Current Courses ---------------------------------------------------------------
Torah Study with Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Shabbat mornings, 9:00-9:45 am
In-person only at CDT (60 Highland St): 10/15, 11/19, & 12/17
Zoom only: 1/7 & 2/11
Location TBD: 3/4 & 4/15
Shabbat morning Torah study is back! We will meet in person in the fall before Shabbat morning services, and then shift to Zoom in the winter months, beginning in January. All are welcome to join Rabbi Toba at the Second Church for an exploration of the weekly Torah portion, using commentaries both ancient and new. No Torah study experience required! Bring your own caffeinated beverage and a mask.
Upcoming Courses ---------------------------------------------------------
Shabbat Learner's Minyan
with Rabbinic Intern Akiva Nelson
Shabbat mornings, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, & 2/11
10:00 am-12:00 pm
CDT Library & Sanctuary (in-person only)
We're excited to announce the upcoming Learner's Minyan at CDT! Are you seeking to cultivate awe, gratitude, humility, and compassion on a regular basis? Excited to develop skills so that you can better follow along (or lead!) prayer services? Enjoy singing, but don't quite get the whole "prayer" thing? Or maybe you just want to dig deeper into the wonderful world of Jewish liturgy and prayer? If any of these describe you, join CDT and Rabbinic Intern Akiva Nelson for the launch of our Learner's Minyan!
The purpose of the Learner's Minyan is to provide people who are not as familiar with the Shabbat morning service a space to ask questions, learn choreography, take a look at the prayerbook, and explore the meaning of each part of the service. It will be a space to explore how prayer can be so much more than just asking G-d for things you want, a pathway to build skills to better participate in Jewish prayer, and an opportunity to build a more personal relationship with the oftentimes opaque Jewish prayer service. We'll be spending part of the time in the sanctuary during the prayer service and part of the time in a separate space to discuss.
Email a.nelson@dorsheitzedek.org if you're interested in learning more or think the Learner's Minyan may be for you.
I/P Peace Study Group
Wednesdays, 1/25, 2/22, & 3/15
7:30-8:30 pm
Register to join on Zoom:
https://brandeis.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrcO2qpjosH9ZC0XAushzcfTojKMX6M07K%C2%A0
CDT’s Israel/Palestine Peace Group is pleased to offer a new winter study group for 2023! This year, we will explore the general concept of “a land for all” and focus more deeply on two inspiring explorations of a shared future that can accommodate both Jewish and Palestinian priorities. Our discussions will draw upon two short works, Omri Boehm’s Haifa Republic (2021, available in print and e-book versions) and Jonathan Kuttab’s Beyond the Two-State Solution (2020, freely available online). Grounded in both historical understanding and contemporary realities, these works explore current challenges to peace and propose pathways toward resolution that are at once visionary and pragmatic.
The study group will meet at 7:30 pm on three Wednesday evenings: January 25, February 22, and March 15. The first two meetings will take place on Zoom; depending on feasibility, the final meeting may be hybrid. All members of CDT are welcome to attend. Reading in preparation for each session is encouraged but not required. Watch your email for further details about recommended readings for each session.
One-time Sessions with Rabbinic Intern Akiva
Sundays, 1/22, 3/5, 3/26, & 4/30
10:00-11:00 am
CDT Religious School (Cabot Elementary, 229 Cabot St, Newton)
Akiva will be teaching several fun + informative 1-off sessions on the following subjects at Sunday’s religious school. All are welcome to join, regardless of RS enrollment!
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January 22: The Heart of Jewish Prayer — Explore how morning prayers of gratitude + love can transform our lives and elevate our spiritual practice, whether or not we believe in the G-d of the Torah.
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March 5: Playing with Purim — Purim is a great place to find silliness and joy centered within Jewish tradition. In this class, we’ll be playing: likely a mixture of games, song, and study - stay tuned for more details!
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March 26: Making Shabbat Ritual Meaningful (Part 1) — Join us to explore the meaning and music of the beautiful Friday evening rituals of Erev Shabbat.
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April 30: Making Shabbat Ritual Meaningful (Part 2) — Dance, sing, and kindle your inner pyro as we learn about the music and rituals of Havdalah, the end of the weekly Shabbat celebration.