Jewish Studies 9 - 4

Dr. Saundra Sterling Epstein

Happy Second Semester to All!!!!!

We begin this second semester by looking at Torah bawsed and Rabbinic texts (pp. 168 ff) and asking set questions regarding their applicability and relationship to each of our denominational movements.  As we have begun this journey (it is now Wednesday, February 6, 2008) I love watching the students use their learned skills of making nuanced differences (though some are still working on this challenge) between the denominations and moving away from previously held stereotypes.  The level of discussion definitely shows growth on the part of the group and many members within our class.  For the next week or so, we will continue this part of our study.  Students are preparing the two texts on p. 174 for class on Friday, using the questions on p. 168.  There are daily preparation assignments and students will be completing some of the latter texts in this section on their own.

We are also looking briefly at some of the other groupings in our Jewish community including a presentation by Mrs. Jane Schofer to our class this coming Thursday on Secular Humanism.  You may read the background material along with your student in our source book Students will be requested to write a reaction paper after this presentation.  This is due Tuesday, February 12, 2008.

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It is now March 17, 2008.  We have been learning texts that different ideological movements use to emphasize what is important to them. Students are working on a paper in which they are to identify the two or three most critical texts for them that can be used both to identify what is similar amongst the movements and what is different.  This paper is due on March 21, 2008.

We are now looking at the issue of "Who is a Jew?"  We are using materials from each of the movements as well as looking at some case studies of groups whose Jewish identity has been questioned (Ethiopian Jews) and the history of patrilineal and matrilineal descent.  Ask your students to share what they are learning.

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