SUMMER LOVING: SONG OF SONGS AND JUDAISM'S OLDEST ROMANCE

What is seductive about the Tower of David? Why does a vineyard evoke longing and desire? And how can we truly know when we are in love?

This summer, step into the rich, sensual world of the Song of Songs—Judaism’s most passionate love story. Often described as “erotic sacred poetry,” this biblical masterpiece weaves together romance, metaphor, and spiritual yearning. In our exploration, we’ll learn how to interpret biblical poetry with fresh eyes, trace how Jewish tradition has embraced and reimagined this work through the centuries, and engage in deep conversation about love, intimacy, and the divine dance between human and holy connection.

TUESDAYS, 12:00-1:30pm (ET)

Dates: June 10, 17, 24 

Rabbi Jason Cook jokes that he is a wandering Jew, having grown up in western New York, northern California, and Lake Oswego, Oregon (just south of Portland). He attended American University in Washington, D.C, where he studied International Relations. After graduating, he moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he worked in the Jewish non-profit world doing teen engagement. In South Florida, Rabbi Cook also met his wife, Phylicia. After five years of rabbinical school (including a year studying in Jerusalem), Rabbi Cook received his rabbinic ordination at the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College in May 2021. Rabbi Cook and Phylicia are excited to be coming home to South Florida and to start a new adventure at the University of Miami Hillel with their son Micah. Rabbi Cook always has time to talk Jewish text and history, Torah, science fiction, and his beloved Portland Trail Blazers.