Rabbi Hayim Donin’s To Be a Jew, Becomes Adult Education Course at Beth Shalom

Rabbi Hayim Donin’s fundamental work in his classic guide To Be a Jew will become an adult education course at Temple Beth Shalom beginning November 12th. The class will meet regularly on Wednesdays from 1:45 until 2:30 p.m. and will be moderated by Merrill Shapiro, Rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom. All are welcome, there is no charge, no advance arrangements need be made. Because of the nature of the course, no meeting is dependent on previous or future meetings. Thus, each session is stand-alone, participants need make no commitment to regular attendance.  


To Be a Jew is Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin's classic guide to Jewish life, philosophy, and law has guided generations of Americans, Europeans, and Israelis to discover the treasures of their own religious traditions. First published in 1972, the book still stands as a reliable, practical and versatile resource for everyone from young girls preparing for bat mitzvah to old men returning to their spiritual roots. The book begins with an overview of Judaism's basic credo (including chapters on Israel's people, land, God, and Torah), moves on to describe the laws governing Jews' daily lives, the Jewish calendar, and "The Special Occasions of Life" from birth to death and mourning. One great strength of To Be a Jew is its blending of folk wisdom and scholarly learning. Rabbi Donin not only describes what right belief and righteous action look like but provides a rationale for these observances that engages and embraces the basic conditions of modern life.  

The initial course calendar and subjects to be discussed include:
 
 
November 12 Israel –The People
 
November 19 Israel –Its Land
 
November 26 Israel-Its God
 
December 3 Israel- Its Torah
 
December 10 Halakha: The Jewish Way
 
December 17 The Reasons for the Commandments
 
January 7th Kindness: A Means to an End
 
January 14 acts of Kindness
 
January 21 Laws of Charity
 
January 28 Laws Relating to Slander, Revenge and Deceit

Hebrew Reading Course Offered at Beth Shalom

Jews with littleor no background in the Hebrew language can learn basic Hebrew reading skills, allowing them to connect with their Jewish heritage, follow along in a prayer book at services, and help their children with Hebrew school homework with enrollment in a course offered at Palm Coast’s Temple Beth Shalom. The class meets Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 until 3:00 p.m. and the initial schedule calls for meetings on November 12th, 19th and 26th, December 3rd, 10th and 17th and January 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th. There is a $10 charge for materials, the text “Kriah u’Tefillah L’Matchilim” A Reading and Prayer Primer recently updated by the New York publisher Ktav and author Zvi Scharfstein. Details and further information are available from instructor Merrill Shapiro, Rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom.  

The results of the recent National Jewish Population Survey show a decline in the American Jewish population, making clear the need to offer American Jews access to engaging educational programming that will inspire them to integrate Judaism into their lives. Experience has demonstrated that they beginning Hebrew Reading courses are a fantastic way to get people to take their first steps into Jewish life and to generate interest in Jewish traditions and culture.

Beth Shalom and Hadassah Offer Modern Spoken Hebrew Classes

Temple Beth Shalom and Palm Coast Hadassah have partnered to offer classes in modern spoken Hebrew through a course called Ivrit L'Hadassah, Hebrew of Hadassah. The classes meet Wednesday afternoons at Temple Beth Shalom  The beginngers course is offered from 3:00 until 3:45 p.m. while a course for intermediate level students is is offered from 1:00 untill 1:45 p.m.  The courses are open to all and there is no charge. Further details are available from the course instructor Merrill Shapiro, the Rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom who can be reached in the synagogue office at 386-445-3006.

The initial course calendar plans meetings on Wednesdays November 12th, 19th and 26th, December 3rd, 10th and 17th and January 7th, 14th 21st and 28th.   

Learning Hebrew is not as hard as one might think. Anyone can learn to read, speak, and understand the language of the Bible, prayers, and of daily life in Israel. Even for those who can't read a single Hebrew letter, or those who already have a background in the language, Ivrit la Hadassah – Hadassah's National Hebrew Studies program – can provide anyone and everyone with the basic building blocks of Hebrew to help build or increase Hebrew Language proficiency. 

Ivrit la Hadassah offers a four-level program that teaches the Hebrew alphabet in segments, integrates grammar sequentially, and introduces conversational Hebrew. Peer-led classes use an exciting, low-pressure, results-oriented approach that emphasizes basic skills and conversational fluency.Participants have fun learning, and make friends who share a  Jewish consciousness and love of Israel.

The gift of Jewish and Hebrew literacy is now available to Flagler County residents.