BIB 420 Parshanut
Dr. Job Jindo
This course introduces students to the treasure world of medieval Jewish biblical exegesis. Selections, mostly from the Torah, will be examined to compare and contrast opinions of major commentators, such as Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Rashbam, and Ramban. By the conclusion of this course, each student will be able to demonstrate: (1) a mastery of the essential skills in reading medieval commentaries; (2) an informed understanding of the methodologies and exegetical goals of each exegete; and (3) a deeper appreciation of the commentators in their own historical and theological context. Students will also become familiar with other features and interpretive tools found on the pages of rabbinic Bibles (Mikra’ot Gedolot), as well as what they should be mindful of when using such online sources as Sefaria.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Bible
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Artscroll Sapirstein Edition Rashi: Vols. 1-5 [Note that there are two sizes: large and small, pick one]: The Standard Edition (Large), ISBN: 1578191149, $142 or The Student Edition (Small), ISBN: 1578193303, $131
BIB 520 The Psalms that Clergy Use
Rabbi Jef Segelman
Psalms are important element in the toolbox of the clergy. They are part of our liturgy, our life cycle rituals, and they often set the tone for moments of commemoration and introspection. In this class, we will take an in-depth look at many of the psalms that regularly find their way into our work and our prayers. Our goal will be not only to learn how to use them more effectively, but also how we may use them to further our professional and personal spiritual growth.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Bible. This course will count as a Bible elective.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Segal, Benjamin J., A New Psalm: A Guide to Psalms as Literature (BIBLE/TANACH Book 10), ISBN: 965229618X, $55.00
Alter, Robert, The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary, ISBN: 0393337049, $19.95
Artscroll/Mesorah, The Writings: The Book of Psalms English and Hebrew 2018, ISBN: 1422620014, $33
CAN 115 Introduction to Modes
Cantor Joseph Ness
Modes are central to the understanding of the performative skills of leading the davening in a service. With practical application, we will look into the various services by examining in some detail how the modes are integrated into each liturgy.
1 Credit
Textbooks: TBD
CAN 116 Advanced Modes
Cantor Joseph Ness
Taking off from where Introduction to Modes leaves off, students will explore not only how the modes are integrated into liturgy but will begin to use them as a basis for their own improvisational work. Students will have ample time to practice and perform their ideas in a small and warm environment. Emphasis will focus on the recognition of the correct mode for each prayer service and then, on its use as a vehicle for personal expression in the service of bringing more, or new, meaning to the prayer experience. This course counts as a general elective.
1 Credit
Textbooks: TBD
CAN 386 Character, Conflict and Community Leadership: Peace Studies II
Rabbi David Markus, JD
“It’s alright for a shul to be a business – so long as you know what business you’re really in.” This familiar quip begs some key questions: What’s the real business of Jewish spiritual leaders? How can we most effectively steward nonprofit boards and other leadership constructs to flourish in the business we’re really in? How can we wisely leverage character traits (flaws), moral leadership (failures), and peacemaking (conflicts) to nourish vibrant and flourishing spiritual communities? Blending textual tradition, socio-political literature and real-life case studies, this course will explore models of spiritual authority, middot (character traits) in spiritual leadership, pastoral and psycho-spiritual dynamics of conflict, change agency in spiritual systems, and best practices for spiritual community structures. Participants will expand their community governance toolkits while accelerating their personal formation as wise and transformational spiritual leaders.
2 Credits
Textbooks: TBD
CAN 445: Advanced Nusah Yammim Noraim I
Cantors Sol Zim and Lisa Klinger-Kantor
An in depth extensive study of the vast Mi-sinai tunes that make up the Rosh Hashanah liturgy. Each student must develop an understanding of the various motifs and nushaot and how to use them in the course of davening. Targil section required.
4 Credits
Textbooks:
Zim, Sol, Musical Machzor: Rosh Hashana, A Sol Zim Anthology, ASIN: B09KNDBK77, $69.95
CAN 561: Music: The Life Cycle
Cantor Sol Zim
The course will address all occasions in the congregational calendar during which the cantor is officiating and music plays an important part, including life cycle events, and more.
1 Credit
Textbooks: TBD
HAL 460 Intermediate Codes
Rabbi Matthew Goldstone, PhD
This course will focus on Joseph Karo’s Shulhan Arukh, the major medieval code of Jewish law that continues to inform contemporary practice. We will study many of the most important laws related to the observance of Shabbat and holidays with secondary readings that offer more diverse perspectives for modern forms of observance and celebration.
Prerequisite: two trimesters of Introduction to Codes
2 credits
Textbooks: None
HAL 480 Responsa
Rabbi David Wise
In this course we will conduct a close reading of rabbinic responsa from a variety of historic periods, and become familiar with some of their authors, tracing the responsa literature from its earliest origins to its 21st century expression. Selected responsa will cover a range of topics and areas of Jewish life. Contemporary responsa studied will reflect a wide spectrum of perspectives and denominational origins. As part of our investigation, we will examine the nature of halakha in light of various theories as to how the halakhic process works.
Prerequisite: HEB 350 (Hebrew IIA) or equivalent
2 Credits
Textbooks: None
HEB 250 Hebrew IA
Ilana Davidov
Using the second volume of Hebrew from Scratch (‘עברית מן ההתחלה ב), students will read and listen to texts of different genres – informative, literary and narrative – and different historical registers. A vocabulary of about 500 additional words will be presented and practiced; special attention will be given to dictionary look-up skills. Grammatical topics include nominal and possessive sentences in the future, relative and conditional clauses, the future tense of Pa’al, and declensions of various prepositions.
Prerequisite: Mechina 150 or the equivalent
4 Credits
Textbooks:
Shlomit Chayat, Sara Israeli, Hilla Kobliner, Hebrew From Scratch Textbook Part II (English and Hebrew Edition) 2001 Edition, ISBN: 9653501275, $80.93
HEB 350 Hebrew IIA
Ilana Davidov
This course will bring students to Chapter 12-13 of Hebrew from Scratch Part 2 (עברית מן ההתחלה ב‘). The focus of the course is on reading comprehension of adapted informative and narrative texts in Modern Hebrew, with an emphasis on vocabulary development and dictionary look-up skills. The grammatical component of the course mostly follows the textbook. It includes future tense of Hif’il, Binyan Nif’al, noun declension, prepositions, and concessive clauses. Written and oral assignments will enhance communicative skills while improving absorption and integration of vocabulary and grammar.
Prerequisite: HEB 251 (Hebrew IB) or the equivalent
4 Credits
Textbooks:
Shlomit Chayat, Sara Israeli, Hilla Kobliner, Hebrew From Scratch Textbook Part II (English and Hebrew Edition) 2001 Edition, ISBN: 9653501275, $80.93
HEB 401 Hebrew IIIB
Yifat Avner
This course is a continuation of Hebrew IIIA. The focus of this course will be on reading and listening comprehension of informative and narrative texts in Modern Hebrew. Written, oral, and aural assignments will enhance communication and comprehension skills while improving absorption and integration of vocabulary and grammar.
Prerequisite: HEB 400 (Hebrew IIIA) or its equivalent
4 Credits
Textbooks: TBD
HIS 400 Ideas and Debates I
Dr. Alan Levenson
This course will examine the ideas and the great debates that affected Jewish belief, culture, and society throughout the ages, from the Ancient period up through Modern Times. This first trimester will focus on the emergence of Jews as a people in the late biblical era and conclude with Late Antiquity, exploring internal arguments within Judean society, with and among Diaspora Jews, the interactions with pagan and early Christian society, and the rise of rabbinic culture.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Levenson, Jon, Sinai and Zion, ISBN: 006254828X, $25.40
Segal, Alan, Rebecca’s Children: Judaism and Christianity in the Roman World, ISBN: 0674750760, $51.35
LIT 307 Festival Liturgy
Rabbi Jeff Hoffman, DHL
A study of the liturgy of Pesah, Shavuot, and Sukkot from biblical origins to the present era. Features: variations in the basic liturgy, especially in the Amidot; the development of Hallel customs; the form, function and texts of principal piyyutim, e.g., Hoshanot and Akdamut; Yizkor. These will be studied from historical, literary, and theological perspectives. Prerequisite: Introduction to Liturgy.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Waskow, Arthur, Seasons of Our Joy: A Modern Guide to the Jewish Holidays, ISBN: 0827609302, $30.47
Scherman, Rabbi Nosson, Zlotowitz, Rabbi Meir, The Complete Artscroll Siddur, ISBN: 089906650X, $33.67
In addition to the two books above, students are required to have available two of the following four siddurim. Students may purchase copies from the various movements or new or used from any other source. Another possibility is borrowing one or more of these from local synagogues:
Siddur Lev Shalem for Shabbat and Festivals, ISBN: 091621964X, $100
Teutsch, David, Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat Vehaggim (Hebrew and English), ISBN: 0935457461, $199.99
Frishman, Elyse, Mishkan T’Filah: A Reform Siddur: Weekdays, Shabbat, Festivals, and Other Occasions of Public Worship, ISBN: 0881231037, $44
Rosenstein, Joseph, Siddur Eit Ratzon, ISBN: 0974772410, $46 (Note that the weekday and Days of Awe versions are also titled Eit Ratzon; this course requires the edition that includes the Shabbat and Festival Liturgy).
LIT 405 The Passover Haggadah
Rabbi Rob Scheinberg, PhD
This course explores the origins and development of the Passover Seder, examining texts and traditions from Talmudic and medieval times, as well as the diversity of contemporary Haggadot and Seder practices. This course counts as a general elective.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Hoffman, Lawrence and Arnow, David, My People’s Passover Haggadah Traditional Texts, Modern Commentaries, ISBN: 1580233546 (Vol 1), $20.99 and ISBN: 1580233465 (Vol 2), $22.49
Kulp, Joshua, and Golinkin, David, The Schechter Haggadah: Art, History, and Commentary, ISBN: 9657105595, $40.
MEC 140 Mechina I
Michal Nachmany
In this course students will complete unit 1-lesson 14 of the first volume of Hebrew from Scratch (עברית מן ההתחלה א‘). The lessons will include grammatical issues such the active בניינים (pa’al, pe’el, hiph’il, hit’pael), past, present and future. Weekly writing assignments will be given. The holistic approach of the class will combine all the needed skills for succeeding in Hebrew.
0 Credits
Textbooks:
Chayat, Shlomit; Israeli, Sara, Hebrew from Scratch Textbook Part 1, ISBN: 9653501127, $60
PHI 475 Personal Theology – 2 sessions offered
Rabbi Len Levin, PhD and Dr. Yosef Rosen
Through taking this course students will be able to: clarify their own theological agenda—the questions and core-concepts that are most central to their own Jewish theological vision; develop a statement of their personal theological visions, through a combination of drawing on previous paradigms and creating their own; and specifically be able to address the issues of revelation/authority/practice, God, Israel/Jewish peoplehood, suffering/evil, and eschatology in a way that will be meaningful to themselves and to their future audiences.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Each student should select one of the following five primary texts (or an approved substitute) to purchase, borrow, or otherwise acquire, in conjunction with selecting a “theological mentor” for addressing the principal topics of the course:
Borowitz, Eugene, Renewing the Covenant: A Theology for the Postmodern Jew, ISBN: 0827606273, $24.60
Gillman, Neil, Sacred Fragments: Recovering Theology for the Modern Jew, ISBN: 0827604033, $22.38
Green, Arthur, Radical Judaism: Rethinking God and Tradition (The Franz Rosenzweig Lecture Series), ISBN: 0300152329, $27.
Hartman, David, A Living Covenant: The Innovative Spirit in Traditional Judaism, ISBN: 1580230113, $24.50
Plaskow, Judith, Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective, ISBN: 0060666846, $11.39
PRO 010 Core Concepts II & IV
Dr. Ora Horn Prouser
This is a multi-year sequence of seminars. The seminars cover some of the fundamental values, concepts and vocabulary of Jewish tradition. Students are expected to first gain a basic acquaintance with these terms and to then delve more deeply into them so as to appreciate their range of significance. The goal of the seminars is not simply to gather information, but to develop an integrated way of thinking about and expressing these value concepts, so that students may grow from having an appreciation of the tradition to actively and creatively participating in the discourse of Torah. Every student is required to take two years of the seminars given in the sequence, but they need not be taken in order. Core Concepts II begins with nefesh/neshama and Core Concepts IV begins with the term mizrah/ma’arav. No tuition is charged for this course for matriculated ordination students.
0 Credits
Textbooks: None
PRO 216 Pharmacology for Clergy
Cantor Michael Kasper and Dr. David Aftergood
This course has been designed to provide a framework for clergy to understand the basics of psychopharmacology. Teaching goals will include the rationale for prescribing psychiatric medicine, the nature of the conditions prescribed for, the mechanism of the drugs prescribed and the effects and side effects of different classes of medicine. Students will have an opportunity to learn about and think through their responsibilities toward congregants and community members who present themselves as in need of mental health services. These encounters can be difficult to understand and this intersession course will bring issues of psychiatric medication, their usefulness, and use into clearer focus for clergy who contemplate the need for making appropriate referrals. This course fulfills the Science and Judaism requirement.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Patterson, JoEllen; Griffith, James L.; Edwards, Todd M.; The Therapist’s Guide to Psychopharmacology: Working with Patients, Families, and Physicians to Optimize Care, ISBN: 1462547664, $28.08
Wegmann, Joe, RPh, LCSW, Psychopharmacology: Straight Talk on Mental Health Medications, 4th edition, ISBN: 1683732987, $14.88
Relevant Texts for Reference (not required to purchase):
Peterson, Ashley L., RN, BSN, BScPharm, MPN, Psych Meds Made Simple: How and Why They Do What They Do, ISBN: 1999000803, $12.49
Vanderpot, Lynne, PhD, Psychiatric Medication and Spirituality, ISBN: 1785921266, $29.95
PRO 334 Experiential Jewish Education
Rabbi Beth Kramer-Mazer
As a rabbi or cantor, you will likely have the opportunity to design and facilitate meaningful educational experiences for learners of all ages and stages. Whether in a synagogue, summer camp, college campus, travel program or youth group setting, there will be opportunities for transformative, rich and deep learning. In this class, we will explore best practices and models of experiential education, and will take a hands-on approach to developing and implementing sample programs. We will examine informal learning opportunities for adults as well as for youth. We will consider tried and true practical tools, and will also push beyond our comfort zone, exploring more inventive ways to create sacred educational engagement.
2 Credits
Textbooks: None
PRO 341 Life Cycle I
Rabbi Daniel Pernick
Life Cycle I will enable each student to understand the Jewish perspectives on all of the Jewish life cycle celebrations from birth until marriage. We will focus on the content of the rituals from both a traditional perspective and with regard to the process of arranging ceremonies. We will discuss the variety of practical and professional approaches taken by rabbis and cantors in officiating at these ceremonies and rituals. How to prepare the family for these special moments and how the clergy can prepare for dealing with the unexpected (plenty of real examples will be included) are an essential part of this course and of the rabbinic and cantorial experience. Finally, we will consider ways in which rabbis and cantors can bring meaningful innovation to these ceremonies and rituals, as well as creating new rituals for special moments which are not traditionally ritualized within Judaism. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the instructor or other rabbis and cantors for additional perspectives on these topics.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Milgram, Goldie, Living the Jewish Life Cycle (Available on the DTL)
RCA HaMadrikh (Orthodox rabbi’s manual), ISBN: 0899065872, $21.99
CCAR Rabbi’s Manual – Digital, ISBN: 0881233919, $35
PRO 700 Field Work Support Seminar – 2 course sessions offered
Cantor Michael Kasper and Rabbi Jef Segelman
This seminar group focuses on issues that arise in the course of rabbinical and cantorial work. Students will explore the challenges that they face in their work and in their developing rabbinate/cantorate through the presentation of a case study. Participation is mandatory for all students whose work is counting as a required internship experience. All fieldwork placements must be approved prior to the beginning of the trimester by Rabbi Jeffrey Segelman.
0 Credits
Textbooks: None
RAB 100 Introduction to Mishnah
Rabbi Joshua Cahan, PhD
This course will introduce students to the study of Mishnah, its historical context, and its place in rabbinic literature. Over the course of the trimester, students will gain greater familiarity with the Rabbinic Hebrew of the Mishnah and its idiom, as well the style and structure of the text. Additionally, we will explore the background for the development of the Mishnah, and its reception history as part of the classical rabbinic corpus.
Students in this course must be at the level of HEB 350 (Hebrew 2A) or above.
2 Credits
Textbooks: TBD
RAB 331 Intermediate Talmud
Rabbi Jeff Hoffman, DHL
Students will continue to work on the skills necessary in decoding the talmudic sugya. These include extensive work on the logic and the literary layers. Students will also continue to increase their knowledge of talmudic terminology, vocabulary and grammar. The text will be Tractate Megillah.
Prerequisite: Two terms of Introduction to Talmud or the equivalent. The Havruta session is required of all students.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Steinsaltz, Adin, The Steinsaltz Talmud Bavli – Tractate Ta’anit & Megilla, ISBN: 9653014107, $44.95
Jastrow, Marcus, A Dictionary of the Targumim, Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi and Midrashic Literature, ISBN: 1932443202, $34.58
Frank, Yitzhak, The Practical Talmud Dictionary. ISBN: 1592644511, $28.95 (Available on the DTL)
RAB 530 Advanced Talmud
Rabbi Matthew Goldstone, PhD
This course will hone students’ abilities to critically read, parse, and understand Talmudic material that is relevant for understanding contemporary Judaism. This semester will focus on sugyot related to kashrut, which will provide students with a historical and literary understanding of the underpinnings of contemporary kashrut observances.
Prerequisite: Three trimesters of Talmud and HEB 2A (Hebrew 350)
2 Credits
Textbooks: None
SPI 365 Dreamwork
Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD
From Genesis to the Talmud, from the Zohar to Folklore, Jews have used dreams as a means of self-understanding and a vehicle for divine revelation. This class will have two components: first, we will read and analyze a variety of Jewish texts, rituals, and prayers on dreaming to understand the role of dreaming in Jewish practice. We’ll also consider several contemporary Jewish dream practices. Second, we will work with our own dreams to understand dreamwork as a spiritual practice and as a pastoral resource. We will discuss and practice Jewish rituals related to dreaming, and hold dream circles to mine our own dreams for wisdom and spiritual growth. Students should bring a dream journal with at least four or five recorded dreams to the first session. This course counts as a Spirituality elective.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Bible (Hebrew/English)
Traditional Siddur (any)
Hammer, Jill, Undertorah: An Earth-Based Kabbalah of Dreams, ISBN: 1532362005, $25.00
SPI 370 Architecture of Ritual
Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD
The Architecture of Ritual is a course that allows Jewish leaders to consciously explore, from a scholarly and experiential perspective, what ritual is, what ritual does within the life of individuals and communities, what a clergyperson’s role is in creating and performing ritual, and how ritual can be effective in the lives of modern Jews. The course will cover ritual as a phenomenon (what it is, why it exists, how it is structured) as well as explore individual ritual topics with an eye toward determining how ritual works, clarifying ritual structures, practicing ritual innovation, and considering the function of clergy as ritual leaders.
2 Credits
Textbooks:
Bell, Catherine, Ritual: Perspectives and Dimensions Revised Edition, ISBN: 0199735107, $36.95
Schildkret, Day, Hello, Goodbye: 75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration, and Change, ISBN: 198217093X, $20.50
Driver, Tom, Liberating Rites: Understanding the Transformative Power of Ritual, ISBN: 1419642103, $19.99
