The Gwendolyn and Joseph Straus School
for Continuing Education
For women.
The following three courses are listed in order of increasing difficulty.
Beginners’ Parshanut: The Adventures of Joseph in Egypt
This class will introduce students to the study of parshanut (biblical exegesis). Using the Joseph narratives as our text, we will engage with biblical commentators such as Rashi, Ramban, and others in seeking to uncover layers of meaning within the stories. We will focus on strengthening skills in reading, translating, and analyzing the biblical text and commentaries. This class is intended for students with some knowledge of Hebrew (reading, navigating a dictionary) but no previous experience studying biblical texts or commentaries in the original Hebrew. Please bring a Torat Hayyim, Sefer Bereishit, Volume II.
Sarah Rudolph
Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
14-week course: January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13.
Tuition: $350
Parshanut I– Commandments Between Human Beings: A Program of Intensive Bible Study
Through an in-depth study of Torah texts and commentary, we will explore the explore the interpersonal commandments given at Mt. Sinai. Each class will consist of guided, independent preparation of biblical texts and commentaries (havruta), followed by analysis and class discussion (shiur). This class is intended for students with knowledge of biblical Hebrew and previous experience studying biblical text and commentaries in Hebrew. Please bring a Torat Hayyim, Sefer Shemot, Volume I. Note: class begins February 4.
Rachel Friedman
Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
13-week course: February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13.
Tuition: $325
Parshanut II– The Biblical Festivals: A Program of Intensive Bible Study
Through an in-depth study of selected Torah texts and commentaries, we will explore the celebration of the Israelite festivals in the Torah and Tanakh. Each class will consist of guided, independent preparation of biblical texts and commentaries (havruta), followed by analysis and class discussion (shiur). This class is intended for students with knowledge of biblical Hebrew and previous experience studying biblical texts and commentaries in Hebrew. Please bring a Torat Hayyim, Sefer Shemot, Volume II. Note: class begins February 1.
Rachel Friedman
Monday, Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
25-session course: February 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 22, 24, March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, April 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, May 3, 5, 10, 12.
Tuition: $800
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The Book of Genesis: Noah and Abraham
We will conduct an in-depth analysis of the biblical narratives which describe the recreation of the world and the beginnings of the patriarchal family.
David Silber
Sunday, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
8-week course: January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, March 7, 14, 21.
Tuition: $200
Major Themes in Melakhim Bet
We will conduct an analysis of the second Book of Kings with a focus on Elisha, Chiskiahu, and Yoshiahu and the events that lead to eventual exile.
David Silber
Tuesday, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
14-week course: January 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11.
Tuition: $350
Parashat HaShavua
We will engage in a careful study of one or two key issues in the weekly parasha (Torah portion), focusing on the literary-theological message that emerges from the text. In addition we will make use of the best insights from both classical and modern exegesis (biblical commentary) of the Torah.
Nathaniel Helfgot
Tuesday, 11:10 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.
14-week course: January 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11.
Tuition: $350
Kriat HaTorah
We will study of the essential elements of ritual Torah reading and examine some of the Torah readings of the Jewish holidays.
David Silber
Thursday, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
14-week course: January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13.
Tuition: 350
Biblical Hebrew: The Language of the Generations
This intensive language program is designed to immerse students in classical sources as they study biblical Hebrew. It provides an excellent means to develop basic language skills for Torah study. Please call for placement information.
Biblical Hebrew: Level I (Beginner)
In a supportive and encouraging environment, students will develop the ability to read biblical texts by learning biblical grammar and vocabulary. We will use the First Hebrew Primer as our main biblical Hebrew grammar book. We will explore how and why the rules of biblical grammar developed. Note: This course is a continuation from the fall semester; new students are welcome. Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew print, script and vowels.
Yitzhak Berger
Monday, Wednesday, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
27-session course: January 25, 27, February 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 22, 24, March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, April 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, May 3, 5, 10, 12.
Tuition: $800
Biblical Hebrew: Level II (Intermediate)
This course is intended to develop students’ ability to read and understand the Bible in its original language. The semester will be divided between review of grammatical forms and readings in biblical texts. Intended for students who have completed a year of biblical Hebrew or who have some proficiency in reading and translation.
Note: This course is a continuation from the fall semester; new students are welcome.
Yitzhak Berger
Monday, Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
27-session course: January 25, 27, February 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 22, 24, March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, April 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, May 3, 5, 10, 12.
Tuition: $800
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. 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
Monday, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
13-week course: January 25, February 1, 8, 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, April 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10.
Tuition: $325
Introduction to Halacha: Topics in Bein Adam Le’Chaveiro (Interpersonal Relationships)
For many, the word “halacha” suggests laws of Shabbat, kashrut, and other rules in the broad category of “bein adam le’Makom,” “between man and God.” However, the world of interpersonal relations is of no less concern in halachic literature – subject to the same legislative precision as any other area of conduct. Focusing on topics such as respect for elders, charity, and others, we will develop skills in tracing halacha through the texts from the Torah to the Talmud, medieval scholars, and beyond.
Sarah Rudolph
Monday, Wednesday, 1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
27-session course: January 25, 27, February 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 22, 24, March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, April 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, May 3, 5, 10, 12.
Tuition: $800
Daily Prayers
Through a careful analysis of the main sections of the weekday liturgy – birkot ha-shachar, pesukei d’zimra, the Amidah and the Shema along with its attendant berachot – we will learn to appreciate the depths of meaning contained within the siddur. We will systematically analyze the meaning and the origin of each tefillah, (prayer).
Jeffrey Fox
Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
14-week course: January 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14.
Tuition: $350
Introduction to Mishnah and Talmud
We will examine the mishnayot of Masechet Rosh haShanah and the first chapter of the Gemara of Masechet Berachot. We will study the Mishnah as a self contained document and introduce some basic issues in method of Mishnah and Talmud study. Through close readings of the Talmud, students will gain access to the way the Talmud thinks about the Mishnah, halacha and life in general.
Jeffrey Fox
Tuesday, Thursday, 1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
28-session course: January 26, 28, February 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, March 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, April 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29, May 4, 6, 11, 13
Tuition: $800
