These opportunities to study with renowned master teachers are open to the community.

Melton Graduate Course:
Shivim Panim: The Seventy Faces of Wisdom: Bereshit I

This course presents a combination of modern and classic commentaries on key biblical narratives in Bereshit and enables students to experience multiple ways of interpreting the stories from Adam to Abraham. There will be opportunities to learn key Hebrew vocabulary in the context of the text study, and experience alternative forms of biblical interpretation.

Three Sites:

• BJE Campus, Northbrook, IL
  Faculty: Dr. Jeff Winter
  Wednesday evenings, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
  10 sessions, starting September 17, 2008
  Tuition and Materials: $225

• Beth Emet the Free Synagogue, Evanston, IL
  Faculty: Rebecca Minkus-Lieberman
  Wednesday mornings, 10:30 am
  12 sessions, starting September 10, 2008
  Tuition and Materials: $225

• Anshe Emet Synagogue, Chicago, IL
  Sunday mornings, 9:30 – 11:00 am
  15 sessions in total
  Faculty: Rabbi David Rosenberg
  10 sessions, starting September 14, 2008
  “Leadership Lessons From Genesis”
  Faculty: Rabbi Michael Siegal
  5 sessions, starting November 23, 2008
  Tuition and Materials: $225

Shivim Panim: The Seventy Faces
of Wisdom: Bereshit II

The first book of the Torah introduces us to the prophecies, challenges, successes and failures with the patriarchs and matriarchs. In Bereshit II, ten particularly dramatic stories associated with the founding of the Jewish nation, beginning with the birth of Jacob and Eisav, invite students to consider their deeper messages. Stolen blessings, the sale of Joseph and the rape of Dinah are just three of the narratives studies. Through the eyes of commentators and artists, both classic and modern, students plumb the depths of the texts in reach of multiple understanding as well as contemporary relevance.

BJE Campus, Northbrook, IL
Faculty: Dr. Jeff Winter
Wednesday evenings, 7:30 pm
10 sessions, starting February 11, 2009
Tuition and Materials: $225

Shivim Panim: From Slavery to Sinai:
Shemot - Part I

The Book of Shemot is filled with drama and dilemma. Leadership, bravery favor and doubt are just some of the words that can be used to describe the critical moments that serve as the textual basis of this engaging course. Through a wide selection of classic and modern commentaries, spanning hundreds of years of thought and reflection, students will consider for themselves the questions posed by the biblical texts, and then compare and contrast the possible solutions. As with all Shivim Panim courses, textual commentaries will be accompanied by artwork and other alternative interpretations of the biblical texts.

BJE Campus, Northbrook, IL
Faculty: Meira Kensky
Wednesday evenings, 7:15 pm
10 sessions, starting September 3, 2008
Tuition and Materials: $225

The Prophets: Standing in the Shadow of G-d

Contrary to popular belief, Biblical prophets were not individuals with a hold on the future. Neither soothsayer nor fortune-teller, the prophets played a significant role in shaping the ethical backbone of the Jewish nation and fought to maintain its covenantal relationship with God. By looking into biblical texts and secondary materials this course examines the evolution of the prophetic idea in Judaism, exploring the lives, trials, values and theological legacies of those “Who had stood in the shadow of God”.

BJE Campus, Northbrook, IL
Faculty: Dr. Zohar Raviv
Thursday evenings, 7:30 pm
10 sessions, starting October 23, 2008
Tuition and Materials: $275

Exploring Exodus

This is a line-by-line study of Sefer Shemot. In each class the students will do their own analysis of the language and questions raised by the text. Then the participants will work with the commentaries of Aviva Zornberg, Nehama Leibowitz and Rashi to expand and enrich their understanding. The class is organized as a Bet Midrash model, with extended chevrutah followed
by group discussions.

BJE Campus, Northbrook, IL
Faculty: Jane Shapiro
Tuesday mornings, 9:30 am
30 sessions, starting September 16, 2008
Tuition: $350 Materials: $50

Connecting with Prayer

This course explores a variety of dimensions relating to prayer, according to classical and contemporary texts. It’s content focuses on the role and function of prayer in our lives as Jews and parents and examines the differences in liturgy. The Shabbat morning services will be studied through assorted sections, mechanics and through participation in parts of the service. The meanings of different prayers will also be explored.

Beth Emet the Free Synagogue, Evanston, IL
Faculty: Chava Alpert
Wednesday mornings, 10:30 am
10 sessions starting February 11, 2009
Tuition and Materials: $225

Ten Torah Commentators: Their Styles and Agendas (Lunch & Learn!)

Join Rabbi Schwartz as he focuses on ten different biblical commentators, spanning multiple continents, cultures and 1,000 years of Jewish history. Learn about their unique writing styles as each commentator comes to life through closer study of their written masterpieces.

BJE Campus, Northbrook, IL
Faculty: Rabbi Morey Schwartz from Israel via interactive videoconference
Wednesdays, 12:00 noon–1:00 pm
10 sessions, starting October 29, 2008
Tuition and Materials: $225
(Bring your lunch, we will provide a pareve dessert!)

Tuning Into the Text, How Many Second Chances Do We Get?

For all Past and Present students of the Center for Jewish Teacher Education:
Opening Class & Melton Alumni Kick-Off! Rabbi Morey Schwartz of Israel presents an inspiring hour of text study and song about the Book of Jonah, the story of an unwilling prophet on the run! Join us for a close reading of the biblical text to enhance your High Holiday experience.

BJE Campus, Northbrook, IL
Faculty: Rabbi Morey Schwartz, Curriculum Coordinator for the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School Institute
Thursday, September 25, 2008, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Tuition FREE – subsidized by the Charles and M.R. Shapiro Foundation
Please RSVP asap!
Pareve dessert reception
 

To receive an application form, please contact Rolly Cohen,  847.291.7788 X1304 or email us at rolly@bjechicago.org