Weekly Classes

Lunch n' Learn

Special Courses Class-series

One on one 

• Classes require a minimum of 6 students and are limited to a maximum of 14 students
• All class-series are between one 45 minutes and an hour and 15 minutes sessions, ongoing class times vary (e.g. Bagels & Torah is only a half hour long).
• All classes are held either on-campus or at CJL unless otherwise noted
• For class schedule (if not noted) please see our calendar
• Day and times for the classes are tentatively set as noted. However, we are open to changing the times for one that is more convenient for most applicants. Hence, if the you'd like to take the class but the times don't work for you, you are encouraged to register and make note of your time preference in the comments field
• Some classes are not offered this semester, but are still presented on this page. If there's enough interest, we will try our best to accommodate

PLEASE SEE REGISTRATION PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS

A seven week discussion group, focusing on a monumental Jewish
Thinker. This semester we will explore Maimonides and his writings.
Email Molly for more info (mbraun at haverford dot edu) or register here

Not sure what this is about? Here's a brief syllabus of three of the six discussion topics:

Week One
Historical Overview
Orientation and Brief History of Maimonides
We will discuss what we know of Maimonides and briefly discuss important historical events pertaining to Maimonides and his travels.

Week Two
The Philosopher
The Guide to the Perplexed
Maimonides’ View on Predestination and Freedom of Choice
Guide, Vol. 3 Chapter 17

We will read about the five opinions about G-d’s “knowledge” of created beings on earth and how this affects our choices and of this knowledge constitutes predestination.

Week Three
The Ethicist
The difference between the highly virtuous person and the one who “subdues their ‘Yetzer’ [inclination]”.
Eight Chapters – Chapter Six-From Maimonides Commentary on Mishnah

Who’s better? The hard worker who put in so much effort or the one who was born with a silver spoon? Why is this philosophical discussion so important that Maimonides includes it in one of only eight chapters relating to the journey to good character?

NOT OFFERED THIS SEMESTER 

Hebrew School Dropouts is a weekly informal dicussion group covering some of the
unasked/unanswered questions from your Hebrew School days (if ever). Join us for Deli dinner and thoughful discussion. 

TUESDAYS at 7:30pm

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Jewish Music dates back thousands of years to the time of the Prophets through Talmudic times. Medieval composers of the Piyuttim – is why the High Holiday prayers take so long… So is Jewish Music anything “Sang by Jews, sung to Jews, composed for Jews, composed by Jews, Sung in a Synagogue, or maybe just “liked” by Jews…” OR does Jewish music have some deeper meaning? Join for this very interesting three week series.

Week One:
We will explore traditional sources on Jewish Music and Song, from King David's Harp to Songs of the Levites in the Temple . We will also discuss how this was incorporated in their spiritual service and how it helped them reach a state “transcendence”.

Week Two:
We will explore medieval Jewish Poetry – the stylistic prayers of the High Holidays. Sephardic vs. Ashkenazic style. We will also touch upon Hassidic Music – the Niggun and how it was incorporated in their spiritual service.

Week Three:
How does a song by 18 th Century Chechen Rebel Imam Shamil become part of Hassidic Music? Why is Napoleon's Marching Song sung in many synagogues at the Neilah Service of Yom Kippur? We will study the background of these songs and it's meaning in Hassidic Philosophy and of course listen to them and understand their message.

Not offered this semester (please tell us if you'd like to see this course offered again)

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Judaism in a Semester - Basic, Six Classes, Six Subjects

1. The Jewish Story From Abraham (18th century BCE) to Six Day War (1967).
2. The Jewish Home: Shabbat, Kashrut, and Family Purity.
3. Jewish Wisdom What Judaism has to say about…just about everything.
4. Jewish Life's Moments From before birth to after death.
5. Judaism's Literature From Moses' best selling Bible to what's hot today.
6. Jewish Yearly Spiral It starts on Rosha Hashana, passes through Passover and concludes in Elul.
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Talmud Study 

The Talmud is the most monumental Jewish text and has been a source of Jewish pride as well as condemned to public burnings. It has been cencured as early as early as the 16th Century throu Soviet Russia just some years ago.  Join faculy, curious students as we navigate "the sea of Talmud."

No prior Judaic knowledge necessary, just willingness to engage, ask, debate and think.

We're studying tractate Megillah  - We'll discuss the laws of Purim and the Reading of the Megillah -- come and learn how complicated it can get... 

Sundays 4-5:00 pm

Sign up appreciated 

Bagels & Torah - Lunch and Learn at the Tri-Co

Enjoy Kosher Lox and Bagels while discussing Jewish Thought. Only 35-40 minutes and includes free lunch!

Haverford College – Mondays at 12:30 in the Swarthmore Room in the DC (Right Dinning Hall
Swarthmore College - Tuesdays at 12:40-1:10 in Shraples - Room 6
Bryn Mawr College – Wednesdays at 12pm BM time  meet outside of Erdman

Sign up or just stop by

Kabbalah and Coffee

Sundays - Noon at Chabad House. See calendar for exact dates
Our first few sessions will focus on the "Highs of the High Holiday". Bring new meaning and insight to your holiday exprience

Please pre-register Sign up

One-on-One Study

Realizing the need for personalized Torah study, Chabad also offers a unique personal study program. Rabbi Eli & Blumie are available to study one-on-one. Please contact our office for more information.
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