Calendar

TU Jan 21 | Starting Over: The High Holy Days
Focus on themes of teshuvah and personal renewal, as well as an exploration of key pieces of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur liturgy and symbolism. What to expect from a High Holy Day service? 

TU Jan 28 | Kashrut: The Original Soul Food
Outline of the practice of Kashrut—its basic rules and concepts and how to practically apply them to daily life. Focus also on the place of food in Jewish life and the practice of brachot before and after eating. 

TU Feb 4 | Philosophers, Poets, and Mystics: The Jewish Middle Ages - rescheduled to Feb 23

TU Feb 11 | Marriage, Love & Kosher Sex
Jewish rituals for sanctifying relationships, with an in-depth focus on marriage rituals. Exploration of the concept of mikvah—both for conversion and for sanctification of sexuality. What role does Jewish ethics play in defining an ethic around intimate relationships? Inclusion of LGBT Jews in contemporary Jewish life. 

TU Feb 18 | From Birth to B’nai Mitzvah: Raising a Mensch
Rituals and meaning behind Brit Milah and Simchat Bat, with a focus on the significance of circumcision both for infants and for converts. Choosing a Jewish name, again focusing on both infants and conversion. Jewish parenting and the significance (and cost) of Jewish education. The significant of the B’nai Mitzvah ceremony and Jewish teen life. 

SUN FEb 23 - DATE CHANGE | Out of the Darkness: Stories from the Holocaust
History of anti-Semitism, from Biblical stories (Purim & Hanukkah), to Jews under Christian and Muslim rule, to the advent of racial anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. Reasons for anti-Semitism. Holocaust survivor testimony and discussion of Jewish responses to the Holocaust. 

TU Feb 25 | A Time to Mourn: Traditions for Death, Grief, & Healing
The significance of Bikkur Holim and other rituals of healing. End of life issues and the Jewish approach to issues like artificial respiration, autopsy, etc. Funeral and burial practices. Shiva, shloshim, yartzeit, and the unique Jewish approach to managing grief. Jewish views on the afterlife. 

TU Mar 3 | Philosophers, Poets, and Mystics: The Jewish Middle Ages
History of Jews in the Middle Ages. Focus on the personalities of Rashi, Rambam, and Joseph Karo. Development of kabbalah, including basic explanation of the sefirot, Zohar, and Lurianic Kabbalah. What role does the contributions of the Middle Ages—literary, halakhic, and mystical play in contemporary Judaism?   

TU March  10 | Israel: Dreaming of Deliverance

The Land of Israel in Jewish life and history. Birth of Modern Zionism and the Founding of the State of Israel. Israeli culture, geography, and significant highlights. Why are American Jews so connected to Israel? How are we to understand and respond to Israel’s political challenges—with her neighbors and internally? 

TU March 17 | The Jewish Mission to Heal the World
The Jewish responsibility to bring Tikkun Olam—healing and justice to a world that has great brokenness. The value and practice of Tzedakah. The centrality of the concept of Tselem Elohim and our responsibility to preserve human dignity. 

Larry Yermack will host July 9 at 1:30 at his home, 373 Riviera Dr. San Rafael.
101 to Central San Rafael. Turn Rt on 2nd St. 3.6 miles, turn left on Riviera Dr. 0.7miles.
The book is “God and the Big Bang” by Daniel Matt

Donna Singer will host August 13.
The book is “The Sabbath “ by Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Elaine Levy will host September 10.
The book is “This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared” by Alan Lew.

We are looking for hosts for the fall months on the second Tuesday at 1:30. Hosts pick the book.

If someone wants to be added to or removed from the group emails please contact me at LindaSamuels@gmail.com.

TU Jan 21 | Starting Over: The High Holy Days
Focus on themes of teshuvah and personal renewal, as well as an exploration of key pieces of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur liturgy and symbolism. What to expect from a High Holy Day service? 

TU Jan 28 | Kashrut: The Original Soul Food
Outline of the practice of Kashrut—its basic rules and concepts and how to practically apply them to daily life. Focus also on the place of food in Jewish life and the practice of brachot before and after eating. 

TU Feb 4 | Philosophers, Poets, and Mystics: The Jewish Middle Ages - rescheduled to Feb 23

TU Feb 11 | Marriage, Love & Kosher Sex
Jewish rituals for sanctifying relationships, with an in-depth focus on marriage rituals. Exploration of the concept of mikvah—both for conversion and for sanctification of sexuality. What role does Jewish ethics play in defining an ethic around intimate relationships? Inclusion of LGBT Jews in contemporary Jewish life. 

TU Feb 18 | From Birth to B’nai Mitzvah: Raising a Mensch
Rituals and meaning behind Brit Milah and Simchat Bat, with a focus on the significance of circumcision both for infants and for converts. Choosing a Jewish name, again focusing on both infants and conversion. Jewish parenting and the significance (and cost) of Jewish education. The significant of the B’nai Mitzvah ceremony and Jewish teen life. 

SUN FEb 23 - DATE CHANGE | Out of the Darkness: Stories from the Holocaust
History of anti-Semitism, from Biblical stories (Purim & Hanukkah), to Jews under Christian and Muslim rule, to the advent of racial anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. Reasons for anti-Semitism. Holocaust survivor testimony and discussion of Jewish responses to the Holocaust. 

TU Feb 25 | A Time to Mourn: Traditions for Death, Grief, & Healing
The significance of Bikkur Holim and other rituals of healing. End of life issues and the Jewish approach to issues like artificial respiration, autopsy, etc. Funeral and burial practices. Shiva, shloshim, yartzeit, and the unique Jewish approach to managing grief. Jewish views on the afterlife. 

TU Mar 3 | Philosophers, Poets, and Mystics: The Jewish Middle Ages
History of Jews in the Middle Ages. Focus on the personalities of Rashi, Rambam, and Joseph Karo. Development of kabbalah, including basic explanation of the sefirot, Zohar, and Lurianic Kabbalah. What role does the contributions of the Middle Ages—literary, halakhic, and mystical play in contemporary Judaism?   

TU March  10 | Israel: Dreaming of Deliverance

The Land of Israel in Jewish life and history. Birth of Modern Zionism and the Founding of the State of Israel. Israeli culture, geography, and significant highlights. Why are American Jews so connected to Israel? How are we to understand and respond to Israel’s political challenges—with her neighbors and internally? 

TU March 17 | The Jewish Mission to Heal the World
The Jewish responsibility to bring Tikkun Olam—healing and justice to a world that has great brokenness. The value and practice of Tzedakah. The centrality of the concept of Tselem Elohim and our responsibility to preserve human dignity. 

TU Jan 21 | Starting Over: The High Holy Days
Focus on themes of teshuvah and personal renewal, as well as an exploration of key pieces of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur liturgy and symbolism. What to expect from a High Holy Day service? 

TU Jan 28 | Kashrut: The Original Soul Food
Outline of the practice of Kashrut—its basic rules and concepts and how to practically apply them to daily life. Focus also on the place of food in Jewish life and the practice of brachot before and after eating. 

TU Feb 4 | Philosophers, Poets, and Mystics: The Jewish Middle Ages - rescheduled to Feb 23

TU Feb 11 | Marriage, Love & Kosher Sex
Jewish rituals for sanctifying relationships, with an in-depth focus on marriage rituals. Exploration of the concept of mikvah—both for conversion and for sanctification of sexuality. What role does Jewish ethics play in defining an ethic around intimate relationships? Inclusion of LGBT Jews in contemporary Jewish life. 

TU Feb 18 | From Birth to B’nai Mitzvah: Raising a Mensch
Rituals and meaning behind Brit Milah and Simchat Bat, with a focus on the significance of circumcision both for infants and for converts. Choosing a Jewish name, again focusing on both infants and conversion. Jewish parenting and the significance (and cost) of Jewish education. The significant of the B’nai Mitzvah ceremony and Jewish teen life. 

SUN FEb 23 - DATE CHANGE | Out of the Darkness: Stories from the Holocaust
History of anti-Semitism, from Biblical stories (Purim & Hanukkah), to Jews under Christian and Muslim rule, to the advent of racial anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. Reasons for anti-Semitism. Holocaust survivor testimony and discussion of Jewish responses to the Holocaust. 

TU Feb 25 | A Time to Mourn: Traditions for Death, Grief, & Healing
The significance of Bikkur Holim and other rituals of healing. End of life issues and the Jewish approach to issues like artificial respiration, autopsy, etc. Funeral and burial practices. Shiva, shloshim, yartzeit, and the unique Jewish approach to managing grief. Jewish views on the afterlife. 

TU Mar 3 | Philosophers, Poets, and Mystics: The Jewish Middle Ages
History of Jews in the Middle Ages. Focus on the personalities of Rashi, Rambam, and Joseph Karo. Development of kabbalah, including basic explanation of the sefirot, Zohar, and Lurianic Kabbalah. What role does the contributions of the Middle Ages—literary, halakhic, and mystical play in contemporary Judaism?   

TU March  10 | Israel: Dreaming of Deliverance

The Land of Israel in Jewish life and history. Birth of Modern Zionism and the Founding of the State of Israel. Israeli culture, geography, and significant highlights. Why are American Jews so connected to Israel? How are we to understand and respond to Israel’s political challenges—with her neighbors and internally? 

TU March 17 | The Jewish Mission to Heal the World
The Jewish responsibility to bring Tikkun Olam—healing and justice to a world that has great brokenness. The value and practice of Tzedakah. The centrality of the concept of Tselem Elohim and our responsibility to preserve human dignity. 

TU Jan 21 | Starting Over: The High Holy Days
Focus on themes of teshuvah and personal renewal, as well as an exploration of key pieces of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur liturgy and symbolism. What to expect from a High Holy Day service? 

TU Jan 28 | Kashrut: The Original Soul Food
Outline of the practice of Kashrut—its basic rules and concepts and how to practically apply them to daily life. Focus also on the place of food in Jewish life and the practice of brachot before and after eating. 

TU Feb 4 | Philosophers, Poets, and Mystics: The Jewish Middle Ages - rescheduled to Feb 23

TU Feb 11 | Marriage, Love & Kosher Sex
Jewish rituals for sanctifying relationships, with an in-depth focus on marriage rituals. Exploration of the concept of mikvah—both for conversion and for sanctification of sexuality. What role does Jewish ethics play in defining an ethic around intimate relationships? Inclusion of LGBT Jews in contemporary Jewish life. 

TU Feb 18 | From Birth to B’nai Mitzvah: Raising a Mensch
Rituals and meaning behind Brit Milah and Simchat Bat, with a focus on the significance of circumcision both for infants and for converts. Choosing a Jewish name, again focusing on both infants and conversion. Jewish parenting and the significance (and cost) of Jewish education. The significant of the B’nai Mitzvah ceremony and Jewish teen life. 

SUN FEb 23 - DATE CHANGE | Out of the Darkness: Stories from the Holocaust
History of anti-Semitism, from Biblical stories (Purim & Hanukkah), to Jews under Christian and Muslim rule, to the advent of racial anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. Reasons for anti-Semitism. Holocaust survivor testimony and discussion of Jewish responses to the Holocaust. 

TU Feb 25 | A Time to Mourn: Traditions for Death, Grief, & Healing
The significance of Bikkur Holim and other rituals of healing. End of life issues and the Jewish approach to issues like artificial respiration, autopsy, etc. Funeral and burial practices. Shiva, shloshim, yartzeit, and the unique Jewish approach to managing grief. Jewish views on the afterlife. 

TU Mar 3 | Philosophers, Poets, and Mystics: The Jewish Middle Ages
History of Jews in the Middle Ages. Focus on the personalities of Rashi, Rambam, and Joseph Karo. Development of kabbalah, including basic explanation of the sefirot, Zohar, and Lurianic Kabbalah. What role does the contributions of the Middle Ages—literary, halakhic, and mystical play in contemporary Judaism?   

TU March  10 | Israel: Dreaming of Deliverance

The Land of Israel in Jewish life and history. Birth of Modern Zionism and the Founding of the State of Israel. Israeli culture, geography, and significant highlights. Why are American Jews so connected to Israel? How are we to understand and respond to Israel’s political challenges—with her neighbors and internally? 

TU March 17 | The Jewish Mission to Heal the World
The Jewish responsibility to bring Tikkun Olam—healing and justice to a world that has great brokenness. The value and practice of Tzedakah. The centrality of the concept of Tselem Elohim and our responsibility to preserve human dignity.