JCSS Adult Education Program
and Schedule 2013-2014
September 29, 2013, 10:30 AM. The Early History of the Jewish Cultural School and Society
This year
marks the 55th anniversary of the JCSS, founded in 1958 here in West Orange, NJ, as the "Suburban Jewish School.”
Rivke
Levine, who has a history with our school of more than 25 years as a principal, teacher and a parent, will discuss her many
years of experience shedding light on the personalities, philosophy, activities and curriculum of the Suburban Jewish School.
Learn what it looked like in the 1960s, 70s and 80s and see how it evolved into what we have created today. Come with questions. Come with alumni. Come with friends!
October 27, 2013, 10 AM. Mordecai
Kaplan & Reconstructionist Judaism: A Precursor to Secular Humanistic Judaism?
Edward
"Zeke" Klein, leader of the Queens Society for Cultural Judaism and a rabbinic candidate at the International Institute for
Secular Humanistic Judaism, will discuss the life and work of Mordecai Kaplan (1888-1983) one of the most influential rabbis
of the 20th century. Kaplan described Judaism as an "evolving civilization." He taught that "Tradition has a vote, not a veto."
He denied the existence of a supernatural God. This philosophy has allowed
for innovative approaches to Jewish ritual and practice. How much do we, as secular humanistic Jews, owe to Kaplan's teachings
and what are its limitations?
If you
have friends or relatives who belong to Reconstructionist congregations, invite them to join us for this stimulating and provocative
presentation.
November 17, 2013, 10 AM. Jewdayo:
Your Birthday in Jewish History
Lawrence
Bush, editor of Jewish Currents magazine and author of six book including Waiting for God: The Spiritual Explorations of a Reluctant Atheist, will discuss his popular Jewish Currents feature JEWDAYO. Every day, he posts on the Jewish Currents website, short entries on the anniversary of prominent Jews or interesting
events in Jewish history.
Naturally,
you want to know who was born and what cool things happened on your birthday (or your kids.)
This is the perfect opportunity to find out!
January 19, 2014, 10 AM. The
Beilis Affair
Bennett Muraskin will discuss the famous Beilis Affair, involving a trial accusing Mendel Beilis a Jew from Kiev,
of "ritual murder," i.e. killing a Christian boy and using his blood in the baking of Passover matzohs. Beilis was arrested
in 1911 and suffered in prison for two years before he was finally put on trial. Jews and more liberal minded Christians in
Europe and America launched a campaign to defend Beilis. Russian anti-Semites demanded a conviction. The international press
covered the trial and his acquittal was greeted with jubilation in many quarter, making Beilis a instant celebrity. Nevertheless,
he left Russia for Palestine and then moved to the US where he died in 1935.
If any of this sounds familiar, Bernard
Malamud, the famous American Jewish novelist, wrote a historical novel, The Fixer, based on the Beilis Affair, later made
into a Hollywood movie of the same name.
Come and learn the history of the "ritual murder" accusation, the background
of Beilis, his imprisonment, the trial and its aftermath.
Along
with the Dreyfus Affair, this incident shocked people of conscience and raised issues about the future of European Jews.
(TBD) The Torah and Modern
Morality
All branches of religious Judaism honor, revere and in effect worship the
Torah. How do secular humanistic Jews evaluate its moral teachings? JCSS Adult Education
Director Bennett Muraskin will guide you in exploring this provocative question.
February 9, 2014 10 AM Meet and Greet with J Street
Amy Levin, the New York Regional Field Organizer for J Street, will introduce
you to the political home from pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans fighting for a two-state solution to resolve
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ms. Levine was also field organizer for the 2012 Obama campaign in Florida,
and she holds a Master's and Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies.
March 23, 2014
10 AM Escape from Nazi Germany
Rob Agree's mother, spent the first 18 years of her life in Germany, from
1920-1939. She and her brother and parents were literally among the last German Jews to
legally emigrate, late in '39 after the war started. She and her brother recorded several
hours of reminiscences some years ago that Rob has adapted for this intriguing presentation.
Rob Agree and his wife Melissa Biren co-founded the Congregation for Humanistic
Judaism of Morris County (NJ) fifteen years ago. Rob serves as its Ceremonial Leader.
