshua Shanes

EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: Temple Solel

ABOUT THE EVENT:

This class will be a conversation/talk about the competing definitions about antisemitism, what led to their foundation, the differences between them, and what’s at stake.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Antisemitism

07/08/22

Nichum Aveilim (Comforting Mourners) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #12

Enjoy the 12th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – Nichum Aveilim, Comforting Mourners

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

07/06/22

Nichum Aveilim (Comforting Mourners) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #12

Enjoy the 12th session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – Nichum Aveilim, Comforting Mourners

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

07/06/22

Parshat Chukat: On Honoring Human Potential

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

07/06/22

Parshat Chukat: On Honoring Human Potential

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Divrei Torah

06/29/22

Tags

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

06/21/22

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Beth El Phoenix

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Cain and Abel is a foundational story about sibling rivalry and fraternal responsibility, but in the hands of rabbinic tradition, it’s also a powerful “script” for understanding the moral basis of law and justice. We’ll re-read this great Torah narrative using classic mishnaic and midrashic interpretations that seek to clarify the enduring values lying just beneath the surface of the Torah’s laws about dispensing justice.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Dan Ornstein is the rabbi of Congregation Ohav Shalom and a writer living with his family in Albany, New York. He also teaches Judaic Studies in the middle school of the Hebrew Academy of The Capital District. Rabbi Ornstein is the author of Cain v. Abel: A Jewish Courtroom Drama (The Jewish Publication Society 2020). He blogs at the Times Of Israel, and contributes essays to WAMC Northeast Public Radio, The Jerusalem Post, and The Jewish Forward. He is a contributor to the multi-volume Mesorah Matrix book series on Judaism and a number of other print and online journals. He and his wife, Marian Alexander, are the proud parents of Joseph, Shulamit and Vered.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Criminal Justice

06/20/22

Cain and Abel’s Day In Court: What The World’s First Murder Can Teach Us About Dispensing Justice And Injustice

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Beth El Phoenix

ABOUT THE EVENT:

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Criminal Justice

06/20/22

Parshat Beha’alotcha: On Second Chances

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

06/14/22

Parshat Beha’alotcha: On Second Chances

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

06/14/22

The Book of Proverbs: A Social Justice Commentary – VBM Book Launch

ABOUT THE EVENT:

The Book of Proverbs, attributed to King Solomon, is a profound collection of Jewish wisdom, song, and inspiration. Yet to contemporary readers, the text can appear vague, ambiguous, and contradictory. In this refreshing and relevant commentary, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz challenges us to find modern meaning in this ancient text. Using his signature blend of social justice practice and Jewish thought from throughout history, Rabbi Yanklowitz shows how the words of Proverbs are strikingly pertinent to issues we face today. Drawing on a wide range of sources, Rabbi Yanklowitz explores such topics as income inequality, feminism, animal rights, environmentalism, and many more. The author’s commentary is paired with the full text of Proverbs–in both Hebrew and an updated, gender-accurate translation–so readers can glean their own insights.

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

06/09/22

Temichut Kallah v’Chatan (Supporting the Bride & Groom) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #8

Enjoy the fifth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – Temichut Kallah v’Chatan Supporting the Bride and Groom

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

06/09/22

Temichut Kallah v’Chatan (Supporting the Bride & Groom) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #8

Enjoy the fifth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – Temichut Kallah v’Chatan Supporting the Bride and Groom

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Temple Emanuel

ABOUT THE EVENT:

In the race to discover real solutions for the conflicts that plague contemporary society, it is essential that we look to precedent. Many of today’s conflicts involve ethnoreligious tensions, such as the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, modern wisdom alone is ill-equipped to resolve. In Third-Party Peacemakers in Judaism, Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth asks us to consider ancient religious and traditional cultural solutions to such present-day issues. Roth presents thirty-six case studies featuring third-party peacemakers drawn from Jewish classical, medieval, and early-modern rabbinic literature and analyzes them textually, theoretically, and discusses implications for practice today.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Roth is a regular lecturer for MEJDI Tours/National Geographic and was a senior research fellow at George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution. Roth holds a Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University’s Graduate Program for Conflict Management, Resolution, and Negotiation, a MA in Talmud from Hebrew University, a B.Ed in Jewish Philosophy from Herzog Teachers’ College, and studied for eight years at Yeshivat Har-Etzion during which time he received Orthodox rabbinic ordination.

Tags

Interfaith

06/07/22

Third-Party Peacemakers in Judaism: Text, Theory, and Practice – Book Talk

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:

Temple Emanuel

ABOUT THE EVENT:

In the race to discover real solutions for the conflicts that plague contemporary society it is essential that we look to precedent. Many of today’s conflicts involve ethno-religious tensions, such as the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, modern wisdom alone is ill-equipped to resolve. In Third-Party Peacemakers in Judaism, Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth asks us to consider ancient religious and traditional cultural solutions to such present-day issues. Roth presents thirty-six case studies featuring third-party peacemakers drawn from Jewish classical, medieval, and early-modern rabbinic literature and analyzes them textually, theoretically, and discusses implications for practice today.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth is the director of Mosaica, The Religious Peace Initiative which serves as a network of ‘insider religious mediators’ advancing both religious peace and mitigating crisis situations in Israel and the Middle East. Roth also works to connect religious leaders to the tens of community mediation and dialogue centers throughout Israel that Mosaica supports. In addition, Roth is a core faculty member at Bar-Ilan University’s Graduate Program for Conflict Management, Resolution and Negotiation, where he teaches graduate courses on religious peacebuilding as well as supervises graduate students. His book Third-party Peacemakers in Judaism: Text Theory and Practice, was published by Oxford University Press in Spring 2021. Roth was the founder and director of the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution, the Mahloket Matters Projects and the 9Adar:Jewish Week of Constructive Conflict / Dibur Hadash Israeli Week of Mediation and Dialogue. Roth is a regular lecturer for MEJDI Tours/National Georaphic, and was a senior research fellow at George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution. Roth holds a Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University’s Graduate Program for Conflict Management, Resolution and Negotiation, a MA in Talmud from Hebrew University, a B.Ed in Jewish Philosophy from Herzog Teachers’ College, and studied for eight years in Yeshivat Har-Etzion during which time he received Orthodox rabbinic ordination.

Tags

Interfaith

06/07/22

De’agah L’Yetomim (Caring for Vulnerable Children) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #7

Enjoy the fifth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – De’agah L’Yetomim, Caring for Vulnerable Children

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

06/02/22

De’agah L’Yetomim (Caring for Vulnerable Children) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #7

Enjoy the fifth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – De’agah L’Yetomim, Caring for Vulnerable Children

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

06/02/22

King David: Man of War and Politics, Man of God, Man of Contradictions (Books of Samuel)

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Rosen

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Congregation Or Tzion

ABOUT THE EVENT:

King David: Man of War and Politics, Man of God, Man of Contradictions. Based on a close reading of the Books of Samuel.

No biblical character is described in such detail as King David with all the complexities of his character and the range of his responses to the challenges he faced of escaping Saul, ruling a country, a family and himself. One opinion in the Talmud is that he never sinned. Is that position sustainable?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Jeremy Rosen is a British born rabbi, a graduate in philosophy from Cambridge University and Mir Yeshivah in Jerusalem. He has Semicha from the Roshei Yeshivot of Mir, Ponevez and Be’er Yaakov. He has spent his working life in the rabbinate, Jewish education, and Academia on four continents and has retired to New York where he is the Rabbi of the Persian community of Manhattan and lectures at the JCC

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Jewish Texts

Politics & Government

06/01/22

King David: Man of War and Politics, Man of God, Man of Contradictions (Books of Samuel)

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Rosen

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Congregation Or Tzion

ABOUT THE EVENT:

King David: Man of War and Politics, Man of God, Man of Contradictions. Based on a close reading of the Books of Samuel.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Jewish Texts

Politics & Government

06/01/22

Interview: Aaron Lipkin, Ofra

Tags

Interview

Israel

05/31/22

Interview: Aaron Lipkin, Ofra

Tags

Interview

Israel

05/31/22

Parshat Bamidbar: On Intermediate Spaces

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

05/31/22

Parshat Bamidbar: On Intermediate Spaces

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

05/31/22

The Tragedy of Heruta: The Madonna who Became a Whore

A virtual event presentation by Gila Fine

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: BMH-BJ

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Why are women divided into saintly and seductive? How does a married couple go for years without intimacy? And why must the wife dress up as a prostitute to show her husband who she really is? The domestic drama of R. Hiyya and his wife, read through Demosthenes and Nahmanides, Sigmund Freud and Oscar Wilde, Immanuel Kant and Martin Buber, Ruth Calderon and Mad Men.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Gila Fine is editor in chief of Maggid Books (Koren Publishers Jerusalem). She is also a teacher of Aggada, exploring the tales of the Talmud through philosophy, literary criticism, psychoanalysis, and pop-culture. Gila is faculty member at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, the London School of Jewish studies, Amudim Seminary, and the Nachshon Project, and has taught thousands at communities and conferences across the Jewish world. Haaretz has called her “a young woman on her way to becoming one of the more outstanding Jewish thinkers of the next generation.”

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Women & Gender

05/26/22

The Tragedy of Heruta: The Madonna who Became a Whore

A virtual event presentation by Gila Fine

A virtual event presentation by Shira Hecht-Koller

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Temple Solel

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Themes that are central to the rise and impact of the powerful platforms available to us 24 hours a day – power of the image, democratization of experience, deliberate curation – are at once both cutting edge and age-old, and are central to the experience of being human. They are also, in many ways, deeply rooted in our sacred texts. In this lecture and discussion we will explore the intersection between photography, imagery and the values embedded in classical Jewish texts.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Shira Hecht-Koller, is an educator, attorney, and entrepreneur. She is currently Director of Education for 929 English, a cutting-edge educational start-up and global platform for the study of Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. She brings with her over fifteen years of experience teaching Jewish Studies, designing interdisciplinary curricula and curating Jewish experiences in both formal and informal learning environments. She has taught at North Shore Hebrew Academy, SARHS, and at Drisha Institute, where she directed the Dr. Beth Samuels Talmud Fellowship Program, and she has practiced corporate IP law at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Passionate about both the written word and the photographic image, her writing has appeared in Tablet, The Forward, The Lehrhaus, Times of Israel and ejewishphilanthropy as well as in scholarly publications and journals, and her photography illustrates The Jewish Journey Haggadah. Her children’s book written together with artist Hanoch Piven will be published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux in 2022. She was a Paradigm Fellow at the Paideia Institute of Jewish Studies in Stockholm, a Fellow in the Jewish Pedagogies Circle at M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education and is an educator for Moishe House’s Jewish Learning Collaborative. She sits on the advisory boards of Shazur/Interwoven and Grow Torah. She holds a JD from Cardozo School of Law, and is a graduate of the Bruriah Scholars advanced Talmud program at Midreshet Lindenbaum. She is also an avid tennis fan and – moved by the spirit of adventure – loves hiking and exploring the world with her husband Aaron and children Dalya, Shachar, Amitai and Aiden.
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Tags

Divrei Torah

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

05/23/22

Messianism, Zionism, and Religious Radicalism: Spiritualties in Israel

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Menachem Creditor

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Hebrew Educational Alliance

ABOUT THE EVENT:
How did Zionism represent theological revolution? Does Israel’s reality represent a new Judaism? We’ll study excerpts of Aviezer Ravitzky’s classic “Messianism, Zionism, and Jewish Religious Radicalism” and engage in a conversation about contemporary Zionism and Jewish identity

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rabbi Menachem Creditor serves as the Pearl and Ira Meyer Scholar in Residence at UJA-Federation New York and was the founder of Rabbis Against Gun Violence. An acclaimed author, scholar, and speaker with over 1 million views of his online videos and essays, he was named by Newsweek as one of the fifty most influential rabbis in America. His 27 books and 6 albums of original music include “A Year of Torah,” the global anthem “Olam Chesed Yibaneh” and the COVID-era 2-volume anthology “When We Turned Within.” He has been involved in the leadership of American Jewish World Service, AIPAC, the Rabbinical Assembly, and the One America Movement, an organization dedicated to bringing together Americans of different faiths and opinions. He and his wife Neshama Carlebach live in New York, where they are raising their five children.

Tags

Israel

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Zionism

05/18/22

Messianism, Zionism, and Religious Radicalism: Spiritualties in Israel

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Menachem Creditor

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Hebrew Educational Alliance

Tags

Israel

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Zionism

05/18/22

Parshat Behar: On Preventative Measures

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

05/17/22

Parshat Behar: On Preventative Measures

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash) explores social justice in the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Tags

Divrei Torah

05/17/22

Shmitta: From Biblical Narratives to Contemporary Perspectives

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Rabbi Avital Hochstein

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Hebrew Educational Alliance

ABOUT THE EVENT:
In this class we will look at the diverse biblical narratives of Shmita, how they play out – practically and ideologically, in later Talmudic and Halachic sources and ponder what this all had to do with our current day awareness of the challenge and threat to sustainability

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Rabbi Avital Hochstein is president of Hadar in Israel. Hochstein has done research and taught at many institutions, among them the Shalom Hartman institute where she was a research fellow and the Pardes Institute where she was the Rosh Kollel. She is one of the founders of Shira Hadasha in Jerusalem. Along with Prof. Chana Safrai she wrote the book “Women out, women in: the place of women in midrash” (Yediot Aharonot, 2018). Her PhD focuses on the 8th chapter of tractate Sanhedin and utilizes a literary read of halachic material combining tools from gender studies. She received ordination from R.Daniel Landes and from the Beit Midrash Le’Rabbanut Yisraelit.

Tags

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

Environment, Nature & Animals

05/12/22

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Temple Chai

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This class will discuss Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown journey in science and engineering as a Torah observant Jewish woman.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown is the director of the Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes and a Professor at the School of Sustainable Engineering and The Built Environment, at Arizona State University. She came to the US with a Fulbright Scholarship to get a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Georgia Tech. She was awarded an NSF CAREER award, was selected Fulton Engineering Exemplar Faculty, in 2020 she was awarded Arizona Researcher of the year by AZBio and has been recognized as highly cited researcher in her field by Web of Science in 2020 and 2021. She has funding for her research from many federal agencies including NIH, DoE, DoD, and NSF. She is a pioneer in research on gut microbiome and autism. She is author of 5 patents and more than 120 peer-reviewed publications. She specializes on molecular microbial ecology for bioremediation, the use of microbial systems for bioenergy production, and the human intestinal microbial ecology and its relationship to obesity, bariatric surgery, metabolism, and autism.

Tags

Science & Technology

Women & Gender

05/12/22

My Journey in Science and Engineering as a Torah Observant Jewish Woman

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Temple Chai

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dina Najman

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Beth El Phoenix

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This class will discuss Devorah as a leader that is not gender specific, as she is often compared to Moshe and David. Devorah is a prophet, a warrior, a general, a poet, a judge, a mother – the people follow her based on her skill.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rabbi Dina Najman is the Marta d’Atra and Senior Rabbi of The Kehilah in Riverdale. From 2006-2013, Rabbi Najman was the Marta d’Atrah at Kehilat Orach Eliezer in Manhattan (the first Orthodox synagogue to appoint a woman as senior Rabbi of a shul). She is head of the Gemara department at SAR Academy in Riverdale, NY. R’ Najman has extensive experience teaching and speaking in the Jewish community on topics ranging from bioethics to environmental law. Rabbi Najman has served on the board of the Halakhic Organ Donor Society (HODS) for more than a decade and presently serves on the YCT and JOFA Advisory Boards as well. Rabbi Najman studied as a Drisha fellow and then went on to study at Nishmat, where she learned in their Machon Gavoha/Niddah learning program. She received her Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber. R’ Najman earned her certification in Bioethics and Medical Humanities from NYU/Einstein Bioethics and Medical Humanities Certificate Program. She compiled Jewish legal source material for HODS and has developed and taught halakhic curricula for the Drisha Institute as well as Ma’ayanot and SAR Yeshivot. Rabbi Najman is a Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem.
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Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Women & Gender

05/10/22

Devorah the Prophet: A Model of Leadership Irrespective of Gender

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dina Najman

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Beth El Phoenix

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Women & Gender

05/10/22

Finding God in Pain

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Morris Panitz

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Temple Emanuel Denver

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This class will center on a powerful teaching in Eicha Rabbah (Proem 24) that explores themes related to God’s suffering, arguing with God, divine-human reconciliation. What does it mean for our pain and God’s pain to serve as a meeting point in the human-divine relationship?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rabbi Morris Panitz is an Assistant Rabbi at IKAR, a spiritual community in Los Angeles. Previously, he served as the Director of the Ziering BCI Program and Director of Immersive Experiences at American Jewish University.  He cherishes the opportunity to partner with people who are seeking meaningful connection to Jewish wisdom and community. Morris received rabbinical ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and was a recipient of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship. Prior to rabbinical school, he combined his love for Jewish, experiential education and environmental sustainability as the Program Director of the Pearlstone Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Morris completed a Certificate in Jewish, Experiential Education from Yeshiva University and received his B.A. from the University of Maryland in philosophy and Jewish Studies. Morris loves hiking and gardening with his wife, Elana, and two children, Ziva and Matan.
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Tags

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

05/10/22

Finding God in Pain

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Morris Panitz

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Temple Emanuel Denver

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Jewish Ethics

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

05/10/22

Supporting the Poor (Lifting Up Downtrodden) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #3

Enjoy the third session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change). Topic – Ozeir Dalim, Supporting the Poor and Lifting Up the Downtrodden

CAN JUDAISM FACE OUR MODERN UNDERSTANDING of justice, equality and human progress? Can mitzvot survive modernity’s critique of authority and culture of personal autonomy? To Be a Holy People: Jewish Tradition and Ethical Value takes up both ancient and modern moral questions. Building on biblical and rabbinic traditions, it analyzes how Jewish ethics relates to Jewish law, justice, fairness, compassion and violence. It also discusses the ethical dimensions of gender, freedom, universalism and particularism.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
EUGENE KORN holds a doctorate in moral philosophy from Columbia University and Orthodox rabbinic ordination from Pirchei Shoshanim in Israel. His books include Jewish Theology and World Religions; Plowshares in Swords?; Covenant and Hope; and e Jewish Connection to Israel. His writings have been translated into Hebrew, German, Italian and Spanish. He and his wife, Lila Magnus Korn, live in Jerusalem.

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

04/29/22

To Be a Holy People, Jewish Tradition and Ethical Values

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Eugene Korn

A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin in Phoenix
HAMMERMAN FAMILY LECTURE

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Temple Solel

ABOUT THE EVENT:
One of the sad things that has happened to Jewish life in modern times is that people define “religious” solely in terms of ritual observance (one who keeps Shabbat or Kashrut is religious, one who doesn’t is not), as if ethics in Judaism were an extracurricular activity, nice, but not very important. In this talk, based on Rabbi Telushkin’s award-winning book, A Code of Jewish Ethics: Volume 1: You Shall be Holy, he examines, along with other issues as well, four Jewish values and how they apply in daily life. The first is forgiveness; Telushkin delineates when Jewish law considers forgiveness obligatory, when optional, and when forbidden, and shows how and when to apply these perspectives in our daily behavior. A second area examined in this speech are the Jewish laws concerning anger and how to express it fairly. At a time when many families and friendships have been torn asunder, Telushkin, in addition to examining teachings from the Torah on anger, he also offers the one rule by which you can guarantee that no matter how angry you get at another you will never say something that will destroy a relationship. The talk also considers Jewish perspectives on humility (the only virtue the Torah explicitly attributes to Moses), and examines why self-esteem may be as morally necessary as humility itself. This lecture will not only challenge and broaden one intellectually, it offers very specific advice and guidelines on how to transform and elevate one’s life.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, named by Talk Magazine as one of the 50 best speakers in the United States, is the author of Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History. The most widely selling book on Judaism of the past three decades, Jewish Literacy has been hailed by leading figures in all the major movements of Judaism, and has been published in a third edition.

Telushkin’s The Book of Jewish Values: A Day by Day Guide to Ethical Living was the subject of a PBS special entitled Moral Imagination that aired throughout the United States.

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

04/19/22

The Twenty-First Century: A Jewish Vision, One Day At A Time

A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin in Phoenix
HAMMERMAN FAMILY LECTURE

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Temple Solel

Telushkin’s The Book of Jewish Values: A Day by Day Guide to Ethical Living was the subject of a PBS special entitled Moral Imagination that aired throughout the United States.

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

04/19/22

Parshat Ki Tisa: On the Worship of Money

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

04/19/22

The Biblical Plagues and OUR Plague: An Anthropocentric “Theology” and a Lesson for Our Times

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler Feller

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Temple Emanuel Denver

ABOUT THE EVENT:
The onset of the coronavirus brought with it a slew of perverse efforts to identify the ‘sinful’ behaviors for which the plague was God’s punishment. Through an analysis of “Vehaya im Shamoa”(Deut.11:13-21) I offer an alternative understanding of punishment as a disciplinary act attributed to God but, actually, the direct consequence of human conduct. Proceeding to outline the Pharoanic behavioral antecedents of the Egyptian plagues I move on to focus on the causal chain of human missteps that have led to the current crisis. In doing so I hope to diminish the degree of randomness with which we frame the pandemic and argue that this human induced ‘plague’ imposes on us a moral obligation to take corrective actions that could bring healing to our beleaguered planet.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Chaim Seidler-Feller recently celebrated his fortieth year of working with students and faculty as the Executive Director of the Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center for Jewish Life at UCLA. He is currently Director Emeritus.. He was ordained in 1971 at Yeshiva University where he completed a Masters in Rabbinic Literature. Chaim has been a lecturer in the Departments of Sociology and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at UCLA and in the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University. He is currently a faculty member of the Shalom Hartman Institute,North America and of the Wexner Heritage Foundation. He was the founding director of the Hartman Fellowship for Campus Professionals and a founding member of Americans for Peace Now. In 2014 he initiated a fact finding mission for non-Jewish student leaders to Israel and the Palestine Authority which is now offered on ninety campuses. In 2020 a Festschrift entitled Swimmimg Against the Current: Reimagining Jewish Tradition in the 21st Century was published in Chaim’s honor. He is married to Dr. Doreen Seidler-Feller,a clinical psychologist,and is the father of Shulie,a photojournalist and Shaul, an ordained rabbi who is currently serving as a Judaica consultant at Sotheby’s while pursuing a doctorate in Jewish History at the Hebrew University.

Tags

Medicine & Physical Health

04/13/22

The Biblical Plagues and OUR Plague: An Anthropocentric “Theology” and a Lesson for Our Times

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler Feller

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
Temple Emanuel Denver

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Medicine & Physical Health

04/13/22

Suffering Servants! How to Deal with the Missionary at the Door

A virtual event presentation by Rabba Dr Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Beth El Phoenix

Death, Grief & Mourning

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

04/08/22

Living to Die and Dying to Live: Lessons from a Mussar Teacher & a Palliative Care Doctor

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Alan Morinis and Dr. Beverly Spring

This event is co-sponsored by:
Mt. Sinai Cemetary

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

04/08/22

Moral Imagination: On Being A Good Person In A Morally Complicated World

A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin in Denver

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
BMH-BJ Congregation in Denver, CO

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Extraordinary advances have been made in medicine science and technology over the past century because scientists, medical researchers and scholars have devoted the full resources of their intellectual imagination to solve problems that had been thought to be insoluble. But comparable progress has not been made in moral areas, one reason being that people rarely devote the same intellectual and imaginative efforts to solve moral problems. Yet such solutions can be achieved by any of us, if we try hard enough and study the behaviors of people we regard as moral heroes.

Telushkin’s The Book of Jewish Values: A Day by Day Guide to Ethical Living was the subject of a PBS special entitled Moral Imagination that aired throughout the United States.

Rabbi Telushkin was ordained at Yeshiva University in New York, and pursued graduate studies in Jewish history at Columbia University. He resides in New York City with his wife, Dvorah Menashe Telushkin, and lectures throughout the United States.

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

04/08/22

Moral Imagination: On Being A Good Person In A Morally Complicated World

A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Rabbi Joseph Telushkin in Denver

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
BMH-BJ Congregation in Denver, CO

Telushkin’s The Book of Jewish Values: A Day by Day Guide to Ethical Living was the subject of a PBS special entitled Moral Imagination that aired throughout the United States.

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

04/08/22

Parshat Metzorah: On Menstruation Justice

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

Women & Gender

04/06/22

Is Judaism Woke or Unwoke?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Asher Lopatin

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
BMH-BJ Congregation

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Through the millennia, Judaism and Jewish thinkers have strived to make an ancient religion meaningful and applicable in various environments and social norms where Jews have lived. Modern Orthodoxy has specifically espoused finding ways to combine the traditions and laws of Judaism, passed down from rabbis and communities 2000 years ago, with the ethics, morals and standards of the modern, contemporary world? Does this work? Is this really possible? Rabbi Lopatin will explore contemporary issues that challenge Jewish traditions and laws.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rabbi Asher Lopatin is the Executive Director of the JCRC/AJC of Detroit and the founding rabbi of Kehillat Etz Chayim of Detroit. He is also the founding director of the Detroit Center for Civil Discourse. A Rhodes Scholar and a Truman Fellow with an M. Phil in Medieval Arabic Thought from Oxford University, Rabbi Lopatin has also done doctoral work at St. Antony’s College, Oxford, in Islamic Fundamentalist attitudes towards Jews and Israel. He has written chapters for over 20 books and numerous articles. Prior to moving with his wife, Rachel, and their four children to Detroit, he served as president of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, and, before that, served as the rabbi of Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel Congregation in Chicago. Rabbi Lopatin received ordination from Rav Ahron Soloveichik and Yeshivas Brisk in Chicago, and from Yeshiva University. Rabbi Lopatin is a permanent member of The Council on Foreign Relations and on the board of New Detroit.

03/31/22

Is Judaism Woke or Unwoke?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Asher Lopatin

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
BMH-BJ Congregation

03/31/22

Honoring One’s Parents (Kibud Av Va’Eim) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #2

Enjoy the second session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – Honoring One’s Parents (Kibud Av Va’Eim))

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

03/30/22

Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness – Class 2 – Honoring One’s Parents (Kibud Av Va’Eim)

Enjoy the second session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – Honoring One’s Parents (Kibud Av Va’Eim))

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

03/30/22

Parshat Tazria: On the Dangers of Solitary Confinement

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Criminal Justice

Divrei Torah

03/29/22

Parshat Tazria: On the Dangers of Solitary Confinement

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Criminal Justice

Divrei Torah

03/29/22

Frankenstein and the Golem

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Paul Root Wolpe

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Two paradigms of human-created ‘monsters’ have reverberated through modern history as models for considering everything from genetic safety, to scientific hubris, to man’s relationship to the material world and G-d. In this talk we compare these two legends and discuss why they portray Humankind so differently and teach such different lessons.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Paul Root Wolpe, Ph.D. is the Raymond F. Schinazi Distinguished Research Chair in Jewish Bioethics, Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Sociology, and the Director of the Center for Ethics at Emory University. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Bioethics – Neuroscience, and sits on the editorial boards of over a dozen professional journals. Dr. Wolpe served for 17 years as Senior Bioethicist for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He is Immediate Past-President of the Association of Bioethics Program Directors, a past President of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, a Fellow of the Hastings Center, the country’s oldest bioethics institute, and a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the country’s oldest medical society.

Dr. Wolpe publishes widely in sociology, medicine, and ethics, and has contributed to a variety of encyclopedias on ethical and bioethical issues. Trained as a social scientist – a rare background for an ethicist — Dr. Wolpe’s work focuses on the social, religious, ethical, and ideological impact of medicine and technology on the human condition. A founder of the field of neuroethics, which examines the ethical implications of neuroscience, he also organized BEINGS, “Biotechnology and the Ethical Imagination: A Global Summit,” which brought together thought leaders to reach consensus on ethical principles and standards for human cellular genetics and biotechnology. He has also been a leader in the national bioethical conversation on COVID-19 and vaccine distribution.

Tags

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

03/28/22

Frankenstein and the Golem

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Paul Root Wolpe

Tags

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

03/28/22

Parshat Shemini: On Sobriety in Our Service

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

03/23/22

Parshat Shemini: On Sobriety in Our Service

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

03/23/22

Visiting the Sick (Bikkur Cholim) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #1

Enjoy the first session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – Visiting the Sick (Bikkur Cholim)

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Series: Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness

03/23/22

Visiting the Sick (Bikkur Cholim) – Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living w/ Kindness – #1

Enjoy the first session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks, dates subject to change).

Topic – Visiting the Sick (Bikkur Cholim)

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash

Holidays & Shabbat

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Holidays: Purim

03/17/22

What Would Isaiah Say? Israeli Arms Sales and the Challenge of Jewish Sovereignty

A virtual event presentation by Former MK Tehila Friedman, Rabbi Dr. Daniel Gordis and Rabbi Avidan Freedman

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
BMH-BJ Congregation

ABOUT THE EVENT:
The establishment of a Jewish state reintroduced the Jewish people to moral dilemmas of sovereignty and power with which they did not have to grapple for 2000 years. Even 70 years in, some of these challenges have not enjoyed sufficient attention or focus. Former MK Tehila Friedman, Rabbi Daniel Gordis, and Rabbi Avidan Freedman will share political, ideological, historical, and religious perspectives on one of the least well known, and on of the most morally pressing of these challenges, the question of Israeli arms exports.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Former MK Tehila Friedman is a former Knesset member, a social entrepreneur, a director in the non-profit world, a writer, speaker, jurist, Jurusalemite, and mother of 5.

Rabbi Dr. Daniel Gordis is the Vice President of the Shalem College, a senior Koret fellow, and head of the college’s humanities program.

Rabbi Avidan Freedman is an educator at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s high school and post-high school program, and a co-founder of Yanshoof, an organization dedicated to establishing moral limits for Israeli weapons exports. Learn more at www.yanshoof.org

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Israel

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

03/17/22

What Would Isaiah Say? Israeli Arms Sales and the Challenge of Jewish Sovereignty

A virtual event presentation by Former MK Tehila Friedman, Rabbi Dr. Daniel Gordis and Rabbi Avidan Freedman

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY:
BMH-BJ Congregation

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Former MK Tehila Friedman is a former Knesset member, a social entrepreneur, a director in the non-profit world, a writer, speaker, jurist, Jurusalemite, and mother of 5.

Rabbi Dr. Daniel Gordis is the Vice President of the Shalem College, a senior Koret fellow, and head of the college’s humanities program.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Israel

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

03/17/22

Parshat Tzav: On Giving Thanks

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

03/14/22

Parshat Tzav: On Giving Thanks

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

03/14/22

The Significance of the Mitzvot of Purim in our lives today

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Sharona Halickman

ABOUT THE EVENT:
On Purim we observe four main mitzvot as well as various customs. Where did these laws and customs originate from and are they still relevant today?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Sharona holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Stern College and an MS in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School, Yeshiva University. Sharona was the first Orthodox woman to serve as a member of clergy as the first Congregational Intern and first Madricha Ruchanit at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, NY. After making aliya in 2004, Sharona founded Torat Reva Yerushalayim, a non profit organization based in Jerusalem which provides Torah study groups for students of all ages and backgrounds.

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Holidays & Shabbat

Holidays: Purim

03/14/22

The Significance of the Mitzvot of Purim in Our Lives Today

A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Sharona Halickman

ABOUT THE EVENT:
On Purim we observe four main mitzvot as well as various customs. Where did these laws and customs originate from and are they still relevant today?

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Holidays & Shabbat

Holidays: Purim

03/14/22

On Diplomacy & Negotiation – Book Talk with Former US Ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk

A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Ambassador Martin Indyk

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Beth El Congregation

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz will be interviewing Ambassador Martin Indyk about his new book (Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger And The Art Of Middle East Diplomacy), followed by questions from the audience and a book signing.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Martin S. Indyk is distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, he was the John C. Whitehead Distinguished Fellow in International Diplomacy in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. From February 2015 to March 2018, he served as executive vice president of Brookings. Indyk served as the U.S. special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations from July 2013 to June 2014. Prior to his time as special envoy, he was vice president and director of the Foreign Policy program and a senior fellow and the founding director of the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings.

Tags

Interview

Israel

Politics & Government

03/10/22

On Diplomacy & Negotiation – Book Talk with Former US Ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk

A hybrid event (in person & accessible virtually) with Ambassador Martin Indyk

EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Beth El Congregation

Tags

Interview

Israel

Politics & Government

03/10/22

The Seven Questions You’re Asked in Heaven

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Ron Wolfson

ABOUT THE EVENT:
When you get to heaven, what questions do you think you’ll be asked about how you lived your life on earth? In the Talmud and through the centuries, rabbis have imagined what these questions might be. In this challenging, poignant and humorous presentation, we’ll study text, share stories, and explore the concept of cheshbon ha-nefesh, a spiritual accounting of the soul.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
DR. RON WOLFSON is the Fingerhut Professor of Education at American Jewish University in Los Angeles, where he has been on the faculty for forty-six years and president of the Kripke Institute. He is the author of seventeen books on Jewish life, including Shabbat, Passover, Hanukkah, God’s To-Do List, The Seven Questions You’re Asked in Heaven, The Spirituality of Welcoming, Relational Judaism, The Relational Judaism Handbook, a memoir, The Best Boy in the United States of America, and his latest book with Dr. Bruce Powell, Raising A+ Human Beings: Crafting a Jewish School Culture of Academic Excellence and AP Kindness.

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

03/08/22

The Seven Questions You’re Asked in Heaven

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Ron Wolfson

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Education

Sociology of the Jewish Community

03/04/22

The Future of Jewish Adult Learning

A conversation with Spertus Institute’s leaders Dean Bell & Keren Fraiman at Valley Beit Midrash with President & Dean Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Education

Sociology of the Jewish Community

03/04/22

Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Moses Maimonides (1138-1204) is the classic Jewish thinker who strove to reconcile Judaism and philosophy/science. Baruch Spinoza (1632-1667) is the classic Jewish heretic who revolutionized modern rationalistic philosophy and did much to undermine traditional religious beliefs. By drawing on the teachings of both of these intellectual giants, we can seek a traditional Judaism that is vibrant, intellectually challenging, and meaningful.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rabbi Marc D. Angel is Founder and Director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals (jewishideas.org), fostering an intellectually vibrant, compassionate and inclusive Orthodox Judaism. He is Rabbi Emeritus of the historic Congregation Shearith Israel, the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York City (founded 1654), where he began serving in 1969.

Born and raised in the Sephardic community of Seattle, Washington, he went to New York for his higher education at Yeshiva University where he earned his B.A., M.S., Ph.D. and Rabbinic Ordination. He also earned an M.A. in English Literature from the City College of New York.

Author and editor of 38 books, he has written and lectured extensively on various aspects of Jewish law, history and culture. Among his books are Foundations of Sephardic Spirituality: The Inner Life of Jews of the Ottoman Empire (Jewish Lights, 2006); and Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism, (Jewish Lights, 2009), both of which won Finalist Awards from the National Jewish Book Council. His book, Choosing to Be Jewish: The Orthodox Road to Conversion (Ktav, 2005) has reached many thousands of readers. His most recent books are a commentary on Pirkei Avot published by Koren (2015); The Wisdom of Solomon and Us (Jewish Lights, 2016); and A New World: An American Sephardic Memoir (Albion-Andalus, 2019). He serves as Editor of Conversations, the journal of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals.

Rabbi Angel is Past President of the Rabbinical Council of America (1990-1992). He has served as officer and board member of numerous agencies including the UJA-Federation of New York, the American Sephardi Federation, the Rabbinic Cabinet of Jewish National Fund, and the HealthCare Chaplaincy. He has won awards from many institutions including Yeshiva University, the Orthodox Union, and the New York Board of Rabbis. He is co-founder of the International Rabbinic Fellowship, an association of Modern Orthodox rabbis.

Rabbi Angel is married to Gilda Angel. Their children and grandchildren live in New York, Baltimore and Teaneck.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Sociology of the Jewish Community

03/04/22

Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

Rabbi Angel is married to Gilda Angel. Their children and grandchildren live in New York, Baltimore and Teaneck.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Sociology of the Jewish Community

03/04/22

Parshat Pekudei: On Building the Inner Tabernacle

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

03/02/22

Parshat Pekudei: On Building the Inner Tabernacle

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

03/02/22

Zionism According to a New York Sheriff & a Serbian Kabbalist

A virtual event presentation by Jonnie Schnytzer

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Serbian kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai may or may not have heard of New York Sheriff Mordechai Emmanuel Noah and vice versa. Contemporaries, both had a Zionist dream more than half a century before Theodore Herzel. Let’s view the texts which may have influenced the Austrian father of modern Zionism.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Jonnie Schnytzer is a Phd candidate focusing on medieval kabbalah. His dissertation is focused on the kabbalistic system of thought of Rabbi Joseph ben Shalom Ashkenazi. Jonnie is also preparing a critical edition of Ashkenazi’s commentary on Sefer Yesira. Probably the only PhD student in Jewish Philosophy who can say that he once beat the head of Israeli naval commandos in a swimming race, Jonnie’s also the author of Mossad thriller, The Way Back, which paints a picture of contemporary Israel. Jonnie has recently orchestrated the publishing of an English edition of ‘The Hitler Haggadah’, an important piece of Moroccan Jewish history from the Holocaust. Jonnie has also taken on several leadership roles in the Jewish world, including advisor to the CEO of Birthright and executive manager with StandWithUs. He lectures on a wide variety of topics relating to Judaism and Israel, especially about the untold stories and unspoken heroes of Jewish history. Jonnie is happily married, with four gorgeous little kids, lives in Israel and thinks that Australian Rules Football is the greatest sport ever invented.

Tags

Israel

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Zionism

03/01/22

Zionism According to a New York Sheriff & a Serbian Kabbalist

A virtual event presentation by Jonnie Schnytzer

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Zionism

03/01/22

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 40 – No State, One State or Two States

Enjoy the fortieth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – No State, One State or Two States: Herzel vs. Wise, Art Green vs. Peter Beinart

In this class, we will explore the 40 greatest debates in Jewish history.
We will study texts, reflect on the historical contexts, and discuss the values involved. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz will present for about 20-30 minutes and then the remaining 30-40 minutes will be for questions and conversation.

DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Israel

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

02/24/22

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 40 – No State, One State or Two States

Enjoy the fortieth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – No State, One State or Two States: Herzel vs. Wise, Art Green vs. Peter Beinart

DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Israel

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

02/24/22

Parshat Vayakhel: On Being Wise-Hearted

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

02/22/22

Parshat Vayakhel: On Being Wise-Hearted

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Art & Culture

History

02/21/22

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Noam Weissman

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This session will explore the age old question about the ontological nature of the Jewish people. Are the Jewish people separate and apart from the rest of the world? Is Balaam’s prophecy a promise, a description or a prescription? In looking at modern Jewish history, how do we explore this question and what does it mean for us today?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Noam Weissman is the Senior Vice President and Head of Content at OpenDor Media, where he spearheads the organization’s educational vision and leads content creation across all divisions. Noam heads a team of producers and writers for the Unpacked YouTube channel, which focuses on reaching 18-34 year old Jews and has over 85,000 subscribers and millions of views.

He is also the host of the popular podcast “Unpacking Israeli History,” is the executive producer of the podcast “This Week Unpacked,” and leads a team of educators for the Unpacked For Educators platform which currently has over 1,500 organizations using this content.

Noam earned a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Southern California, with a focus on curriculum design. His dissertation is entitled “Approaching Israel Education” and a masters degree from Yeshiva University in Jewish education.

Prior to joining OpenDor Media, he served as the Principal of Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles.
Noam is also the Founder of LaHaV, a spiraled curriculum and pedagogically advanced approach to Jewish education that enables teachers to collaborate across different disciplines.
Additionally, Noam has been rejected from many fellowships and jobs he has applied for.
Most importantly, he is married to the great Raizie Erreich, and they are proud parents of Eyal, Liana and Nissa.

Tags

Politics & Government

02/15/22

A Nation That Dwells Alone: Questions and Implications

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Noam Weissman

Tags

Politics & Government

02/15/22

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 38 – Is Humor A Value?

Enjoy the thirty eighth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – Is Humor A Value? Jokes vs. Seriousness

Tags

Art & Culture

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

02/09/22

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 38 – Is Humor A Value?

Enjoy the thirty eighth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – Is Humor A Value? Jokes vs. Seriousness

Tags

Art & Culture

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

02/09/22

Parshat Tetzaveh: On Persistent Striving

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

02/07/22

Parshat Tetzaveh: On Persistent Striving

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

02/07/22

How to Answer a Fool

A virtual event presentation by Professor Christine Hayes

ABOUT THE EVENT:
What is the best way to engage with those who appear to us to be ignorant or wicked? What can biblical and rabbinic debates over the duty, utility, and virtue of answering a fool teach us about the possibilities and limitations of the disappearing art of civil discourse.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Christine Hayes, Weis Professor of Religious Studies in Classical Judaica at Yale University specializes in talmudic-midrashic studies. Her books include: Between the Babylonian and Palestinian Talmuds (1997 Salo Baron prize); Gentile Impurities and Jewish Identities (a 2003 National Jewish Book Award finalist); and What’s Divine about Divine Law? Early Perspectives (2015 National Jewish Book Award in Scholarship; 2016 award from the American Publishers Association; 2016 Jordan Schnitzer Book Award). Edited volumes include: The Cambridge Companion to Judaism and Law (2017); Classic Essays in Rabbinic Culture and History (2018). She has authored two introductory volumes (The Emergence of Judaism and Introduction to the Bible) as well as numerous journal articles. Hayes is a Senior Research Fellow with the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, and recently served as the President of the Association for Jewish Studies.

Tags

Politics & Government

02/07/22

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger

ABOUT THE EVENT:
One of the founders of Roots/Shorashim/Judur, the Israeli Palestinian grassroots initiative for understanding, nonviolence and transformation, Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger has spent the last 8 years meeting Palestinians and building bridges of trust and mutual recognition between Palestinians and Israelis, by and large religious Israeli living in the West Bank/Judea and Samaria. In this presentation he will discuss some of his insights concerning the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the hurdles to be overcome in moving towards a lasting solution. Some of the concepts he will be discussing include: identity, trauma, normalization, the hubris of exclusivity, and the difference between coexistence and reconciliation.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger lives in Alon Shvut Israel and is one of the founders of Roots/Shorashim/Judur, The Palestinian Israeli Grassroots Initiative for Understanding, Nonviolence and Transformation. Currently he serves as its Director of International Relations. He also is the founder of the American Friends of Roots, a multi-faith organization dedicated to supporting the work of Roots/Shorashim/Judur. Rav Hanan frequently speaks in the USA together with one of his Palestinian partner about the amazing work of Roots/Shorashim/Judur.

Prior to the founding of Roots, Rav Hanan spent his whole career teaching Jewish studies in various seminaries, colleges and frameworks in the Jerusalem area, among them the Pardes Institute, Beit Midrash Elul, Nishmat and Yeshivat Bat Ayin. He also spent two years as part of the Judaic Fellows Program in Boca Raton Florida and over ten years in Dallas Texas, first as Rosh Kollel of the Community Kollel and later as founder and Executive Director and Community Rabbinic Scholar for the Jewish Studies Initiative of North Texas.

He and his Israeli–born wife Ayala have four grown children and ten grandchildren.

Tags

Israel

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

02/03/22

Peace-Building Insights After Eight Years of Meeting Palestinians

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger

He and his Israeli–born wife Ayala have four grown children and ten grandchildren.

Tags

Israel

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

02/03/22

From Flood to Rainbow (Parshat Noach)

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Avi Strausberg

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Just chapters after the flood that nearly destroyed the world, we see that humankind has quickly rebounded and all of the peoples have joined together to build a tower that nearly scrapes the sky. But, how did we get from there to here? What was it like to step out of the ark and begin again? In this session, we’ll revisit the familiar story of the flood and read it again through the eyes of a modern new midrash that imagines what it was like for the dove and the raven to leave the ark and begin again.

Parshat Terumah: On Internal and External Character

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

01/31/22

Parshat Mishpatim: The Widow, the Orphan, and the Stranger

01/26/22

Parshat Mishpatim: On the Ethics of Debt

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

01/24/22

Parshat Mishpatim: On the Ethics of Debt

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

01/24/22

Requiring Brit Mikvah for Female Trans Converts?

ABOUT THE EVENT:
How does Jewish law, a system based on such binaries as muttar (permitted) and assur (prohibited) and hayav (obligated) and patur (exempt), inform our contemporary understanding of gender which is increasingly shaped by fluidity and in some cases hybridity? In this particular case, would a trans woman who has not had gender confirmation surgery be required to undergo a ritual circumcision as part of her conversion process? Does the mitzvah of brit milah apply only to those whose gender is male or to all those whose anatomy is male? What are the consequences – halakhic, theological and cultural – of the different perspectives on this question?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rabbi Adina Lewittes founded Sha’ar, a northern NJ/NYC-based, values-driven Jewish community oriented around the call to societal, environmental and spiritual sustainability. For nearly twenty years, Sha’ar provided multiple gateways into Jewish life exemplified by a commitment to inclusiveness, diversity, innovation, scholarship, excellence and collaboration.

Adina recently served as the Scholar in Residence at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in NYC, a synagogue renowned for its commitment to social justice and spiritual activism. Adina is also a member of the senior rabbinic faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute, and of the Board of Trustees of the Abraham Joshua Heschel School. In the Spring of 2022 she will serve on the faculty of the Rabbinical School at JTS teaching modern Jewish Law.

Previously, Adina served as the Assistant Dean of the Rabbinical School at JTS, and founded a synagogue in Englewood, New Jersey, modelling shared leadership and collective communal responsibility. Adina regularly enjoys speaking engagements in the US and Canada and publishing essays on topics including Jewish identity, modern Jewish law, leadership, Jewish innovation, sexual/gender diversity, multifaith/multiheritage marriage and engagement, and contemporary Jewish spirituality. She is married to Andi Lewittes, and has four children, two stepchildren, and one incredible dog.

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

LGBTQ+

01/21/22

Requiring Brit Mikvah for Female Trans Converts?

Adina recently served as the Scholar in Residence at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in NYC, a synagogue renowned for its commitment to social justice and spiritual activism. Adina is also a member of the senior rabbinic faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute, and of the Board of Trustees of the Abraham Joshua Heschel School. In the Spring of 2022 she will serve on the faculty of the Rabbinical School at JTS teaching modern Jewish Law.

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

LGBTQ+

01/21/22

Hiddur Mitzva: A Journey Through Jewish Ritual Art

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler Feller

ABOUT THE EVENT:
A virtual tour of the Seidler-Feller collection of objects of Jewish material culture from Alsace and Iran, from India and Italy and from the US and Israel. Items include an 18th Century embroidered Italian tallit, a Yemenite wedding headdress, ketubot from across the globe and contemporary Israeli silver. The tour will include a reflection on how we came to collect Judaica and the stories that background our acquisitions.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Chaim Seidler-Feller recently celebrated his fortieth year of working with students and faculty as the Executive Director of the Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center for Jewish Life at UCLA. He is currently Director Emeritus.. He was ordained in 1971 at Yeshiva University where he completed a Masters in Rabbinic Literature. Chaim has been a lecturer in the Departments of Sociology and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at UCLA and in the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University. He is currently a faculty member of the Shalom Hartman Institute,North America and of the Wexner Heritage Foundation. He was the founding director of the Hartman Fellowship for Campus Professionals and a founding member of Americans for Peace Now. In 2014 he initiated a fact finding mission for non-Jewish student leaders to Israel and the Palestine Authority which is now offered on ninety campuses. In 2020 a Festschrift entitled Swimmimg Against the Current: Reimagining Jewish Tradition in the 21st Century was published in Chaim’s honor. He is married to Dr. Doreen Seidler-Feller,a clinical psychologist,and is the father of Shulie,a photojournalist and Shaul, an ordained rabbi who is currently serving as a Judaica consultant at Sotheby’s while pursuing a doctorate in Jewish History at the Hebrew University.

Tags

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

Jewish Identity

01/21/22

Hiddur Mitzva: A Journey Through Jewish Ritual Art

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Chaim Seidler Feller

Tags

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

Jewish Identity

01/21/22

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 35 – On The Unity of God

Enjoy the thirty fifth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – On The Unity of God

Tags

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

01/18/22

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 35 – On The Unity of God

Enjoy the thirty fifth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – On The Unity of God

Tags

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

01/18/22

Parshat Yitro: On the Commandment Not to Covet

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

01/17/22

Parshat Yitro: On the Commandment Not to Covet

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

01/17/22

The Social Justice Torah Commentary – Book Talk

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Barry Block

ABOUT THE EVENT:

An interview between Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz and Rabbi Barry Block on his new book “The Social Justice Torah Commentary”. Book description and where to purchase featured below.

What does the Torah have to say about social justice? As the contributors to The Social Justice Torah Commentary demonstrate, a great deal. A diverse array of authors delve deeply into each week’s parashah, drawing lessons to inspire tikkun olam. Chapters address key contemporary issues such as racism, climate change, mass incarceration, immigration, disability, women’s rights, voting rights, and many more. The result is an indispensable resource for weekly Torah study and for anyone committed to repairing the world.

Purchase the book here – https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_pr…

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Rabbi Barry H. Block serves Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas. A Houston native and graduate of Amherst College, Rabbi Block was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1991, and he received his DD, honoris causa, in 2016.

A member of the CCAR Board of Trustees, currently serving as vice president of organizational relationships, Block is the editor of The Mussar Torah Commentary (CCAR Press, 2020), a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. He also contributed to several earlier CCAR anthologies, including Inscribed: Encounters with the Ten Commandments, The Sacred Exchange, The Sacred Encounter, Navigating the Journey, and A Life of Meaning: Embracing Reform Judaism’s Sacred Path, and he is a regular contributor to the CCAR Journal.
Rabbi Block currently serves as faculty dean at URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp, similar to a role he previously held for twenty-one years at URJ Greene Family Camp. He is a past board chair of Planned Parenthood of South Texas. He is the proud father of Robert and Daniel

Tags

Art & Culture

Interview

Jewish Texts

01/14/22

The Social Justice Torah Commentary – Book Talk

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Barry Block

ABOUT THE EVENT:

An interview between Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz and Rabbi Barry Block on his new book “The Social Justice Torah Commentary”. Book description and where to purchase featured below.

Purchase the book here – https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_pr…

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Art & Culture

Interview

Jewish Texts

01/14/22

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 34 – The Value of the Individual vs. the Collective

Enjoy the thirty fourth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – The Value of the Individual vs. the Collective

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

01/12/22

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 34 – The Value of the Individual vs. the Collective

Enjoy the thirty fourth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – The Value of the Individual vs. the Collective

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

01/12/22

Parshat Beshalach: On the Role of Song in Liberation Work

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Art & Culture

Divrei Torah

01/11/22

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Politics & Government

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig

ABOUT THE EVENT:
When we don’t feel well, we usually go and see the doctor. But do we have to? Can I let my health slip? Is there an obligation to stay healthy? Come and learn the basic sources behind this question and the meaning behind this technical discussion.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rav Yoni Rosensweig is the Rabbi of the Netzach Menashe community in Beit Shemesh, a teacher in Midreshet Linenbaum, and author of several books.

Tags

Medicine & Physical Health

12/23/21

Is A Person Obligated To Receive Medical Assistance?

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

12/16/21

Changing the Mind to Change the World – Book Talk

A virtual presentation by Rabbi Marc Gopin

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

12/16/21

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 30 – Hobbes vs. Anarchist: A King vs. No King

Enjoy the thirtieth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – Hobbes vs. Anarchist: A King vs. No King

DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

12/15/21

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 30 – Hobbes vs. Anarchist: A King vs. No King

Enjoy the thirtieth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – Hobbes vs. Anarchist: A King vs. No King

DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Politics & Government

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

12/15/21

Knowing Life Through Death

A virtual presentation by Jonnie Schnytzer

Russ Linden is a management consultant, leadership instructor and author, who’s worked with public and nonprofit organizations for 35 years. He’s also a regular shul goer, and often gives the D’var Torah R his lay-led Shabbat morning service.

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 29 – The Mussar Movement vs. the Hasidic Movement

Enjoy the twenty ninth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – The Mussar Movement vs. the Hasidic Movement

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

12/08/21

Parshat Vayigash: On Dealing Respectfully with the Other

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
—
DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Divrei Torah

12/06/21

Parshat Vayigash: On Dealing Respectfully with the Other

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
—
DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Divrei Torah

12/06/21

How Heschel Taught Me To Be An Artist

A virtual event presentation by Mindy Weisel

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This compelling and candid memoir (AFTER: The Obligation of Beauty) by Mindy Weisel, an internationally acclaimed artist and author, traces her search for beauty in her life, which began as a child born in the Bergen-Belsen Displaced Person’s Camp to parents who had survived the Auschwitz concentration camp. This is not her parents’ story, rather, it is a courageous and honest portrait of her struggle to understand the black hole she was born into. Her successful journey in becoming an artist with her own voice, and an unshakable will to live with beauty, is most inspiring. By weaving an eloquent tapestry of her art, narrative, poetry and journals, Ms. Weisel offers moving insights into her life and work, especially her deep-seated conviction that beauty and love can overcome tragedy.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Mindy Weisel, an internationally renowned artist, author and speaker, was elected into the Smithsonian Archives of American Artists in 2000. Her works are in the permanent collections of the National Museum of American Art, Oxford University, and the Israel Museum, among many other public and private collections. Weisel is the author of DAUGHTERS Of ABSENCE: Transforming a Legacy of Loss; and TOUCHING QUIET: Reflections in Solitude. She is also a member of the United States Art In Embassies Program; and the Jerusalem Biennial.

Weisel, the mother of three, resided in Washington, D.C. for over forty years, where she was an Associate Professor at the Corcoran College of Art and Design (1996-2005). She received her BFA at George Washington University and did her post graduate work at American University, Washington, D.C.

Weisel’s extensive interviews and TV appearances are documented on her website www.mindyweisel.com. Among them, CNN, Bloomberg, Jewish Women’s Archives.

Currently, Mindy Weisel resides in Jerusalem Israel, with her husband.

You can purchase the book here –
https://www.amazon.com/AFTER-Obligati…

—
DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

12/06/21

How Heschel Taught Me To Be An Artist

A virtual event presentation by Mindy Weisel

Weisel’s extensive interviews and TV appearances are documented on her website www.mindyweisel.com. Among them, CNN, Bloomberg, Jewish Women’s Archives.

Currently, Mindy Weisel resides in Jerusalem Israel, with her husband.

You can purchase the book here –
https://www.amazon.com/AFTER-Obligati…

—
DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

12/06/21

The Pen and the Sword in the Warsaw Ghetto

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David I. Bernstein

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Mordechai Anilewicz was one of the leaders of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in the spring of 1943. Yet alongside him in the ghetto was another Jewish leader, Emmanuel Ringleblum, who chose the pen over the sword. Two heroes, two different kinds of heroism, for their own time and place — and beyond.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr, David I. Bernstein is the Dean of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Previously he was the Director of Midreshet Lindenbaum. He has a BA and MA in History and a Ph.D. in Religious Education from NYU. His passion for Jewish history has taken him as historian-in-residence with student and adult groups to Poland, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Berlin and other important European sites of Jewish life.

Tags

Art & Culture

History

Holidays: Yom HaShoah

12/06/21

The Pen and the Sword in the Warsaw Ghetto

A virtual event presentation by Dr. David I. Bernstein

Tags

Art & Culture

Hanukkah in the Bible?

A virtual event presentation by Professor Marc Zvi Brettler

Tags

Jewish Texts

Holidays: Chanukah

12/02/21

Parshat Mikeitz: On Food Justice

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
—
DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Divrei Torah

11/29/21

Parshat Mikeitz: On Food Justice

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
—
DONATE: www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:
www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Tags

Divrei Torah

11/29/21

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 27 – What’s the Purpose of Mitzvot?

Enjoy the twenty seventh session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – What’s the Purpose of Mitzvot? Obedience vs. Meaning

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

11/28/21

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 27 – What’s the Purpose of Mitzvot?

Enjoy the twenty seventh session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Enjoy the twenty sixth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – Body vs. Soul

Tags

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

11/18/21

40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History – Class 26 – Body vs. Soul

Enjoy the twenty sixth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic – Body vs. Soul

Tags

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

11/18/21

The Jewish Genius for Surviving Catastrophe

This lecture is in honor of Dr. Sherman Minkoff.

ABOUT THE EVENT:
The Hebrew School I attended as a child taught us about every catastrophe that befell the Jewish People. It was a tale of endless destruction, persecution, and exile. But left out of the story they told us was the best part — the miraculous capacity of the Jewish People to turn catastrophe into opportunity, and tragedy into creativity. The Jewish talent for renewal, re-invention, and resilience can give us hope for our future.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rabbi Ed Feinstein is senior rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California. He serves on the faculty of the Ziegler Rabbinical School of the American Jewish University, the Wexner Heritage Program, the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem and lectures widely across the United States. He is the author of several books, including: Tough Questions Jews Ask – A Young Adult’s Guide to Building a Jewish Life, (Jewish Lights, 2003), was chosen for the American Library Association’s Top Ten Books on Religion for Young Readers and a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. Jews and Judaism in the Twenty-First Century: Human Responsibility, the Presence of God and the Future of the Covenant (Jewish Lights, 2007) was also a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, Capturing the Moon (Behrman House, 2008) retells the best of classic and modern Jewish folktales. Most recently, Chutzpah Imperative! – Empowering Today’s Jews for a Life that Matters (Jewish Lights, 2014), offers a new way to “do Judaism,” Rabbi urges us to recover this message of Jewish self empowerment, or chutzpah, to reshape the world.

An engaging lecturer and storyteller, Rabbi Feinstein unites the ancient Jewish love of ideas with the warmth of Jewish humor.

Tags

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

11/16/21

The Jewish Genius for Surviving Catastrophe

This lecture is in honor of Dr. Sherman Minkoff.

An engaging lecturer and storyteller, Rabbi Feinstein unites the ancient Jewish love of ideas with the warmth of Jewish humor.

Tags

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

11/16/21

Parshat Vayishlach: On Rape and Our Response to It

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

Women & Gender

11/15/21

Parshat Vayishlach: On Rape and Our Response to It

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

Women & Gender

11/15/21

How the Discoveries of Isaac Newton & Ferdinand Magellan Changed Halachic Definitions of Up & Down

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jon Greenberg

Event Co-Sponsored By:
Sinai and Synapses, Scientists and Synagogues Program

ABOUT THE EVENT:
The class will cover many of the following ideas –

*How the discoveries of Isaac Newton and Ferdinand Magellan changed the halachic definitions of up and down
*Changing meaning within Tanach: Why is “a land dripping with milk and honey” a blessing in Torah but a curse in Isaiah?”
*How did the Talmud’s classification of living things anticipate a scientific discovery by 1700 years?
*Structure of the Solar System in the Talmud and later

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Science & Technology

11/15/21

How the Discoveries of Isaac Newton & Ferdinand Magellan Changed Halachic Definitions of Up & Down

A virtual event presentation by Dr. Jon Greenberg

Event Co-Sponsored By:
Sinai and Synapses, Scientists and Synagogues Program

ABOUT THE EVENT:
The class will cover many of the following ideas –

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Science & Technology

11/15/21

Embers of Pilgrimage – Book Talk

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This event will be a book interview of Dr. Fishbane’s latest work of original poetry entitled:
“EMBERS OF PILGRIMAGE”.
Rabbi Dr. Aubrey Glazer, who wrote the interpretive introduction, will offer a valuable voice in drawing meaning from the poetry while in conversation with Dr. Fishbane. Rabbi Dr. Aubrey is also the Director of The Panui Institute, of which this book is a project.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Eitan P. Fishbane is Associate Professor of Jewish Thought at The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), where he teaches students in all five graduate and undergraduate schools. Fishbane earned his Ph.D. and B.A., summa cum laude, from Brandeis University, and he served on the faculties of Carleton College and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion before coming to JTS in 2006. A 2015-2016 JTS Chancellor’s Fellow, Fishbane recently completed a term of service on the Faculty Executive Committee; he serves on the Rabbinical School Council at JTS, as B.A. and M.A. Advisor in Jewish Thought, and as Division Chair for Jewish Mysticism at the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS). Among his published works are The Art of Mystical Narrative: A Poetics of the Zohar (Oxford University Press, 2018) and As Light Before Dawn: The Inner World of a Medieval Kabbalist (Stanford University Press, 2009). Fishbane was a 2011 recipient of the Charles A. Ryskamp Fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies.

Tags

Art & Culture

Interview

Divrei Torah

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

11/08/21

A virtual presentation by Rabbi Dr. Devorah Schoenfeld

ABOUT THE EVENT:
The Song of Songs is a collection of poems describing romantic love, and is traditionally read as an allegory for the love between God and God’s people. Traditional commentaries have tended to read the Song of Songs as one continuous narrative, telling a single love story between two lovers. But is the Song of Songs one story or many? And how many lovers are there really? Using Rashi’s commentary and Midrash Rabbah as well as modern scholarship we will look at different possible answers to these questions, and how they can help us think about what it means to love God in a complicated world.

Enjoy the twenty second session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: Auschwitz vs. Sinai:
Which is the More Central Jewish Narrative Today?

Tags

Holidays: Yom HaShoah

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

10/25/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 22 – Auschwitz vs. Sinai

Enjoy the twenty second session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: Auschwitz vs. Sinai:
Which is the More Central Jewish Narrative Today?

Tags

Holidays: Yom HaShoah

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

10/25/21

Torah with the Way of the Land: The Legacy of German Judaism

A virtual event presentation by Professor Paul Franks

ABOUT THE EVENT:
What is the legacy of German Judaism, and what can it still offer us today? German Judaism began with Moses Mendelssohn’s controversial German translation of the Humash in 1783, and ended with the Nazi pogrom of November 1938. The best known slogan of the Torah-true wing of German Judaism is “Torah im derekh erets” (“Torah with the way of the land”). But this slogan is often misunderstood as nothing more than an educational philosophy that came in one flavor. In fact, it is an ideal of humanity articulated, in several competing versions, in the context of the quest for Jewish civil rights. The German-Jewish tradition raises vital questions that remain relevant today: What is the mission of Jews within civil society? What makes a Jewish community Jewish? What role should Jews play within the ongoing struggle for social justice and civil rights?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Paul Franks is the Robert F. and Patricia Ross Weis Professor of Philosophy and Judaic Studies at Yale University. He was educated at Gateshead Yeshiva; Balliol College, Oxford; and Harvard University. Before arriving at Yale in 2011, he was the inaugural holder of the Jerahmiel S. and Carole S. Grafstein Chair in Jewish Philosophy at the University of Toronto. He has also taught at University of Michigan, Indiana University Bloomington, University of Notre Dame, and University of Chicago, and he has given shiurim at synagogues and Jewish community centers throughout Britain, Israel, and North America.

Paul works at the intersection of the Jewish and German philosophical traditions, specializing in Kantian and post-Kantian metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of the humanities and social sciences. He is the translator and annotator, with Michael L. Morgan, of Franz Rosenzweig, Philosophical and Theological Writings (Hackett, 2000); and he is the author of All or Nothing: Systematicity, Transcendental Arguments, and Skepticism in German Idealism (Harvard, 2005), as well as over fifty academic articles. He is currently writing, with his collaborator Morgan, an ambitious survey that will reveal the dynamic interaction between Jewish philosophy and modern European philosophy from Luria to Levinas, and he is also working on a monograph on Kant’s metaphysical and epistemological legacy.

Tags

Art & Culture

History

Sociology of the Jewish Community

10/25/21

Torah with the Way of the Land: The Legacy of German Judaism

A virtual event presentation by Professor Paul Franks

Tags

Art & Culture

History

Sociology of the Jewish Community

10/25/21

Beyond Caging: Restorative Justice and Rethinking Safety

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Dr. Aryeh Cohen

ABOUT THE EVENT:
By any measure (except the rawest type of vengeance) our carceral system is broken. In this class we will take a look at a Rabbinic understanding of justice which is not punishment centered, but rather center’s the victim’s experience and looks at the threeway relationship between victim/survivor, offender, and society as the basis for creating safety and justice for everybody.

Abortions and Halacha

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig

ABOUT THE EVENT:
In this class we will be looking at the different attitudes within Jewish law towards the possibility of abortion.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rav Yoni Rosensweig is the Rabbi of the Netzach Menashe community in Beit Shemesh, a teacher in Midreshet Linenbaum, and author of several books.

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Women & Gender

10/17/21

Abortions and Halacha

A virtual event presentation by Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Divrei Torah

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Medicine & Physical Health

10/11/21

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This event will cover the Tree of Life shooting and how the historically Jewish community of Squirrel Hill embodied resilience in the aftermath

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Mark Oppenheimer directs the Yale Journalism Initiative and is a lecturer in Yale’s English department, political science department, and Divinity Schools. He received his B.A. and his Ph.D. in religious studies from Yale. He was the religion columnist for The New York Times from 2010 to 2016 and has written for The New York Times Magazine, GQ, The Washington Post, Slate, Mother Jones, The Nation, and The Believer, among others. He has been a commentator on NPR and is also the host of Tablet magazine’s podcast, Unorthodox. He is the author of four books, including The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia. He lives in New Haven, Connecticut.

You can purchase his new book on the topic here –https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611023/squirrel-hill-by-mark-oppenheimer/

Tags

Antisemitism

Death, Grief & Mourning

10/04/21

Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This event will cover the Tree of Life shooting and how the historically Jewish community of Squirrel Hill embodied resilience in the aftermath

You can purchase his new book on the topic here –https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611023/squirrel-hill-by-mark-oppenheimer/

Tags

Antisemitism

Death, Grief & Mourning

10/04/21

Parshat Bereishit: On Human Dignity

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

This week’s parsha was generously sponsored by the Isaacson’s in honor of a beloved family member

Tags

Divrei Torah

09/27/21

Parshat Bereishit: On Human Dignity

As part of the weekly Parsha Podcast on Divine Ethics and Human Justice with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

This week’s parsha was generously sponsored by the Isaacson’s in honor of a beloved family member

Tags

Divrei Torah

09/27/21

How Can Our Community Rise to the New Challenges and Opportunities Facing Immigrants and Refugees?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz interviews Deepak Bhargava

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

09/03/21

Becoming a Soulful Parent

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Combining insights from thousands of years of traditional Jewish wisdom and contemporary literature on spirituality with her own utterly relatable first-person storytelling, author Dasee Berkowitz helps readers embrace every moment with their families while leaning into the challenges of parenting with renewed perspective and enthusiasm. This is not a parenting how-to book. Instead, Becoming a Soulful Parent asks questions to help readers explore the contours of their inner life, developing their internal compass as they lead their families with love and wisdom.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dasee Berkowitz is a sought-after educator and facilitator and founder of Ayeka’s Becoming a Soulful Parent program. Her groundbreaking approach to education has been enthusiastically received by scores of Jewish community centers and synagogues since the program launched in 2015. Dasee has lectured internationally, served as Scholar-in-Residence for Jewish federations, and trained facilitators at educational agencies across North America. Dasee lives in Jerusalem with her husband and three children.

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Jewish Community

Enjoy the seventeenth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: What is Greater: Learning or Action?

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Education

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

08/29/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 17 – What is Greater: Learning or Action?

Enjoy the seventeenth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: What is Greater: Learning or Action?

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Education

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

08/29/21

Reading Intolerant Texts in a Tolerant Society

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Rabbi Norman Solomon was born in Cardiff, South Wales, on 31 May 1933. This coincided with the Jewish festival of Shavuot and with the running of the Derby, won by Tommy Weston on Lord Derby’s Hyperion. The first of these events was by far the more influential on my development, for the festival celebrates not only the First-Fruits but the proclamation of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.

Cardiff, capital city of Wales, was still a major port, and came under attack from the air in World War II. It was a great place to grow up, enlightened, tolerant, with a vigorous musical life in which I was able to take part. There was a small but active Jewish community, inclined to Zionism (they were fond of pointing out that Israel was comparable in size and population to Wales); they were not on the whole very religious, but I came under the influence of some families of refugee German Orthodox Jews.

From Cardiff High School I entered St John’s College, Cambridge in 1951 with no break; though National Service was still obligatory HM King George had declined my offer to serve in his Air Force, accusing me of being flat-footed. I read Moral Sciences for Tripos Part I and Music for Part 2, gained a teaching diploma at Bristol University, collected an ARCM in Composition, a B.Mus. degree from London, and in 1961 a Rabbinical Diploma from Jews’ College, London. In the summer vacation of 1953 I spent some weeks at Gateshead Yeshiva. In 1955 I married Devora (Doris) Strauss, with whom I enjoyed 43 happy years of marriage until her death in 1998. From her I have four children and four grandchildren. In 2000 I married Hilary Nissenbaum.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Sociology of the Jewish Community

08/27/21

Reading Intolerant Texts in a Tolerant Society

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Sociology of the Jewish Community

08/27/21

Practical Teshuva Workshop – “Guided Introspection”

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Bring a laptop (or pen and paper), and an open view of yourself. Confidentiality assured.

The purpose of this workshop is to bring all the lofty concepts of Teshuva down to earth, and down to each of us and our own life.

Join me as we spend about 45 minutes in a guided introspective writing exercise to do some critical stock-taking so we can move forward to change.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. David I. Bernstein is the Dean of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies on Jerusalem. Previously he was the Director of Midreshet Lindenbaum. He lectures widely and travels with student and adult groups to Poland and other Jewish heritage sites in Europe as historian-in-residence.

Tags

Holidays & Shabbat

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Holidays: Yom Kippur

08/26/21

Practical Teshuva Workshop – “Guided Introspection”

ABOUT THE EVENT:
Bring a laptop (or pen and paper), and an open view of yourself. Confidentiality assured.

The purpose of this workshop is to bring all the lofty concepts of Teshuva down to earth, and down to each of us and our own life.

Join me as we spend about 45 minutes in a guided introspective writing exercise to do some critical stock-taking so we can move forward to change.

Tags

Holidays & Shabbat

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Holidays: Yom Kippur

08/26/21

The Perception of Anti Semitism on College Campuses in the U.S. and the U.K.

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This event will cover the discussion of “But really, what is antisemitism? Is there antisemitism at my university? If so, what can I do about it?”

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Rachel Underweiser conducted a research study through the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University called “The Perception of Antisemitism on College Campuses in the U.S. and the U.K,” which has become the largest study on antisemitism at universities to date. Hundreds of interviews and surveys later, she has quantitative and qualitative data on what antisemitism means to both Jewish and non-Jewish students – and practical tools to combat hate wherever, and whenever, it manifests. She now works for the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and their front-facing initiative called [tbh] Together Beat Hate where she researches, writes, and conceptualizes innovative ways to discuss and counter hate, bigotry, and discrimination.

Tags

Antisemitism

College and University

08/24/21

The Perception of Anti Semitism on College Campuses in the U.S. and the U.K.

ABOUT THE EVENT:
This event will cover the discussion of “But really, what is antisemitism? Is there antisemitism at my university? If so, what can I do about it?”

Tags

Antisemitism

College and University

08/24/21

When, If Ever, Is It Right To Publicly Criticize Israel?

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Jewish Texts

08/20/21

How the Talmud Understands “Tikkun Olam”

ABOUT THE EVENT:

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Jewish Texts

08/20/21

How Does the Rambam Resolve a Clash Between Torah and Reason?

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Professor Ross will discuss the virtues and limitations of employing allegory as a method of reconciling religious truth claims with science, as evidenced in Maimonides’ defense of creation ex nihilo in his Guide to the Perplexed.

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

Environment, Nature & Animals

08/18/21

The Shemitta Year & Jewish Justice

ABOUT THE EVENT:

A class on the relevance of Shmita (meaning, letting go periodically of a GOOD practice) to Jewish morals (as distinguished from teshuva which is letting go of sinful practice.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

Environment, Nature & Animals

08/18/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 16 – A Purpose to Life vs. No Meaning to Life?

Enjoy the sixteenth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: A Purpose to Life vs. No Meaning to Life?

Tags

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

08/17/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 16 – A Purpose to Life vs. No Meaning to Life?

Enjoy the sixteenth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: A Purpose to Life vs. No Meaning to Life?

Tags

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

08/17/21

Hammerman Family Lecture – Faith & Justice: Where Our Greatest Aspirations Meet Our Core Commitments

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Building Beloved Community
For generations, we have carried the Torah’s audacious dream of a society redeemed, a world imbued with justice and shared responsibility. To manifest that dream, we must start with the realization that every person is created in God’s own image, deserving of love and dignity.

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Join Rabbi Avi Orlow for a zoom class about the Messianic Idea.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Rabbi Avi Orlow is the Vice President at the Foundation for Jewish Camp.
He has a deep love of irreverent, relevant, revealing Torah.
Before joining Foundation for Jewish Camp in 2008, Avi was the Campus Rabbi and Assistant Director of the St. Louis Hillel at Washington University and has held numerous positions as rabbi, educator, and youth leader. He spent 17 years as a camper and then educator at Ramah Camps in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and YUSSR camps in the Former Soviet Union. Avi has a B.A. in religious studies from Columbia University. He was ordained in the charter class at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, the open Orthodox rabbinical school. Avi lives in White Plains with his wife, Cantor Adina Frydman, and their children, Yadid, Yishama, Emunah, and Libi.

Tags

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

08/09/21

The Messianic Idea – A Conversation with Rabbi Avi Orlow

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Join Rabbi Avi Orlow for a zoom class about the Messianic Idea.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

08/09/21

What’s Jewish About Fat Activism?

ABOUT THE EVENT:

How is body liberation as Jewish issue? In this session, we will learn about the Jewish roots, as well as the Jewish future, of the body liberation movement. We will explore both the history and the current state of fat activism and body positivity, and look at how Jewish communities and Jewish values have an important role to play in this.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Founder and president of Fat Torah, Rabbi Minna Bromberg, PhD is passionate about bringing her three decades of experience in fat activism to writing, teaching and change-making at the nexus of Judaism and body liberation. Her forthcoming book is Belonging for Every Body: a Fat Torah guide to building inclusive spiritual community. Minna received her doctorate in sociology from Northwestern University, with a dissertation on identity formation in interfaith couples, and was ordained at Hebrew College in 2010. Since then she has led a 250-family Conservative congregation in Reading, PA, released a fifth album of original music, and run the Year-in-Israel program for Hebrew College rabbinical students. In addition to her work with Fat Torah, Minna is a voice teacher who specializes in helping people use their voices in leading prayer. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband, Rabbi Dr. Alan Abrams, and their two children.

Fat Torah is here to smash the idolatry of weight stigma and lead us all from Narrowness to Freedom. We bring together the inner work of tikkun halev (healing the heart) with the social justice of tikkun olam (repairing the world). We provide education, awareness-building, and mentoring for confronting weight stigma and growing communities where every body belongs. We believe that Jewish tradition both calls us to this work and can be deployed for the liberation of all bodies.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Medicine & Physical Health

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

08/09/21

What’s Jewish About Fat Activism?

ABOUT THE EVENT:

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

08/02/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 13 – Local vs. Global

Enjoy the thirteenth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: Local vs. Global

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Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

08/02/21

A Sacred Dialogue: The Conversation Between Liturgy and Poetry

ABOUT THIS EVENT:
Liturgy is a kind of sacred poetry, using metaphors and imagery that spoke to our ancestors. What happens when we pair our liturgy with more contemporary poetry? How does poetry help us better understand the yearnings, pain, joy, and questions expressed in our liturgy? And how does it offer us new insights and ways to grapple with the big questions, with doubt, and with our aspirations?

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER:
Rabbi Hara Person is the Chief Executive of Central Conference of American Rabbis. Previously, she was the CCAR’s Chief Strategy Officer. In that capacity, she oversaw the Communications Department and served as Publisher of CCAR Press, and worked with leadership on overall organizational strategy.

Rabbi Person was ordained in 1998 from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, after graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Amherst College (1986) and receiving an MA in Fine Arts from New York University’s International Center of Photography (1992).
She served as Educator at the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue from 1990-1996, and was the Adjunct Rabbi there from 1998-2019. Since 1998, Rabbi Person has been the High Holy Day Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Olam, Fire Island Pines, NY.

Before coming to the CCAR, Rabbi Person was the Editor-in-Chief of URJ Books and Music, where she was responsible for the revision of The Torah: A Modern Commentary (2005) and the publication of many significant projects, including the Aleph Isn’t Tough adult Hebrew series and Mitkadem: Hebrew for Youth as well as several award-winning children’s books. While at URJ, she was also the Managing Editor of The Torah: Women’s commentary, named the National Jewish Book Award Book of the Year in 2008.

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

07/21/21

The Jews’ Indian: Colonialism, Pluralism and Belonging in America

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Tags

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

07/21/21

Just Judaism: Understanding the Centrality of Social Justice

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Through classic Jewish sources and contemporary issues we will delve into the essential practice of social justice in Jewish life.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Rick Jacobs is president of the Union for Reform Judaism, the most powerful force in North American Jewish life. The URJ leads the largest and most diverse Jewish movement in North America, reaching more than 1.5 million people through nearly 850 congregations, 15 overnight camps, the Reform teen youth Movement NFTY, and the Religious Action Center in Washington DC.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

07/12/21

Just Judaism: Understanding the Centrality of Social Justice

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Through classic Jewish sources and contemporary issues we will delve into the essential practice of social justice in Jewish life.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

07/12/21

The Religious and Human Urgency of Right Speech in a Post-Truth Age

ABOUT THIS EVENT:

The meaning of our words is under assault. Can we trust one another, and the language that connects and divides us, to direct us toward truth? Together, we will look at an achingly beautiful passage from Rabbi Isaac Hutner, one of the 20th century’s most creative and inspirational thinkers, who inscribes these questions which are at the heart of today’s political and civil turmoil – directly in the heart of what it means to be a Jew, and a human being. (And, we’ll make use of Harry Frankfurt’s famous Essay “On BS”).

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER:

Rabbi Jason Rubenstein is the Howard M. Holtzmann Jewish Chaplain at Yale, where he serves the university’s diverse and exciting Jewish community. Jason is a native of DC and taught at the Hadar Institute before coming to Yale.

07/07/21

The Religious and Human Urgency of Right Speech in a Post-Truth Age

The Four Books That Changed Jewish History – The Bible, The Talmud, The Guide for the Perplexed, The Zohar

ABOUT THIS EVENT:

Let’s forget everything we’ve been told about what it means to be Jewish and delve into the four books which forever made, and changed Jewish history; The Bible – where our story begins; The Talmud – when we are told to question everything; The Guide for the Perplexed – the book which told to be rational, & The Zohar – the book which revealed God’s secret. In this class we will learn about the unique revolution offered by each book, unravel what it has meant to be Jewish over time, and perhaps even come to question what being Jewish means for each one of us.

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER:

Jonnie Schnytzer is a Phd candidate focusing on medieval kabbalah. His dissertation is focused on the kabbalistic system of thought of Rabbi Joseph ben Shalom Ashkenazi. Jonnie is also preparing a critical edition of Ashkenazi’s commentary on Sefer Yesira. Probably the only PhD student in Jewish Philosophy who can say that he once beat the head of Israeli naval commandos in a swimming race, Jonnie’s also the author of Mossad thriller, The Way Back, which paints a picture of contemporary Israel. Jonnie has recently orchestrated the publishing of an English edition of ‘The Hitler Haggadah’, an important piece of Moroccan Jewish history from the Holocaust. Jonnie has also taken on several leadership roles in the Jewish world, including advisor to the CEO of Birthright and executive manager with StandWithUs. He lectures on a wide variety of topics relating to Judaism and Israel, especially about the untold stories and unspoken heroes of Jewish history. Jonnie is happily married, with four gorgeous little kids, lives in Israel and thinks that Australian Rules Football is the greatest sport ever invented.

Tags

Jewish Texts

06/23/21

The Four Books That Changed Jewish History – The Bible, The Talmud, The Guide for the Perplexed, The Zohar

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ABOUT THIS SPEAKER:

Tags

Jewish Texts

06/23/21

Praying for the Monsoon: An Arizona Liturgical Adventure

ABOUT THIS EVENT:

The summer months typically supply a significant portion of Arizona’s annual rainfall, but in recent years have been bone dry. As Monsoon season arrives, it’s tempting to pray for rain. But can we do so as Jews? And if we did, what would it look like? Join Dr. Daniel Stein Kokin as he presents his “Tefillat ha-Monsoon,” and explores the halakhic, literary, and identity issues raised by this new prayer.

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER:

Dr. Daniel Stein Kokin is an academic wanderer, in senses both geographic and disciplinary. He has taught at Yale, UCLA, and the University of Greifswald in Germany, and been hosted by departments or programs for Italian, Israel Studies, Protestant Theology, and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, to name just a few. He writes on Renaissance Humanism, Jewish-Christian relations, and modern Israel, and also develops academic presentations that synthesize scholarly lecture and dramatic performance. He is currently a Visiting Scholar at ASU.

Tags

Environment, Nature & Animals

Prayer

06/17/21

Praying for the Monsoon: An Arizona Liturgical Adventure

ABOUT THIS EVENT:

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER:

Tags

Environment, Nature & Animals

Prayer

06/17/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 10 – The Angels vs. God

Enjoy the tenth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: The Angels vs. God

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

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Season Pass

Tags

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

06/15/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 10 – The Angels vs. God

Enjoy the tenth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: The Angels vs. God

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

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Season Pass

Tags

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

06/15/21

The Old Man Kohelet: His Life On Review

ABOUT THIS EVENT: A deep dive into the book and the man: Kohelet. Learn how this poet’s chapbook serves as a vehicle for a life review of the author and provides direction for our own lives–and how this perspective, wow consistent with the internal workings of the book challenges scholarly and traditional notions of authorship and intent.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Kerry Olitzky is the former long time executive director of Big Tent Judaism. He was vice president of the Wexner Heritage Foundation and was on the faculty and administration of Hebrew Union College following his tenure as a congregational rabbi. He is the author of over 75 books and hundreds of articles and has recently focused his attention on writing children’s books, motivated perhaps by the blessing of 7 grandchildren.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Jewish Texts

06/14/21

The Old Man Kohelet: His Life On Review

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Jewish Texts

06/14/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 10 – Bechirah (Choice)

ABOUT THIS CLASS: Mitzvot are oftentimes understood as outward-facing actions, but doing the internal work to develop one’s middot, or character traits, is equally a mitzvah we are called to fulfill. The Torah, both in law and narrative, has much to teach us about cultivating a healthy personality of Humility, Patience, Gratitude, Order, and more. In this series – inspired by the works of Rabbi David Jaffe and Alan Morinis – we will journey through a number of the core character traits, study their appearances in canonical Jewish works, and explore practical ways of becoming better citizens, family members, and friends through the practice of Mussar.

Class 9 discusses the trait “Bechirah”.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Originally from Los Angeles (where he was a successful child actor), Rabbi Loren Berman is the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Jewish Educator for Moishe House and an Outreach and Engagement Associate at Sefaria. Previously, he was the supervisor of High Holidays programming at Riker’s Island Correctional Facility and a former teacher of Torah in a rural Jewish village in Ghana through the Kulanu Teaching Fellowship. During rabbinical school, Loren Berman completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Mount Sinai Hospital, and interned at the Hunter College Hillel and with Rabbi Uri Topolosky at Kehilat Pardes in Rockville, Maryland. He also participated in a number of rabbinic leadership fellowships through JOIN for Justice, the 92nd Street Y, AIPAC, and the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Loren Berman received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, a B.A. in Psychology from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Talmud & Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Over the years, his education has also taken him to Pardes, Drisha, Yeshivat Hadar, and Yeshivat Har Etzion. In his spare time, Loren enjoys exercise and martial arts, travel, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

06/10/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 10 – Bechirah (Choice)

Class 9 discusses the trait “Bechirah”.

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

06/10/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #29 – Mesharteit

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 9 – Ayn Rand vs. Karl Marx

Enjoy the ninth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: Ayn Rand vs. Karl Marx

Tags

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

06/09/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 9 – Ayn Rand vs. Karl Marx

Enjoy the ninth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: Ayn Rand vs. Karl Marx

Tags

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

06/09/21

Natan Sharansky: Soviet Refusenik, Jewish hero, Israeli Leader

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Natan Sharansky was born in Donetsk, Ukraine. He was a spokesman for the human rights movement, a Prisoner of Zion and leader in the struggle for the right of Soviet Jews to immigrate to Israel. Subsequent to his request to make aliya, Mr. Sharansky was arrested on trumped up charges of treason and espionage. He was convicted in a Soviet court and served nine years in the Gulag with many stretches in a punishing cell. Following massive public campaigns by the State of Israel, World Jewry and leaders of the free world, Mr. Sharansky was released in 1986, making aliya on the very day of his release.

In his first few years in Israel, Mr. Sharansky established the Zionist Forum to assist Soviet olim in their absorption in Israel. In the 1990’s, he established the Yisrael B’Aliyah party in order to accelerate the integration of Russian Jews. He served in four successive Israeli governments, as Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

In 2018 he received the highest Israeli award – the Israel Prize for promoting Aliyah and the ingathering of the exiles.

Mr. Sharansky is the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. He is the only living non-American citizen who is the recipient of these two highest American awards. 2009-2018 Natan Sharansky served as Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel. After retirement from the Jewish Agency, he continues to serve as Chairman of the Shlihut Institute, which he founded. In July 2019 Mr. Natan Sharansky became Chair of ISGAP (The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy).

Mr. Sharansky is also the author of four books:
– Fear No Evil
– The Case for Democracy
– Defending Identity
– Never Alone: Prison, Politics and My People.

Tags

Israel

Jewish Community

Jewish Identity

06/08/21

Natan Sharansky: Soviet Refusenik, Jewish hero, Israeli Leader

In 2018 he received the highest Israeli award – the Israel Prize for promoting Aliyah and the ingathering of the exiles.

Mr. Sharansky is also the author of four books:
– Fear No Evil
– The Case for Democracy
– Defending Identity
– Never Alone: Prison, Politics and My People.

Tags

Israel

Jewish Community

Jewish Identity

06/08/21

What Does God Do All Day Long? Rabbinic Reflections on the Divine Daily Schedule

ABOUT THIS CLASS: During this pandemic, our sense of time and our daily routines have changed significantly. Have you ever wondered what God has been doing all day? In this class, we’ll explore a number of rabbinic stories that imagine God’s daily schedule and nightlife. These narratives are playful and quirky but beneath the whimsical surface they address profound theological questions about how the world operates and how each of us ought to use the hours of each day.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr. Sarit Kattan Gribetz is Associate Professor in the Theology Department at Fordham University, Acting Director of Fordham’s Center for Jewish Studies, and a student at Yeshivat Maharat. Her first book, Time and Difference in Rabbinic Judaism, received a National Jewish Book Award in Scholarship, and she is currently working on her next book, titled Jerusalem: A Feminist History.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

06/01/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 8 – Tamar Ross vs. Judith Plaskow

Enjoy the eighth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: Tamar Ross vs. Judith Plaskow

Tags

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

06/01/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 8 – Tamar Ross vs. Judith Plaskow

Enjoy the eighth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Human Rights Crisis: Arresting LGBTQ People in Ghana

A new VBM interview conducted by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz with Professor Kwame Appiah (Professor of Philosophy and Law at NYU)!

Tags

Interfaith

LGBTQ+

05/27/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 7 – Abraham vs. God

Enjoy the seventh session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: Abraham vs. God

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

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Season Pass

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

05/27/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 7 – Abraham vs. God

Enjoy the seventh session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: Abraham vs. God

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

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Season Pass

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

05/27/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 7 – Savlanut (Patience)

Class 7 discusses the trait “Savlanut”.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

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Season Pass

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

05/20/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 7 – Savlanut (Patience)

Class 7 discusses the trait “Savlanut”.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

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Season Pass

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

05/20/21

Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Three-Part Series – Class 3

ABOUT THIS EVENT:
Join Valley Beit Midrash’s President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the first of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife.

Rav Shmuly received a Masters from Harvard University and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He serves as the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (Jewish learning center), the Founder & President of Uri L’Tzedek (the Orthodox Social Justice movement), the Founder and CEO of Shamayim (Jewish animal advocacy), and the Founder and President of YATOM, (Jewish foster and adoption network). Rabbi Shmuly, his wife Shoshana, and their four children live in Scottsdale, Arizona. They are also foster parents.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

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Season Pass

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

05/20/21

Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Three-Part Series – Class 3

ABOUT THIS EVENT:
Join Valley Beit Midrash’s President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the first of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:

Season Pass

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

05/20/21

New Paradigms in Learning Torah

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Aviva Richman is a Rosh Yeshiva at Hadar, and has been on the faculty since 2010. A graduate of Oberlin College, she was ordained by Rabbi Danny Landes and completed a doctorate in Talmud at NYU. Interests included Talmud, Halakhah, Midrash and gender, and also a healthy dose of niggunim.

Tags

Education

05/19/21

New Paradigms in Learning Torah

Tags

Education

05/19/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 6 – Chesed (Kindness)

Class 6 discusses the trait “Chesed”.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

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Season Pass

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

05/13/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 6 – Chesed (Kindness)

Class 6 discusses the trait “Chesed”.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

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Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

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Season Pass

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

05/13/21

Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Three-Part Series – Class 2

ABOUT THIS EVENT:
Join Valley Beit Midrash’s President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the first of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:

Season Pass

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

05/13/21

Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Three-Part Series – Class 2

ABOUT THIS EVENT:
Join Valley Beit Midrash’s President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the first of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:

Season Pass

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

05/13/21

Advancing Talmud Study for Women

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Michelle Cohen Farber is the founder of Hadran, whose mission is to advance Talmud study for all women. She is also the founder and teacher of Daf Yomi for Women, the first women’s online shiur on daf yomi. Michelle spearheaded the first international Siyum HaShas for Women. Michelle and her husband, Seth, founded and lead Kehillat Netivot in Ra’anana where they live with their five children.

Tags

Education

Topic: Einstein, Freud, & Marx vs. The Sages

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

05/11/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 6 – Einstein, Freud, Marx vs. the Sages

Enjoy the sixth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Topic: Einstein, Freud, & Marx vs. The Sages

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

05/11/21

What Are the Newest Emerging Trends for Jewish Students on Campus?

A new VBM interview!

Adam Lehman (President of Hillel International) interviewed by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz.

About the Speaker: Adam Lehman serves as Hillel International’s President and CEO. After beginning his career in Mergers and Acquisitions at Skadden, Arps, Lehman spent two decades developing and growing a variety of new technology, marketing and media ventures, including as a Senior Vice President at AOL. Lehman joined Hillel International in 2015, initially serving as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer for four years, prior to being appointed Hillel International’s fifth President and CEO in December of 2019.

Lehman graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from Dartmouth College and cum laude with a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He was a Harry S. Truman Scholar. Lehman has served as a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah and Fair Chance D.C., and as a volunteer at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and Camp Ramah of New England. He has also been active in the Jewish arts scene, as the author of a series of plays inspired by the Jewish holidays, and as a founding member of the D.C.-based Jewish a cappella group JewKvox.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

College and University

Education

Interview

05/10/21

What Are the Newest Emerging Trends for Jewish Students on Campus?

A new VBM interview!

Adam Lehman (President of Hillel International) interviewed by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

College and University

Education

Interview

05/10/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 5 – Kavod (You Matter)

Class 5 discusses the trait “Kavod”.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Originally from Los Angeles (where he was a successful child actor), Loren is the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Jewish Educator for Moishe House and an Outreach and Engagement Associate at Sefaria. Previously, he was the supervisor of High Holidays programming at Riker’s Island Correctional Facility and a former teacher of Torah in a rural Jewish village in Ghana through the Kulanu Teaching Fellowship. During rabbinical school, Loren completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Mount Sinai Hospital, and interned at the Hunter College Hillel and with Rabbi Uri Topolosky at Kehilat Pardes in Rockville, Maryland. He also participated in a number of rabbinic leadership fellowships through JOIN for Justice, the 92nd Street Y, AIPAC, and the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Loren received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, a B.A. in Psychology from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Talmud & Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Over the years, his education has also taken him to Pardes, Drisha, Yeshivat Hadar, and Yeshivat Har Etzion. In his spare time, Loren enjoys exercise and martial arts, travel, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Mental Health & Self-Care

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

05/10/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 5 – Kavod (You Matter)

Class 5 discusses the trait “Kavod”.

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Mental Health & Self-Care

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

05/10/21

Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Three-Part Series – Class 1

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Join Valley Beit Midrash’s President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the first of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and has been named by The Forward as one of the 50 most influential Jews and one of The Most Inspiring Rabbis in America. Rabbi Yanklowitz is the author of nineteen books on Jewish ethics and his writings have appeared in outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and the Atlantic among many other secular and religious publications. He has served as speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and a Rothschild Fellow in Cambridge, UK. Rav Shmuly received a Masters from Harvard University and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He serves as the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (Jewish learning center), the Founder & President of Uri L’Tzedek (the Orthodox Social Justice movement), the Founder and CEO of Shamayim (Jewish animal advocacy), and the Founder and President of YATOM, (Jewish foster and adoption network). Rabbi Shmuly, his wife Shoshana, and their four children live in Scottsdale, Arizona. They are also foster parents.

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

05/07/21

Jewish Views on the Afterlife: A Three-Part Series – Class 1

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Join Valley Beit Midrash’s President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the first of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife.

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

05/07/21

The Most Urgent Agenda for the American Jewish Community

Join Valley Beit Midrash for this virtual panel!

ABOUT THIS PANEL: What can the last decade of American Jewish life teach us about what is most urgent about the next decade?

PANELISTS: Professor Stan Mirvis, Rabbi Herschel “Brodie” Aberson,
Rabbi Nitzan Stein Kokin.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

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Season Pass

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

05/05/21

The Most Urgent Agenda for the American Jewish Community

Join Valley Beit Midrash for this virtual panel!

ABOUT THIS PANEL: What can the last decade of American Jewish life teach us about what is most urgent about the next decade?

PANELISTS: Professor Stan Mirvis, Rabbi Herschel “Brodie” Aberson,
Rabbi Nitzan Stein Kokin.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

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Season Pass

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

05/05/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 5 – Reform Judaism vs. Orthodox Judaism

Enjoy the fifth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

05/04/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 5 – Reform Judaism vs. Orthodox Judaism

Enjoy the fifth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

05/04/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 4 – Zerizut (Enthusiasm)

Class 4 discusses the trait “Zerizut”.

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Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

04/29/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 4 – Zerizut (Enthusiasm)

Class 4 discusses the trait “Zerizut”.

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Season Pass

This project is part of a national program entitled “Scientists in Synagogues,” a grass-roots initiative run by Sinai and Synapses in consultation with the American Association for the Advancement of Science Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion, and funded by the John Templeton Foundation, along with other individual donors.

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

04/23/21

Skepticism 101: How to Think Like a Scientist

Tags

Science & Technology

04/23/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 3 – Hakarat HaTov

Class 3 discusses the trait “Hakarat HaTov”.

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Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

04/22/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 3 – Hakarat HaTov

Class 3 discusses the trait “Hakarat HaTov”.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

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Season Pass

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

04/22/21

On Progress, Religion, & Politics

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Professor Steven Pinker, Ph.D., is the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. He is the author of multiple bestselling books on cognitive science and psycholinguistics, including Enlightenment Now, The Better Angels of Our Nature, and Rationality (forthcoming). He has also been named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World Today” and Foreign Policy’s “Top 100 Global Thinkers.”

Tags

Politics & Government

04/21/21

On Progress, Religion, & Politics

Tags

Politics & Government

04/21/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 3 – Gun Rights vs. Gun Control

Enjoy the third session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks). In this class, we will explore the 40 greatest debates in Jewish history. We will study texts, reflect on the historical contexts, and discuss the values involved. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz will present for about 20-30 minutes and then the remaining 30-40 minutes will be for questions and conversation.

Tags

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

04/20/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 3 – Gun Rights vs. Gun Control

Tags

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

04/20/21

Cultivating Trust: Exploring the Writings of Etty Hillesum

ABOUT THIS EVENT: In this time of pandemic and social disruption, is it wise or naive for us to trust? We’ll explore the experience of trust by looking at the writings of Etty Hillesum, a Dutch woman in her late twenties living in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. Etty’s journals and letters have been called “the most spiritually significant documents of our age.” Who was this young woman and what is the impact of her writings in our Jewish communities today? Together, we will examine what gets in the way of trust and how to cultivate it, even in the direst of circumstances.

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Rabbi Dorothy Richman serves as the rabbi of Makor Or: Jewish Meditation Center and is a founding faculty member of the Romemu Yeshiva in New York City. Her teaching integrates Jewish text, practice, ritual and music to help students connect to themselves, to each other, to the Divine, and to their communities.

04/19/21

Cultivating Trust: Exploring the Writings of Etty Hillesum

04/19/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 2 – Anavah and Humility

Class 2 discusses the trait “Anavah and Humility”.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

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Season Pass

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

04/15/21

A 10 part Spiritual Journey in Mussar – Class 2 – Anavah and Humility

Class 2 discusses the trait “Anavah and Humility”.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

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Season Pass

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

04/15/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 2 – Yitz Greenberg vs. Meir Kahane

Enjoy the second session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

04/13/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 2 – Yitz Greenberg vs. Meir Kahane

Enjoy the second session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

04/08/21

Observing Yom HaShoah Together Through Stories and Poetry

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Janet R. Kirchheimer is a Clal Teaching Fellow, Assistant to the Presidents, and LEAP Program Manager. A poet, essayist, creative writing teacher, and filmmaker, she is the author of How to Spot One of Us (2007, Clal). Nominated for a Pushcart Prize, her work has appeared in numerous journals, anthologies, and on-line publications.

Janet has taught and given talks and readings at a wide variety of organizations. Most recently she was part of a “Six-Word Memoir” storytelling event held at the Tenement Museum in New York City, and her chapter “At the Water’s Edge: Poetry and the Holocaust” appeared in “The Psychoanalytic Textbook of Holocaust Studies” in 2019. Janet is producing, AFTER, a film that explores poetry written about the Holocaust featuring renowned contemporary poets.

She is also a gold-star licensed New York City Sightseeing Guide conducting tours about the first Jewish community in North America, founded in 1654. When she’s not giving tours, Janet is busy being a hyphenated American – the daughter of Holocaust survivors, an avid reader, singer, knitter, opera lover, and that’s just the beginning. Janet brings her passion and curiosity about life and Judaism to everything she does at Clal.

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Holidays: Yom HaShoah

04/08/21

Observing Yom HaShoah Together Through Stories and Poetry

Tags

Art & Culture

Holidays: Yom HaShoah

04/08/21

The Making of a Torah Scroll: Exploring Jewish Scribal Arts

ABOUT THIS EVENT: What goes into creating Torah scrolls and other sacred writing? Participants will get an inside peek into the materials used, including parchment and writing instruments, as well as the process of writing, such as letter formation and spiritual intention.

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Julie Seltzer is a Torah Scribe and Educator living in the Hudson Valley, NY. She was trained by Jen Taylor Friedman and learned with several scribes in Jerusalem. Currently, Julie recently completed her fourth Torah scroll for Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains, NY, and is writing a memoir about her spiritual journey. She is excited to be part of a growing network of women scribes.

Tags

Art & Culture

04/07/21

The Making of a Torah Scroll: Exploring Jewish Scribal Arts

Tags

Art & Culture

04/07/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook – The Divine Integration – Class 10

Hitaloot HaOlam-The Elevation of Existence

Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook TZ’L (1865- 1935) is considered by many to be the preeminent teacher of the Torah’s full illumination for our epoch. He was the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and the Land of Israel from 1920-1935. The close circle of extraordinary students around him came to the conclusion that he was experiencing prophecy. He was the first one to refer to Medinat Israel-The State of Israel (in his writings in 1906) and his influence on the rebirth of Israel physically and spiritually is incalculable and growing.

In our ten sessions, we will learn the foundational roots of his teachings and the soaring wings of his vision.

The first five sessions will be devoted to the five foundations of his worldview- as defined by his premier student Rabbi David Cohen-HaRav HaNazir TZ’L (with Rav Kook’s agreement).

04/07/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook – The Divine Integration – Class 10

Hitaloot HaOlam-The Elevation of Existence

In our ten sessions, we will learn the foundational roots of his teachings and the soaring wings of his vision.

The first five sessions will be devoted to the five foundations of his worldview- as defined by his premier student Rabbi David Cohen-HaRav HaNazir TZ’L (with Rav Kook’s agreement).

04/07/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 1 – Hillel vs. Shamai

Enjoy the first session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:

Season Pass

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

04/06/21

The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History! – Class 1 – Hillel vs. Shamai

Enjoy the first session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!” series. (1 per week for 40 weeks).

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi…

Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:

Season Pass

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Series: 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History

04/06/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook -The Song of Existence – Class 9

Hitaloot HaOlam-The Elevation of Existence

In our ten sessions, we will learn the foundational roots of his teachings and the soaring wings of his vision.

The first five sessions will be devoted to the five foundations of his worldview- as defined by his premier student Rabbi David Cohen-HaRav HaNazir TZ’L (with Rav Kook’s agreement).

03/31/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook -The Song of Existence – Class 9

Hitaloot HaOlam-The Elevation of Existence

In our ten sessions, we will learn the foundational roots of his teachings and the soaring wings of his vision.

The first five sessions will be devoted to the five foundations of his worldview- as defined by his premier student Rabbi David Cohen-HaRav HaNazir TZ’L (with Rav Kook’s agreement).

03/31/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #39 – Hotza’ah

Enjoy the thirty-eigth session of Valley Beit Midrash’s “39 Ways to Repair the World” series. In celebration of Rabbi Shmuly’s 39th birthday, he is going to teach the 39 melachot over the coming year (1 per week for 39 weeks).

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

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Season Pass

Tags

Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

03/30/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #39 – Hotza’ah

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:

Learning Library

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Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month!

Click the link to see our membership options:

Season Pass

Hitaloot HaOlam-The Elevation of Existence

In our ten sessions, we will learn the foundational roots of his teachings and the soaring wings of his vision.

The first five sessions will be devoted to the five foundations of his worldview- as defined by his premier student Rabbi David Cohen-HaRav HaNazir TZ’L (with Rav Kook’s agreement).

03/25/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook – The Song of Israel – Class 7

Hitaloot HaOlam-The Elevation of Existence

In our ten sessions, we will learn the foundational roots of his teachings and the soaring wings of his vision.

The first five sessions will be devoted to the five foundations of his worldview- as defined by his premier student Rabbi David Cohen-HaRav HaNazir TZ’L (with Rav Kook’s agreement).

03/25/21

Rev. William J. Barber, II in conversation with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

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Season Pass

Tags

Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

03/23/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #38 – Makeh b’Patish

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

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Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

03/23/21

Real Questions and Fake Questions at the Seder

ABOUT THIS EVENT: We will study traditional texts that explore the role of questions and questioning at the Passover Seder and in life. Are some questions more legitimate than others? What are “fake questions,” and can they also help us tell our stories?

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Channa Lockshin Bob is a Ra”M at Midreshet Amudim in Modiin and the Director of Education at Edu-Together, an online academy.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
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Tags

Holidays: Pesach

03/22/21

Real Questions and Fake Questions at the Seder

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Channa Lockshin Bob is a Ra”M at Midreshet Amudim in Modiin and the Director of Education at Edu-Together, an online academy.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
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BECOME A MEMBER:
https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/bec… http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

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BECOME A MEMBER:
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Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Science & Technology

Holidays: Pesach

03/17/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #37 – Mav’ir

Tags

Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

03/16/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #37 – Mav’ir

Tags

Who and What Should I Fear: Early Rabbinic Views

03/04/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook – Hitaloot HaOlam-The Elevation of Existence

03/03/21

The Mind of Rav Moshe Feinstein: Method, Mission and Masorah

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

03/03/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #35 – Sotair

Tags

Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

03/02/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #35 – Sotair

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Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

03/02/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook – Rabbi Itzchak Evan-Shayish – Class 4

02/24/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook – Rabbi Itzchak Evan-Shayish – Class 4

02/24/21

Rabbi Dr. Natan Margalit – Emergent Judaism: How an Ancient Tradition Gets New Ideas – VBM

Tags

Jewish Community

Jewish Identity

02/23/21

Rabbi Dr. Natan Margalit – Emergent Judaism: How an Ancient Tradition Gets New Ideas – VBM

Tags

Jewish Community

Jewish Identity

02/23/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #34 – Boneh

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Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

02/23/21

02/18/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook – Rabbi Itzchak Evan-Shayish – Class 3 – VBM

02/18/21

Michal Kohane – קשה לגדל הורים…. על רבי עקיבא ובתו – VBM

02/18/21

Michal Kohane – קשה לגדל הורים…. על רבי עקיבא ובתו – VBM

02/10/21

Ha’Orot: The Universal Lights of Rav Kook – Rabbi Itzchak Evan-Shayish – Class 2

Tags

Israel

02/10/21

39 Ways to Repair the World – #32 – Koteiv

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Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

02/09/21

Yakov Nagen – הרב ד”ר יעקב נגן | ישראל והאנושות הסיפור הגדול

Tags

Jewish Community

01/29/21

David Rosen – הרב דוד רוזן | יחסים בין הדתות -מטרות, הישגים ואתגרים

Tags

Jewish Community

01/29/21

David Rosen – הרב דוד רוזן בעלייה לצדק

Women & Gender

01/26/21

Jewish Debates about Marital Intimacy

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi: Interreligious Pioneer

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interfaith

01/15/21

The Soul of a Stranger

01/15/21

The Soul of a Stranger

Interfaith

01/12/21

The Creation Story and Humanity’s Homework (Parshat Bereishit)

Tags

Divrei Torah

01/12/21

The Creation Story and Humanity’s Homework (Parshat Bereishit)

Tags

Divrei Torah

01/12/21

Sensible Ethics: Exploring Basic Medical Protocol During The Pandemic

Tags

Justice

Medicine & Physical Health

01/08/21

Jewish-Native Dialogue: “Poems & Faith”

Tags

Art & Culture

Interfaith

Interfaith

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

12/02/20

The Path of Liberation Through Anger – Lama Rod Owens

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Interfaith

12/02/20

39 Ways to Repair the World – #22 – Matir

Tags

Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

12/01/20

Tags

Interfaith

Jewish Community

Justice

11/25/20

Chaim Seidler-Feller – “For In the Image of God Was Adam Created”

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Interfaith

11/17/20

Can an Israeli-Palestinian Confederation Work?

Tags

Israel

Politics & Government

11/17/20

Human Rights & Animal Rights

Tags

Environment, Nature & Animals

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Relationships

11/17/20

Human Rights & Animal Rights

Tags

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Art & Culture

Interfaith

Jewish Texts

11/04/20

The Bible With and Without Jesus

Tags

Art & Culture

Interfaith

Jewish Texts

11/04/20

Distinguishing Pre-modern & Modern anti-Semitism

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Antisemitism

Art & Culture

Interview

10/28/20

Science & Religion: Rabbi Geoff Mitelman interviewed by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz

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Interview

10/28/20

39 Ways to Repair the World – #17 – Maisach

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Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

10/28/20

Tags

Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

10/23/20

Art & Culture

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Jewish Community

10/12/20

Exploring Human Dignity in Jewish Thought

10/08/20

Exploring Human Dignity in Jewish Thought

10/08/20

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Her Legacy While Standing on One Foot

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Politics & Government

Women & Gender

10/06/20

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Her Legacy While Standing on One Foot

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Interfaith

Interview

Politics & Government

09/16/20

Cesar Chavez and the Jews: An Interview with Chavez’s personal aide, Marc Grossman

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Interfaith

Interview

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Holidays: Rosh Hashanah

Holidays: Yom Kippur

09/11/20

Tears and Laughter: The Spiritual and Emotional Journey Through the High Holidays

Tags

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Israel

LGBTQ+

Tikkun Olam

09/10/20

LGBTQ Relationships with Israel

Tags

Israel

LGBTQ+

09/10/20

39 Ways to Repair the World – #9 – Miraked

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Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

09/02/20

Tags

Jewish Community

Jewish Law

08/24/20

One Spark at a Time

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

08/20/20

Anxiety, Addiction, & Torah

Tags

Mental Health & Self-Care

Medicine & Physical Health

Politics & Government

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

08/12/20

Theology and COVID-19

Tags

Medicine & Physical Health

Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

08/05/20

39 Ways to Repair the World – #5 – Dosh

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Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

08/05/20

39 Ways to Repair the World – #4 – Me’amer

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Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

07/30/20

39 Ways to Repair the World – #4 – Me’amer

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Series: 39 Ways to Repair the World

07/30/20

Jewish Feminist Theology

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Women & Gender

07/29/20

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Science & Technology

07/28/20

Neurobiology & Couples Therapy: Dr. Mona Fishbane interviewed by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz

Tags

Interview

07/28/20

Tags

Israel

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

07/15/20

A Spiritual Reaction to Fear

Tags

Israel

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Jewish Texts

Progressive & Zionist?

Tags

Israel

Jewish Community

Politics & Government

06/19/20

Progressive & Zionist? – Amanda Berman of Zioness

Tags

Israel

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

06/15/20

Rebbe Nachman on Despair & Hope

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

06/15/20

Defund the Police? Re-imagining Public Security

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Criminal Justice

Jewish Ethics

Politics & Government

06/10/20

Defund the Police? Re-imagining Public Security

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Criminal Justice

Art & Culture

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Mysticism & Spirituality

06/09/20

Art & Chassidut

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Art & Culture

Jewish Community

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Interfaith

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

06/03/20

Grounding Ourselves in Faith during a Pendemic

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Interfaith

History

LGBTQ+

Medicine & Physical Health

Politics & Government

05/28/20

What We Learned From The AIDS Crisis

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History

LGBTQ+

Medicine & Physical Health

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Shabbat

05/28/20

Living Aligned

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Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

05/14/20

Living Aligned

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Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Israel

Jewish Community

Politics & Government

04/30/20

Is Democracy a Religious Value?

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Israel

Jewish Community

Politics & Government

04/30/20

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Education

Jewish Texts

04/28/20

04/23/20

Religion, Diplomacy, and Israel

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Israel

Jewish Community

04/23/20

Jewish Particularism & Universalism

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Jewish Ethics

Politics & Government

Race, Racism & Racial Justice

04/03/20

White Nationalism & Coalition Building

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Politics & Government

Race, Racism & Racial Justice

04/03/20

Spiritual Hope: Passover During the Coronavirus

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Holidays: Pesach

04/02/20

Spiritual Hope: Passover During the Coronavirus

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Holidays: Pesach

04/02/20

Mental Illness, Halakha, & Coronavirus

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Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Medicine & Physical Health

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

03/30/20

Mental Illness, Halakha, & Coronavirus – R’ Yoni Rosensweig

03/30/20

Coronavirus and American Jewish Life

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Jewish Ethics

Politics & Government

03/26/20

Coronavirus and American Jewish Life: Yehuda Kurtzer interviewed by Shmuly Yanklowitz

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Interview

Death, Grief & Mourning

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Justice

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

Criminal Justice

Interfaith

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Politics & Government

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/03/20

Spiritual Resilience Against Despair

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Interfaith

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Politics & Government

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/03/20

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

01/29/20

Childhood as a Southern Jew

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Jewish Community

01/29/20

Childhood as a Southern Jew

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Jewish Community

01/29/20

How Rabbis Related to Non-Rabbinic Jews in Late Antiquity

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History

Jewish Law

01/24/20

Depictions of Violence in Synagogue Mosaics from Roman Palestine

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Art & Culture

History

Israel

Resolving Conflicts In Our Hyper-Polarized Time

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Jewish Community

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Interfaith

Confinement As a Unique Form of Oppression

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Criminal Justice

Tikkun Olam

01/13/20

Confinement As a Unique Form of Oppression

Prayer

Sociology of the Jewish Community

12/27/19

Jewish Prayer & Independent Minyanim

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Prayer

Sociology of the Jewish Community

12/27/19

Learning Tanach in the 21st Century

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Education

Jewish Texts

12/23/19

But Now God is Not One

12/20/19

12/20/19

Rabbinic Understandings of Human Dignity

12/19/19

Rabbinic Understandings of Human Dignity

12/19/19

Fair Wages in Halakhic Thought

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Economic Justice & Business Ethics

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

12/18/19

Fair Wages in Halakhic Thought

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Economic Justice & Business Ethics

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

12/18/19

Feminist Halakha & Halakhic Epistemology

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Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Women & Gender

12/18/19

Feminist Halakha & Halakhic Epistemology

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Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

12/18/19

Who Guarantors the Guarantor?

12/18/19

The Chief Rabbinate’s Control Over Women

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Israel

Jewish Ethics

Politics & Government

Women & Gender

12/16/19

The Chief Rabbinate’s Control Over Women

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Israel

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Politics & Government

Women & Gender

12/16/19

Are We Responsible for the Sins of our Ancestors?

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

12/10/19

Are We Responsible for the Sins of our Ancestors?

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Race, Racism & Racial Justice

12/10/19

“There’s a Riot Goin’ On”: Violence in Rabbinic Thought

12/05/19

Campus Anti-Semitism from the Right & Left

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Antisemitism

College and University

Education

Politics & Government

12/05/19

Jews and Whiteness

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Race, Racism & Racial Justice

Sociology of the Jewish Community

12/05/19

Jewish Psychics & Clairvoyants

11/27/19

The Bizarre Tales of Yiddishland

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Art & Culture

11/27/19

What Yiddish Cartoons Reveal About Jewish Life in the Early 20th Century

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Art & Culture

11/27/19

Jewish Psychics & Clairvoyants!

11/27/19

The Jewish Political Tradition: What Is The Model Jewish Form of Government?

Menachem Lorberbaum

How Kabbalah Reimagines God

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Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

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Jewish Texts

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

11/20/19

On Love and Healing Today

11/19/19

On Love & Healing Today!

11/19/19

Activism, Human Nature, & American Repentance

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Race, Racism & Racial Justice

11/18/19

Activism, Human Nature, & American Repentance

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Race, Racism & Racial Justice

11/18/19

New Developments in Sefardic Halachah

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Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Sociology of the Jewish Community

11/18/19

We Were Strangers in Egypt

11/18/19

Education

Science & Technology

Sociology of the Jewish Community

11/14/19

Jewish Veganism

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Environment, Nature & Animals

11/13/19

Teaching Israel on Campus

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College and University

Education

Israel

11/12/19

Why Yiddish Matters

Beyond Pluralism to Inter-Religious Dialogue

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Interfaith

Jewish Community

Mysticism & Spirituality

Relationships

Tikkun Olam

11/04/19

Beyond Pluralism to Inter-Religious Dialogue

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Interfaith

Jewish Ethics

Mysticism & Spirituality

Relationships

Tikkun Olam

11/04/19

The Prophetess: A Modern Story About Rachel

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Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Women & Gender

11/04/19

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Jewish Community

Jewish Texts

Mysticism & Spirituality

11/01/19

The Hero is a Harlot

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Mysticism & Spirituality

10/29/19

God Is In The Crowd

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Israel

Jewish Community

10/29/19

Divrei Torah

10/03/19

Prayer

Holidays: Rosh Hashanah

Holidays: Yom Kippur

09/26/19

Rabbinic Poetry in the High Holy Day Liturgy

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Prayer

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Antisemitism

09/18/19

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Antisemitism

Education

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Relationships

09/11/19

Where Have All The Leaders Gone

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Jewish Ethics

09/11/19

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Death, Grief & Mourning

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

08/27/19

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Jewish Community

Tikkun Olam

08/19/19

Half a Century of Activism!

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Israel

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Mysticism & Spirituality

Tikkun Olam

06/28/19

Time for a New Halakhic System

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Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

06/20/19

Time for a New Halakhic System?

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Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

06/20/19

Orthodoxy’s Move Away from Social Justice

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Sociology of the Jewish Community

06/19/19

Reflections on the Conflict, Anti-Zionism, and American Jews

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Israel

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Zionism

06/19/19

Shabbos in Somalia: Reflections on Judaism and the Global South

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Interfaith

Shabbat

06/19/19

Combating Anti-Semitism & Hate Today

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Antisemitism

06/17/19

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Jewish Ethics

Race, Racism & Racial Justice

06/11/19

Alleviating Suffering in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

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Israel

Jewish Ethics

Tikkun Olam

06/11/19

Reducing Suffering in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

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Israel

06/11/19

Justice for Restaurant Workers

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Economic Justice & Business Ethics

Justice

06/04/19

Justice for Restaurant Workers

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Economic Justice

Justice

06/04/19

Understanding Human Suffering: Theological, Moral, & Spiritual Explorations

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (www.rabbishmuly.com), the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, presents his lecture, “Understanding Human Suffering: Theological, Moral, & Spiritual Explorations” before an audience at Temple Chai (templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: How might we spiritually respond to our own pain and suffering? How might we morally respond to the pain and suffering of others? In this session, Rabbi Shmuly will explore Jewish sources on pain and suffering and explore various theological approaches to understanding this pervasive human phenomenon.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For more info, please visit:
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/labshul/
www.facebook.com/temple.chai
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

Music: “They Say” by WowaMusik, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

05/28/19

Is Hebrew Education in Sunday School Working?

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Education

Sociology of the Jewish Community

05/20/19

Judaism and Reproductive Justice: Reframing the Jewish Conversation on Abortion

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In this class we will explore the continuing dialogue within Judaism around issues of reproductive health, specifically focusing on abortion. We’ll take a look at the classic texts used as grounding for decision-making around this issue, and also expand our awareness to include modern feminist critique of traditional modes of discussing abortion. Finally, we will see how Reproductive Justice as a framework broadens our understanding both of the issue of abortion and of our own evolving Judaisms.

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Justice

Women & Gender

05/17/19

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Holidays & Shabbat

Jewish Texts

Holidays: Shavuot

05/15/19

05/15/19

Sefer Ha’Chinuch – Mitzvot 302 & 306: Sefirat Ha’Omer

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Holidays & Shabbat

Jewish Texts

05/15/19

Sefer Ha’Chinuch Mitzvot 13, 14, 17, 487 – Korban Pesach & the Politics of Exclusion

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Holidays & Shabbat

Jewish Texts

Holidays: Pesach

05/15/19

05/15/19

Sefer Ha’Chinuch Mitzvah 111 – Ban on Idolatrous Food & Not Getting Drunk on Purim

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Holidays & Shabbat

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Criminal Justice

Jewish Texts

05/15/19

Sefer Ha’Chinuch Mitzvah 40: Not to Build an Altar of Hewn Stones

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Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Mysticism & Spirituality

05/15/19

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Politics & Government

04/17/19

Interrupting the Bible: Five Tools to Reinvent the Jewish Story

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Can Monotheism’s oldest storytelling ritual bridge the growing gap between modern generations and our ancient legacies? Join master teacher and performer Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, founder and spiritual leader of Lab/Shul NYC, as he presents a story of self-discovery and a manifesto for reclaiming tradition and claiming pluralistic approaches that promote a wiser Judaism for today. Based on Amichai’s book in process, this interactive presentation tells of a personal journey from Jerusalem to New York, through Bagdad and Berlin, spanning two millennia, three religions, and four continents, and presenting five principles for bridging the gap between modern society and its sacred legacies.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2U7Qkn7

04/11/19

Leaving Egypt: New Paradigms

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Noa Kushner, Founding Rabbi at The Kitchen (https://www.thekitchensf.org/), on the topic of “Leaving Egypt: New Paradigms!”

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Immigration & Migration

Holidays: Pesach

04/03/19

Social Justice, Mitzvah, and God Then and Now: The writing of R. Arnold Jacob Wolf z”l

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: “What we cannot believe is that God is a revolutionary. So long as we act by our lights we shall act poorly, because our insights are really self-interest and our convictions mere rationalizations.” (R. Arnold Jacob Wolf, “The Negro Revolution and Jewish Theology,” Unfinished Rabbi, p. 87). This session will explore the serious challenges raised by an essay written in 1964 that still surprises and surpasses current thinking in its radical approaches to both activism and theology.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2CX8Ad5

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

04/03/19

Telling the Truth to Dying Patients

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Jonathan K. Crane, Raymond F. Schinazi Scholar in Bioethics and Jewish Thought at Emory University , on the topic of “Telling the Truth to Dying Patients!”

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Death, Grief & Mourning

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Politics & Government

Sociology of the Jewish Community

03/29/19

Can We Talk About Israel Without Shouting?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Peter Beinart, Associate Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York, on the topic of “Can We Talk About Israel Without Shouting?!”

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Israel

Jewish Community

Politics & Government

03/28/19

Jewish Power and Jewish Vulnerability in the Age of Trump

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Politics & Government

Sociology of the Jewish Community

03/28/19

The Coming Democratic Party Civil War Over Israel

Professor Peter Beinart, Associate Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York and a contributor to The Atlantic, a Senior Columnist at The Forward, a CNN Political Commentator, and a Fellow at The Foundation for Middle East Peace, presents his Valley Beit Midrash lecture, “The Coming Democratic Party Civil War Over Israel” before a VIP roundtable audience at Temple Chai (templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

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Israel

Politics & Government

03/28/19

A Land of Two Peoples: Martin Buber and Bi-Nationalism in Palestine

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Most today remember Martin Buber for his collections of Hasidic tales, as well as his dialogical philosophy of I and Thou. However, Buber was also an active and concerned member of the Zionist movement, famously advocating against the UN partition plan on the grounds that the land should be shared between its two peoples. This talk will explore the theological and political basis of Buber’s views, arguing that while most of Buber’s opponents saw him as an idealistic academic unrealistically applying his philosophy to reality, he was actually much closer to contemporary religious Zionism than anyone would care to admit.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2Czz5VZ

Tags

Israel

03/27/19

Hermann Cohen on Repentance

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Samuel Brody of the University of Kansas on the topic of “Today’s Culture of Public Apologies: Hermann Cohen on Repentance!”

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Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Holidays: Yom Kippur

03/26/19

What Would God’s Economy Look Like?

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Jewish thinkers commonly argue that the Torah is meant to provide a complete, all-pervasive guide to Jewish life. And yet, for much of Jewish history, even while halakha could regulate the trade and business practices of Jewish individuals and firms, it never had the ability to prescribe rules for the very nature of the economy itself. With the rise of modern Jewish nationalist and socialist movements, Jews could think for the first time in centuries about the broad questions of political economy – production, distribution, and re-distribution – from the standpoint of Torah. This talk explores some of that recent thought, seeking to imagine what life would be like if Jews strove to model not just their transactions, but the very economy itself, according to God’s will.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2TBc3U7

Tags

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

03/26/19

Illustrating the Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In “Illustrating the Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel…Or: Everything I Needed To Know About the Haggadah I Learned From Batman,” veteran comic book creator and editor Jordan B. Gorfinkel (aka GORF) will analyze the narrative and thematic elements of the Haggadah in order to show how the story lends itself perfectly to a comic book adaptation.

ABOUT THE HAGGADAH: The Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel integrates a brand-new, modern translation into sophisticated and fun sequential art that brings the epic Exodus story to life. The result of extensive historical and linguistic research, every gorgeous panel imbues the classic narrative with renewed relevance and excitement.

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Art & Culture

Holidays: Pesach

03/19/19

Superheroes and the History of Passover

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Jordan B. Gorfinkel (http://www.jewishcartoon.com/), a cartoonist and the writer of the Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel (http://jewishcartoon.com/passover/), on the topic of “Superman & Moses: What the History Of Superheroes Teaches Us About Passover…and the History Of Passover About Superheroes!”

PURCHASE THE HAGGADAH: https://amzn.to/2SsIaKi

Tags

Art & Culture

Holidays: Pesach

03/19/19

03/14/19

A Father’s Story: My Fight for Justice Against Iranian Terror

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: This is the story of one brave father’s determination to bring his daughter’s murderers to justice through the American justice system. Stephen M. Flatow says he was “just a real estate lawyer in New Jersey” until April 9, 1995. Flatow’s life changed that day when he learned his daughter Alisa, a twenty-year-old college student traveling in Israel, had been the victim of a terrorist bus-bombing. After he discovered the Iranian government had directly sponsored the bomber, Flatow decided to sue the terror state. It was not to be quixotic, as Flatow, working with a superb Washington lawyer and an astute forensic researcher, not only won a dramatic verdict against Iran, but collected a huge judgment.

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Israel

Jewish Community

03/07/19

Thou Shalt Be a Mensch: The Jewish Line Between Law and Ethics

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In perhaps no other religious tradition does Law hold more central place than it does in Judaism. In their founding code, The Mishnah, the rabbis mapped out a system of laws that are meant to regulate nearly every sphere of human life. Yet of out 63 tractates there is one – Avot – that does not seem to dictate legal obligations, but simply to advise good behavior. What is the role of this exceptional volume in the larger work of the Mishnah, and what does it tell us about the relationship between Law and Ethics in Judaism?

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2C7f8pf

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: A wonderful sugya in Bavli Shabbat (54b-55a) takes up the question of what to do when one sees people misbehaving, whether they are government officials or neighbors, whether they are breaking religious or civil law. Via anecdotes and midrashim, a very demanding moral principle emerges.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2HeEghj

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

03/01/19

Women’s Voices in the Talmud

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In general, only men issue halakhic statements in the Talmud. But women appear often in anecdotes about how the law was carried out. A close reading of some short anecdotes reveals that women took the law into their own hands and made changes in it for personal reasons. By looking closely at some of these anecdotes, we will see the kinds of changes women made in the law and the reasons for these changes.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2GU4p5k

Tags

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Art & Culture

Jewish Texts

Environment, Nature & Animals

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Tikkun Olam

02/19/19

Women are from Genesis, Men are from Leviticus! Does Gender Read the Bible?

In theory, gender is fluid. Even so, for many people, the gender they grew up identifying with colours their experiences both academic, personal, emotional and spiritual. For others, gender is “invisible,” but after exploring how others feel and hear things, they may come to see just how much societal definitions have been inculcated into their experiences as well. Does the lens of gender, then, colour even the way we read the Bible? Is the Bible or Bible study ever “neutral”? This session introduces the methodology of feminist analysis of Biblical text, and puts it into practice with several Biblical narratives, positing that a thorough feminist analysis of sacred text helps broaden the way we understand our spirituality.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2SBBhq0

Tags

Women & Gender

02/15/19

Freeing Agunot: Learning Halacha & Policy

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org) interviews Rosh Kehilah (Rabbi) Dina Najman on the topic of “Freeing Agunot: Learning Halacha & Policy .”

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Women & Gender

02/12/19

Human Cloning and Embryo Research: The Ethical and Jewish Legal Implications

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Within the last few decades, medical technological developments have changed the landscape for what is possible for medical treatments. The theoretical bioethical and halakhic discussions surrounding human cloning and embryo research are becoming a reality. As a result, further advancements in organ transplantation, infertility and genetic engineering, to name a few, are directly impacted by this possibility within medicine. This class will discuss how these new possibilities within research and medicine have practical application within the halakhic and bioethical discussion.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2UPBr9O

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Medicine & Physical Health

Science & Technology

02/12/19

Withholding/Withdrawing Treatment of the Terminally Ill

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2UPBr9O

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Medicine & Physical Health

02/12/19

The (Re)Birth of Jewish Denominations in 19th-Century Europe

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Since the canonization of the Talmud, Jews lived in autonomous communities that clearly defined the meaning and obligations of Jewishness. The rise of the modern centralized state in the nineteenth century, and the impact of Enlightenment and secularization, radically transformed this reality. The dismantling of the autonomous community and the integration of Jews into European states as citizens meant the end of this self-evident Jewish identity. It brought the freedom as well as the inescapable imperative to redefine the meaning of Jewishness, first in Western Europe and then in the East. In response, Jews sought to reconstruct their Jewish identities as they always had, by grounding them in prooftexts that “proved” their own iteration of Judaism was the most authentic. This lecture will examine the process of this reconstruction, survey its main iterations, and reflect on its significance today.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2DWxs5H

Tags

History

02/06/19

The Galitsyaners: (Re)discovering Jewish Galicia

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Negative references to the Galitsianer as cunning, unlearned, coarse, or a religious fanatic are still heard in the early twenty-first century. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, in addition to its nineteenth-century Hasidic, rabbinic, and maskilic celebrities, Galicia produced countless Zionist and socialist leaders as well as a cadre of literary and academic stars in the twentieth century, most notably the noble laureate S. Y. Agnon. Galicia – the portion of the old Polish empire ruled by Austria from 1772 to 1918 – was the cradle of much of modern Jewish civilization. This talk will survey the history of this community and its place in the East European Jewish experience.

Tags

Israel

Jewish Community

02/06/19

Toward an Ethic of Interpretation

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org) interviews Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger, author of “Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom” on the topic of Toward an Ethic of Interpretation.”

02/06/19

The Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel: A Student’s Perspective

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Elie Wiesel, who passed away July 2, 2016, was a Holocaust witness, human rights activist, author, and confidant of presidents and prime ministers. He was also a teacher, who mentored thousands of students to become rabbis, scholars, and activists in their own rights. One of his closest students, Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger, author of Witness: lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, November, 2018), will share his perspective on Wiesel’s impact, through personal stories and larger reflections.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Holidays: Yom HaShoah

02/06/19

Rebbe Nachman on Joy and Suffering

ABOUT THE LECTURE: We all encounter suffering — our own and that of loved ones, colleagues, and strangers. We want to support people and find meaning, both in moments of great joy and deep suffering. We will explore seminal writings of the great spiritual master Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810), in which he offers frameworks for spiritual understanding and practical advice for dealing with the extremes of the human condition. Self-transcendence, prayer, friendship, and faith are some of the themes we will encounter as we study the work of this increasingly relevant personality.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2HTdixH

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/06/19

Does Christianity Matter for Judaism — and Vice Versa?

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: What can Christians learn from Judaism, and what can Jews learn from Christianity? What do we have to gain from inter-religious dialogue, and what challenges can such conversations pose? To what extent does a commitment to Judaism or Christianity benefit from – or even require – an engagement with the other tradition, and what sorts of risks might arise from these encounters? We will explore diverse answers to these questions, wrestling with sources from the New Testament to works of post-Holocaust theology.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2HGEJKP

Tags

Interfaith

01/29/19

Can Jews Be Citizens? Jewish Politics from the Enlightenment to Today

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: What should modern Jewish politics look like? To what extent should Jews seek to promote the well-being of the diverse societies they inhabit, and to what extent should Jews devote their attention to securing Jewish communal survival? Can an engagement with Jewish texts and practices form individuals into engaged citizens, and what role should Judaism play in times of civic disruption and discord? We will explore diverse answers to these questions, beginning with visions of Jewish political involvement championed by two leading figures in the Jewish Enlightenment — Moses Mendelssohn, the founder of modern Jewish thought, and Nachman Krochmal, Eastern Europe’s most important Jewish philosopher — and considering the relevance of these visions in light of events such as the election of Donald Trump.

LEARNING MATERIALS 1: bit.ly/2GaRCKE
LEARNING MATERIALS 2: bit.ly/2HDWwSX

Tags

Politics & Government

Sociology of the Jewish Community

The Search for the Sacred: The Jewish Debate with Modernity

Rabbi Ed Feinstein, senior rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California presents the 2019 Hammerman Family Lecture, “The Search for the Sacred: The Jewish Debate with Modernity” before an audience at Congregation Or Tzion in Scottsdale, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2FUZn8n

Tags

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

01/29/19

The Talmud: A Biography

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The Babylonian Talmud, a postbiblical Jewish text that is part scripture and part commentary, is an unlikely bestseller. Written in a hybrid of Hebrew and Aramaic, it is often ambiguous to the point of incomprehension, and its subject matter reflects a narrow scholasticism that should hardly have broad appeal. Yet the Talmud has remained in print for centuries and is more popular today than ever. Barry Scott Wimpfheimer tells the remarkable story of this ancient Jewish book and explains why it has endured for almost two millennia.

Providing a concise biography of this quintessential work of rabbinic Judaism, Wimpfheimer takes readers from the Talmud’s prehistory in biblical and second-temple Judaism to its present-day use as a source of religious ideology, a model of different modes of rationality, and a totem of cultural identity. He describes the book’s origins and structure, its centrality to Jewish law, its mixed reception history, and its golden renaissance in modernity. He explains why reading the Talmud can feel like being swept up in a river or lost in a maze, and why the Talmud has come to be venerated–but also excoriated and maligned—in the centuries since it first appeared.

An incomparable introduction to a work of literature that has lived a full and varied life, this accessible book shows why the Talmud is at once a received source of traditional teachings, a touchstone of cultural authority, and a powerful symbol of Jewishness for both supporters and critics.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2B1ZQBr

Tags

Jewish Texts

01/24/19

Charity in the Talmud: Religious Feelings and Macroeconomics

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The Talmud expresses its values and commitments through law and legal institutions. But legal rules and bureaucracy sometimes develop into static entities that stifle individual ethical imperatives. This lecture will discuss a talmudic passage about charity that tries to juggle these commitments.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2Ud4fJ6

Tags

Economic Justice & Business Ethics

Jewish Texts

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

01/24/19

Misconceptions of Halakhah

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org) interviews Professor Barry Scott Wimpfheimer and the author of “The Talmud: A Biography” on the topic of “Misconceptions of Halakhah (Jewish Law): An Authoritarian, Objective, Singular Entity?”

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Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

01/24/19

Wounds Into Wisdom: Healing Intergenerational Jewish Trauma! R’ Firestone interviewed by Rav Shmuly

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org) interviews Rabbi Dr. Tirzah Firestone, the Founding Rabbi of Congregation Nevei Kodesh and the author of “Wounds Into Wisdom” (Monkfish Press) on the topic of “Wounds Into Wisdom: Healing Intergenerational Jewish Trauma!”

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

History

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org) interviews Rabbi Ira F. Stone (http://www.phillymussar.org/stone.html) on the topic of “The Kabbalistic Roots of Mussar!

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Jewish Ethics

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Mysticism & Spirituality

01/15/19

Emanuel Levinas: The Greatest Jewish Philosopher That Nobody’s Heard Of

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Although widely known in the world of contemporary secular philosophy, the work of the French-Jewish philosopher, Emanuel Levinas, is hardly known at all in the Jewish world. His work has made little or no impact on contemporary Jewish discourse. Yet, his work is deeply grounded in Jewish texts and thought and, more importantly, offers a powerful way of approaching Jewish life in the post Shoa world. I will try to introduce his life and work and discuss why it is so important for our time.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Philosophy

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org) interviews Samuel Fleischacker, LAS Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC), on the topic of “The Way of the World & The Way of the Jews!”

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Sociology of the Jewish Community

01/10/19

Maimonides on Who Wrote the Torah

Maimonides says in his Commentary on the Mishnah and his Mishneh Torah that Moses wrote every word of the Torah at the dictation of God. But Maimonides also says that God can’t talk, and that anyone who thinks God can talk is an idolater. So what exactly does Maimonides mean by describing Moses as a scribe who wrote down God’s words? This talk will try to explain that, in the context of other things Maimonides says, and argue that, properly understood, Maimonides’ view of the composition of the Torah does not rule out what today is called “the documentary hypothesis”: the idea that a variety of people wrote the Torah rather than Moses.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2QDclZg

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Jewish Texts

01/10/19

Existentialist Messianism: Martin Buber, Franz Kafka, Walter Benjamin & Talmud

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Martin Buber ended a 1909 lecture he gave in Prague with a parable suggesting that each of us is responsible for bringing the Messiah. Some years later, Franz Kafka – who may have been in Buber’s audience – wrote a famous story that echoes Buber’s parable in striking ways. A little later, Walter Benjamin wrote what looks like a riff on it. We’ll look at all three texts, plus the Talmudic passage on which Buber was drawing, and consider whether they give us a modern, existentialist way of making sense of Messianism.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2VCdqEm

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

01/10/19

A Jewish Approach to the Afterlife

Angels with harps? Fluffy clouds? The pearly gates? In the popular imagination, these symbols represent a vision of “heaven,” but do they correspond to the Jewish vision of the afterlife? This panel breaks down Jewish views of eschatology and dispels popular notions of what the afterlife looks like from a Jewish perspective. Panelists will discuss how Jewish tradition views life after death while also meditating on responses to mortality in contemporary society.

History

12/12/18

What Constitutes Jewish Spiritual Renewal?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org) interviews Professor Paul Mendes-Flohr, Professor Emeritus of Modern Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Dorothy Grant Mclear Professor of Jewish Intellectual History at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, on the topic of “What Constitutes Jewish Spiritual Renewal.”

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Sociology of the Jewish Community

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

12/12/18

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: While Israel’s wars have a been a challenge for all Jews who support Israel, they have presented unique challenges for religious Zionists who adhere to Jewish law. Jewish law developed mostly during centuries in which Jews had no state and no army, and therefore it contained little material on war prior to 1948. In consequence, when the state of Israel was created and found itself at war, religious Zionist rabbis had to construct a body of law dealing with war almost from scratch. This talk will focus on how these rabbis dealt with this challenge with remarkable creativity and ingenuity.

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Israel

Jewish Law & Mitzvot

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

11/20/18

Gersonides on Providence

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Robert Eisen, Chair of the Department of Religion at The George Washington University (https://religion.columbian.gwu.edu/) on the topic of “Gersonides on Providence.”

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

11/20/18

How Movies Can Help Us Grow

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org) interviews Rabbi Dr. Hebert Cohen of “Kosher Movies” on the topic of “How Movies Can Help Us Grow!”

Watch a clip of KOSHER MOVIES here: https://youtu.be/tnXSn1YwCvI

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Art & Culture

11/15/18

Herbert Cohen – Mussar and Film: Movies That Help Us Grow!

Rabbi Dr. Herbert Cohen presents his lecture “Mussar and Film: Movies That Help Us Grow!” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Movies are not simply entertainment. They also can serve as vehicles for self-discovery. Rabbi Cohen identifies films that have something important to say about the human condition and that contain nuggets of wisdom that can enrich our relationships with our children, our spouses, our parents, and our friends. Book signing to follow.

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Art & Culture

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

11/15/18

Samuel C. Heilman – The Story of Five Hasidic Dynasties in America

Professor Samuel C. Heilman, Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Queen College, presents his lecture “The Story of Five Hasidic Dynasties in America” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP

We Are Here: Spiritual Resistance During The Holocaust

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In this session, we will learn and hear how Jews used prayer, poetry, song, music and more as vehicles for spiritual resistance during the Jewish people’s darkest hour. From ghetto cabarets and concentration camps to the forests, Jews fought back not only with their body but in spirit.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2JNobOT

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History

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

Holidays: Yom HaShoah

11/07/18

Avram Mlotek – Songs of Generations: Jewish History through Yiddish Song

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Nobel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer called Rabbi Mlotek’s grandparents, “The Sherlock Holmes of Yiddish Song.” Come explore Jewish history through this rich legacy of Yiddish song with a particular focus on pre-World War II Eastern European life. Songs of workers, family life, romance, politics and Judaism paint a vibrant life of what Jewish life looked like before the horrors of the Holocaust.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2OvrhaE

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Art & Culture

History

11/07/18

Living Spiritually with Radical Amazement

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Avram Mlotek, co-Founder of BASE Hillel, on the topic of “Living Spiritually with Radical Amazement.”

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

11/07/18

Animal-Inclusive Rituals In the Jewish Farming Movement – Adrienne Krone

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Adrienne Krone, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Jewish Life at Allegheny College, on the topic of “”Blessings With the Birds and the Bees: Animal-Inclusive Rituals In the Jewish Farming Movement.”

Tags

Environment, Nature & Animals

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Mysticism & Spirituality

Relationships

Tikkun Olam

10/31/18

Adrienne Krone – Sacred and Sustainable Space: Ancient Agriculture and Innovative Judaism

Tags

Environment, Nature & Animals

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Mysticism & Spirituality

Tikkun Olam

10/31/18

Adrienne Krone – Saving Seeds: A Revived Historical Jewish Agricultural Settlement in New Jersey

This lecture will describe the efforts of the Alliance Community Reboot (ACRe) organization to rebuild a Jewish community farm on the land where the Alliance Colony was founded in 1882 as one of the first Jewish agricultural settlements in the United States. This farm, which remains in the hands of descendants of one of the original settlers of the Alliance Colony, neighbors a historic synagogue and Jewish cemetery. This historic setting informs the vision for the organization but the goals for the farm are also grounded in twenty-first century values including sustainability and food justice. Their combined dedication to Jewish history and environmental values is exemplified by the designation of a large portion of ACRe’s land resources to the Experimental Farm Network, an organization that is breeding seeds to combat climate change.

Tags

Environment, Nature & Animals

Israel

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Justice

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

10/25/18

Mel Gottlieb – Making Enemies Into Friends

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: This lecture will be an articulation of the Torah’s mandates toward encountering our enemies and transforming them into friends, including the exception for the category of Amalek, and the reasons for this.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2PUntRZ

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Interfaith

10/25/18

Mel Gottlieb – Kabbala and Consciousness

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: This lecture will be on the dynamics of practical Kabbala as a growth system creating consciousness in the realm of the intellect, the emotions, and in concrete action. It will utilize the Sefirot, the Hebrew Alphabet as a path towards individuation, and allow for greater awareness of imbalances and the ‘shadow,’ through study and meditation.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2qaCu6V

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

10/25/18

Iran is Closer Than You Think: The ‘Iranian’ Talmud

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: As its very name indicates, the Talmud Bavli was produced in Babylonia in the centuries following the compilation of the Mishnah. But politically and culturally speaking, Talmudic Babylonia was actually at the center of a powerful Iranian Empire. What happens when we approach the Talmud as a product of Iran – for our learning, and for our self-understanding?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Dov Linzer, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, on the topic of “A Vision for Modern Orthodoxy.”

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Sociology of the Jewish Community

10/18/18

Unequal Justice? Jew/Non-Jew Distinctions in Civil and Criminal Halakha

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: One of our basic democratic principles is that everyone deserves equal treatment under the law. In religious law, however, there tends to be a privileging of those who are members of the faith over those who are not. While this makes sense in matters of ritual, it would seem deeply unfair, indeed unethical, to apply such distinctions to matters of civil and criminal law. In this lecture, we will see how halakha initially gave warrant for unequal treatment of non-Jews and how over time, due to changing circumstances and attitudes, a number of major halakhic decisors minimized or eliminated these distinctions.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2J3KnUg

Tags

Criminal Justice

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Interfaith

10/18/18

The Evolution of Feminism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Laura Geller, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills and one of the first women to lead a major metropolitan synagogue, on the topic of “The Evolution of Feminism.”

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Women & Gender

10/09/18

Why Friendships Change As We Age

Rabbi Laura Geller, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, presented her lecture “Why Friendships Change As We Age” at Valley Beit Midrash’s opening event in April 2018. This Valley Beit Midrash lecture took place before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

10/09/18

Laura Geller – Wise Aging: Getting Good at Getting Older

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

10/09/18

Parshat Shoftim: Building a Just Society

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Divrei Torah

Politics & Government

08/17/18

American, Israeli, and Jewish Legal Perspectives on Divorce

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

08/14/18

American, Israeli, and Jewish Legal Perspectives on Divorce

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

08/14/18

Stumbling Stones: The Oldest Form of Jewish Spirituality

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: One of the oldest forms of Jewish spirituality, may also be the most accessible for the modern Jew. This conversation with an established community builder, will offer an inspirational encounter with holy texts and foundational stones that have elevated our people throughout the centuries.

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

08/09/18

The Torah of Uncertainty

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Uri Topolosky, rabbi at Kehilat Pardes in Rockville, MD, on the topic of “The Torah of Uncertainty

Tags

Mental Health & Self-Care

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

08/09/18

A Journey Toward Orthodox Women’s Rabbinic Leadership

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Women & Gender

07/26/18

Marianne Novak – From Punishment to Compassion

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The time leading up to Tisha B’av and its aftermath, leading ultimately to Rosh HaShana, demands an almost instantaneous move from extreme sadness, grief and anger to joy and happiness to be with God. How does our tradition help us move from one radical state to the other with purpose and meaning? How does this process enhance our relationship with God?

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Criminal Justice

07/26/18

Political Worldviews Within Orthodox Judaism Today

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Elad Nehorai, the Pop Chassid on the topic of “Political Worldviews Within Orthodox Judaism Today.”

Tags

Politics & Government

Sociology of the Jewish Community

07/25/18

Shmittah as a Transformational Force for Economy & Environment: R’ Yanklowitz interviews R’ Lavi

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews R’ Aharon Ariel Lavi, founder of the Garin Shuva—an eco-mission-driven community near the Gaza border–on the topic of “Shmittah as an Economical & Environment Transformational Force”

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

Tags

Interview

07/18/18

Elad Nehorai – The Change-Making Power Of Community

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: We have been inundated recently with stories about how “echo chambers” hurt political discourse and make it harder to affect positive change. But what if there was more to the story? In this session, Elad will explore the incredible power communities (both online and offline) have to create change, and how these “echo chambers” can actually be used to amplify a cause to the outside world in a way no individual could on their own.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Sociology of the Jewish Community

07/17/18

Elad Nehorai – How To Break Out Of Tribalism and Still Be Proudly Jewish

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: It could be argued that tribalism, valuing one’s own group more than others, often leading to hurting others, has become one of the defining problems in our generation. But how does one balance that against the call by our very religion to act, in so many ways, as a tribe? How do we square what seems like self-interest with the call to make the world a perfect place? In this session, Elad will discuss these tensions, and how Judaism itself holds the answers to them.

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

07/17/18

In a major work of scholarship both erudite and very funny, Jeremy Dauber traces the origins of Jewish comedy and its development from biblical times to the age of Twitter. Organizing his book thematically into what he calls the seven strands of Jewish comedy (including the Satirical, the Witty, and the Vulgar), Dauber explores the ways Jewish comedy has dealt with persecution, assimilation, and diaspora through the ages. He explains the rise and fall of popular comic archetypes such as the Jewish mother, the JAP, and the schlemiel and schlimazel. He also explores an enormous range of comic masterpieces, from the Book of Esther, Talmudic rabbi jokes, Yiddish satires, Borscht Belt skits, Seinfeld, and Curb Your Enthusiasm to the work of such masters as Sholem Aleichem, Franz Kafka, the Marx Brothers, Woody Allen, Joan Rivers, Philip Roth, Sarah Silverman, and Jon Stewart.

Tags

Art & Culture

Sociology of the Jewish Community

05/11/18

The Life & Afterlife of Shalom Aleichem – Prof. Jeremy Dauber Interviewed by R’ Shmuly Yanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Jeremy Dauber, Atan Professor of Yiddish Language, Literature & Culture at Columbia University on the topic of “The Life & Afterlife of Shalom Aleichem.”

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Art & Culture

Death, Grief & Mourning

Interview

05/11/18

Zvi Zohar – The Rabbi and the Sheikh

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: An amazing account, published in 1842 by a leading Sephardic rabbi of Jerusalem, paints a fascinating picture of a personal, intellectual and spiritual relationship between rabbi Moshe Galante (chief rabbi of Damascus in the late 18th century) and a contemporary Muslim Sufi Sheikh. The course of that relationship, culminating in a joint mystic-spiritual journey, provides insights relevant to Muslim-Jewish religious encounter and dialogue then – and now. We will read the original text (in Prof. Zohar’s English translation) and discuss its implications.

Tags

Interfaith

Israel

05/04/18

Sephardic Rabbinic Response to a Major Challenge of Modernity

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Discord and schism based on the perceived need for communal uniformity have been hallmarks of Jewish life in Europe and North America in recent centuries. However, great Sephardic rabbis in these times regarded inclusiveness as one of the greatest values that should guide their decision making and leadership. In this lecture, Prof. Zohar presents and discusses this theme, as embodied in concrete decisions made by these rabbis.

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Sociology of the Jewish Community

God’s Income Tax: Comparing Laws of Tithing to Federal Income Tax with Professor Adam Chodorow from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

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Jewish Ethics

05/02/18

God’s Income Tax: Comparing Laws of Tithing to Federal Income Tax

God’s Income Tax: Comparing Laws of Tithing to Federal Income Tax with Professor Adam Chodorow from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Click here for learning materials.

Tags

Jewish Ethics

05/02/18

Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: The Life and Thought of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Professor Heschel speaks about the remarkable life of her father, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Rabbi Heschel was born in 1907 in Warsaw into a distinguished family of Hasidic rebbes. After his studies in Berlin, Rabbi Heschel escaped Europe and immigrated to the United States, becoming one of American Judaism’s most important interpreters and teachers of the twentieth century. Professor Heschel’s lecture will describe the Hasidic roots of her father’s theological writings and also of his political engagement in the Civil Rights Movement and in Christian-Jewish relations. She will discuss their family life, their close relationships with their Hasidic family, and some of the remarkable people who entered their lives, including Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

History

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Daniel Greyber, rabbi at Beth El Synagogue in Durham, NC, on the topic of “Prayer Stories”

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Prayer

04/17/18

Daniel Greyber – Forgotten Mourners

Jewish law defines the mourning process for a parent, spouse, sibling, and child. But what happens when we lose someone who does not fit in those categories? Author of Faith Unravels: A Rabbi’s Struggle With Grief and God, Rabbi Daniel Greyber will recall his own experience of being a forgotten mourner after the death of two close friends and we will explore how we can build communities that acknowledge all who grieve and help them to heal.

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Jewish Community

Mysticism & Spirituality

04/17/18

Connecting with the Enemy: A Century of Palestinian-Israeli Joint Nonviolence

Sheila H. Katz, Ph.D, is the author of Connecting with the Enemy: a Century of Palestinian-Israeli Joint Nonviolence. She received a doctorate in Middle East History from Harvard University where she specialized in Palestinian-Israeli relations, organized programs on Middle Eastern women, and taught for eight years. Her first book, Women and Gender in Early Palestinian and Jewish Nationalism (University Press of Florida, 2003), investigates the origins of conflict through the transformation of gender and national identities during the first half of the 20th century. She has published numerous articles and reviews Kandiyoti’s, Gendering the Middle East, the Arab Studies Journal, the International Journal of Middle East Studies, the Middle East Journal, the Association of Middle Eastern Women’s Studies Newsletter, Harvard International Review, and Lilith Magazine. Dr. Katz lived in Jerusalem for six years where she founded one of the early feminist groups and a network for Palestinians and Israelis to confront tough issues together. She led workshops on inequality and becoming allies in Israel, Palestine, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, England, France, Sweden, Italy, Greece, and the U.S.

Tags

Israel

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

04/13/18

Shmuly Yanklowitz & Benjamin Taylor – Crimes of Passion: The Extent of Human Responsibility

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz and Mr. Benjamin Taylor, Esq, present their talk “Crimes of Passion: The Extent of Human Responsibility” before a roundtable audience at the offices of Jaburg Wilk in Phoenix, AZ

Tags

Criminal Justice

Interfaith

Jewish Ethics

04/11/18

Comparative Law: Crimes of Passion in Jewish Law & American Law!

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Jewish Ethics

04/11/18

How to Re-Claim The Spiritual Meaning of Your Child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The bar and bat mitzvah is the most popular American Jewish life-cycle ceremony. But, it has also been the victim of its own success. How can we spiritually “upgrade” bar and bat mitzvah? Based on Rabbi Salkin’s well-known series of bar and bat mitzvah books.

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Israel

Sociology of the Jewish Community

03/23/18

The Gods Are Broken!

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Everyone knows the story of Abraham shattering his father’s idols. It might even be Judaism’s most famous (non-biblical) story. But it is not really a children’s story. It is the most important Jewish story, and it has deep implications for us today.

03/23/18

Righteous Gentiles of the Hebrew Bible: Ancient Models for Sacred Relationships

Tags

Shabbat

Sociology of the Jewish Community

03/16/18

The Jewish Story? Inclusion, Exclusion, and the Jewish ‘Other’ Within

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Jews and non-Jews frequently speak about “the Jews” as if they are a single, cohesive, interconnected group. But whether in their previous incarnations as Hebrews, Israelites, or Judeans, Jews have never been uniform or homogenous. There has never been a Jewish people, only peoples; never one Judaism, only Judaisms. In the twenty-first century, how can Jews be more inclusive, not just of those identifying as Ashkenazi, heteronormative, and Israel- and American-centric but rather of the historically multidimensional and vastly diverse Jewish communities that have existed within this social group since their very inception?

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Jewish Community

03/13/18

Post-Genocide: Apologies, Justice, & Reconciliation

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Aaron Hahn Tapper, the Mae and Benjamin Swig Professor in Jewish Studies and the founding Director of the Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice, on the topic of “Post-Genocide: Apologies, Justice, & Reconciliation”

BUY Professor Hahn Tapper’s book, “Judaisms: A Twenty-First-Century Introduction to Jews and Jewish Identities” HERE: http://amzn.to/2FJGu7X

Tags

History

Interfaith

03/13/18

The Jewish Singles Crisis – Rabbi Sam Intrator

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Sam Intrator, Rabbi of Kavanah Life on the topic of “The Jewish Singles Crisis”

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

03/10/18

Transcending the Great Right-Left Divide in Israel Through Spirituality

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In closely examining our ancient Spiritual Origins in Israel, a very contemporary Jewish perspective emerges that transcends the current great Right-Left Political and Spiritual divide. Through our study of relevant Biblical texts and commentary that span most of Jewish History, a practical wisdom will be presented that speaks with great significance to the challenges of modern-day Israel. The Analysis will also show how certain ancient and futuristic mystical ideals provide guidance to help overcome many deep divisions in contemporary Israeli society as well in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

LEARNING MATERIALS:bit.ly/2Dfx6Dy

Tags

Israel

Politics & Government

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

03/10/18

The Radical and Modern Approach of Ishbitz Hasidic Thought

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: In this podcast, Rabbi Sam Intrator explores the major themes that show how the Ishbitzer Rebbe’s ideas, while rooted in traditional sources, are radical departures from traditional interpretations. This unique school of Hasidic study offers deep psychological insights and a very modern approach to understanding human nature. It reveals both very transcendent and accessible ideas in spirituality. We will also explore the apparent rebellion of the founder of this dynasty Rabbi Mordecei Yosef against his mentor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, to show how disagreements are often not a rejection of another approach but is, in fact, an expansion and development of that which is seemingly being rejected.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2Dfp5hU

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

03/10/18

Rabbi on The Ganges: A Jewish Hindu Encounter

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Professor Alan Brill recently spent a sabbatical in India teaching about the little-known encounters that Judaism has with Hinduism from within the Brahmin world. He notes that Indian works on religion typically reference Judaism through the lens of the practices of Leviticus, especially with regard to animal sacrifice. Judaism, on the other hand, tends to understand Eastern religions using the Talmudic categories of idolatry. Neither side understands much about the other one and their respective living reality.

Exploring the commonalities of ideas on priestly rituals, purity, meditation, and text study, this lecture looks at how what is first seen as completely foreign and different, can be appreciated on its own terms through asking the proper questions and finding an appropriate lens. Thus, space is created for a shared spiritual language of understanding.

Tags

Interfaith

Jewish Ethics

Mysticism & Spirituality

03/05/18

Rav Shagar’s Postmodern Broken Vessels

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Dr. Alan Brill, the Cooperman/Ross Endowed Chair for Jewish-Christian Studies at Seton Hall University on the topic of “Rav Shagar’s Postmodern Broken Vessels.”

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

03/05/18

Mi Yodea: Humility and Hope in an Uncertain World

ABOUT THIS SPEAKER: Sharon Cohen Anisfeld has been Dean of the Rabbinical School since 2006. Prior to assuming this position, she served as an adjunct faculty member and then dean of students at the school. After graduating from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1990, Cohen subsequently spent 15 years working in pluralistic settings as a Hillel rabbi at Tufts, Yale and Harvard universities. She has been a summer faculty member for the Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel since 1993 and is co-editor of two volumes of women’s writings on Passover, “The Women’s Seder Sourcebook: Rituals and Readings for Use at the Passover Seder” (Jewish Lights Publishing, 2002) and “The Women’s Passover Companion: Women’s Reflections on the Festival of Freedom” (Jewish Lights Publishing, 2002). In 2015, Anisfeld was named one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world by The Jerusalem Post. From 2011 to 2013, she was named to Newsweek’s list of Top 50 Influential Rabbis in America.

Tags

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Holidays: Pesach

02/28/18

On Gender & Jewish Leadership

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, President-Elect of Hebrew College on the topic of “On Gender & Jewish Leadership!”

Tags

Jewish Community

Mysticism & Spirituality

Tikkun Olam

Women & Gender

02/27/18

Purim: The Jewish Holiday of Friendship

02/09/18

Spiritual, but not Religious

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Dr. Sidney Schwarz, Senior Fellow at Hazon (https://hazon.org/) on the topic of “Spiritual, but not Religious?”

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

02/07/18

Sid Schwarz – Judaism, Justice, and Holiness

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Rabbi Sid’s groundbreaking book, Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World 2006, offers a seminal thesis about the purpose of Judaism. The book portrays a tension between the commitment of Jews to universal values and the Jewish communal tendency to emphasize a more parochial set of priorities. This talk explores the sublime paradox of Judaism which combines a requirement that Jews fully engage in the world to advance peace and justice with a mandate for Jews to continue to be a people apart.

Environment, Nature & Animals

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Tikkun Olam

01/29/18

The Interlocking Oppressions of Sexism, Racism, & Animal Abuse

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Aaron Gross, Associate Professor, Theology and Religious Studies of Religious Studies at University of San Diego and the Founder & CEO of Farm Foward, on the topic of “The Interlocking Oppressions of Sexism, Racism, & Animal Abuse.”

Tags

Environment, Nature & Animals

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Race, Racism & Racial Justice

Tikkun Olam

Women & Gender

01/29/18

Musar at a Time of War

**Please note: Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, Professor Claussen has requested that Valley Beit Midrash only release excerpts from this lecture.**

Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey Claussen, the Lori and Eric Sklut Scholar in Jewish Studies and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University, presents his lecture “Musar at a Time of War” before an audience at Temple Kol Ami n Scottsdale, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: How can the wisdom of the Jewish tradition guide our judgments about the morality of warfare? This session will explore how the practice of musar, an introspective and contemplative Jewish discipline, can shape and guide our moral responses to war.

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

01/25/18

Geoffrey Claussen – Compassion and Cruelty: The Promise and Limits of the Musar Movement

Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey Claussen, the Lori and Eric Sklut Scholar in Jewish Studies and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University, presents his lecture “Compassion and Cruelty: The Promise and Limits of the Musar Movement” before an audience at Temple Chai in Phoenix, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: How can Jewish practice bring greater compassion into our lives? This session will explore ways in which practices developed by the 19th century Musar Movement can be effective in helping to develop compassion and other virtues, while also taking a critical look at the limits of compassion within this historic movement.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2F8omjV

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

01/23/18

Yitz Greenberg, Meir Kahane & the Mitzvot to Love the Stranger

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey Claussen, Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University on the topic of “Yitz Greenberg, Meir Kahane & the Mitzvot to Love the Stranger!”

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

01/23/18

Saving Lives in Israel Through Inspiring Kidney Donations

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: “Whoever saves one life, it is as though he has saved the entire world.”Over the past several years, Israel has been transformed in an unexpected way: from a country some of whose citizens were notoriously active in organ trafficking, it has become the country with the world’s highest percentage of altruistic kidney donors!

Along with some enlightened and ground-breaking legislation, this is largely due to the activity of an Israeli nonprofit called Matnat Chaim (Hebrew for “gift of life”) which recruits and supports healthy living donors who give their kidneys to strangers. Judy Singer donated her kidney in 2013 to Rena and found it to be a life-changing experience. Join us to hear more about this moving, fascinating, and uniquely Israeli/Jewish phenomenon.

Learn more about the work of Matnat Chaim: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mu_7VQMr3w

Tags

Israel

Medicine & Physical Health

01/19/18

Why Are There No Reform or Conservative Sephardic Movements

Rabbi Haim Ovadia, rabbi of Magen David Sephardic Congregation (www.magendavidsephardic.org/) in suburban Washington DC presents his lecture “Why Are There No Reform or Conservative Sephardic Movements” before an audience at Temple Solel in Paradise Valley, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The different cultures and religious approaches of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews are products of over a thousand years of living under the rule of two opposing religions, Islam and Christianity. Though both religions, as well as Judaism, are often bundled together as the Monotheistic or Abrahamic religions, there are fundamental differences between them. For better or worse, the unique characteristics of each dominant religion shaped the lives, cultures, and theology of its Jews. The rift which started thousands of years ago, has deepened after the emancipation in Europe, as religious leaders in the Ashkenazi world retreated into a spiritual ghetto, while Sephardic kept a vibrant and innovative legal approach. The lecture will review some of the influences of Islam and Christianity on Judaism, will track the path of Halakhic innovation over the centuries, and will explain why the Sephardic world appears to be more homogeneous than the Ashkenazi world.

To receive Rabbi Ovadia’s digital newsletter, sign up HERE: bit.ly/2rkFiSk

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

01/17/18

Modernizing Halacha

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Haim Ovadia of the Magen David Sephardic Congregation (http://www.magendavidsephardic.org/) on the topic of “Modernizing Halacha!”

Interfaith

Sociology of the Jewish Community

01/15/18

Why Should We Learn Torah?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabba Yaffa Epstein, Director of Education, North America for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies (https://www.pardes.org.il/), on the topic of “Why Should We Learn Torah?”

Tags

Education

Jewish Texts

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Dancing With God: How to Connect With God Every Time You Pray

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: How do we really connect with God so that our prayers move from the head to the heart? In its wisdom, Jewish tradition has created what can only be understood as a dance that, if done properly, can lift the participant into an intimate encounter with the Divine. How is Jewish prayer a dance? One sits and stands, moves one’s hands, moves backward and forward, bows and rises up; one chants and sings and embraces God. Each movement is pregnant with meaning. Taken together, Jewish prayer is nothing short of a most intimate dance with the Creator. This book was written to help the reader learn how to ‘dance’ in such a way that he will connect with God every time he prays.

Tags

Prayer

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

01/09/18

Jewish Wisdom on Actualizing Your Unique Life Potential, Part 2

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: An exploration of the techniques and values that Judaism models about self-actualization. Who are we? Why are we here? In the first part of this exciting class, Rabbi Pinchas Allouche, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Tefillah in Scottsdale, AZ, shares thought-provoking and heartwarming stories, asks deep questions, and looks to Jewish texts both contemporary and ancient to understand the meaning of actualizing the unique potential each of us possesses.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2z5A3oa

Tags

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

12/18/17

Modern Hebrew and the Jewish Experience – Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Professor Martin Lockshin on the topic of “Modern Hebrew and the Jewish Experience.”

Tags

Israel

Sociology of the Jewish Community

12/14/17

Does Judaism Teach that Anti-Semitism is Universal and Inevitable?

Rabbi Professor Martin Lockshin presents his lecture “Does Judaism Teach that Anti-Semitism is Universal and Inevitable?” before an audience at Temple Kol Ami in Scottsdale, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: At least for the last 1,000 years Judaism has been teaching that, as we say in the Haggadah, “not just once did somebody try to destroy us, rather in every generation they try to destroy us, but the Blessed Holy One saves us from them.” However, we cannot find this teaching anywhere in the Bible. This lecture will attempt to pinpoint when and why this idea, that anti-Semitism is universal and inevitable, developed.

Tags

Antisemitism

12/14/17

Jewish Wisdom on Actualizing Your Unique Life Potential, Part 1

Tags

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

12/12/17

Why Synagogues Must Prioritize Social Justice Leadership – Rabbi Yanklowitz interviews Roly Matalon

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi José Rolando, Matalon, Senior Rabbi at B’nai Jeshurun (https://www.bj.org/) in New York City, on the subject of “Why Synagogues Must Prioritize Social Justice Leadership.”

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Interview

Sociology of the Jewish Community

12/05/17

One Congregation’s Approach to Intermarriage

Rabbi Roly Matalon, Senior Rabbi at B’nai Jeshurun (www.bj.org/) lecture “One Congregation’s Approach to Intermarriage” at Congregation Or Tzion (www.congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Interfaith

Jewish Community

Sociology of the Jewish Community

12/04/17

Meir Kahane & Jewish Survivalism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Professor Shaul Magid, The Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Chair in Jewish Studies Professor of Jewish Studies and Religious Studies at Indiana University, on the subject of “Meir Kahane & Jewish Survivalism!”

Learn more about Jewish Studies at IU HERE: http://www.indiana.edu/~jsp/index.shtml

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Israel

11/30/17

Why Should Progressive Jews be Interested in Hasidism?

Professor Shaul Magid, The Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Chair in Jewish Studies Professor of Jewish Studies and Religious Studies at Indiana University (www.indiana.edu/~jsp/index.shtml), presents his lecture “Why Should Progressive Jews be Interested in Hasidism?” before a roundtable lecture at The New Shul in Scottsdale, AZ.

This lecture was co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies at Arizona State University. Visit them at jewishstudies.clas.asu.edu/

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Modern and even quite liberal iterations of Hasidism have increasingly become a kind of default Jewish theology for many American Jews. But why should progressive American Jews be interested in Hasidism? What does it offer us that non-Hasidic versions of Judaism do not? How does it respond to the more conventional notions of Jewish life and spirituality in America?
LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2knZdgp

Tags

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

11/30/17

How is Anti-Semitism Used in the American Jewish Conversation

Professor Shaul Magid, The Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Chair in Jewish Studies Professor of Jewish Studies and Religious Studies at Indiana University (www.indiana.edu/~jsp/index.shtml), presents his lecture “How is Anti-Semitism Used in the American Jewish Conversation” before a roundtable lecture at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

This lecture was co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies at Arizona State University. Visit them at jewishstudies.clas.asu.edu/

Tags

Antisemitism

Jewish Community

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Tikkun Olam

11/30/17

Emerging Challenges & Opportunities for Our Local Jewish Community

On Tuesday, November 28, Valley Beit Midrash hosted a community panel titled “Emerging Challenges & Opportunities for Our Local Jewish Community!” at Temple Solel.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The Greater Phoenix Jewish community is dynamic and growing. With each passing year, new challenges and new opportunities emerge. In this panel, panelists will discuss where the Phoenix Jewish has been, where it is now, and where it is moving forward, discussed through the lens of the pressing issues our community faces today.

Panelists: Marty Haberer, Rabbi Elana Kanter, and Rich Kasper

Facilitated by Rabbi John Linder

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

11/28/17

Spiritual Cross-Training

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Benjamin Shalva (http://benjaminshalva.com/#welcome-1) on the subject of “Spiritual Cross-Training).

Tags

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

11/20/17

Benjamin Shalva – Ambition Addiction: How to Go Slow, Give Thanks, and Discover Joy Within

Rabbi Benjamin Shalva (benjaminshalva.com/) presents his Valley Beit Midrash lecture “Ambition Addiction: How to Go Slow, Give Thanks, and Discover Joy Within” before an audience at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center (www.vosjcc.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Self-described ambition addict Benjamin Shalva (Spiritual Cross-Training) has written an insightful and illuminating book for anyone who wants to control that destructive strain of ambition and live with integrity. He identifies the signs and symptoms of ambition addiction and profiles iconic achievers to help readers identify unhealthy motivations. Then he reveals the five steps to living a fulfilling life of healthy, productive ambition in which grand but elusive fantasies give way to the true happiness of the here and now…

Purchase Rabbi Shalva’s HERE: amzn.to/2AYW4Xf

Tags

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

11/20/17

Can I Trust You? Kashrut, Social Dynamics, and Jewish Unity

Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz, the founder of Hashgacha Pratit and a member of the Jerusalem City Council, presents his lecture “Can I Trust You? Kashrut, Social Dynamics, and Jewish Unity” before an audience at The New Shul (http:/www.thenewshul.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: A lecture describing Rav Aaron’s alternative Kosher supervision project Hashgacha Pratit that has been making waves in Israel, disrupting the troublesome dynamics between religion and state.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
LEARNING MATERIALS 1: bit.ly/2iUqXVq
LEARNING MATERIALS 2: bit.ly/2zXCQoe

For more info, please visit:
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/The-New-Shul-207398175969503/
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/
Learn more about Hashgacha Pratit at www.kashrut.org.il/

Music: “Watercolors” by John Deley and the 41 Players, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library.

Tags

Israel

Jewish Law

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Tikkun Olam

11/13/17

The Search for Love & Identity – Jessica Fishman

Meghan Dorn, Program Director of Valley Beit Midrash, interviews Jessica Sara Fishman on the subject of “The Search for Love & Identity”

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

11/06/17

Principles and Laws That Reflect the Triumph of Life Principle

Rabbi Dr. Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, noted theologian and writer, presented his lecture “Principles and Laws That Reflect the Triumph of Life Principle” at Valley Beit Midrash’s opening event in Oct. 2017.This Valley Beit Midrash lecture took place before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2yNW0v3

For more info, please visit:
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/temple.chai
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

Music: “Watercolors” by John Deley and the 41 Players, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library.

Tags

Jewish Ethics

Jewish Law

11/02/17

The 10 Jewish Moral Imperatives: A Jewish Response to a Fractured Society

Rabbi Dr. Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, noted theologian and writer, presented his lecture “The 10 Jewish Moral Imperatives: A Jewish Response to a Fractured Society” at Valley Beit Midrash’s opening event in Oct. 2017.

This lecture proposes that the big story is not the deep polarization in American society and internal dissension in Jewry over Israel and communal policy. We are at the opening of a new era in Jewish history in which Jews seek to take power to shape our fate and to repair the world. This is our opportunity to offer Jewish models for tikkun olam to heal a fractured American society and to create a new pluralistic ethic of exercising power within Jewry.

This Valley Beit Midrash lecture took place before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

For more info, please visit:
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/temple.chai
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

Music: “Watercolors” by John Deley and the 41 Players, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library.

Tags

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Sociology of the Jewish Community

11/02/17

Can Orthodoxy Become Fully Egalitarian? – Rabbi Asher Lopatin

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Asher Lopatin, President of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School (https://www.yctorah.org/), on the topic of “Can Orthodoxy Become Fully Egalitarian?”

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Women & Gender

11/01/17

Top 10 Challenges Facing Jews Today

Rabbi Asher Lopatin, President of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School (www.yctorah.org/), presents his Valley Beit Midrash (www.valleybeitmidrash.org) lecture “Top 10 Challenges Facing Jews Today” at Congregation Or Tzion (www.congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Despite the great diversity of the Jewish community, different denominations, or not affiliated with any denomination, those who practice, those who don’t, those who believe and those who just love the culture or the identity, we all share a lot in common. Rabbi Asher Lopatin, who over the years has connected with Jews from the entire spectrum, even though he is himself Modern Orthodox, explores the common challenges we all share as Jews, relating to our identity, our values, our evolving relationship with the Jewish State, and our understanding of what Judaism or being Jewish really means in the first place. By putting these challenges on the table, and sharing them, we can begin to see how our differences really build an important bridge that unites us individuals and as members of the Jewish People.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
Learning Materials: bit.ly/2zeQjqA

For more info, please visit:
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/Congregation-Or-…on-103351795773/
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

Music: “Watercolors” by John Deley and the 41 Players, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library.

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

11/01/17

A Clash Between Halacha & Ethics?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn on the topic of “A Clash Between Halacha & Ethics.”

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

10/29/17

What Did the Rabbis Think of Christianity?

Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn, the Academic Director of The Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation, presents his lecture “Jewish Schizophrenia: What Did the Rabbis Think of Christianity?” before a roundtable audience at The New Shul (www.thenewshul.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: For most of the last 2,000 years, Christianity understood Judaism and Jews as its enemies. But did the Rabbis always see Christianity and Christians as eternal enemies (“Esau hates Jacob”)? In this presentation we will examine whether In the eyes of the rabbis Christianity is like ancient idolatry described in the Bible and Talmud, as well as whether Jewish experience with Christians–both bad and good–in the Middle Ages influenced how the Rabbis evaluated Christianity, whether the Holocaust changed anything about how Jews and Christians understand each other today, and whether religious Jews and pious Christians can be partners for building a better future, without betraying the principles of their faiths.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
LEARNING MATERIALS 1: bit.ly/2hs9Udi
LEARNING MATERIALS 2: bit.ly/2yjtN0G

For more info, please visit:
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/The-New-Shul-207398175969503/
www.facebook.com/pennhillel/
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

Rabbi Daniel Landes presents his lecture “The Poetry of Rav Kook: Finding The Lights in A New Dark Age” for Valley Beit Midrash event at Congregation Beth Tefillah (www.bethtefillahaz.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Rav Kook (1865 – 1935) was a towering leader of the Jewish renaissance in the Land of Israel and a profound master in every area of classic Jewish scholarship. His philosophic mysticism contained a hard sense of reality, while also having profound optimism. In this lecture, we shall explore the unique features of Rav Kook’s thought within his personal poems, which he would awaken to write in the middle of the night!

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2yTOAqO

For more info, please visit:
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/cbtaz
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

Music: “Watercolors” by John Deley and the 41 Players, a public domain track from the YouTube Audio Library.

Tags

Art & Culture

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

10/25/17

Halakhah as an Affirmation of Life

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg, one of the most influential modern Jewish thinkers and theologians, on the topic of “Halakhah as an Affirmation of Life.”

Tags

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

10/22/17

The 10 Jewish Moral Imperatives: A Jewish Response to a Fractured Society

Rabbi Dr. Irving ‘Yitz’ Greenberg opened Valley Beit Midrash’s Jaburg Wilk Learning Season 2017-2018 with his lecture “The 10 Jewish Moral Imperatives: A Jewish Response to a Fractured Society” before an audience of hundreds at Temple Chai in Phoenix, AZ

Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

10/22/17

An Evening with Rabbi Dr. Irving “Yitz” Greenberg – The New Era: Humanity Comes of Age

On November 2, 2011, Rabbi Dr. Irving “Yitz” Greenberg addressed 600 members of the Greater Phoenix Jewish community and shared his vision for a new era. Video by D Major Films (https://www.dmajorfilms.com/)

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

Tags

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

10/22/17

There’s No Such Thing As The Jewish Community

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Mike Uram, Executive Director of Penn Hillel, on the topic of “There’s No Such Thing As The Jewish Community.”

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/07/17

Poetry as Prayer

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Dr. Wendy Zierler of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion on the topic of “Poetry as Prayer.”

Tags

Art & Culture

Prayer

09/06/17

Jewish Peoplehood: Are We Still One People?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) presents his thoughts on the topic of Jewish Peoplehood.

Tags

Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/06/17

Different Conceptions of Monotheism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Dr. Dov Weiss on the topic of “Different Conceptions of Monotheism.”

Tags

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Mysticism & Spirituality

09/06/17

Jewish Wisdom for the 21st Century

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews renowned lecturer and author Rabbi Telushkin about “Jewish Wisdom for the 21st Century.”

Spirituality in Jewish Social Justice Activism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg on the topic of “Spirituality in Jewish Social Justice Activism.”

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

The Role of Doubt in Religious Belief as Developed in the Thought of Rav Kook

Tamar Ross is professor emerita of the Jewish philosophy department at Bar Ilan University, and continues teaching at Midreshet Lindenbaum, a women’s yeshiva in Jerusalem. She has published widely on topics relating to the nexus between traditional Judaism and modernity, focusing on topics relating to theology, philosophy of halakha, and the challenges of historicism, biblical criticism, postmodernity, and feminism.

This Valley Beit Midrash lecture took place before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2cB1U5h
DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For more info, please visit:
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/temple.chai
twitter.com/VBMTorah
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Music: “Good Starts,” a free-use public domain song by Jingle Punks, courtesy of YouTube’s Audio Library

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (http://www.rac.org/) on the topic of the RAC’s role in promoting Jewish social justice ethics.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Alan Morinis of the Mussar Institute (www.mussarinstitute.org/) presents “Soul Journeys: Exploring Mussar” before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

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Music: “Good Starts,” a free-use public domain song by Jingle Punks, courtesy of YouTube’s Audio Library

Tags

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

09/05/17

Soul Journeys: Exploring Mussar – Session 1

Alan Morinis of the Mussar Institute (www.mussarinstitute.org/) presents “Soul Journeys: Exploring Mussar” before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For more info, please visit:
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Professor Daniel Matt presents his lecture “Shekhinah: The Feminine Half of God” before a lively, roundtable audience at the East Valley Jewish Community Center (www.evjcc.org/) in Chandler, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2lNdW0B
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Women & Gender

09/05/17

God and the Big Bang: Discovering Harmony Between Science and Spirituality

Professor Daniel Matt, formerly of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, presents his lecture “God and the Big Bang: Discovering Harmony Between Science and Spirituality” before an audience at The New Shul(thenewshul.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

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For more info, please visit:
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Music: “Good Starts,” a free-use public domain song by Jingle Punks, courtesy of YouTube’s Audio Library.

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Science & Technology

Sociology of the Jewish Community

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

Removing Fear From Your Body

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Miriam Margles of the Danforth Jewish Circle (https://djctoronto.com/) on the topic of “Removing Fear From Your Body.”

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Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

09/05/17

Learning to Live Up to the Best in Our Souls

Rabbi Naomi Levy, founder, and leader of NASHUVA, presents her lecture “Learning to Live Up to the Best in Our Souls” before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
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Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

09/05/17

New Spiritual Communities for Spiritual Seekers

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Naomi Levy, founder and spiritual leader of Nashuva, on the topic of “New Spiritual Communities for Spiritual Seekers.”

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Sociology of the Jewish Community

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

Must a Jew Believe Anything?

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Menachem Kellner, Professor of Jewish Thought at the University of Haifa (http://www.haifa.ac.il/index.php/en/) about “Must a Jew Believe Anything?”

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

Interview with President of the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation, Rick Karl

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rick Karl, the President of the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation (http://www.curetay-sachs.org/).

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Interview

Medicine & Physical Health

09/05/17

The Practical Wisdom of the Siddur

Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky presents his lecture “The Practical Wisdom of the Siddur” for Valley Beit Midrash event at Congregation Beth Tefillah (bethtefillahaz.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

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For more info, please visit:
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Music: “Good Starts,” a free-use public domain song by Jingle Punks, courtesy of YouTube’s Audio Library.

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Prayer

09/05/17

Integrating Gay & Lesbian Members in Orthodox Shuls

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky on the topic of “Integrating Gay & Lesbian members in Orthodox shuls.”

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

LGBTQ+

Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/05/17

Jewish Peacemaking

Rabbi David Jaffe (rabbidavidjaffe.com/) presents his Valley Beit Midrash lecture “Jewish Peacemaking: Wisdom for Transforming Conflict Between Individuals and Communities” before a roundtable audience at the Jewish Community Foundation (www.jcfphoenix.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2eLpYYd
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For more info, please visit:
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War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

09/05/17

Breslov Chassidut & Social Justice Activism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi David Jaffe of the Kirva Institute (http://rabbidavidjaffe.com/) on the topic of “Breslov Chassidut & Social Justice Activism.”

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Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Tikkun Olam

09/05/17

Spirituality and Social Change

Rabbi David Jaffe presents his lecture “Spirituality and Social Change: Connecting Inner and Outer Transformation” before a roundtable audience at Temple Solel (www.templesolel.org/) in Paradise Valley, AZ.

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LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2fNhaxP

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Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

09/05/17

The Ten Commandments: The Nexus Between Religion and Ethics

Rabbi Yehuda Gilad of Yeshivat Ma’ale Gilboa (www.maalegilboa.org/) presents his lecture “The Ten Commandments: The Nexus Between Religion and Ethics” before a roundtable audience at The New Shul (thenewshul.org/) in Phoenix, AZ.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
Learning Materials: bit.ly/2qsaMUm

For more info, please visit:
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Jewish Ethics

09/05/17

The Binding of Yishmael: Balancing our National Interests with our Humanistic Values Then and Now

Rabbi Yehuda Gilad of Yeshivat Ma’ale Gilboa (www.maalegilboa.org/) presents his lecture “The Binding of Yishmael: Balancing our National Interests with our Humanistic Values Then and Now” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

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Politics & Government

09/05/17

The Culture of Debate in Israel: Creating Tolerant Discourse Within the Orthodox Community

Rabbi Yehuda Gilad of Yeshivat Ma’ale Gilboa (www.maalegilboa.org/) presents his lecture “The Culture of Debate in Israel: Creating Tolerant Discourse Within the Orthodox Community” for a Valley Beit Midrash event at Congregation Beth Tefillah (bethtefillahaz.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

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Music: “Good Starts,” a free-use public domain song by Jingle Punks, courtesy of YouTube’s Audio Library.

Tags

Israel

Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/05/17

Navigating Modern Israeli Realities

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Yehuda Gilad of Yeshivat Ma’ale Gilboa (http://www.maalegilboa.org/), on the topic of “Navigating Modern Israeli Realities.”

Professor Michael Fishbane of the University of Chicago presents his lecture “Seeing the ‘Other’: Contemporary and Traditional Jewish Ethical Perspectives” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

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LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2ke5w07

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Jewish Ethics

09/05/17

Cultivating A Theology of Moral Responsibility

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Professor Michael Fishbane on the topic of “Cultivating A Theology of Moral Responsibility.”

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Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

09/05/17

Communitarianism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Professor Amitai Etzioni of the George Washington University (https://icps.gwu.edu/)on the topic of “Communitarianism.”

What is Communitarianism? Learn more HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKA4JjkiU4A

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Jewish Ethics

09/05/17

Seeing You is Like Seeing the Face of God: Healing Interpersonal Conflict

Rabbi Amy Eilberg presents her Valley Beit Midrash (www.valleybeitmidrash.org) lecture ” Seeing You is Like Seeing the Face of God: Healing Interpersonal Conflict” at Congregation Or Tzion (www.congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.

Learning Materials: bit.ly/2nfaagA
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For more info, please visit:
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https://www.facebook.com/OrTzionAZ/
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Tags

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

09/05/17

Finding Your Spiritual Calling

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Amy Eilberg on the topic of “Finding Your Spiritual Calling.”

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

Middot for Living in Troubled Times

Rabbi Amy Eilberg presents her lecture “Middot for Living in Troubled Times” before an audience at The New Shul(thenewshul.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

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For more info, please visit:
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Music: “Good Starts,” a free-use public domain song by Jingle Punks, courtesy of YouTube’s Audio Library.

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Interfaith

Israel

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

09/05/17

Death, Grief & Mourning

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

09/05/17

Prisoner Re-entry, Drug Recovery, & the Building of a Jewish Halfway House

Rabbi Mark Borowitz, Senior Rabbi and the Co-Director of the Elaine Breslow Institute at Beit T’Shuvah (www.beittshuvah.org/)presents his lecture”Prisoner Re-entry, Drug Recovery, & the Building of a Jewish Halfway House: Torah & Tales” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

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Music: “Good Starts,” a free-use public domain song by Jingle Punks, courtesy of YouTube’s Audio Library.

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Interfaith

09/05/17

How Buddhism Informed My Judaism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash interviews Rabbi David Almog on the topic of How Buddhism Informed My Judaism”

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Interfaith

Jewish Ethics

09/05/17

What Is The Soul? Exploring Our Hidden Inner Wonders – Part 2

Rabbi Pinchas Allouche of Congregation Beth Tefillah (bethtefillahaz.org/) presents the second part of his class series “What Is The Soul? Exploring Our Hidden Inner Wonders!” before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2m7JoKD

For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
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www.facebook.com/rabbiallouche/

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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

What Is The Soul? Exploring Our Hidden Inner Wonders – Part 1

Rabbi Pinchas Allouche of Congregation Beth Tefillah (bethtefillahaz.org/) presents the first part of his class series “What Is The Soul? Exploring Our Hidden Inner Wonders!” before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Avi Weiss, founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School (http://www.yctorah.org/), Yeshivat Maharat (http://www.yeshivatmaharat.org/), the International Rabbinical Fellowship http://internationalrabbinicfellowship.org/), spiritual leader of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (http://www.thebayit.org/), & a founding committee member for PORAT: People For Orthodox Renaissance and Torah (http://poratonline.org/). In this video, Rabbi Yanklowitz & Rabbi Weiss discuss the dimensions and scope of Open Orthodoxy in contemporary Jewish thought.

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LGBTQ+

Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/05/17

Spiritual Activism: Leadership in the 21st Century

Rabbi Avi Weiss, Founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (www.yctorah.org/) Yeshivat Maharat (www.yeshivatmaharat.org/), International Rabbinical Fellowship (internationalrabbinicfellowship.org/) & the Coalition for Jewish Concerns – Amcha, presents his lecture “Spiritual Activism: Leadership in the 21st Century” before audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

Tags

Activism & Tikkun Olam (History & Methodology)

09/05/17

Our Soul in this World and the Next

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz) President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz, Spiritual Leader of Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin, CA (http://www.cbi18.org/), on the topic of the Jewish conception of the afterlife. Rabbi Spitz is the author of “Does the Soul Survive: A Jewish Journey to Belief in Afterlife, Past Lives & Living with Purpose” published by Jewish Lights (http://amzn.to/1OAf6Ft).

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

Orthodox Sage: Women May Be Rabbis & May Read from the Torah

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber of Bar-Ilan University.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

Rabbi Rami Shapiro (www.rabbirami.com/) presents his lecture “JudaismNext” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

Tags

Israel

Jewish Community

Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/05/17

Lincoln and the Jews

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz,, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, sits down with Professor Jonathan Sarna, the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University, to discuss American Jewish history and the role it has played to shape American Jewish life as we know it today.

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Politics & Government

09/05/17

Lincoln & The Jews

Valley Beit Midrash presents Professor Jonathan D. Sarna’s (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Sarna)lecture entitled “Lincoln & The Jews.” Professor Sarna is the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History in the department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. Learn more about Professor Sarna’s work HERE: bit.ly/1O9c25g

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The book that inspired this podcast can be purchased HERE: amzn.to/1OZOmAp

To learn more about Valley Beit Midrash and our upcoming events, and to hear more podcasts, please visit www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

History

Politics & Government

09/05/17

The First Black, Gay Yiddish Opera Singer

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Anthony Russell (http://www.anthonyrussellbass.com/) about his journey as an opera singer and preeminent arranger of classic Yiddish melodies.

Tags

Art & Culture

Jewish Community

LGBTQ+

09/05/17

Chassidic Contributions for Today

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Or, a renowned scholar & thinker and iDirector of the Center for Global Judaism at Hebrew College (http://www.hebrewcollege.edu/global-judaism), on the topic Chassidic thought for today’s world

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Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

Radical Compassion: The Mystical Teaching of Rabbi Levi Yizhak of Berditchev

Rabbi Or Rose, Director, Center for Global Judaism at Hebrew College (www.hebrewcollege.edu/global-judaism)presents his lecture “Radical Compassion: The Mystical Teaching of Rabbi Levi Yizhak of Berditchev” before a roundtable audience at Temple Solel (www.templesolel.org/) in Paradise Valley, AZ.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/1SLW0Rj

For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/templesolelaz/
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

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Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

09/05/17

Jewish View of the Afterlife

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/) President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Dr. Simcha Raphael, Founding Director of the Da’at Institute (www.daatinstitute.net/) about Jewish perspectives on the afterlife.

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

09/05/17

Exploring Jewish Views on the Afterlife

Rabbi Dr. Simcha Raphael, Founding Director of the Da’at Institute (www.daatinstitute.net/) presents his lecture “Exploring Jewish Views on the Afterlife” before an audience at Temple Solel (www.templesolel.org/) in Paradise Valley, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/1SmW5cS

For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/templesolelaz/
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/å

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Death, Grief & Mourning

09/05/17

Practical Guidelines for Conscious Living and Dying

Rabbi Dr. Simcha Raphael, Founding Director of the Da’at Institute (www.daatinstitute.net/) presents his lecture “Jacob’s Deathbed Wisdom – Practical Guidelines for Conscious Living and Dying” before an audience at Temple Kol Ami (www.templekolami.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/1pu8Wi4

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/temple.kolami.9
twitter.com/VBMTorah
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Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Jewish Ethics

09/05/17

History & Current State of Reform Judaism

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz) President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Dr. Aaron Panken, President of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the premier seminary for Reform clergy (huc.edu) on the topic of the history and current state of Reform Judaism.

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Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/05/17

Parenting Wisdom in the Talmud

Rabbi Dr. Aaron Panken, President of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion(huc.edu/), presents his lecture “Parenting Wisdom in the Talmud” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

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For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/temple.chai
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Jewish Texts

09/05/17

The Valley Beit Midrash

Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org) is a collaborative organization that brings new, exciting, and relevant Jewish programming to the Greater Phoenix Jewish community in a diverse, welcoming, engaging, and pluralistic setting. Led by President & Dean Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmuly_Yanklowitz https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz), VBM strives to bring a new level of Jewish discourse to the world.

Video produced by D Major Films, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ (http://www.dmajorfilms.com/); Music is “Kehillah Kedosha” by Dan Nichols & Eighteen (http://www.dannicholsmusic.com/) [used with permission]. Still photography by Joel Zolondek (http://www.joelzolondek.com/).
Connect with Valley Beit Midrash on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash) & Twitter (https://twitter.com/VBMPhx).

Tags

Jewish Community

09/05/17

Coming Out in the Orthodox Community

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Shonna Levine about the challenges of coming out in the Orthodox Jewish Community.

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https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Jewish Community

Jewish Ethics

LGBTQ+

09/05/17

Jewish Spirituality & Mysticism

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https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
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Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/05/17

What Really Happened on Sinai

Valley Beit Midrash (www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) is proud to present the inaugural edition of our Hammerman Family Series Lecture. We’re delighted that our first speaker was the internationally renowned thinker and author Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, who presented his lecture “The Rymanover’s Silent Aleph or What Really Happened on Sinai – The 2016 Hammerman Family Lecture” before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

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LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/1QoyCm7

For more INFO, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/temple.chai
twitter.com/VBMTorah
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09/05/17

Jewish Publishing, Magic, & Kabbalah

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/) President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Arthur Kurzweil (http://arthurkurzweil.com/), an internationally renowned author, publisher, and illusionist, about the state of modern Jewish publishing, magic vs. illusion, and the mystery of Kabbalah.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

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Art & Culture

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Mysticism & Spirituality

09/05/17

Capital Punishment in Ancient & Modern Jewish Law

Rabbi Dr. Alexander Kaye & Dr. Lynn Kaye of the Melton Center for Jewish Studies at The Ohio State University (meltoncenter.osu.edu/) present their roundtable lecture “Capital Punishment in Ancient & Modern Jewish Law” before an audience at Valley Beit Midrash (www.ValleyBeitMidrash.org)in Phoenix, AZ.

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

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Criminal Justice

09/05/17

Transformative Soul Music

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Israel based singer-songwriter Rabbi Shlomo Katz (http://www.shlomokatz.com/) about the power of music and how it affects the soul!

VISIT: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/ & https://www.facebook.com/shlomo.katz

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For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

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Art & Culture

Jewish Community

09/05/17

Judaism is Not Our Religion

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi David Kasher, Senior Rabbinic Educator at Kevah (http://kevah.org/) and writer for the blog ParshaNut (http://parshanut.com/)

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Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/05/17

Jewish Views of the Afterlife: Does the Soul Survive?

Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz of Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin, CA(www.cbi18.org) presents his Valley Beit Midrash (www.valleybeitmidrash.org) lecture “Jewish Views of the Afterlife: Does the Soul Survive” before an audience at Congregation Or Tzion (congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.

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For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/cbi18
https://www.facebook.com/OrTzionAZ/twitter.com/VBMTorah
twitter.com/cbi18
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

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Death, Grief & Mourning

09/05/17

Welcoming the New Jewish Family

Avraham Infeld, President Emeritus of Hillel International (www.hillel.org/, presents his lecture “Welcoming the New Jewish Family” before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ. Event in partnership with HoneymoonIsrael (www.honeymoonisrael.org/)

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For more info, please visit:
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www.facebook.com/honeymoonisraelfoundation
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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/05/17

The Major Mistake of the American Jewish Community

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Avraham Infeld, President Emeritus of Hillel International (http://www.hillel.org/), about the major mistakes found in the American Jewish Community.

What’s So Divine About Divine Law?

Professor Christine Hayes of Yale University (religiousstudies.yale.edu/) presents her Valley Beit Midrash (www.valleybeitmidrash.org) lecture “What’s So Divine About Divine Law?” at Congregation Or Tzion (congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.

Learning Materials: bit.ly/1We6clB

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For more info, please visit:
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https://www.facebook.com/OrTzionAZ/twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

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Jewish Law

09/05/17

Halacha and Homosexuality

**Mature Subject Matter** – This interview contains frank discussion of a sexual nature. Viewer Discretion Advised.

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Rahel Berkovits of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Learning (http://www.pardes.org.il/), an expert in Jewish law & sexuality.

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For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

For follow the Pardes Institute of Jewish Learning VISIT:
https://www.facebook.com/pardesinstitute
&
Tweets by pardesinstitute

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Halacha (Jewish Law) & Mitzvot

LGBTQ+

Learn more about Valley Beit Midrash’s exiting programming HERE: www.valleybeitmidrash.org/

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Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/02/17

Seek My Face, Speak My Name: A Judaism for Today’s Seeker

Thursday, March 19, 2015 Scottsdale, AZ Valley Beit Midrash
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Spirituality, Belief & Theology

09/02/17

Whose Jerusalem: The Holy City in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Valley Beit Midrash Presents “WHOSE JERUSALEM: The Holy City in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam” by Rabbi Dr. Reuven Firestone of Hebrew Union College – Los Angeles.

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Interfaith

Israel

The Bible in University Education

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Professor Christine Hayes of Yale University (http://religiousstudies.yale.edu/) about studying the Bible in a university setting.

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For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

College and University

Education

Interview

09/01/17

The Moses of Midrash: God’s Partner or Adversary

Professor Christine Hayes of Yale University presents “The Moses of Midrash: God’s Partner or Adversary” for The Women’s Jewish Learning Center(womenlearning.org/) & Valley Beit Midrash (www.valleybeitmidrash.org) at Congregation Or Tzion (congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
Learning Materials: bit.ly/1SRpiv0

For more info, please visit: www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
https://www.facebook.com/OrTzionAZ/
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/thewomensjewishlearningcenter
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Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Jewish Texts

09/01/17

Healing The Heart of Conflict

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Dr. Marc Gopin, Marc Gopin, the Director of the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution (CRDC) & the James H. Laue Professor at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University (http://crdc.gmu.edu/) about conflict resolution and seeking peace building strategies across the globe.

To purchase Professor Gopin’s book, “Healing the Heart of Conflict: 8 Crucial Steps to Making Peace with Yourself and Others” go HERE: http://amzn.to/1SylFXL

DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

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Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

09/01/17

Seven Steps Toward a Less Violent World: A View From Science & Torah

Rabbi Dr. Marc Gopin ,Director of the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution (CRDC), the James H. Laue Professor at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University (crdc.gmu.edu/), presents his lecture “Seven Steps Toward A Less Violent World: A View From Science & Torah” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
Learning Materials: bit.ly/1VnSLRa

To watch Professor Gopin’s TEDx talk about peacemaking, go HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMaaWYOckjE

For more info, please visit:
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www.facebook.com/temple.chai
twitter.com/VBMTorah
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Tags

Science & Technology

War, Weapons, Violence & Peace

09/01/17

Trauma, Torah & History

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (http://www.rabbishmuly.com/), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Professor Joel Gereboff (ASU; HUC) about Jewish perspectives on dealing with trauma.

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For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

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History

Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being

Sociology of the Jewish Community

09/01/17

Is Forgiveness Necessary for Interpersonal Reconciliation

Professor Joel Gereboff of Arizona State University & Hebrew Union College presents his lecture “Is Forgiveness Necessary for Interpersonal Reconciliation: Lessons from Talmudic Stories” before an audience at Temple Kol Ami (www.templekolami.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/1q5qBNj

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Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

09/01/17

End-Of-Life Preparation

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz) President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Dr. Michelle Friedman, Founder, and Chair of the Department of Pastoral Counseling at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School (http://www.yctorah.org/).

Tags

Death, Grief & Mourning

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

09/01/17

If Two-State is Dead, What’s the Alternative?

Yishai Fleisher (yishaifleisher.com/), international spokesperson for the Jewish community of Hebron, radio host, & columnist presents his Valley Beit Midrash lecture “If Two-State is Dead, What’s the Alternative?” at Congregation Beth Tefillah (bethtefillahaz.org/) in Scottsdale, AZ.

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Israel

09/01/17

Jews & Higher Education

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanlowitz, President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/) interviews Rabbi Dr. Josh Feigelson, Founder & Director of Ask Big Questions (http://askbigquestions.org/) on the topic of Jews in Higher Education.

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For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE:
https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash
https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz

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Education

09/01/17

Drinking from Elijah’s Cup

Rabbi Danny Nevins presents his Valley Beit Midrash (www.valleybeitmidrash.org) lecture “Drinking from Elijah’s Cup” at Congregation Or Tzion (www.congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.

Learning Materials: bit.ly/2oO6TJc
DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For more info, please visit:
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www.facebook.com/Congregation-Or-…on-103351795773/
twitter.com/VBMTorah
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Holidays: Pesach

04/06/17

Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in the Frustration, Boredom, Tears, Poop, Desperation, Wonder, and Radical Amazement of Parenting

Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, Rabbi-in-Residence at Avodah (avodah.net/), an organization dedicated to creating leaders for economic justice, presents her Valley Beit Midrash (www.valleybeitmidrash.org) lecture “Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in the Frustration, Boredom, Tears, Poop, Desperation, Wonder, and Radical Amazement of Parenting” at Congregation Or Tzion (congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.

Learning Materials: bit.ly/2lPeWjr
DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP
To PURCHASE Rabbi Ruttenberg’s book, please visit: amzn.to/2fEMwps

For more info, please visit:
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www.facebook.com/Congregation-Or-…on-103351795773/
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

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Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

03/06/17

What Jews Can Learn From Christian Poets

Dr. Gillian Steinberg presents her Valley Beit Midrash (www.valleybeitmidrash.org) lecture “What Jews Can Learn From Christian Poets” at Congregation Or Tzion (congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.

Learning Materials: bit.ly/2lQmea5

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Art & Culture

Interfaith

02/27/17

Reel Theology: “The King’s Speech”

Professor Wendy Zierler of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion presents her lecture “Reel Theology: What we can learn about Moses’ leadership and the Word of God from ‘The King’s Speech'” before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/2jV6cb9
CLIP 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrdJqrKBwZ4
CLIP 2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=emEyiN4lyIY
CLIP 3: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DazoNzie3Zo

DONATE: bit.ly/1NmpbsP

For more info, please visit:
www.facebook.com/valleybeitmidrash/
www.facebook.com/HebrewUnionColle…ituteofReligion/
www.facebook.com/temple.chai
twitter.com/VBMTorah
www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz/

Music: “Good Starts,” a free-use public domain song by Jingle Punks, courtesy of YouTube’s Audio Library.

NOTE: The Queen Mother’s full name was Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon.

Tags

Art & Culture

01/15/17

Is There a Right to Die? Physician-Assisted Suicide in Jewish Thought

Professor David Novak of the University of Toronto presents his lecture” Is There a Right to Die? Physician-Assisted Suicide in Jewish Thought” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

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Professor David N. Myers presents his lecture ” American Shtetl: Kiryas Joel, a Hasidic Town in Suburban New York” before a roundtable audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.

Learning Materials: bit.ly/2eiYcCh

(Slideshow presentation)

Music: “Good Starts,” a free-use public domain song by Jingle Punks, courtesy of YouTube’s Audio Library.

Tags

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Sociology of the Jewish Community

11/07/16

On Being a Good Person in a Morally Complicated World

Aaron the Cohen: Peacemaking and Leadership in the Jewish Community

Rabbi Haggai Resnikoff, Director of Community Learning at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School (www.yctorah.org) presents his lecture “Aaron the Cohen: Peacemaking and Leadership in the Jewish Community” before a roundtable audience at Temple Solel (www.templesolel.org/) in Paradise Valley, AZ.

LEARNING MATERIALS: bit.ly/1TAh37L

Tags

Biblical Figures, Notable Rabbis, and Influential People

Family, Marriage, Children & Friendship

Kabbalah, Mysticism, Chassidut & Mussar

Kindness, Self-Growth & Being a Good Person

11/04/15

A Pluralistic Israel

Rabbi Dr. Seth Farber (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_Farber) is the Founder & Director of ITIM: The Jewish-Life Information Center (http://www.itim.org.il/en/). He sat down with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz), President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, to discuss his career in advocating for a more pluralistic society in Israel.

Learn more about ITIM:
https://www.facebook.com/www.itim.org.il

Tags

Israel

10/01/15