A Talmudic Saint Takes on Cost/Benefit Analysis
A Talmudic Commentary on Market Interventions
Bruce Heitler
Saturday 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
Windwood
Tractate Ta'anit of the Babylonian Talmud portrays a series of Jewish "saints". One of these, R. Huna, had sufficient wealth to undertake market interventions, and he shows the hazards of trying to help the poor by intervening in markets. As our government confronts the current "trillion dollar meltdown", a saintly approach to the hazards of market intervention seems particularly timely.
Does God Understand English?
Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
Canceled, sorry
Traditonal Jewish prayer is recited in Lashon Kodesh, Hebrew. It is certainly a powerful, ancient language, but does this mean if we don't read or understand Hebrew, we cannot pray? Using some of his own English translations, written to be prayed out loud, as well as other sources, Reb Zalman will lead us through a discussion on praying in the vernacular.
Family Program: SHOVE-WHO-WHAT?
Oh! You Mean Shavuot
Sharon Steinhorn
Saturday 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
Silver Hawk, Wood
Shavuot: the holiday that gets left out of the Religious school curriculum because it comes “too late.” Join together for an interactive, intergenerational catch-up on the main players, the who, what, and why,... (but no shov-ing). No experience necessary, but if you have eaten blintzes before, you are ahead of the game.
Gained in Translation
Amichai Lau Lavie
Saturday 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
Sun Drift
Arts & Performance,
Text & Thought
This workshop examines the historical, cultural, and theological contexts within which the Torah Reading Ritual evolved, with particular focus on its theatrical elements.
How to Be Happy on a Holiday Even When You're Not
Yehudis Fishman
Saturday 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
Gold Camp, Streak
A holiday -- called a Moed in Hebrew -- comes upon us, even when we may not be ready, physically and especially emotionally or psychologically. We may be experiencing a difficult challenge in our life, or a loss that coincides with the holiday. Do we stifle our feelings and celebrate, or do we tap into them and grieve? Join in a meaningful discussion about this difficult, yet all too real, situation, and hopefully emerge with some insight and clarity.
Is What's Ours Really Ours?
Ownership, Inequality, and Justice
Sarah Meyer
Saturday 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
Sun Burst
Identity & Responsibility
Global distribution of resources, opportunities, and goods to fulfill basic needs – food, shelter, health care and education – is radically unequal in today’s world. Given our place in this picture, can we truly say that we deserve what we have? How did resources come to be distributed in this way, and is it fair? This session will draw on concepts such as ownership, reparations, and merit in both Jewish and secular traditions and texts, and will apply this investigation to a picture of global inequality and economic injustice.
Menucha - Shabbat Rest
Saturday 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
Additional schedules
- Saturday 9:00 AM–10:15 AM
- Saturday 10:30 AM–11:45 AM
- Saturday 1:30 PM–2:45 PM
- Saturday 3:00 PM–4:15 PM
Remember it is Shabbat. Feel free to skip a session, go for a hike, breathe in the mountain air, or take a Shabbos shluf (sleep).
Reb Levi Yitzchak Of Berditchev
Life and Legend
Mimi Feigelson
Saturday 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
Ballroom Ten Mile
Arts & Performance,
Text & Thought
Reb Levi Yitzchak, the 18th century Chassidic Master, was known as the “Advocate of Israel”. It is he that stood in front of God demanding justice and compassion! Reb Levi, as briefly hosted by a 20th century female Modern-Chassidic Rav, will share with you moments in his personal and public life. How did he see himself and how was he seen by others? Who did he talk to and share his soul with? What was the nature of the relationship that he established with his students and how is Rabbi Akiva (2nd century) responsible for this?
Join Reb Levi Yitzchak as he tells his story and answers some of the questions you’ve been waiting a lifetime to ask him.
The Jewish View of Abortion
A Taste of Melton
Stephen Uslan
Saturday 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
Starslide
Text & Thought
Does Jewish law present a fixed view whether abortion is permissible or not? We will study Biblical and Talmudic texts, medieval commentaries, and contemporary sources to explore this controversial and compelling topic. Scholars from Hebrew University designed this curriculum for the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School Jewish Ethics course.
The Process of Halachic Change
Homosexuality as a Case Study
Steve Greenberg
Saturday 4:30 PM–5:45 PM
Foxfire
In the process of challenging the Orthodox community to reconsider its standard approach to homosexuality Rabbi Steven Greenberg has explored how the process of halachic change works. From myth to method and from principle to pragmatics, Greenberg marks the ways internal to the system that can work to change attitudes, practice, and even law. We will study texts that put the halachah in theological, psychological and historical contexts that leave room for innovation and renewal.
