Semester I: June 15 - July 4
Beginner's Talmud, Rabbi Zvi Engel
Monday evenings, 8:45 - 9:30pm
Rabbi Akiva was 40 when he discovered the beauty of Jewish learning. Why not you? Come join us as we explore the intricacy and depth of this core text of Jewish life. This course assumes no background in Talmud study and does not require participants to be able to read Hebrew.
June 15: at the home of Ezra and Marla Jaffe, 8910 Lincolnwood Drive, Skokie
June 22: at the home of Steve and Mary Cohn, 3608 Main St., Skokie
June 29: Or Torah
Yediot Klaliot, Mrs. Miriam Jaffe
Tuesday mornings, 11:30am - 12:30pm
June 16: Secrets of the Aleph Bet
Understanding the secrets of the letters of the Aleph-Bet. What do the letters mean and how can we use them to help us relay our thoughts? Why is there a difference between the script we use today and the script found in ancient documents?
June 23: The Jewish Calendar
Understanding the cycle of the Jewish calendar year and how we can grow as we celebrate each event within the cycle. What is the meaning of the signs of the zodiac and how do these signs compliment the message of the calendar?
June 30: The History of the Jewish People
5769 years of Jewish history in one hour. Does history repeat itself? What message can we learn from history and where do we fit in the picture?
Location: KINS
Angels and Demons, Rabbi
Mendel Breitstein
Tuesday evenings, 9:00 - 9:45pm
June 16: Angels at the Shabbat Table
Why did the Maharal oppose part of a popular Friday night song? How can one defend the practice? What should we do?
June 23: Conversations with Demons
What role do shedim play in Jewish Law? How does the Rambam understand certain Talmudic references to shedim? Why do some take issue with his interpretations? What should our approach be?
June 30: Meeting a Golem
If we have 9 men, and it's almost sh'kiah, may I make a golem to be the tenth man? If I eat a steak made from a golem animal, can I have ice cream afterwards? Does that golem animal require shechitah?
Location: KINS
Stories of Rav Nachaman of Breslav, Rabbi
David Pri-Chen
Wednesday evenings, 8:45 - 9:30pm
June 17: The Gem and the Mud
We will look at the difference between delivering a message by way of a Drasha and a tale using an example from the tale of the Gem and the Mud.
June 24: The Humble King
Who is really sane in an insane world? We will try to see our world through the glasses of R' Nachman as it appears in the story about The Prince Who Thought He was a Turkey.
July 1: The Two Painters
More than two hundred years ago Rabbi Nachman made some very interesting insights about what we today call "post-modernism." Join us as we delve into them!
Location: Or Torah
Winston Women: Pirkei Avot
Shabbat afternoons, 6:15 - 7:00pm, for women
June 20: at the home of Daniel and Shira Kroll, 6833 N. Kedzie Ave., Apt. 311
Rabbi
David Pri-Chen
We usually get to know our Sages through their Halachik discussions. In Pirkei-Avot, however, we get to know the less-known part of their Hashkafic ideas. Is there a connection between the two?
June 27: at the home of Seth and Hamutal Appel, 6933 N. Kedzie Ave., Apt. 201
Rabbi
Noah Baron
Embarrassing a friend in public: not a good thing. Not having a Bris Milah: not a good thing. What is the connection?
July 4: at the home of Etan and Rifi Bleichman, 7033 N. Kedzie Ave., Apt. 215
Rabbi
Yosef Schwartz
An analysis and discussion of the core values of our faith through the lens of Chazal. Perkei Avot is replete with the wisdom of our Sages, which allows for an interactive and vibrant discussion.
Semester II: July 5 - August 2
Shakespeare in the Park
Sunday evenings, 7:15 - 8:00pm
July 5: Merchant of Venice, Rabbi Ira Wallach
A discussion of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice and it's Halachik implications. The discussion will take place in the relaxed atmosphere of Timber Ridge Park.
July 12: Julius Caesar, Rabbi Ira Wallach
A study of Shakespeare's Epic Julius Caesar and parallel themes in Jewish Thought.
July 19: As You Like It, Rabbi Reuven Brand
Unearth gems of Jewish philosophy hidden beneath the text of this enchanting Shakespeare play. Hearken back to lessons learned from bygone role models in Jewish and general history.
Location: Timber Ridge Park, Skokie (In case of rain: Or Torah)
Reflections on the Rav
Sunday evenings, 8:45 - 9:30pm
July 5: Covenant, Community and Commitment, Rabbi Reuven Brand
Meet Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, ZT"L, through the lens of his personal correspondence, as we understand a key aspect of our Modern Orthodox perspective on the world. This shiur will focus on three events about which Rabbi Soloveitchik shared his thoughts in his own letters to friends and colleagues.July 12: Out of the Whirlwind, Rabbi David Pri-Chen
We will explore the meaning of mourning in Judaism in the context of Shloshet Hashavuot as it appears in essays of Rav Soloveitchik.
July 19: Halakhic Man, Rabbi Yosef Schwartz
A survey of the second, less popular, section of Rav Soloveitchik's celebrated essay, Halakhic Man. This class will attempt to reveal what lies at the core of the Rav's penetrating and innovative thoughts.
Location: KINS
Movies with Machshava
Monday evenings, 8:30 - 10:00pm (Mincha 8:15pm, Maariv
10:00pm)
July 6: The Truman Show, Rabbi Michael Shtiglitz at KINS
Part 1: The importance of imagination in the context of the
Redemption.
Part 2: Open your eyes! Hidden messages in popular films.
July 13: Ratatouille, Rabbi Reuven Brand at Chovevei Tzion
The Baltimore Sun named it the best film of 2007, and Rabbi Brand agrees! We will watch snippets of this most entertaining Disney feature and share traditional Jewish texts that highlight fundamental Jewish themes.July 20: The Boy in Striped Pajamas, Rabbi Mendel Breitstein at YI of Skokie
Over half a century after the Holocaust, it is vital that we not allow what happened to be forgotten. And yet, what should our response be to well meaning attempts that both preserve, and distort, those memories? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion.
Learning in Lakeview: Summertime Series
Tuesday evenings, 8:45 - 9:30pm
July 14: Modern Orthodoxy or Militant Orthodoxy?: Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Rabbi Reuven Brand
Location: At the home of the Robinsons, 2970 N. Lake Shore Dr #13D Chicago IL 60657
Meet Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, ZT"L, through the lens of his personal correspondence, as we understand a key aspect of our Modern Orthodox perspective on the world. This shiur will focus on three events about which Rabbi Soloveitchik shared his thoughts in his own letters to friends and colleagues.July 21: Flying the Friendly Skies, Rabbi Yosef Schwartz
Location: At the home of the Rosenburgs, 3152 N. Hudson #2 Chicago IL 60657
A Halakhic discussion focusing on various issues presenting
themselves during air travel.
Kosher food, Tefilat Ha'Derech, Birkat Ha'Gomel... Come join us
as we take off into this wonderful discussion.
A Sightseeing Tour of Israel: A Journey in Avodat Hashem,
Mrs. Tal Pri-Chen
8:00 - 8:45pm
Wednesday, July 8: The Negev
Why did Hashem choose to give us the Torah in the desert? This shiur will take you deep into the Negev, the desert in Eretz Yisrael, and will show you just how much spiritually lies beneath the surface! We will explore the "chashivut," the importance of a seemingly empty place in Eretz Yisrael, and get a better understanding of the kidoosha (holiness) that contributes to our avodat Hashem.
Location: KINS
*All programs are open to men and women and are subject to change.
773.973.6557