THEMES OF THE SEASON: A Meaningful Exploration of the High Holy Days

Description

This four-session course will guide us through the preparatory month of Elul, and the holidays of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, so that we can approach the High Holiday season with the awe, contemplation, joy, and renewal of this most extraordinary period of the Jewish Year.

Location

ONLINE

Date & Time

Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30 am ET, Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25

 

THEMES OF THE SEASON: 
A Meaningful Exploration of the High Holy Days 

Approach the High Holiday season with awe, contemplation, joy, and renewal! 

This four-session virtual course will guide us through the preparatory month of Elul, and the holidays of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, so that we can approach the High Holiday season with the awe, contemplation, joy, and renewal of this most extraordinary period of the Jewish Year.

Wednesdays, Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 | 10:00-11:30 am ET (virtual)


Session One - September 4th

Elul & Slichot - A Spiritual Jaunt through the Days Before Rosh Hashana 

with Rabbi Dr. Leon Weissberg

Elul, the last month before Rosh Hashana, and Slichot, the last post-Shabbat prayer before the High Holidays, is full of mystical and historical meaning unknown to most Jews. In this session we will take a deep dive into this month of the Jewish calendar.  

Session Two - September 11th

Beyond L'Shanah Tovah - Exploring the Philosophical Underpinnings of Rosh Hashanah

with Dr. Sandra Lilienthal

Rosh Hashanah is the New Year (or one of the new years) of the Jewish calendar. Yet, its philosophical themes go much deeper than just the start of a New Year. It prepares us for a future that can only come if change happens -- change in ourselves, in our communities and in the world. We will discuss many of the themes that make Rosh Hashanah such a theologically and spiritually important holiday.


Session Three - September 18th

Yom Kippur: "I’m Sorry, So Sorry" Please Accept My Apology

with Rabbi Norman Lipson


“Repentance, Prayer, Tzedaka, avert the harshness of the decree.”

"תשובה, תפילה, וצדקה, מעבירים את רוע הגזרה״

                            

Prayer? I read the prayer book. Tzedaka? I donate to charity.  Repentance? How do I do that?!? 

Join Rabbi Lipson (with apologies to Brenda Lee) in exploring of the open-ended process of performing Teshuva / Repentance for sins committed or for actions not taken, for sins against God or against our brothers and sisters, against nature, the world around us, and yes, even against ourselves.


Session Four - September 25th

One Year Later: Finding Joy in the Festival of Joy

with Dr. Bella Tendler Krieger

Sukkot is known as the Festival of Joy. Simchat Torah, which we celebrate at the conclusion of Sukkot, literally means “Rejoicing with the Torah.” One year after Hamas’ devastating October 7th attack on Israel, which took place on this holiday, it is hard to imagine finding joy in this festival. This session will explore insights for how this can be done and seek inspiration from the efforts of contemporary Israelis valiantly fighting to rekindle joy.   

 

 

 

About The Instructors:

Rabbi Dr. Leon Weissberg is the former Director of the Leo Martin March of the Living in Miami-Dade and Boca Raton. He has a doctorate in Educational Leadership and offers courses at various South Florida universities and schools. Leon has been teaching adult learning courses for 35+ years, developing a fan base and following wherever he goes. 
Dr. Sandra Lilienthal has a Master’s degree in Jewish Studies and a Doctorate in Jewish Education. In 2015, she received the prestigious Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. Sandra has over 25 years of experience working with all ages in both Brazil and the US. She is a guest speaker at many synagogues in the tri-county area and is invited for scholar-in-residence programs around the country. 
Rabbi Norman Lipson was ordained in 1972 at the Hebrew-Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has served on the national staff of the Anti-Defamation League and as spiritual leader of congregations in Mississippi, Texas, Hollywood, FL and most recently Temple Dor Dorim in Weston, FL, where he was the Founding Rabbi, and now is Emeritus. For years, Rabbi Lipson’s been a sought-after teacher in Broward and luckily for us, now “brings his talents” to Miami.  
Dr. Bella Tendler Krieger is the Director of Adult Learning and Growth at CAJE Miami. She has a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University, an MBA from the University of Miami, and is a fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Beit Midrash program. Bella is an academic and entrepreneur, but her greatest passion is teaching! 

 

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