Spring 2024 / 5784 Course Descriptions

BIB 101 Introduction to Bible
Dr. Ora Horn Prouser
This course will introduce the student to modern critical studies of the Bible. Selected texts of the Bible will be studied in-depth while broader thematic issues will be surveyed. Various methodologies used by biblical scholars will be introduced to the students. The many meanings of the text and the centrality of the Bible in the Jewish world will be emphasized through careful study.
This course is a prerequisite for all Bible study at AJR. Students in this course must be at the level of Hebrew IA or above.
2 credits
Textbooks:

• • Frederick Greenspahn, ed. The Hebrew Bible: New Insights and Scholarship ISBN: 814731880, $11.57
  • Elliott Rabin. Understanding the Hebrew Bible: A Reader’s Guide ISBN: 0881258717, $21.33
  • Marc Zvi Brettler. How to Read the Bible ISBN: 0195325222, $19.71

BIB 337 The Mysterious Lives of Eliyahu HaNavi – Lessons in Spiritual Leadership
Rabbi Jef Segelman
We will study the life and work of the Prophet Elijah from the perspective of understanding the making of a spiritual leader. We will use both biblical and rabbinic texts, artistic images, and more in seeing how we can use the life of this prophet in understanding and working on clergy formation and spiritual leadership.
This class will count as a Bible text class.
2 credits
Textbooks: TBD

BIB 347 Leviticus Reconsidered: The Reality of the Holy and the Choreography of the Sacred
Dr. Job Jindo
Many find the book of Leviticus too difficult to understand. Its cultic concerns seem obsolete and boring, and its rules of sacrifices and ritual purity appear to have no relevance to the social, existential, and normative issues of our time. And yet, we live in the “Golden Age of Parashat Hashavua (Weekly Torah portion),” and Jewish clergies are expected to know how to draw insight from this seemingly outmoded and arcane book. This course is a close critical reading of Leviticus, revolving around the contemporary relevance of this text. By the conclusion of this course, the student will learn: (1) the structure, purposes, and theological outlook of Leviticus; (2) the theology of holiness and the idea of biblical ecology as reflected in Leviticus; and (3) how to teach the book of Leviticus to the contemporaries with AJR values (i.e., critical rigor, inclusivity, commitment to the pluralistic, contemporary Jewish and broader communities).
This course will count as a Bible text class or as fulfilling the Parashat Hashavua requirement.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Bible
2 credits
Textbooks:

• • Jewish Study Bible [2d edition]. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015 [The book of Leviticus is annotated by Baruch J. Schwartz; the 1st edition is also fine] ISBN: 019026389X, $28.99
  • Jacob Milgrom. Leviticus: A Book of Ritual and Ethics. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004. ISBN: 0800695143, $53.81
  • Baruch A. Levine. Leviticus: JPS Torah Commentary. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1989. ISBN: 0827603282, $20.89

BIB 421 Religion, Politics, and Leadership Failure in the Bible: Studies in the Book of Samuel
Dr. Job Jindo
This course will be a critical reading of the book of Samuel, revolving around two axes: (1) religion and politics and (2) leadership and the human condition (or human fallibility). By the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to articulate: (1) the structure, purposes, and theological outlook of the book of Samuel; (2) biblical insight into the relationships among politics, religion, and leadership; and (3) three examples where the book of Samuel is a source for understanding the human condition in our own day. We will also explore existential issues embodied in the text that are relevant to contemporary concerns, such as “problems of power,” “leadership and accountability,” “family and loyalty,” “gender and sexuality,” “divine and human law,” “agency and responsibility,” “cultivation of mindfulness,” “transformation of self,” and “the Other.” This course fulfills the Leadership in the Bible rabbinical school requirement.
Prerequisite: In order to count this class as a biblical text class, students must have taken Introduction to Bible. Otherwise, students may count this class as an elective.
2 credits
Textbooks:

• • Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler. The Jewish Study Bible. 2d ed. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2014. ISBN: 0199978468, $39.41
  • Moshe Halbertal and Stephen Holmes. The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel. Princeton/Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2017. ISBN: 0691191689, $18.99
  • Robert Alter’s Translation of Samuel—one of the following versions will do: (a) Robert Alter. The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary. New York: Norton, 2019. ISBN: 0393292495, $75.99 OR: (b) Ancient Israel: The Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. New York: Norton, 2013 ISBN: 0393348767, $20.42. OR: (c) Robert Alter. The David Story. New York: Norton, 1999. ISBN: 0393320774, $18.62

CAN 106 Jewish Choral Music
Teacher TBA
Jewish music is oftentimes the heartbeat of public prayer. It holds us, comforts us, excites and fortifies our powerful reactions in times of need, want, crisis, and joy. Choral music has a special place in the Jewish songbook as voices in harmony work to bring depth and beauty to every moment. This intersession choral experience is open to all interested students, rabbis and cantors alike. It satisfies 2 elective credits and, for students interested in learning to conduct a choir, can be counted as fulfilling the conducting requirement for cantorial students.
This Intersession course is taught onsite at AJR.
2 credits
Textbooks: TBD

CAN 395 Exploring Piyyut: Liturgical and Paraliturgical Practice in Hebrew Text and Song
Dr. Samuel Torjman-Thomas
The piyyut has long been a post-biblical vehicle for expressing a high-register Hebraic response to Jewish life in Diaspora. Often ensconced in localized trends, be they linguistic and/or musical, piyyutim involve the interaction between text, sound, thought, and historical memory. In contemporary Jewish life, piyyutim have also moved beyond the liturgical and paraliturgical function, to navigate modern Hebraic culture in Israel as part of a globalized context of popular music. This course examines different themes, settings, and impacts of piyyutim practice in Jewish history and culture. This course fulfills the Piyyutim requirement for cantorial students.
2 credits
Textbooks:

• • Raymond P. Scheindlin. The Gazelle: Medieval Hebrew Poems on God, Israel, and the Soul, (JPS) ISBN: 978-0827603844
  • Raymond P. Scheindlin. Wine Women and Death: Medieval Hebrew Poems on the Good Life (Oxford University Press), ISBN: ‎ 978-0195129878
  • T. Carmi. The Penguin Book of Hebrew Verse, ISBN: 978-0140424676

CAN 441 Advanced Nusah – Yammim Noraim II
Cantor Sol Zim and Cantor Lisa Klinger-Kantor
An in-depth extensive study of the vast Misinai tunes that make up the Yom Kippur liturgy. Each student must develop an understanding of the various motifs and nushaot and how to use them in the course of davening. Both sections required.
4 credits
Textbooks:

• • Sol Zim. Yom Kippur Anthology. New York: Cantor’s Assembly, 2008. ISBN: 9781928918516, $69.95
    Choose one of the following High Holiday Mahzorim:
  • Morris Silverman. – מחזור לראש השנה וליום הכפורים [High Holiday Prayer Book], Hartford: Prayer Book Press, 1951. $34.95
  • Jules Harlow, ed. Mahzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. New York: Rabbinical Assembly, 1972. ISBN: 978-0-87441-148-5, $49.95
  • Sidney Greenberg and Jonathan D. Levine ed. Mahzor Hadash: The New Mahzor for Rosh Hahanah and Yom Kippur. Bridgeport, CT: Prayer Book Press, 1978 ISBN: 9780876770757, $43.95
  • Chaim Stern ed. Gates of Repentance: The New Union Prayerbook for the Days of Awe, New York: Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1978. $24.95
  • Ed Feld, ed. Mahzor Lev Shalem: Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. New York: Rabbinical Assembly. ISBN: 9780916219468, $49

HAL 510 Advanced Halakhah
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 laws of mourning and dietary practices with secondary readings that offer more diverse perspectives on a variety of related issues.
Prerequisite: two trimesters of Introduction to Codes and Intermediate Codes or the equivalent
2 credits
Textbooks: None

HEB 251 Hebrew 1B
Ilana Davidov
This course will bring students to Chapter 8-9 of the second volume of Hebrew from Scratch (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 Pi’el, Hitpa’el in all tenses, passive verbs in Pa’al, and more prepositions. Written and oral assignments will enhance communication skills while improving absorption and integration of vocabulary and grammar.
Prerequisite: Hebrew IA or the equivalent
4 credits
Textbooks:

• • Shlomit Chayat, Sara Israeli, Hilla Kobliner. Hebrew From Scratch Textbook Part II (English and Hebrew Edition) Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 2001 Edition, ISBN: 9653501275, $80.93
  • Recommended: Esti Simons and Noa Wienberg. From Here to There (מפה לשם) for Hebrew from Scratch Part 2, Jerusalem: Magnes Press, ISBN: 978-965-350-193-5, $22

HEB 320 Biblical Hebrew – 2 sessions offered for this course, see schedule
Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew: examination of and exercise in the grammar, syntax and vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew, for the development of competence in understanding and translating the classical Biblical texts (with some attention to major differences between BH, Rabbinic and Modern Hebrew). Objectives: by the end of this course, students will be able to identify all parts of speech, including all the major binyanim in all their forms as they occur in prose passages of the Tanakh. They will be able to use BDB efficiently and accurately to find unfamiliar vocabulary by applying information learned about the forms and structures of different parts of speech. Students will learn to use a biblical concordance and Sefaria.com to produce a word study. They will be able to translate connected biblical prose passages accurately with the help of BDB and give analyses of specified words and constructions. Students will be able to use major conjunctive and disjunctive cantillation signs to aid in correct phrasing of syntactic units of the texts examined. And, if all goes according to plan, will even enjoy the process!
2 credits
Textbook will be provided by instructor:

• • R. Bryan Widbin & Peg Kershenbaum. A Guidebook for Learning Biblical Hebrew

HEB 351 – Hebrew IIB
Ilana Davidov
In the beginning of this course students will complete the last four lessons of the second volume of Hebrew from Scratch (עברית מן ההתחלה ב’). It will include an intensive review of the verb system in the active בניינים and their gerunds, and a brief introduction to the passive הופעל ,פועל) בניינים) real and unreal condition, comparative and superlative sentences.
Depending on the class progress, students may work towards the end of the trimester with more advanced material.
Prerequisite: Hebrew IIA or the equivalent
4 credits
Textbooks:

• • Shlomit Chayat, Sara Israeli, Hilla Kobliner. Hebrew From Scratch Textbook Part II (English and Hebrew Edition), Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 2001 Edition, ISBN: 9653501275, $80.93

HIS 401 Great Ideas and Debates of Jewish History II
Rabbi David Fine, PhD
This course examines the new ideas and the great debates that affected Jewish belief, culture and society throughout the ages. This second part of the two-trimester course will examine the new ideas and the great debates that affected the Jewish people from the Early Middle Ages up through Early Modern Times. This trimester will focus on the new ideas, perspectives, innovations, and debates of the Babylonian Jewish community under Islamic rule, followed by the growth of the Spanish Jewish community and the exciting developments created in that context. The development of the Ashkenazi Jewish community, as well as its unique understanding of Torah, will be explored, along with the influences and cultural exchange between Judaism and the Medieval Christian World, leading into the period of European Enlightenment and the Early Modern World. Ideas and Debates 1 is not a prerequisite for this course.
2 credits
Textbooks:

• • John Efron, Steven Weitzman, and Matthias Lehmann. The Jews: A History (New York: Routledge, 2019, Third edition). ISBN: 1138298441, $89.30

LIT 271 Tefillah and Seminar
Cantor Michael Kasper
During times of crisis or trauma, communities seek to find comfort in tefillah, whether in synagogues, havurot, in person, or on Zoom. In this class we will work together on clarifying tools and steps in creating prayer services that speak to difficult times. We will learn from guests with a variety of approaches, and develop our own techniques.
1 credit
This course will run the last six weeks of the term.
Textbooks: TBD

MEC 140 Mechina I
Yifat Avner
Introduction to modern Hebrew, level one of the three part Mechina sequence.
Textbooks: TBD

MEC 145 Mechina II
Michal Nachmany
This course is a continuation of Mechina Hebrew (MEC 140) taught in the fall. It will cover a good part of Hebrew From Scratch Part I beginning around unit four.
0 credits
Textbooks: 

• • Shlomit Chayat, Sara Israeli. Hebrew from Scratch Textbook Part 1, ISBN: 9653501127, $60

PHI 301 Bioethics
Rabbi Jill Hackell, MD
Technological advancements in medicine have brought with them bioethical issues of increasing complexity. This course will examine issues pertinent to today’s bioethical dialogue from a Jewish point of view, including issues such as organ donation, end-of-life, assisted reproduction, genetic screening and gene therapy, disease prevention, physician-assisted death, and the many issues raised by COVID. How does the Jewish way of looking at these issues compare and contrast with the general societal discussion? What are the governing principles of bioethical argument in each of these across the spectrum of Jewish thought? How are ancient Jewish sources reconciled with modern technology in guiding thinking about these issues?
1 credit
This course will run the first six weeks of the term.
Textbooks:

• • Elliot N. Dorff. Matters of Life and Death: A Jewish Approach to Modern Medical Ethics, ISBN 827607687, $27

PHI 480 Pluralism
Rabbi Len Levin, PhD
What is pluralism? What are its core value commitments, and how does it differ from relativism? In this class we will endeavor to clarify our core convictions regarding truth and pluralism; to determine to what extent pluralism is an authentic Jewish value; to extend and deepen our knowledge base concerning pluralism in general and the discussion over pluralism within classical and modern Judaism; to cultivate the virtues of pluralism in dealing with each other, with Jews of persuasions different from our own, and with fellow human beings of different faith communities or no faith community. We will use Studies in Judaism and Pluralism: Honoring the 60th Anniversary of the Academy for Jewish Religion as a study guide.
2 credits
Textbooks:

• • Leonard Levin, ed. Studies in Judaism and Pluralism (Ben Yehuda Press, ISBN: 1934730610, $7.34 http://benyehudapress.com/books/studies-judaism-pluralism/
  • Moshe Halbertal. People of the Book: Canon, Meaning, and Authority Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1997. ISBN: 0674661125, $38.50
  • Donniel Hartman. The Boundaries of Judaism. New York: Continuum, 2007. ISBN: 0826496644, $47.45
  • Avi Sagi. The Open Canon. New York: Continuum, 2007. ISBN: 0826496709, $50

PHI 515 Sefer Yetzirah
Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD
Sefer Yetzirah is one of the earliest works of Jewish mysticism. This brief and cryptic ancient book imagines letters as the building blocks of the universe, introduces us to the sefirot or divine realms, and focuses our attention on the components of space, time, and soul. Its goal is to allow adepts to contemplate, and even partake in, the Divine creative process interwoven with the details of the physical universe. We will be reading the work in its entirety, plus secondary literature, to understand the meaning of Sefer Yetzirah and its potential role in contemporary Jewish belief and contemplative practice. We will also be exploring the book’s meditative approach through our own exploration of its methods. This course will count as the Mysticism requirement.
2 credits
Textbooks:

• • Jill Hammer. Return to the Place: The Magic, Meditation and Mystery of Sefer Yetzirah. New Jersey: Ben Yehuda Press, 2020. ISBN: ‎ 978-1934730065, $24.95.
  • Aryeh, Kaplan. Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation. York Beach, ME: Weiser Books, 1997. ISBN: 978-0877286905, $31.49

PRO 314 Leading Through Crisis
Rabbi David Seth Kirshner
While synagogues are communities within themselves, they are also always a part of a larger community. It’s important to know how to connect with political authorities, police and fire departments, and to be a relevant part of a larger community. Additionally, it’s important for clergy to be savvy about communication, whether through press or social media, and to recognize the kind of outreach that is not meant just to bring in new members, but to serve the functioning congregation. All of these skills become that much more important during times of communal crisis. This course will give students guidance and a toolbox in dealing with these types of external pieces in leading communities through times of crisis. This class can count towards the entrepreneurship requirement.
1 credit
This course will run the first six weeks of the term.
Textbooks: TBD

PRO 342 Life Cycle II
Rabbi Daniel Pernick
This course will focus on life cycle issues and rituals beginning after the marriage ceremony and continuing through death and mourning. Topics will include: innovative rituals addressing transitions in individual adult life, milestones in marriage and parenting, and concerns regarding the end of a marriage and divorce. Also included will be the topic of bikkur holim and issues of caregiving to elderly parents, end of life concerns, and a practical and philosophical study of the laws of death and mourning. Students in this course will be able to: create innovative rituals surrounding adult life cycle events, articulate issues and guide families with regard to end of life decisions, explain and facilitate the process and ritual of the Jewish divorce. Students will also learn how to officiate at funerals, burials, and other rituals associated with Jewish practices of death and mourning. Life Cycle I is not a perquisite for this course.
2 Credits
Textbooks:

• • Goldie Milgram, Living Jewish Life Cycle: How to Create Meaningful Jewish Rites of
    Passage at Every Stage of Life ISBN: 158023335X, $19.99
  • Isaak Klein, A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice ISBN: 0873341740, $24.95
  • L’chol Z’man v’Eit: For Sacred Moments – New Rabbi’s Manual ISBN 0881235708,
    $20 https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_product_detail.asp?pid=50337
  • HaMadrich – RCA (Orthodox) Rabbi’s Manual ISBN 0899065872, $21.55

PRO 355 Conversion
Rabbi Leana Moritt
What prompts someone to convert to Judaism? How do they go about doing it? How do the different movements approach conversion? How has conversion changed throughout history? Who gets to decide “Who is Jewish?” and what are the implications? How are Judaism and the Jewish community changing in the 21st century? And what is the role of the rabbi in preparing someone for conversion? These are some of the questions we will explore in our course on conversion, exploring the historical, theological, sociological and practical elements of conversion to Judaism.
1 credit
This Intersession course will be held on Wednesday and Thursday.
Textbooks: TBD

PRO 366 Teaching Israel
Rabbi Anat Katzir
The Israel Education course will look into some of the major questions and challenges when approaching Israel programs and curricula. We will begin with an initial understanding of why Israel education is important in spiritual communities, and include issues such as what Israel content do we introduce to our community, and how to handle challenging conversations and complex emotions when discussing Israel. This class counts toward the Education requirement.
2 credits
Textbooks: TBD

PRO 422 Leading Through Innovation
Clal – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
Rabbi Julia Appel, Rabbi Elan Babchuck, and Rabbi Joshua Stanton
This cross-seminary course is for rabbinical, cantorial, and educational students who are preparing to take leadership roles in the rapidly changing landscape of Jewish life. The course pulls from design thinking, innovation, social entrepreneurship, and changemaking leadership. Students will learn how to develop a new offering based on community members’ real needs under the guidance of course facilitators. The course progresses through three stages of leading through innovation: The Reflect module invites students to individually reflect on their spiritual leadership journey, the shifts going on around us, and how we might adapt to the changing reality in which we lead. The Reframe module presents a human-centered methodology through which to better serve your people based on empathy interviewing. Finally, the Reimagine module engages participants in the process of innovation by design, applying the tools of design thinking to create an innovative project, initiative, ritual, or organization and to bring it to fruition in the world. For more information, contact Rabbi Julia Appel at [email protected].
2 credits
Please note dates & times of course: Wednesdays at 4:00 – 6:00 pm ET – January 31, February 7, 14, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, May 8, 15
Final paper due May 22

PRO 490 Difficult Conversations
Teacher TBA
This course will provide students with a social-emotional understanding of how to negotiate difficult conversations. Students will explore what can make social interactions uncomfortable and how to approach communication in effective and compassionate ways. The course includes opportunities for developing the skills and confidence to handle these difficult situations more comfortably. Students will learn how to manage anxiety about and avoidance of difficult dialogue, how to explore what makes these conversations personally problematic for them, and how to structure conversations that can promote shared understanding. Classes will include discussion of ideas as well as experiential practice and role-playing of real-life situations.
1 credit
This Intersession course will be held on Monday and Tuesday.
Textbooks: TBD

PRO 700 Fieldwork Support Seminar – 2 sessions offered for this course, see schedule 
Rabbi Beth Kramer-Mazer and Rabbi Jef Segelman
This seminar group focuses upon 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 required of all students whose work is counting as a required internship experience. All Fieldwork must be approved prior to the beginning of the semester by Rabbi Jef Segelman.
0 credits
Textbooks: None

RAB 150 Pirkei Avot: Studies in Spiritual Leadership and Religious Growth
Rabbi Jef Segelman
In this class, we will explore a selection of the mishnayot in Pirkei Avot. Delving deeply into rabbinic, chassidic and modern texts and commentaries, we will focus our attention on how clergy can use this work to evolve our personal theologies and to inspire and strengthen our spiritual leadership. This class counts as an elective.
2 credits
Textbooks: TBD

RAB 230 Introduction to Talmudic Logic
Rabbi Jeff Hoffman, DHL
In this first trimester of Talmud study, the emphasis will be on learning the kind of talmudic logic employed in the legal arguments, especially the kushia-contradiction (objection) and the terutz (resolution). While the passages studied will be in parallel English/Hebrew-Aramaic columns from Sefaria, most of the passages will be studied in English in order to facilitate learning the challenging logic of talmudic discourse. Nevertheless, students will learn key technical terms in the original Aramaic. Once students learn the basics of talmudic logic in this first trimester of Introduction to Talmud, the second trimester will introduce additional elements of talmudic study and passages will be studied in their original Hebrew and Aramaic. The supervised Havruta session is required of all students.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Mishnah
2 credits
Textbooks:

• • Marcus Jastrow. A Dictionary of the Targumim, Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi and Midrashic Literature. This book is available in standard, hard-copy format. It is also available for free on the web on Sefaria, although it is easier to use in hard copy format. ISBN:1932443217, $38.50
  • Yitzhak Frank. The Practical Talmud Dictionary ISBN: 1592644511, $29.95 (available on the DTL but easier to navigate in hard copy)

RAB 430 Intermediate/Advanced Talmud
Rabbi Matthew Goldstone, PhD
In this course students will continue to hone their abilities to critically read, parse, and understand Talmudic material. This semester will focus on sugyot that address “Big Concepts” such as the problem of evil, the value of martyrdom, and the origins of rabbinic Judaism. We will explore the ways that these sources impact us on a personal and spiritual level, as well as possible pedagogical applications for teaching these sources to others. Prerequisite: at least three terms of Talmud, or the equivalent.
2 Credits
Textbooks: None