Classes at Congregation Eitz Chayim
The book of Ruth poses hard questions about the relationship between humanity and God, and between one human and another. Like Job, Naomi agonizes over being abandoned by God, even afflicted by God. How can this be? What does it mean that God can afflict human beings? Why should it be so? A consideration of issues of identity (both loss and change), redemption, affliction by YHWH, the role of women in transforming society, love between women, Naomi as a Jobian figure, the significance of the book of Ruth in the biblical narrative, the place of both Ruth and Boaz in the genealogy of King David
Category Archives: Classes_taught
JUDGES 4-5 (May 2011)
Workshop at Temple Hillel Bnei Torah, W. Roxbury, MA
“When I/you arose, a Mother in Israel.” The story of Deborah – woman of
fire, prophet and judge.
ESTHER (Purim 2011)
Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim.
Some say that the name Esther, which is similar to hidden in Hebrew, means that the works of God are hidden in the book. A consideration of the possibility that what is hidden (and therefore difficult to uncover) is the meaning of the text.
L’DOR VADOR: From Generation to Generation (January & June 2011)
Nehirim Gathering and National East Retreats – Workshops co-led with David Bass
Learning about intergenerational dialog through the study of Ruth and Naomi.
WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND S/HE IS US (Summer 2010)
Classes at Congregation Eitz Chayim
Teachings utilizing close intertextual reading of selected Biblical texts, to explore the intersection of gender and politics in the ancient Israelite love/hate relationship with the outsider/other.
Three sessions covering: “Canaanites from Curse to Conquest,” “Zipporah and the Bridegroom of Blood (Ex 4:24-26),” and “The Cushite Woman” (Num 11:35-12:9).
SHIR HASHIRIM (Pesach 5770/2010)
Workshop at Temple Hillel Bnei Torah, W. Roxbury, MA
Shir haShirim 8:6-7 read against Exodus 3:14 – “Love is Stronger than Death.”
Examination of issues of gender equality and the danger and power of love. (flyer)
THE MAKING OF MEANING (Winter 2009-10)
Classes at Congregation Eitz Chayim
How Do Jews Make Meaning? Three part series looking at the meaning of biblical texts, rabbinic interpretations, and how we as modern Jews make meaning.
Study of Hannah Narrative, Bathsheba/David, and Song of Songs.
Penina will guide participants in wrestling with the meaning of a biblical text counterpoised with a complementary rabbinic text. How do the Rabbis subtly or not so subtly interpose their own meanings on the biblical text? What can we learn about how we interpose our meanings and about how we make meaning for ourselves as modern Jews?
| Date: | October 25, 2009 |
| Title: | Part 1: The Hannah Narrative: “I Am a Woman of Stubborn Spirit” |
| Description: | Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is held up in Jewish tradition as a model of prayer. But who is she? How and why is she a model? The biblical text highlights her bitter and afflicted soul. Using texts from Samuel and various midrashim, Penina will guide us in a study of Hannah’s struggle to reveal her stubborn spirit to herself and to learn to pour out her soul in prayer. |
| Date: | November 15, 2009 |
| Title: | Part 2: Bathsheba and David |
| Description: | The relationship between Batsheva and David is fraught with ambiguity. Was Batsheva a victim or a victor? Was David a hero or a heel? If Batsheva was not barren, could their son Solomon have been a rightful hero-king? Why does the story in Samuel and Kings differ from the story in Chronicles? Through storytelling and a close reading of the few short texts where Batsheva appears in Samuel and Kings (and where she doesn’t appear in Chronicles) Penina will present the story of Batsheva and David and will encourage all present to come to their own conclusions about these two monarchs. |
| Date: | January 10, 2010 |
| Title: | Part 3: The Song of Songs: “And Fire Flashed all Around” |
| Description: | According to Song of Songs Rabbah, when the Rabbis linked up the words of the Torah with those of the Prophets and the Prophets with the Writings, “the fire flashed around them.” Why is this statement in the Midrash about Song of Songs? How do the Rabbis link up Song of Songs with the Torah, to produce a reading that flashes with fire? We will explore the meaning of “Love is stronger than death” (SoS 8:6). Texts will be taken from Song of Songs, SoS Rabbah and Genesis. |
ELUL STUDIES: Genesis 21 and 1 Samuel 1-2:10 (2008)
Classes at Congregation Eitz Chayim
Three part series in preparation for Rosh Hashanah, studying Sarah, Hagar, Abraham, Hannah and Elkanah, whose stories are contained in the Torah and Haftarah portions for the first day of Rosh Hashanah.
ANCESTORS OF RUTH AND BOAZ (2008)
Classes at Congregation Eitz Chayim
Ten part series on biblical women, culminating in an in depth study of Ruth in preparation for Shavuot. Focus on the relationship of Tamar, Lot’s daughters, Rachel and Leah to Ruth and Boaz. Six class members went on to teach at Shavuot.
HAFTARAH FOR ROSH HASHANAH (2007)
Classes at Congregation Eitz Chayim
Four part series looking at Hannah’s story in the haftarah for the first day of Rosh Hashanah.
Hannah was a remarkably independent biblical woman who was among a small and elite group of women who were called prophets in the Jewish tradition. She was barren until her prayers were answered and she gave birth to Samuel. Her story has resounding relevance to Jews of every age.
- Bible – Close study of I Samuel 1:1 – 2:10 in English with reference to Hebrew
- Rabbinics – Selected texts (in English) from Talmud and Midrash.
- Hasidism: R. Nachman of Breslov on Rosh Hashanah
- Contemporary commentary.