Religion and Violence

Many religions seem to have their brand of fanatics who claim both to know “the truth” and to have the right to impose it on others.  True believers fight over such issues as: who owns the land, what the holy books really mean, whose prophets are reliable, the nature and role of the Messiah, and on and on. Why do the great monotheistic religions, including Judaism, sometimes give rise to hateful thoughts and violent actions? is there some problem with monotheism itself ? And how have these religions … how, in particular, has Judaism … acknowledged these tendencies and tried to moderate, deflect or eliminate them? in this series, we will explore the historical and ideological foundations of Judaism, take serious note of the Bible’s frequent authorization of violence, often in the name of god, and examine the ways in which our tradition has sought to soften these tendencies.

Lecture 1

Lecture 2

Lecture 3

Reform Movement Celebration

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Reform Movement Celebration

FUNDAMENTALS OF JUDAISM

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF JUDAISM

Sundays, March 10, 17 & April 7 at 10:30 a.m.

What exactly are Judaism’s basic ideas and values?  What is the range of possible answers?  What does our tradition say
about god, miracles, good and evil, the suffering of the innocent, the Messiah, life after death?  In this three-part series,
we will explore some famous and important responses to these questions … from central texts like the bible, the Talmud
and the Prayerbook … and by thinkers like Moses Maimonides, Joseph Soloveitchik, Lawrence Kushner and Harold Kushner.


Lecture 1 March 10, 2013

Lecture 2 March 17, 2013

Lecture 3 April 7, 2013

The World of Sephardic Judasim

SMART SUNDAYS

How the Other Half Lives:

The World of Sephardic Judasim

Led by Rabbi Roger C. Klein

Sundays, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 & 9 from 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Rabbi Roger C. Klein leads an all-star cast of presenters in the history, artistry, culture, and culinary delights of Sephardic Judaism. Susie Block will lead a hands-on cooking demonstration of Sephardic food and drink and special guest Professor Mark Kligman, Ph.D., Professor of Jewish Musicology at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York where he teaches in the School of Sacred Music.

Lecture 1.  November 18, 2012 Rabbi Klein 

Lecture 2.  December 02, 2012 Professor Kligman

Silver Scholar -in-Residence

 Friday Night Lecture - Dealing with Differences in a Democracy

Saturday AM Torah Study - "A People Apart, A People Among Others"

Saturday Shabbaton - ""The Possibility and Limits of Forgiveness"

Basic Jewish Literacy: Conversations with Rabbi Klein

Sundays April 15, 22 & 29 at 10:30

Learn about the Bible, the Midrash and the Talmud. Survey the main heroes of the Jewish tradition. Explore the origins and character of the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Judaism along withe Zionism and Diaspora Nationalism. Discover the meaning of important Jewish holidays and examine the central beliefs and values of our tradition. Rabbi Klein will bring study materials for our learning and conversation with one another.

Tho download the lecture to your computer click on the link below.To listen to the lecture click on the player on the right.

Lecture 1 April 15, 2012

Lecture 2 April 21, 2012

Lecture 3, April 28, 2012

 

Smart Sundays - The World of Jewish Music

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Lecture 1 - Klezmer music

Lecture 2 - American music

Lecture 3 - Israeli music