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Chabad for Students in Center City

Chabad for Students in Center City
1001 Walnut St. Barringer Lounge, Philadelphia, PA 19146 United States of America
Office: (215) 593-8264
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ChabadYoungPhilly.org

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Past Courses

Flash PromoWisdom From Sinai: Revolutionary Ideas that Judaism Introduced to the World
About the Course

Course Overview

The Ten Commandments are one of the most well-known passages of the Bible, and are significant to non-Jewish people as well. During the eight weeks of the course, three primary questions will be explored:

1. What, if anything, is Jewish about the Ten Commandments? Aren’t these ethical principles that have been adopted by most religious communities? Does Judaism understand them in a particular way, or is the foundation of the Jewish religion universalistic in its orientation?

 

 

2. Why these ten? There are many possible ways to articulate a foundational  manifesto of purpose. Yet the Ten Commandments select only ten of hundreds of possible commandments to be conveyed by G-d directly to the Jewish people. What is special about these ten? In what way do each of them represent a sphere of significance?

3. How does this commandment make a difference to your life? Most of us don’t grapple with whether to murder or not, and idol worship is currently out of fashion. Are these ten still of central relevance to us today? Do they continue to speak to us today?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Syllabus

Orientation Session

In this session, you will review the goals and requirements of the program.

Lesson One: If You Were G-d

In this lesson, you will examine the structure and order of the ten commandments, and explore its role as the foundation of Jewish thought and modern civilization.

Lesson Two: Who Am I?

In this lesson, you will examine the Jewish concept of G-d and the nature of Jewish belief. You will also investigate the contemporary relevance of the concept of idolatry.

Lesson Three: To Be or Not to Be

This lesson concentrates on the Jewish idea of the Sabbath and sanctity in time. You will become familiar with the basic practices governing the Jewish Sabbath, and you will look at the interplay between the Sabbath and the other days of the week.

Field Trip One

You will have the opportunity to observe and participate in a Shabbat dinner with your instructor.

Lesson Four: The Creators

This lesson looks at how Jewish law codifies the requirement to honor and respect 

parents, and invites you to consider the significance of this commandment to our spiritual development.

 

 

Lesson Five: The Breath of Life

This lesson examines Jewish life ethics governing such issues as murder, suicide, euthanasia, and abortion.

Lesson Six: Born To Marry

This lesson focuses on the Jewish ethics concerning love and marriage.

Field Trip Two

Lesson Seven: For Love or Money ( Do Not Steal; Do Not Covet)

This lesson will explore the relationship between material wealth and how it can be reconciled with ethical values.

Lesson Eight: The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth

This lesson focuses on the spiritual meaning of human communication and the
importance of honest and true words. We also examine classical Jewish thinking
regarding the authenticity and truth of the Jewish tradition.

 

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Date

Lesson 1 -
Sunday, February 2 2014 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Lesson 2 -
Sunday, February 9 2014 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Lesson 3 -
Sunday, February 16 2014 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Shabbaton -
Friday, February 21 2014 5:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 4 -
Sunday, February 23 2014 7:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 5 -
Sunday, March 2 2014 7:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Field Trip -
Sunday, March 23 2014 3:00 PM - - 7:00 PM

Lesson 6 -
Sunday, March 23 2014 3:00 PM - - 9:30 PM

Shabbaton -
Friday, March 28 2014 5:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 7 -
Sunday, March 30 2014 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Lesson 8 -
Sunday, April 6 2014 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Graduation -
Sunday, April 27 2014 7:30 PM - - 10:00 PM


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Flash PromoWisdom From Sinai: Revolutionary Ideas that Judaism Introduced to the World
Date

Lesson 1 -
Sunday, September 7 2014 8:00 PM - - 7:00 PM

Lesson 2 -
Sunday, September 14 2014 8:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Shabbaton1 -
Friday, September 19 2014 5:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 3 -
Saturday, September 20 2014 8:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 4 -
Sunday, September 28 2014 8:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 5 -
Sunday, October 5 2014 8:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 6 -
Sunday, October 12 2014 8:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 7 -
Sunday, October 19 2014 8:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Field Trip -
Sunday, October 26 2014 3:00 PM - - 7:00 PM

Lesson 8 -
Sunday, October 26 2014 8:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Graduation -
Sunday, November 2 2014 7:30 PM - - 10:00 PM


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Flash PromoWisdom From Sinai: Revolutionary Ideas that Judaism Introduced to the World
Date

Lesson 1 -
Sunday, February 1 2015 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Lesson 2 -
Sunday, February 8 2015 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Lesson 3 -
Sunday, February 15 2015 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Shabbaton1 -
Friday, February 20 2015 5:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 4 -
Sunday, February 22 2015 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Lesson 5 -
Sunday, March 1 2015 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Field Trip -
Sunday, March 15 2015 11:00 AM - - 3:00 PM

Lesson 6 -
Sunday, March 15 2015 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Lesson 7 -
Sunday, March 22 2015 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Lesson 8 -
Sunday, March 29 2015 7:30 PM - - 9:30 PM

Graduation -
Tuesday, April 14 2015 7:30 PM - - 10:00 PM


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Availability Registration is now closed, please contact us for more information.
Flash PromoWisdom From Sinai: Revolutionary Ideas that Judaism Introduced to the World
Date

Orientation / Lesson 1 -
Sunday, January 31 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 2 -
Sunday, February 7 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 3 -
Sunday, February 14 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Shabbaton1 -
Sunday, February 21 2016 5:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 4 -
Sunday, February 21 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 5 -
Sunday, February 28 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 6 -
Sunday, March 6 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 7 -
Sunday, March 13 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Field Trip -
Sunday, March 20 2016 11:00 AM - - 3:00 PM

Lesson 8 -
Sunday, March 20 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Graduation -
Tuesday, April 12 2016 7:30 PM - - 10:00 PM


Calendar URL help
Availability Registration is now closed, please contact us for more information.
Flash PromoWisdom From Sinai: Revolutionary Ideas that Judaism Introduced to the World
Date

Orientation / Lesson 1 -
Sunday, January 31 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 2 -
Sunday, February 7 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 3 -
Sunday, February 14 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Shabbaton1 -
Sunday, February 21 2016 5:00 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 4 -
Sunday, February 21 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 5 -
Sunday, February 28 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 6 -
Sunday, March 6 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 7 -
Sunday, March 13 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Field Trip -
Sunday, March 20 2016 11:00 AM - - 3:00 PM

Lesson 8 -
Sunday, March 20 2016 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Graduation -
Tuesday, April 12 2016 7:30 PM - - 10:00 PM


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Availability Registration is now closed, please contact us for more information.

Flash PromoThink Jewish: Jewish Wisdom for Modern Life
About the Course

A Jewish Educational Experience
Do you enjoy fun and lively conversations?

Do you want to challenge the status quo?

Do you have questions about Judaism that are important to discuss?

Do you want to discover how Judaism is relevant and forward-thinking?

Do you want to join a warm community?

Then join the club! Sinai Scholars is for you! This learning experience is different from any class you have ever attended!

Sinai Scholars is not a series of lectures; it is a series of interactive discussions. It is not a repeat of what you experienced in Hebrew school; it is fun, stimulating, deep, and relevant. It is not a time to listen; it’s a time to question. It is not geared to tell you what to think; it provides an opportunity to explore Judaism’s rich heritage at your own pace with you in the driver’s seat.

Sinai Scholars is a platform upon which participants explore central elements of Judaism that are relevant, interesting, and empowering for all Jews, irrespective of background, education, and level of commitment. By the end of this journey, you will have a richer appreciation for some of the core elements of Jewish heritage and Jewish identity, along with a deeper understanding about how these interface with modern life.

Session One
A Question of Identity: Perspectives on Jewish Identity in the Modern World

You meet a Jewish person who says, “You know, I don’t know why people consider me Jewish. I do not support Israel; I do not ever visit a synagogue; and I do not celebrate any Jewish holidays.” How would you respond?

What does it mean to be a Jew? Is Judaism a religion, culture, nationality, or some combination thereof?

Since the dawn of time, individuals and groups sought to define and explain their identities, and Jews throughout the ages questioned the meaning of their Jewish identity. Today, the shifting sands of Jewish life require that this conversation persist but with newer insights and profounder definitions.

Session Two
A People with a Purpose: Exploring Foundational Elements of the Jewish Ethos

If you were G-d and you were going to address a once-for-all-time message to all of humanity, what would you say?

What messages does humankind need to hear today?

Mark Twain noted that while many nations filled the planet with sound and splendor, all of them soon faded and vanished. But the Jews are different, he noted. “All things are mortal,” he wrote, “but the Jew.” For Jews, survival is not celebrated for survival’s sake; survival is seen as a call to a purpose. A dialogue about the nature of this purpose is one crucial step in making this world a better place.

Session Three
Reason and Ritual: On the Significance and Meaning of Jewish Observances

In medieval times, a despotic ruler once agreed to release a Jew from jail for one day each year to practice religion. The Jew was now in a quandary. Should that day be Yom Kippur? Passover? Rosh Hashanah? Some other day? How to choose?

What would you choose?

This leads into a broader discussion about Jewish rituals, which often seem foreign and archaic. In what ways can we find meaning and value in some of these observances?

Session Four
An Oasis in Time: The Gift of Shabbat

Life is continuous and unrelenting. Might there be some benefit in a creative pause?

Enter the Jewish Sabbath. It is difficult to imagine a society functioning without a weekend, but this institution was unheard of in the ancient world. What meaning did Jews find in their Sabbath that allowed them to shrug off their cultural isolation?

Examining this question is relevant to those who are troubled that today’s society is insufficiently happy and inadequately connected in meaningful ways.

 

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Date

Orientation / Lesson 1 -
Sunday, February 5 2017 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Tikun Olam / Lesson 2 -
Sunday, February 12 2017 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 3 -
Sunday, February 19 2017 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 4 -
Sunday, February 26 2017 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 5 -
Sunday, March 5 2017 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 6 -
Sunday, March 12 2017 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 7 -
Sunday, March 19 2017 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM

Lesson 8 -
Sunday, March 26 2017 7:30 PM - - 8:00 PM


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Availability Registration is now closed, please contact us for more information.
Flash PromoThink Jewish: Jewish Wisdom for Modern Life
Date

Orientation / Lesson 1 -
Monday, October 16 2017 8:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Tikun Olam / Lesson 2 -
Monday, October 23 2017 8:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 3 -
Monday, October 30 2017 8:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 4 -
Monday, November 6 2017 8:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 5 -
Monday, November 13 2017 8:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 6 -
Monday, November 20 2017 8:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 7 -
Monday, November 27 2017 8:30 PM - - 10:00 PM

Lesson 8 -
Monday, December 4 2017 8:30 PM - - 10:00 PM


Calendar URL help
Availability Registration is now closed, please contact us for more information.