SPRING 2011

1/25: The Dirt on Dirt
In honor of Tu Bishvat - a closer look at soil as a nurturing environment for growth

2/1: Bentsching / Birkat HaMazon
studying the first paragraph of Grace after Meals (the one we always sing aloud)

2/8: SmartPhone Spirituality
The current computing revolution has meaningful soul messages, too

2/15: The Ben-Ish Chai
The life and teachings of a beloved Sephardic Rabbi from Baghdad in the 1800's

3/1: Seinfeld's Jewish Messages
Originally created by Laura Novello ('07) and Rabbi Mendel, we're bringing back this class for 2011.
Featured episodes are: The Mohel, The Gossiping Rabbi, The Lobster Incident and The Anti-Dentite

3/8: The Always Bookends
Rema's (R' Moshe Isserless) opens and closes the Code of Jewish Law with bookend statements

3/15: Gratitude in Relationships
What it does for love, friendship, customers and the Purim story.

3/22: R' Yochanon ben Zakkai
pivotal Jewish figure in historic transitional period at the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple

3/29: The Giving Up Argument
by Moshe Rubin in honor of his 11th birthday
a beginners piece of Talmud in the 2nd chapter of Bava Metziah

4/5: Speak No Evil
by Aron Cepler, a class on the impact of gossip and negative speech

4/12: Haggadah Insights
take something insightful home to share at your Seder

5/3: FontCast - Student Papers
Did you write a paper on a Jewish theme? something related to a Jewish topic?
Get it "published" and 3 will be chosen to share in synopsis form at the last Torah-Tues of the semester.

FALL 2010
Torah Tuesday Schedule (5:45 or 8:45pm)

8/31: Rosh Hashanah’s 3 Blessings
Explore the core of RH’s Amidah using a computer analogy. Plus Packet-Packing.

9/14: The Ten Martyrs
by Ben Zaionetz on Background & Insights into a highlight of the Yom Kippur Service

9/28: Soup & Study in the Sukkah
8pm only. Traditional “Late-Night Hoshana Raba” study.

10/5: Many Faces of Orthodoxy
movements, groups, schools of thought, styles, stereotypes

10/12: The Bose Shema I
Better “Hear O’ Israel” Through Research.

10/19: The Bose Shema II
Better “Hear O’ Israel” Through Research.

10/26: A Jewish Wedding
Laws, Customs & Traditions of a Jewish Wedding Ceremony.

11/2: Tanya’s “Inside-Outside” I
Meaningful Chassidic insight into seeking inward for soul & spirituality in self, our fellows and the world around us.

11/9: Tanya’s “Inside-Outside” II
Meaningful Chassidic insight into seeking inward for soul & spirituality in self, our fellows and the world around us.

11/16: Pass it On
by Sara Rubin (& Rabbi Mendel) on her 8th birthday. Mitzvot & lessons learned from our matriarchs & patriarchs.
(based on the current "Pass It On" billboard campaign by Values.com)

11/30: A Spin on Toy-Story
Packing Dreidels for Quads & a No Jew Left Behind twist.

12/7: Hillel vs. Shammai
Talmudic selections of their Halachic arguments.

SPRING 2010
Torah Tuesday Schedule

1/26: Are We Avatars?
This popular hit movie may have a profound Chassidic message!

2/2: Rabbi Eliezer the Great
Talmud selections on the life, times and teachings of the
fiercely independent R' Eliezer ben Hurkanus of the Mishna

2/9: Sinai put Jews in a...
by guest presenter Rabbi Joel Zeff of Yeshivat HaMivtar in Israel

2/23: Purim's Supporting Actors
Aside for Queen Esther and Mordechai, other lesser-known folks
play important roles in the story, too. Find out about Charvonah, Zeresh etc..
plus - we'll pack Purim Packets (Hamantaschen, Graggers) for all Quad Dining Halls

3/2: Topic TBA
look soon for this week's Torah-Tues topic, suggestions welcome.

3/9: Secrets of Jewish Intimacy I
Jewish tips, teachings and insights into relationship harmony

3/16: Secrets of Jewish Intimacy II
boys with Rabbi Mendel, girls with Raizy for an open and frank
discussion on intimacy and Jewish observance

3/23: Maror - The Bitter Herb
Historical background, Talmudic and Halachic source texts, and modern relevance
to the bitter herb centerpiece of the Passover Seder table

4/13: Rashi on the Joseph Story
a study of selections from Rashi's commentary on the Joseph story in Genesis

4/20: Israel's Holy-Sites
take a pictorial powerpoint tour, with background and commentary
to some of Israel's oldest and holiest burial sites and what they mean to us

4/27: Principals and Agents
a case-study of a drunk delivery driver contrasting Talmudic Law
in tractate Kiddushin with contemporary American Law

FALL 2009
Torah Tuesday Schedule

9/1: Jewish Dorm Essentials
Think Dorms can’t be holy? Think again!

9/8: Kick it Up a Notch
Chassidic background to Emeril’s encouraging uplift -
plus packing Rosh Hashanah Packets for all the Quads

9/15: A Talmudic Impeachment
Meet Rabbis Gamliel, Joshua & others in a Talmud story

9/22: Kosher Symbols & Standards
basic Kosher law, background to symbols, stringency levels

9/29: Abbaye’s Sukkah Thread
Common denominator underlying 8 Talmudic arguments

10/13: Trees of Life & Knowledge
why we need both trees for the total human experience

10/20: Back to Barter
Power of exchange in economics, community & relationships

10/27: Curb Your Enthusiasm
by Greg Pollak - Jewish messages from the hit TV series

11/3: Spiritual DNA I
Mapping the inner makeup of our souls and personalities

11/10: Spiritual DNA II
Mapping the inner makeup of our souls and personalities

11/17: Spiritual DNA III
Mapping the inner makeup of our souls and personalities

12/1: Menorah Specs
plus Chanukah Packets for the Quads & Sara’s Birthday

SPRING 2009

1/27: The Forever Thing
Discussion of the wedding blessing of an "everlasting home"
as we celebrate the Sheva Brachos of Adam ('06) and Allie ('07) - 5:30pm only

2/3: Rebbe Reflections
The 10th of Shvat (1950) marks the start of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's leadership.
Video highlights of 5 of his teachings and their reflection in the lives of Chabad Shluchim.

2/10: Wine in Jewish Tradition
Enjoy a fruity post Tu-Bishvat Seder with readings on Wine in Jewish law, history and tradition.

2/24: Downturn Torah
May the economic downturn pick up by then -
but the spiritual life messages remain timeless and relevant

3/3: The Havdalah Refrain
Insights into the Havdalah quote from Purim's Megillah
plus Purim-Packet Packing Night for the Quads

3/17: Moshe's Sicha-Art
In honor of his 9th birthday, Moshe Rubin will explain the
background messages to a selection of his Parsha Paintings

3/24: And Justice For All
by Aleeza Sklover. In conjunction with Hillel's Global Awareness Week

3/31: Sounds of Silence
Jews love to talk, but there's lots to be said for silence, too

4/21: Audacity of Hope
understanding post-Holocaust survivor optimism

4/28: Israel's Shabbat Policies
Shabbat's major role in Israel's religion-state identity issue

FALL 2008

8/26: "Life & Times of Rabbi Akiva
Talmudic texts on the life of one of the greatest Jewish sages

9/2: "I > < Beloved"
insights into this romantic passage from Song of Songs

9/9: "The Handwashing Ritual"
meaning, background and halachic regulations

9/16: "Juicy Yiddish Adjectives"
learning rich Yiddish words - apples-to-apples-style

9/23: "Heaven, Hell and the Afterlife"
what do Jews believe? why does it matter?

10/7: "Pray Different"
in time for Yom Kippur - tips for more meaningful prayer

10/28: "Torah, Science and the Age of the Universe"
a different perspective - by Aron Cepler, graduate student at Albany CNSE

11/4: "Torah on Self-Esteem"
relevant psychological insights in Jewish texts

11/11: "The Eruv Controversy"
What are the issues surrounding the Sabbath wire fence?

11/18: "Anatomy of a Blessing"
inside look at daily Jewish blessings in time for Thanksgiving

12/2:  "Jews and Comic Books"
8:30pm session only - with Rob Kovach, avid enthusiast and collector

SPRING 2008

1/29:  TEA & TEHILLIM
customs, background and meaning of "Saying Psalms"

2/5:  PEOPLE-COUNT
in honor of Super Tuesday's primaries, a closer look a Jewish census-taking

2/12: Judaism and the Environment: Our partnership with the world
a presentation and discussion led by Joy Newman, graduate student

2/26: THE RICE BLESSING
Talmudic & Halachic opinions on the appropriate blessings,
plus a rice-oriented meal with Sushi, Tomato-Rice Soup etc...

3/4: DISTILLED FAITH
Find out how Habakuk's 3 words sparked multiple movements

3/11: BEHIND THE MASK
Behind the mask of the Megillah, in relationships and in ourselves
plus Purim-Packet Packing Night

3/18: HAMANTALOGY - TAKE 3
Learning the Jewish take on the number Three.
plus Hamantasch Baking Night

4/1: NO CHAMETZ: TALMUD > HALACHA
An example of how a Talmudic text plays out in practical observance

4/8: Mapquest: Biblical Israel
exploring historic journeys in the land of Israel based on Biblical sources
a class by student presenter Craig Messer

 4/29: ELEVEN MESSAGES by Mushky Rubin
Mushky Rubin's 11th birthday - one year to Bat-Mitzvah!

FALL 2007

9/4: getting acCUSTOMed
Why customs matter. Plus Rosh Hashanah packets.

9/11: understanding steve JOBs
Torah source texts connected to Steve Job’s 2005 Stanford commencement address
and his JOB story

9/18: Temptations
Lust, desire and fantasy. What’s the Jewish take?

10/2: Late Night Torah Study
Hoshana Rabba (7th night of Sukkot) is for late night study.
10pm to Midnight with coffee and refreshments.

10/9: Jewish History Panorama
Part 1 - Get the bird’s eye view in chart form.

10/16: Jewish History Panorama
Part 2 - Even in a nutshell, one class won’t cut it.

10/23: Secrets of Jewish Intimacy
Jewish themes on “Shalom Bayit” relationship harmony.

10/30: Secrets of Jewish Intimacy
Join Mendel and Raizy for a frank eye and heart-opening discussion
on “Taharat HaMishpacha” Family Purity.

11/6: Torah from Jerusalem
Guest presenter from Israel via JERNY topic TBA

11/13: Do Stones Speak?
Genealogist and historian Rabbi Avraham Laber on reading history from gravestone inscriptions.

11/27: Challenge
Inspiring and humorous video of the Rebbe on kicking it up a notch. Plus Chanukah packets.

12/4: Represent!
by Ariel Lipper - in the spirit of Chanukah’s Maccabees, on representing our heritage and our people. 8:30 only along with Menorah, Latkes and Chanukah Party.
 

SPRING 2007

1/23: Halacha Trace
Tracing Torah > Talmud > Halacha texts using “Synagogue Mezuzah” as a sample

1/30: Basi L’Gani
Cliff-Notes of a classic Chassidic Discourse (1950)

2/6: Seussian Talmud
by Craig Messer ('09) and Justin Hirsch ('07)
mock-up of Talmud page template based on Seuss to learn commentator styles

2/13: Yours Truly
on Truth in Relationships (between us and G-d, and between people).

2/27: Sleepless in Shushan
Insomnia & the Purim Story plus Holiday packets packing night

3/13: Special Sevens
Class by Moshe & Rabbi Mendel for Moshe’s 7th birthday

3/20: Talmud VS. US Law
on Principals and Agents

3/27: Seder Song Symbolism
One Goat, Happened at Midnight etc...

4/17: Jewish Medical Ethics
by Laura Novello ('07)
Stem-cells, Transplants etc. in Halacha

4/24: Building Momentum
Keeping it going strong! 3rd generation Zionism, or all good things in life.

FALL 2006

9/12: Why Shofar?
Background of Rosh Hashana’s Shofar (and High Holiday Packet Packing)

9/19: Jewish Standard Time
Timelessness of Jewish time & calendar, understanding key concepts & features

9/26: Jews Sing the Darndest Things
Profound themes behind traditional popular songs sung at all synagogues

10/24: Matisyahu’s Lyrics I
Chassidic texts behind his reggae

10/31: Matisyahu’s Lyrics II
Chassidic texts behind his reggae

11/7: Hillel the Psychologist
an in-depth reading of three Talmudic Aggadah stories in Tractate Shabbos

11/14: Vicarious Relationships
Empathy in Jewish thought & living

11/28: Jacob’s Ladder
exploring commentary on weekly Parsha

12/5: Alternative Energy
Quantifying and qualifying the Menorah miracle (and Chanukah Packet Packing)

FALL 2005
Unless otherwise noted, all classes:
* are text-study and discussions geared for ALL levels of Jewish learning,
prepared and presented by Rabbi Mendel Rubin
* will be studied twice: 5:30 and 7:30
to accommodate class schedules
* will be held at Shabbos House

8/30: “Holy Quads”
Holy: what comes to mind? If you think Jerusalem, synagogue, etc, think again.

9/20: “Jewish Identity” (Note date change from 9/13..)
The things you don’t have to do.

9/27: “Bee-Keeper Rabbi”
Rabbi Laber, a bee-keeping Rabbi on why honey is Kosher if bees aren’t & more. 6pm. (Pre-Rosh Hashana Packets for all Quads will be packed at SH this night as well).

11/1: “Sympathy Suite”
Rachel Serkin (‘08) learned this at her Summer ‘05 internship (CLIP) and will present an interactive lesson on dealing with death and mourning, i.e. Shiva House.

11/8: “Kosher Hypocrisy”
When its good to be a hypocrite.

11/15: “Torah by Trugman”
TAGAR (sa) sponsors Rabbi Avraham Trugman of the Carlebach Moshav in Israel

11/29: “Rashi on Shema”
This year (2005) marks 900 years since the greatest Biblical and Talmudic commentator.

12/6: “Soulful Melodies”
The local Kleine Klezmer Orchestra will accompany Rabbi Israel Rubin on a short journey through Chassidic music. 6pm.

• Spiritual DNA (visual learning of the 10 Sefirot)
• Inside Prayer - Jacob's Ladder
• Tackling a Tough Piece of Talmud (BM 2b-3a - Sumchos on "Money in Doubt")
• Shabbos: Law and Custom
• The Anatomy of a Blessing
• Passover Notes - Laws and Customs in a Nutshell
• Joy in Judaism
• The Struggle in Significant
• Lights and Letters (commentary on a video-cartoon)
• Machzor Notes - overcoming the Prayerbook Blues on Yom Kippur
•  "Tzedakah - a prospectus" - classic texts on Tzedakah in financial format
• "Torah on Self-Esteem" -
•  "Jewish Wedding Ceremony and Rituals"
• A Jewish Birthday
• The Number "4" in Judaism
• 4 Seasonal Torah Readings
• Vessels of the Holy Temple
• The Mystical Meaning of Meatballs and Spaghetti
• POM is Wonderful
• L'hadlik Ner, Shabbat Candle-Lighting
• Say No to Chametz, from Talmud to Halacha
• Jewish Memory
• Israel's Holy Sites (powerpoint)
• Crown Heights - a Virtual Tour
• "Roll Your Own"
• Love, Legacy and Lasagna
• Jewish Dorm Essentials
• "We Need To Talk"
• Yiddish-Fun

* We redo some of these classes in new cycles, every 3-4 years, as students graduate.

 

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