Judaism Today:
A Course For Non-Jews
Judaism Today is for non-Jews who want to better understand Judaism through pluralistic, discussion-oriented learning led by a teacher who is expert in both Judaism and Christianity, with years of experience in interfaith teaching. This course is open to adults of all faith--or no faith--backgrounds.
Course Start Date: Tuesday, January 31
Number of Sessions: 20. We meet every Tuesday. See below for calendar of classes.
Class Times: 11:00 a.m.-12:15
Location: Congregation Shaarie Torah (920 NW 25th Avenue in Portland)
Tuition: $450
Ready to register? Use the form below, call (503) 384-2476, or e-mail learn@meltonportland.org.
Course Description
Over the course of 20 sessions we will explore contemporary Judaism---the basics of Jewish life and the ideas that are the underpinnings of the Jewish way of life. We'll begin with a historical overview to connect Judaism with its biblical roots and examine the various expressions of Judaism today and how they developed. From there, we'll explore the liturgical year, worship, ethics, Jewish understandings of God, and concepts such as covenant, community, and commandment.
"I highly recommend the course 'Judaism for Non-Jews' for those who want to better understand their own faith tradition as well as that of their Jewish friends. Jan Rabinowitch is extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend both the class and the teacher."-- J. Carl Laney
Th.D. Western Seminary and 2010 Melton graduate
Teacher Biography
This course is developed and taught by Jan Rabinowitch. Jan received a Master of Theology Studies from Harvard Divinity School and has taught in Conservative and Reform synagogues and community day schools. She is the founder of Binah, an interfaith education resource which offers lectures and workshops on Judaism and Judaica for interfaith and non-Jewish groups. She has also taught in such churches as Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Christ Church in Lake Oswego, St. Philip Neri, First United Methodist, and the Diocesan Academy of the Episcopal Diocese. Jan has been on Melton faculty in Portland since its first year, 1999.
Class Calendar
Jan 31; Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 17, 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 19
This class is developed by local area scholars for Morasha and is currently not available for general International Florence Melton Adult Mini-School distribution.