Hebrew College
School:
INT510
BTI Category:
Semester
Hebrew College
From Diversity to Pluralism: Religious Leadership in an Interreligious Age
Interreligious Learning
SP23
We live in one of the most religiously diverse societies in the history of humankind. How can we cultivate an ethos of dignified engagement both within our communities of practice and across religious traditions? What are the ethical underpinnings—values and dispositions—that support such an effort? What theological resources might we draw on for this sacred work? What are some historical and contemporary models of individual and communal engagement that we can learn from as we develop our intra/interreligious leadership capacities? (full course description at hebrewcollege.edu/resources/register-for-courses)
Professor
Or Rose
Class Day & Time
JTERM
JTERM
Online?
N
Professor Approval Required?
N
Credits:
2
Prerequisites?
N
Notes:
M-F, Jan 16-20; Required Activity MONDAY for MLK Day, Tues-Thurs 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Fri 8:30 am – 1:30 pm ; Will meet in Temple Israel - 477 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA
School:
INT519
BTI Category:
Semester
Hebrew College
Introduction to Christianity
Interreligious Learning
SP23
Introduction to Christianity will focus on the histories, beliefs, and practices of contemporary Christian communities. The intensive course will be conducted on-site at churches and Christian organizations in greater Boston, providing students with the opportunity to network with other important actors in the religious landscape and exposure to the various expressions of Christianity in Boston. The course will be facilitated by Rev. Dr. Soren Hessler, former Associate Director of the Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership, and will include guest lectures and workshops led by area clergy and religious professionals. While the course is primarily designed to orient emerging Jewish religious leaders to the traditions of Christianity, non-Jewish students are welcome to enroll.
Professor
Soren Hessler
Class Day & Time
JTERM
JTERM
Online?
N
Professor Approval Required?
N
Credits:
0
Prerequisites?
N
Notes:
T-F, Jan 17-20; Tues-Thurs 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Fri 9:00 am – 1:00 pm ; Will meet in Marsh Chapel at Boston University
School:
INT600
BTI Category:
Semester
Hebrew College
Introduction to Islam for Jewish Leaders
Interreligious Learning
SP23
In this intensive course students will explore key concepts, practices, and historical events from the Islamic tradition. Special attention will be given to the interaction of Jews and Muslims, past and present. We will also explore specific challenges and opportunities facing contemporary Muslims in the United States. The course will be taught by Imam Taymullah Abdur Rahman, author of 44 Ways to Manhood, and former imam for Harvard University, the Massachusetts Department of Correction, and Northeastern University. The course will include presentations by religious and cultural figures and a Friday Jumuah service.
Professor
Taymullah Abdur-Rahman
Class Day & Time
JTERM
JTERM
Online?
N
Professor Approval Required?
N
Credits:
0
Prerequisites?
N
Notes:
T-F, Jan 17-20; Tues-Thurs 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Fri 9:00 am – 1:00 pm ; Will meet in Temple Israel - 477 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA
School:
JTH918
BTI Category:
Semester
Hebrew College
Contemporary Jewish Thought
Judaic Studies
SP23
This course has two components. In the first half of the semester we will explore American Jewish history focusing on themes of particular importance to rabbinical students like the emergence of denominations and the evolution of the American synagogue. The second half of the course is a survey of the seminal Jewish thinkers who wrote in an American context such as Mordecai Kaplan, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Joseph Soloveitchik, Judith Plaskow and others. We will ultimately be aiming to place our own historical moment and our own theologies within broader historical/theological frameworks.
Professor
Dan Judson
Class Day & Time
R
9:15-10:45 am
Online?
N
Professor Approval Required?
Y
Credits:
2
Prerequisites?
N
Notes:
N
School:
JTH719
BTI Category:
Semester
Hebrew College
Medieval Jewish Thought
Judaic Studies
SP23
This course will examine Jewish theology in the medieval period with particular attention to three foundational thinkers – Maimonides, Saadyeh Gaon and Yehuda Halevi. We will also be tracing the historical and social developments within the Jewish community of the period – the rise and ultimate exile of Jews from the Iberian peninsula as well as the changing circumstances for Jews in Germany and France as a result of crusades and migrations.
Professor
TBD
Class Day & Time
R
9:15-10:45 am
Online?
N
Professor Approval Required?
Y
Credits:
2
Prerequisites?
N
Notes:
N
School:
JHT630
BTI Category:
Semester
Hebrew College
Theology of the Jewish Year
Judaic Studies
SP23
The calendar, with its cycle of sacred observances, is the great teacher of Judaism’s practices, values and theology. Our study will explore key texts from the Bible to Hasidism, beginning with Shabbat, the core of sacred time, an embodied practice of immersive locatedness and emplacement that transforms somatic awareness with transformative effect. The holidays will be presented as an interplay between solar and lunar rhythms. For every holy day we will attempt to uncover the ideas that motivate the rituals and that transform ceremonies into spiritual practices. Hasidic texts will be read with an eye to interiority and the personal and collective quest for meaning.
Professor
Nehemia Polen
Class Day & Time
T
2:30-4:00 pm
Online?
N
Professor Approval Required?
Y
Credits:
2
Prerequisites?
N
Notes:
High level Hebrew skills are recommended, but most texts will be translated.
School:
LGY591
BTI Category:
Semester
Hebrew College
Siddur
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP23
The broad purpose of this course is to help students transform words of liturgy into words of prayer. We will focus our attention on the weekday Shacharit service because it offers a foundation for understanding many other Jewish tefillah liturgies and because it is the primary tefillah experience we will engage in together at Hebrew College. We will spend some time on liturgical variations for Shabbat and holidays. We will use Ashkenazi liturgy as our base text because it is the most common liturgy used in North America, though we will note some moments of liturgical variation with other liturgical traditions.
Professor
Daniel Klein
Class Day & Time
T
2:30-4:00 pm
Online?
N
Professor Approval Required?
Y
Credits:
2
Prerequisites?
Y
Notes:
Hebrew level 4 or above is required
School:
LGY725
BTI Category:
Semester
Hebrew College
Yamim Noraim: Liturgy and Poetry
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP23
Students will study the classic liturgy for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, including the history of the mahzor and close reading of piyyutim (liturgical poetry). Texts will be taught in Hebrew.
Professor
Allan Lehmann
Class Day & Time
R
2:30-4:00 pm
Online?
N
Professor Approval Required?
Y
Credits:
2
Prerequisites?
Y
Notes:
Texts will be taught in Hebrew
School:
BIB507
BTI Category:
Semester
Hebrew College
Tanakh – Authority and Power in Biblical and Rabbinic Texts
Scripture & Biblical Studies
SP23
The goal of this class is to empower you to feel more at home in two genres of Jewish literature - Tanakh and Talmud. We will look at both as we seek answers to questions regarding power and authority. Sefer Shmuel will speak to us about the shift from judges to kingship. The Talmud will tell us about rabbinic authority. What was its source? And where is God in all this? While these questions are fascinating, the main goal will be to grow in skills and ability as you take your first steps into challenging new worlds of discourse.
Professor
Shayna Rhodes
Class Day & Time
MR
Class meets 2:30–4:00 pm; required preparation time 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Online?
N
Professor Approval Required?
Y
Credits:
3
Prerequisites?
Y
Notes:
Hebrew level 4 or above is required