SPRINGFIELD LEARNING EXPERIENCE
The Springfield Jewish Community has developed the Springfield Learning Experience, a ground breaking new program that is a novel approach to Jewish education on the communal level. It is a year-long offering of mini-courses on various topics, lectures, guest speakers, youth activities, special programs relating to periodic observances, and, of course, one-on-one study with our SLE Fellows. This program has been designed to meet the educational and spiritual needs of our developing and expanding Jewish community. The SLE is a joint project of the Congregation Israel family and the Max Stern Division of Communal Services of Yeshiva University.
Get “Experienced”!!!
● GEMARA B’YUN – challenge yourself with this in-depth look at the first Tractate of the Talmud, Masechet Berachot which discusses the laws and meanings of our prayers and blessings. Meets regularly on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM.
● GEMARA B’KIYUT – jump right in to the “Sea of Talmud” with this class that moves at a quicker pace, focusing more on experiencing a wider breadth of information. Currently studying Tractate Megilla, dealing primarily with the customs and laws related to the holiday of Purim, Torah reading, and the Synagogue. Meets regularly on Tuesday evenings at 8:45 PM.
● PAST PERCEPTIONS – meeting on Shabbat mornings before the main minyan at 8:30 AM, this class focuses on examining the weekly Torah portion in a different light. The approaches employed vary between literary, philosophical, and law based.
· WOMEN’S LEARNING GROUP – this group led by Mrs. Rachel Kohn, meets twice every month on Shabbat afternoon approximately 1½ hours before Mincha. Rachel leads discussions on a variety of topics, always interesting and though provoking. Contact the synagogue for updates about when and where it is taking place.
· RABBI’S SHUIR – alternating with the Women’s Learning Group, the Rabbi’s Shuir takes place Shabbat afternoon about 40 minutes before Mincha. Topics generally are contemporary issues in Halacha, or Jewish Ethics and Philosophy.
· TEEN TALK – a roundtable discussion, with utilization of texts, between the Rabbi and the teens of the community on issues of Jewish Philosophy, Law, and Ethics. It will meet twice monthly on Wednesday evenings at 8:00 PM. Contact the synagogue for updates about when and where it is taking place. (Generally the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.)