Four Reform Jewish congregations of the Merrimack Valley are partnering to offer an engaging multi-session course for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Jewish life through a Reform lens. The course will be held Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m., beginning September 10, 2019, and run for 18 sessions. Its location will rotate among the four participating congregations; a class schedule with locations will be sent upon registration.
Preregistration is required at reformjudaism.org/intro/ma. Payment of $100 for the entire course is due at or before the first class. Please contact Temple Emanuel of Andover (978.470.1356 or bholstein@templeemanuel.net) to make a payment before the start of the course.
Cantor Vera Broekhuysen from Temple Emanu-El (Haverhill), Rabbi Dr. Robert S. Goldstein from Temple Emanuel (Andover), Rabbi Robin S. Sparr from Temple Emanuel of the Merrimack Valley (Lowell), and Rabbi Shoshana Perry from Congregation Shalom (Chelmsford) will be leading the “Introduction to Judaism” course, which is designed for individuals and couples from various faith traditions and cultural backgrounds and those who have had no religious upbringing. It is perfect for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. All people, perspectives, and questions are welcome!
Topics include holidays, life cycle celebrations, theology and core beliefs, Hebrew, prayer, the Bible and other sacred texts, history, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, Zionism and Israel, the American Jewish experience, and the tapestry of the Jewish people today.
The four leaders of the course said, “We as local clergy are excited to share our knowledge with those who want to further their learning. Judaism is a religion of joy, profound wonder, deep history, engaging present, love, and curiosity. We look forward to learning together and asking good questions!”
For more information, interested participants should contact: intro@URJ.org or (646) 793-3196.
The course is supported by the National Center to Encourage Judaism and created in partnership with the Union for Reform Judaism and local Reform congregations.