We are thrilled that over 130 congregations and 2000 participants enjoyed the debut of ScholarStream this Fall. We are excited to announce the next series beginning in January 2021. ScholarStream is a four part series which will give communities the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s leading scholars and engage deeply with our texts and traditions.
The next two series will be at the following dates and times.
Tuesdays at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT studying teshuvot/responsa with the CJLS on How We Navigate Ethical Dilemmas and Reshape Rituals To Draw Us Closer to God
- January 26 - Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin and Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner on Sustainability
Judaism has constructed two interrelated ethical rubrics to living rightly on this earth. Tikkun Olam is the call for us to be in right relationship with each other. Yishuvo shel Olam is the call for us to be in right relationship with the earth. The former is well-known. The latter is not. In our session, we will explore the nature of Yishuvo shel Olam and how it serves to guide our responses to the sacred urgency of sustainability. - February 2 - Rabbi Micah Peltz on Vaccination
How do we decide who gets the vaccine first? Do we, as individuals, each have an obligation to wait our turn, or are there circumstances where we could jump the line? How far should rich countries go to share the vaccine with poorer countries? Join us as we explore Jewish sources that help us consider the ethical questions that guide the fair distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines. - February 9 - Rabbi Pamela Barmash on Birkat Hamazon
Birkat Hamazon is essential to our spiritual lives as Jews, awakening us to the bounty we enjoy. Traditionally, it is recited only for meals with bread. Nowadays, what we eat is changing: many people are avoiding gluten, and bread is no longer the mainstay of meals as our diets become more multicultural. Join us as we explore the spiritual depths of Birkat Hamazon and see how the practice of Birkat Hamazon should change in light of contemporary dietary patterns. - February 16 - Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky on the Abbreviated Amidah
Excellent Jewish prayer is both public worship and private meditation. Our liturgical choices and rules about prayer help keep each element in its proper balance. When it comes to the Amidah, many Conservative communities choose to omit full silent recitations along with full repetitions, instead opting for the briefer Hoikhe Kedushah – a well-attested practice combining loud with silent prayer. What are the optimal ways – in terms of Halakhah and spiritual richness – to employ this method?
Wednesdays at 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT with Ziegler Faculty on The Stories We Tell: Revealing Ourselves in Ancient Narratives
- January 27 - Rabbi Ilana Grinblatt, What Can We Learn from a Turbulent Time: Torah to Keep us Afloat
This session will explore biblical and rabbinic narratives that offer spiritual lessons to sustain us during this pandemic. - February 3 - Dr. Ron Wolfson, The Seven Questions You’re Asked in Heaven
- February 10 - Rabbi Dr. Bradley Artson, Acquiring Torah: The Story of Rabbi Akiva
The fascinating story of a rise from illiterate poverty to pre-eminence in learning and wealth. Rabbi Akiva seems to have it all! - February 17 - Rabbi Patricia Fenton, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? A Case of Mistaken Identity
If these times do not work for you, these sessions will be recorded.
We will also soon be announcing additional series in March and April with JTS and the Conservative Yeshiva. The series with the Conservative Yeshiva will be in comfortable time zones for Israelis and Europeans. Sponsorship for these two series will be separate.
Sponsorship pricing is $100 per series for congregations up to 399 members, and $200 per series for 400 members and over (congregations can sponsor both series for $150/$300). Individuals can sign up at a cost of $25 for the series. Some communities may choose to stay on following the formal session for a follow up discussion led by their rabbi.
Information about the session topics and faculty for both series will be available shortly. Sponsorship deadline is January 19th. All sponsoring congregations will receive a discount code to send to their congregants to sign up for free. Congregants must sign up individually for the sessions – registration will be available soon.
If you have any questions, please email Max Arad at marad@rabbinicalassembly.org.
