Join the Drisha Network
Part-Time Continuing Education Classes for Co-Ed
Bible
Book of Genesis: Joseph
We will conduct a close reading of the Joseph narratives in the Book of Genesis.
David Silber
Sundays, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Course Dates: January 29, February 5, 12, 26, March 11, 18, 25, April 22, 29, May 6.
Tuition: $250
Prophets and Politics
We will look at narratives and prophecies from the Bible where religious values and Realpolitik are both involved. We will see prophets who speak truth to power, get arrested, and even fall victim to murder, but also examples where the prophets seem to have the ear of the ruling powers and affect politics directly. We will use biblical and other evidence to reconstruct the social realities of ancient times which animated the lives of the prophets and of all of Israel.
Aaron Koller
Mondays, 7:45 PM - 9:15 PM
Course Dates: January 30, February 6, 13, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 23, 30, May 7.
Tuition: $325
Parashat HaShavua
We will analyze and discuss an issue, theme, or text in the weekly Torah reading.
Regular price: $275. Special spring price: $180 for 11 sessions; $18 per class.
David Silber
Wednesdays, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Course Dates: February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, March 14, 21, April 18, 25, May 2, 9.
Tuition: $180
NEW INITIATIVE- Parshanut Personalities: Parashat HaShavua through the Eyes of Commentaries
Come explore the world of parshanut as it is applied to the weekly Torah portion. Each class will focus on the parasha from the perspective of one commentator, his methodology, and historical context. Gain a better understanding of a number of different commentators and a deeper appreciation of learning Tanakh with commentary.
Featuring: Aaron Koller on the Rashbam, Nathaniel Helfgot on the Abrabanel, David Silber on the Ramban, Gilah Kletenik on Martin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig, and Tammy Jacobowitz on Midrash.
$5 per session. To register for individual sessions please contact the office at inquiry@drisha.org or 212-595-0307.
Aaron Koller,David Silber,Gilah Kletenik,,Nathaniel Helfgot
Tuesdays, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Course Dates: January 31, February 14, 28, March 13, 27.
Tuition: $25
Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew for Beginners
Students will learn the fundamentals of biblical Hebrew in a warm and supportive environment. Working with user-friendly materials and the original biblical text, we will explore the rules of biblical grammar and see first-hand how they allow us to understand the biblical text in the original. We will use A Basic Introduction to Biblical Hebrew: with CD (Hendrickson, 2010) by Jo Ann Hackett as our main biblical grammar book. Note: This course is a continuation from the fall semester. Students with some prior experience studying Hebrew may start with the second semester; if you are unsure, please consult with the instructor prior to registration.
Aaron Koller
Mondays, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Course Dates: January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 23, 30, May 7.
Tuition: $325
Holiday
The Annual Rapoport Family Memorial Lecture
You Were Strangers in the Land of Egypt: A Redemptive Reflection on 'Strangers' in Judaism
As Jews we are constantly reminded, “Be kind to the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” and the Pesach seder begins with the words, “Whoever is hungry, let him come and eat; whoever is in need, let him come and conduct the Seder of Passover.” Shuli Taubes will focus on developing a definition of the word ger (stranger) in Tanakh and rabbinic Judaism and its implications for how we think of ourselves in relation to the exodus from Egypt. Join us for this annual pre-Pesach lecture.
Shuli Taubes
Thursdays, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Course Dates: March 15.
Tuition: $
The Passover Haggadah: Fresh Readings of Familiar Passages
This class will focus on a fresh reading of several key passages from the Haggadah—the requirement to elaborate on telling the exodus story, the seder of the five sages in B'nei B'rak, and the four children. We will also consider the Haggadah’s view of the human role in the redemptive process, its treatment of Moses and how this all relates to the symbolism of charoset. We will conclude with a puzzle about the exodus that is guaranteed to engage seder participants, young and old.
David Arnow
Tuesdays, 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Course Dates: March 20.
Tuition: $18
'So that you will remember': A Study of the Afterlife of the Exodus Story in the Tanakh
Tammy Jacobowitz
Wednesdays, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Course Dates: March 21.
Tuition: $18
Jewish Law
Sameach TeSamach Re'im Ahuvim: Let the Loving Couple Rejoice
Attention chatanim (grooms) and kallot (brides): Study together the laws of taharat hamishpacha in preparation for your marriage. This unique class will combine the traditional study of the laws of niddah with a positive approach to marital relations. Source material from Tanakh, Gemara, and Shulkhan Arukh will be provided. Additional topics include: developing good communication skills during and outside of niddah, family planning and birth control, and interactive discussions about how to give and get the most from married life. One session, facilitated by psychologist Dr. Esther Altmann, will include role playing and concrete ideas for positive communication with your spouse. Translations will be provided for all Hebrew texts.
Class is $360 per couple.
Ben Sandler,Shuli Sandler
Sundays, 10:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Course Dates: February 12, 26, March 4, 11, 18, 25.
Tuition: $360
New Initiative
Finding the Anchor: Fiction Writing Workshop
part of the Arts Workshop Series
In this class, we will explore ways to navigate and draw inspiration from source text. How can generative images help spark the creative process and anchor a work? Students will write a piece in class and have the opportunity to share their work with the group.
Nicole Fix
Wednesdays, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Course Dates: March 14.
Tuition: $18
Translation and Creation: From Text to Stage
part of the Arts Workshop Series
Hebrew, Lashon Kadosh, the Holy Tongue, is for many of us a gate which locks us out from the rich and complex meanings in many of our most beloved and sacred texts. This workshop will focus on methods for engaging with Jewish texts by wrestling with the language. Through the holy struggle of translation, we will unpack the meaning embedded in the simplest of words, and from this wellspring, we will create midrashim of our own. Translation will become Creation! Focusing on the text of Yedid Nefesh, the poem which opens Kabbalat Shabbat, composer/playwright Bronwen Mullin will lead participants through exercises in creative translation and midrash-making. Included in this workshop is a performance of Bronwen's original work based on this piyyut, "Two Little Lights" (Drisha Arts Fellowship 2011) and a Q&A with its cast and creators.
Bronwen Mullin
Wednesdays, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Course Dates: April 18.
Tuition: $18
Talmud & Rabbinics
Advanced Gemara
Topics in Bava Metzia
We will concentrate on topics related to the obligations and liabilities of a shomer as well as laws concerning the different methods of acquisition. Each session will begin with havruta (partner) learning followed by shiur (class).
Moshe Kahn
Tuesdays, 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Course Dates: January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 24, May 1, 8.
Tuition: $400
Beginners' Gemara: Enacting Death Penalties: The Sixth Chapter of Sanhedrin
In Makkot, we are told that a Sanhedrin that condemns a single person to death in 70 years is considered bloodthirsty. However, the chapter of Nigmar Hadin is all about proper procedure for putting people to death, suggesting a well developed system. How do we understand this tension in the rabbinic mind? Were there any loopholes that were meant to save those who should otherwise be condemned? Come explore these questions while building skills for independent Gemara learning.
Rachel Rosenthal
Tuesdays, 6:15 PM - 8:00 PM
Course Dates: January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 24, May 1, 8.
Tuition: $400
