What is Torah Studies?
Torah Studies is a weekly text-based Torah study program offered in 275 cities on six continents. Torah Studies was founded in 2004 to provide instructors with well-researched, in-depth classes on the weekly Torah portion. Torah Studies enables students of all backgrounds to gain a true appreciation of cardinal Jewish beliefs and practices.
The Torah Studies Experience
In each session, the Torah Studies student encounters a multi-sensory learning experience including a mix of Jewish texts, discussions, learning activities, illustrative anecdotes, visual aids, and digital multimedia. Jewish texts are weaved together to deepen the student’s understanding of a profound new Torah insight. Lessons focus on contemporary topics of Jewish interest, including personal, social, political, and economical issues. Student textbooks contain readings carefully selected from the entire gamut of Jewish literature including traditional and modern sources. The Torah Studies instructor acts as the guide-on-the-side, rather than the sage-on-the-stage, utilizing modern pedagogic techniques to revolutionize a tradition of classical Jewish learning.
The Valley Israel Center is hosting Shavuot at the VOS JCC at 7 pm on May 20. 12701 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale.
Those attending are asked to dress in white and to bring their “bikkurim” (first fruits), another important symbol of Shavuot. These crops are barley, dates, figs, grapes, olives, pomegranates and wheat. Modern versions of the bikkurim may include other crops now grown in Israel or other Jewish communities around the world. The celebration will be an Israeli Kibbutz style.
480-634-4900, ext. 1109, shahare@vosjcc.org
Join Young Jewish Phoenix, a project of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix for their monthly happy hour. Happy Hours will be on the 3rd Thursday of each month with locations changing monthly. For more info on happy hour locations please email info@youngjewishphoenix.org or erins@vosjcc.org
YJP is aimed at engaging Jewish young adults in their 20’s-40’s.
Jewish Baby University for expectant parents. Learn preparation for childbirth, care of newborn, Jewish rituals and parenting skills for raising Jewish children. 6 Thursday evenings, 6:30-9 pm at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. $115. 480-634-8050, lfeldman@bjephoenix.org
My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel by Ari Shalit.
Book discussion led by AzJHS Exec Director, Lawrence Bell, Ph.D. Free and open to all.
7 pm at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver St in Phoenix.
RSVP to 602-241-7870 or lbell@azjhs.org
In the Valley, the Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix is offering a Tikkun Leil Shavuot gathering, a free study program, in preparation for the holiday from 7-9:45 pm on May 21 at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road.
Up for discussion is: Seven Weeks Later: Imagine transporting the four children of the Seder to Mount Sinai for the giving of the Torah. How would each child–wise, wicked, simple and unable to ask–respond to revelation? The session will consider different ways that Jewish texts have understood the blessing–and burden–of accepting the Torah.
Keynote speaker is Rabbi Dvora E. Weisberg, PhD. Rabbi Weisberg is Associate Professor of Rabbinics and Director of the School of Rabbinic Studies at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. Her book, Levirate Marriage and the Family in Ancient Judaism, (University Press of New England/Brandeis University Press, 2009) explores the ancient rabbis’ vision of the family and the roles of individuals within it; it was a finalist in the 2009 National Jewish Book Awards.
jewishphoenix.org
Shabbat and Me is a new, free Shabbat enrichment program with singing, storytelling, crafts and blessings with challah and juice.
Offered three Fridays in May, 10-11am at the Tucson JCC, 3800 E River Road plus one Shabbat on the Go:
May 1, Shabbat Vases;
May 8, Shabbat on the Go at Mildred and Dildred, 2905 E Skyline Dr.;
May 15, kippahs;
May 22: Spice bags.
RSVP to Julie Zorn at 520-299-3000, ext. 236 or jzorn@tucsonjcc.org
Tikkun Leil Shavuot at Congregation Anshei Israel in Tucson is May 23.
Service starting at 7:45 pm; dairy dinner 8 pm; first study session 8:45 pm; second study session 9:40 pm; dessert 10:30 pm; and the traditional reading of the Book of Ruth at 11 pm. At 8:45 pm Rabbi Dr. Howard Schwartz will present “The 10 Commandments: What do we do with them? What would we do without them?” and at 9:40 pm Rabbi Robert Eisen will present “The Book of Who? Tobit: An ancient novel for Shavuot.”
No charge for service & study sessions; dinner $8 per person with RSVP by May 20.
RSVP to Barb at 520-745-5550, ext. 242 or at caiaz.org
5550 E Fifth Street in Tucson
Ma’ariv & Shavuot Service 7:45pm; dinner 8:00pm; first study session 8:45pm; second study session 9:40pm; dessert 10:30pm; reading of Book of Ruth 11:00pm
Annual event to celebrate the anniversary of the day the Israelites received the Ten Commandments from God. Includes service, dairy dinner, two study sessions (at 8:45pm, Rabbi Dr. Howard Schwartz will present “The 10 Commandments: What do we do with them? What would we do without them?” and at 9:40pm, Rabbi Robert Eisen will present “The Book of Who? Tobit: An ancient novel for Shavout.” The evening concludes with dessert and the reading of the Book of Ruth. RSVP needed by May 20.
Temple Emanu-El in Tucson will be having its All-Night Tikkun Leil Shavuot Service on May 23, starting at 8 pm with a study session following.
Since Shavuot is also a time to traditionally eat dairy foods, there will be a cheesecake bake-off.
Participants are asked to bring a cheesecake or other dairy dessert to share and the group will “study together for as long as we have energy!”
Free and open to all.
225 N Country Club Road, 520-327-4501, templeemanueltucson.org