Torah Study & Learning Opportunities

 HOME WELCOME
Learning Nights This Semester Schedule Page T.O. for Torah
Learning Night Archives 1 on 1 Ask Rabbi Mendel Women's Learning

Scroll down for: Torah Tuesdays Learnings, Raizy's Women's Learning, Talmud Co-op, Over Lunch, One on One, Past Learning Topics, and additional learning opportunities with Hillel and Judaic Studies.
 
Torah Tuesdays
Learning Night with Dairy Dinner
It has become a tradition for Jewish students at UAlbany!
Raizy prepares a variety of delicious dairy dinners - soups, pastas, salads and more..
and Mendel prepares original learning text-based materials on a variety of Torah topics..

2 sessions each Tuesday to accommodate class schedules: 5:30 and 8:30pm

SPRING '08
TORAH TUESDAYS
@ Shabbos House

 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!

ALUMNI: These classes are now available to alumni in PDF format.
If you'd like to receive them by email, send us an email to let us know.

 
Parsha and a Prayer
Weekly Women's Study with Raizy
Shabbos Mornings 11:30-12:30 with Raizy at Shabbos House.
Studies of the Weekly Torah portion, before Shabbat Lunch begins at 12:30-1:00
One-on-One
Interested in reading learning Gemorah, Talmud stories, want to try and learn some Rashi, need help with a report on the old biblical wicked King Ahab, or understanding the mystical "10 Sefirot"?

Rabbi Mendel and Raizy try to be as available as possible to get together, once or ongoing to read, shmooze, learn and discuss anything related to Judaism, Torah or your own stuff. We have ongoing regular (and irregular) study-times with students on a wide variety of topics. Let's get together and make your own - and see if we can work out a good time...

Rabbi Yossi Rubin (Rabbi Mendel's brother) is now in town and will also be available for one-on-one learning opportunities. Contact Shabbos House 438-4227 / mail@shabboshouse.com for more info.
Talmud Co-op
For those interested in more advanced Talmud study, feel welcome to join our Talmud study group. Get your sheets from Rabbi Mendel, study on your own throughout the week or with a study partner, and then we meet up once-a-week (time/location TBA) to go it over together with Rabbi Mendel.
Over Lunch...
While serving as Dutch Quad Kosher supervisor - Rabbi Mendel had quite a few mini-learning sessions with students over lunch for five minutes or ten here and there... we aren't there as often nowadays, but we look forward to coming over to see the good folks...

or try www.Jnet.org
to arrange telephone classes at the convenience and privacy of your dorm, home or office.

Additional Jewish Learning Opportunities
are available with UAlbany Hillel:

and see the UAlbany's Judaic Studies Department
for many classes of SUNY UAlbany accredited courses.

Even if you've had an excellent Jewish education
- don't stop learning... Learning Never Ends!
 and it's never too late to start!

 

Past (and future*) Classes
with Rabbi Mendel at Shabbos House include:
 (see also Torah Tuesdays Archives Page)
  • Sinai To SUNY: Jewish Historical Panorama
  • Temptations
  • understanding Steve Jobs
  • Secrets of Jewish Intimacy
  • 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
  • “Visiting History” by Zohar Kastner ('07)
  • “Seinfeld’s Jewish Messages” by Laura Novello ('07)
  •  “Kosher Symbols”
  • “Tallit Workshop” with Tagar
  • “4 Sons Remixed”
  • Why Shofar? Background of Rosh Hashana’s Shofar
  • "Jewish Standard Time" Timelessness of Jewish time & calendar
  •  "Jews Sing the Darndest Things" Profound themes behind traditional synagogue songs
  • "Matisyahu’s Lyrics I & II": Chassidic texts behind his reggae
  •  "Hillel the Psychologist" in-depth reading of a Talmudic story
  • "Vicarious Relationships" Empathy in Jewish thought & living
  • Jacob’s Ladder: exploring commentary on weekly Parsha
  • Alternative Energy Quantifying and qualifying the Menorah miracle
     

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

 


 

HOME / WELCOME / Schedule / Ask Rabbi Mendel / News in the Family / Time Out for Torah / Students Speak / Picture Us / What's Cooking? / Links / Map / What's Happening / Alumni / Sponsors  / Learning  / About Shabbos House / Jewish UAlbany / Holidays / Programs & Events / Step into our Future