High Holy Day University
We invite members of Congregation Neveh Shalom and the whole Portland Jewish community to take advantage of the entire Hebrew month of Elul beginning September 1 to prepare themselves body and soul through study and self- examination for entrance into the sacred season of the Days of Awe.
All courses are open to the public. Neveh Shalom members: $18 donation requested. Non-Members: a one-time $18 registration fee allows you to attend any/all of the classes. Refreshments will be served.
All classes will be held at: Congregation Neveh Shalom. For information, contact JoAnn Bezodis at 503-293-7309 or jbezodis@nevehshalom.org
Download entire list classes and registration form
| Sundays |
| Elayne Shapiro & Dale Oller The Days of Awe: Is it easier to ask God for forgiveness than another person? Sunday, Sept. 7, 10:00-11:30am This workshop is designed to provoke thought for people struggling with forgiveness. We will touch on both unilateral and bi-lateral forgiveness in a Jewish context. We will use exercises to explore unforgiveness and obstacles to asking for and receiving forgiveness Lois Shenker offers parents of young children a guide to the High Holidays. This session is co-sponsored by Neveh Shalom Babies group and The Mothers Circle. As a sample session of The Mothers Circle, this session is especially, although not exclusively, open to interfaith families in our community. Contact Caron Rothstein, crothstein@nevehshalom.org or 503-246-8831 x139 for more information. |
| Mondays |
| Amy Katz V'achalta, V'savata, Uverachta: Eat, be Satisfied, Bless Mondays, Sept. 15 & 22, 7:00-8:00pm What do Jewish texts have to say about the idea of eating with a sense of joy and gratitude? Is it possible to live a satisfying Jewish life that include enjoying all of the wonderful foods, and still maintain optimal health and live at ease in our own bodies at our ideal weight? Of course! Come explore what both ancient and modern texts have to say about living a healthy life. Learn how to enjoy holiday foods without weight gain or guilt. Let this be the year that you become healthy while kneading your challah and eating it too! Susan Bernstein Ilene Safyan |
| Tuesdays |
| Cantor Linda Shivers Jewish Meditation in Preparation for the High Holy Days Tuesdays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, & 23 at 12:00 noon Judaism has a long history of many forms of meditation. Try them out and see how they enhance your appreciation of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosana Berdichevsky and Gershon Liberman Create your own translation by exploring different authors’ English translations of the text along with reading the Hebrew and applying storah-telling techniques to learn the process. Michael Weingrad "I have placed it above all my hymns, and call it Kingdom's Crown." The great 11th-century poet and philosopher Ibn Gabirol composed this rending and symphonic poem of God's majesty and individual penitence. A thousand years later it is still read on Yom Kippur in many Sephardic congregations. We will look at excerpts in the Hebrew original and in Peter Cole's modern English translation. Gary Fiske Based Tractate Rosh Hashanah this class will explore how the rabbis understood judgment and how they confronted similar issues to the ones we face today. Natan Meir This course will take a look at a number of different sources that describe folk customs practiced by Jews in the shtetlekh of Eastern Europe in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. We will discuss the origin and meaning of these practices in their original context and whether they might have relevance for our Jewish lives today. |
| Wednesdays |
| Eddy Shuldman Writing your way to Teshuvah Wednesdays, Sept. 10 & 17 from 7:00-8:00pm For those who wish to express their prayers in a more personal form, we will look at the poetry and prayers that have been written for these Holy Days and then through some activities we can find our own words to ask for forgiveness. Mark Sherman Rabbi Daniel Isaak As we enter the crescendo of Yom Kippur afternoon, the book of Jonah is a particularly unlikely prophetic choice. On this most particularlist of sacred Jewish Holy Days, the message is uniquely universalist. Jonah’s prophecy consists of a mere five words. Rather than God’s emissary, Jonah becomes the object lesson in learning of God’s love for all humanity. No other Biblical book provides the direction that Jonah does on how we are obligated to relate to the other. |
| Thursdays |
| Sylvia Frankel A Text Reading of the Akedah Thursdays, Sept. 4 & 11, 7:00-8:00pm In our first class, we will read the Torah text and identify the difficulties in Genesis 22:1-19.The following week we will look at a selection of commentaries from the Talmudic, Medieval, Hasidic and modern times. Barbara Schwartz Using passages from Hilchot Teshuvah (Mishnah Torah Vol. 4), we will examine what Maimonides has to say about teshuvah (repentance) and how we might incorporate his ideas into our personal Jewish philosophies. In addition, we will consider some concrete practices that will elevate teshuvah from a once a year activity, to a regular part of our lives. Hebrew is a fundamental building block for feeling at home in Judaism. This 3-week crash-course teaches mnemonic devices to learn and remember the letters and vowels of the Hebrew alef-bet, taught in a lively and engaging way, so that you can make your way more easily through a siddur (and around a dreydl), help reinforce your children's learning, and gain an important step towards literacy as a Jewish adult. Taught by the director of Kochavim and Notz'tzim, Neveh Shalom's unique Hebrew immersion programs for 0-8 year olds. Steve Wasserstrom Franz Rosenzweig (1886-1929), wrote profoundly on the meaning of repentance on Yom Kippur. We will read a short commentary that Rosenzweig wrote on a synagogue hymn for that day. The joy of our New Year's Day is reflected in our holiday's food customs. Make your own delicious and beautiful crown challah, honey-ginger carrots, whole stuffed salmon and apple cake in this hands-on class, led by Bobbie Kramer! Learn about these special holiday food customs, festive meal planning and menus. Space is limited, so make your reservation early. Call the Neveh Shalom office at 503-246-8831 by noon on Monday, September 22. Cost for this class (which includes a $2 donation to Mazon) is $20 for Neveh Shalom members, $25 for non-members (make check payable to Neveh Shalom). For more information, please contact JoAnn at 503-293-7309. |