1. Jewish Thought and Ethics
Jewish Ethics through Star Trek – Ethics: the Jewish frontier! Join Rabbi Wildstein for a single session or series of 90 minute sessions where we watch an episode of Star Trek and discuss the ethical problems presented in it from a Jewish perspective. You’ll be surprised how much Jewish thought is in the show, and how much the show inspires Jewish thought!
Forming a View of the Torah: A Guide to the Modern Perplexed – Some Jews see the Torah as given verbatim by God at Mount Sinai, while others say it was written by men. Many others don’t know what to think about this! This session presents the issues and suggests paths to consider for each person to decide for him/herself how to consider Scripture.
Three Stories that Explain Judaism – There are three stories that explain the foundational ideas of Judaism. Once you know them, you can understand the rest! A fun and entertaining way to learn the basics of this ancient tradition.
A Time to Die? – Ecclesiastes says that there is a time to be born, and a time to die. Modern medicine has led to increasing, heart-wrenching questions for families facing life or death medical decisions. What does Judaism teach to guide us at these times? Does the wisdom of our sages help us make these difficult choices?
Some Jewish Texts on Drinking – Alcohol is part of Jewish culture, as wine is “our symbol of joy.” But when does drinking become too much of a good thing, and what are the consequences when someone is drunk? This session looks at classical Jewish texts on drinking to consider some answers.
2. Jewish History
An Israel that Could Have Been – In 1903, Britain offered the Zionist Congress a Protectorate in East Africa. At a time when many Jews were threatened, this offer was appealing to some, and distasteful to others. Join Rabbi Wildstein for this little known and remarkable historical story that had tremendous effects upon Zionism and the ultimate formation of the State of Israel.
Israel and the Palestinians: One Place, Two Histories – Israelis and Palestinians both claim the same land as their home. How did this happen? Join Rabbi Wildstein for an examination of these competing claims from Scriptural times to today to gain an understanding of the conflict between these two peoples.
All of Jewish History in 90 Minutes – Can this be done? Can someone learn the basic events of Jewish history in one 90 minute session? Join Rabbi Wildstein for a whirlwind tour through the major events and issues in Jewish history.
3. American Jewish History
Reaching Out to the Jews: Campaign Pins – Many political candidates have tried to garner the Jewish vote with specialized campaign pins. Join Rabbi Wildstein for this interesting and entertaining look at real examples of these efforts.
The Reform Movement: A History – A look at the history of the Reform Movement in America using primary documents, especially the Platforms of the Reform Movement.
4. Talmud for Today
The Talmud offers great insight into Jewish thought and ethics that applies to our lives today. Rabbi Wildstein take selections from the text to raise moral questions and foster discussion of current issues. These sessions are best designed for a series or scholar weekend, although they may each be presented as a single learning session.
Justice
Defining Justice
Getting Justice: Practical Issues
Self-Defense
An Eye for an Eye?
Capital Punishment
Economic Justice
Prayer
What is the Source of our Prayer?
Is the Synagogue Necessary? Can We “Virtually” Pray?
How Should We Pray? What is “Kavenah?”
What if a Cell Phone Rings?
What Time May/Should We Have Services?
5. Jewish Law
The Most Misunderstood Verse in the Torah: An Eye for an Eye – How many times have you heard someone say we should take “an eye for an eye” like the Bible says? Despite the literal words in the Torah, Judaism hasn’t sought this type of revenge for thousands of years. Learn why with Rabbi Wildstein.
A Fence around the Torah: Kashrut – How did the intricacies of Jewish Law develop? Rabbi Wildstein guides this journey from the Torah to the Shulchan Aruch using some of the laws of kosher food as an example, demonstrating how the sages interpret the Law and build ritual fences to protect the Torah.
To Meat or Not to Meat? – What does Judaism say about eating meat versus being a vegetarian? Explore some differing views and support form both positions through classical Jewish texts as well as modern thinkers.
6. Liturgy
Avodah Shebalev: The Service of the Heart – Join Rabbi Wildstein on an in-depth journey through Jewish liturgy, comparing different practices among the branches of Judaism, in this multi-session course. May be offered as a scholar-in-residence program as well.
Understanding the Jewish Service in 90 Minutes – The Jewish worship service is a carefully constructed experience integrating numerous themes of Jewish theology. Rabbi Wildstein introduced these themes and builds an understanding of the structure of the Jewish worship service in this concise session.
7. The Basics of Judaism
Three Stories that Explain Judaism – There are three stories that explain the foundational ideas of Judaism. Once you know them, you can understand the rest! A fun and entertaining way to learn the basics of this ancient tradition.
The Days of Our (Jewish) Lives – Why do Jews circumcise their baby boys? And why at eight days? And, what’s the big deal about a bar mitzvah? This session or sessions follows the lives of two Jews, explaining the lifecycle events embraced by Jewish tradition.
All of Jewish History in 90 Minutes – Can this be done? Can someone learn the basic events of Jewish history in one 90 minute session? Join Rabbi Wildstein for a whirlwind tour through the major events and issues in Jewish history.
Understanding the Jewish Service in 90 Minutes – The Jewish worship service is a carefully constructed experience integrating numerous themes of Jewish theology. Rabbi Wildstein introduced these themes and builds an understanding of the structure of the Jewish worship service in this concise session.
8. Secrets in the Torah
These are some examples of the types of sessions I lead:
A Puzzling Pharoah – How could the Pharoah not know an important figure like Joseph? And why did he act the way that he did to the Israelites?
Who Were the Midwives? – The beginning of Exodus tells a story of brave women – midwives – who defied Pharoah. Who were these women, and does their background hold a deeper meaning?
Holy Shrubbery! – Ever wonder why God spoke to Moses from a bush, of all things? This session will provide some possible answers from the Midrash
Rings for the Lord – Near the end of the Israelites’ enslavement, they took rings and other wealth from the Egyptians. . What did this mean, and what relevance does it have for us today?
Into the Sea! – There are several different midrashic tales as to what happened when the Israelites approached the Red Sea. In this session, we’ll consider what these stories reveal about the human character.
What was Aaron Thinking??? – Moses left his brother Aaron in charge of the Israelites when he went up to get the Torah, and Aaron allowed the people to build the Golden Calf. What was he thinking? This session explores several possibilities suggested by the text. One even included the most important Biblical figure you may have never heard of…..
Moses’s Flaw – The Torah says that Moses wasn’t allowed to enter the Promised Land because of what happened in a place called Mamre. What did he do that was so wrong, and what does it teach us today?