Sessions 1 – 6
Session 1 – Creation to the Edge of the Wilderness
Book chapter to read:
http://www.ibjewish.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Chapter-1-Torah-Color.pdf
Kushner, “To Life” pp. 3-48
Hurwitz, “Here All Along” pp. 18-20.
Artson reading: http://www.ibjewish.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Covenant.Artson.docx
In the Bible:
Exodus 1-20
Genesis quick overview
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Session 2 – World of the Bible
http://www.ibjewish.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Chapter-2-World-of-the-Bible-Color.pdf
Kushner, pp. 17-48
Sanctity of the Bible reading
http://www.ibjewish.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bible-sacred.docx
Bring to class a Bible – Suggested editions are:
The Jewish Study Bible: Second Edition by Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler by The Jewish Publication Society
The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary (Vol. Three-Volume Set) by Robert Alter (This would be a real splurge, but well worth it.)
Important terminology:
http://www.ibjewish.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/EJsession-2-terminology.docx
Great book that will introduce you to the Bible is “Biblical Literacy: The Most Important People, Events, and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible” (Hardcover), by Joseph Telushkin
Reading this book would be more valuable than just reading the Bible itself – far less frustrating.
Session 3 – Exploring Jewish Diversity
Book chapter to read
http://www.ibjewish.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Chapter-3-Pluralism-Color.pdf
Joseph Telushkin, “Jewish Literacy” appropriate pieces in section on American Jewish Life – especially numbers 204, -206, 216-219, 222 -225.
Session 4 – Holidays: Great Wheel of the Jewish Year
Book chapter to read:
http://www.ibjewish.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Chapter-4-Holidays-Color.pdf
Session 5 – Shabbat: A Palace in Time
Book chapter to read:
http://www.ibjewish.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Chapter-5-Shabbat-Color.pdf
Additional important readings:
Labors of Shabbat (Trepp) – click here
Excerpt from Herman Wouk, This is My God Click here, here and here
Shabbat glossary – click here
Electricity on Shabbat (Klagsbrun) – click here, here
Eric Fromm on Shabbat – click here
Session 6 – When Do I Bow, and other questions about Jewish Prayer
Book chapter to read: click here
The Bracha formula – click here
Prayers to discuss – click here
Intro to Sim Shalom – click here
Rabbi Konigsburg sermon on prayer – click here