Courses
Spring 2025
Four Session Short Courses
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B. Weekly Parsha with S’fat Emet
Mondays at 2:00pm
Sept. 12, 19, 26 Oct. 31 Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 Dec. 5, 12
Taught by Rabbi Elana Kanter
Delve deeper into the weekly parsha, with the commentary of one of the greatest Hasidic masters, Rabbi Yehudah Leib Alter of Ger, the S/fat Emet. Text: The Language of Truth, Rabbi Arthur Green.
Enroll - $225 -
E. Weekly Parsha with Women’s Torah Commentary: Distance Learning
Thursdays 11am Pacific, 1pm Central, 2pm Eastern
Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29 Oct. 20, 27 Nov. 3, 10 Dec. 1. 8, 15
Taught by Rabbi Elana Kanter
Join women from Alabama, Michigan and Texas through gotomeeting.com Delve deeper into the weekly parsha, with the commentary of women scholars and teachers. Text: The Torah A Women’s Commentary, by URJ Press, and The Five Books of Miriam, by Ellen Frankel.
Enroll - $250 -
C. Tuesday Morning Talmud
Tuesdays at 8:00am
September 6, 13, 20, 27 November 1, 8, 22, 29 December 6, 13, 20
Taught by Rabbi Elana Kanter
The Talmud teaches us how to argue from different points of view, how to consider multiple angles on any subject, and how to express values through legal language. Although we did not finish Brachot last year as planned, we are able to continue studying, and that in itself is a blessing (bracha, Brachot), reminding us that its about the journey…
Enroll - $225 -
F. Women’s Leadership Institute – Cohort #2
Tuesdays 7-9pm
Sept. 13 Oct. 5* Nov. 1 Dec. 6 Jan. 3 Feb. 7 March 7 April 4 May 9
Taught by Rabbi Elana Kanter
PJ Library and The WJLC Joint Project on Women’s Leadership. In addition to the Tuesday evening group meetings, there are 3 other events that are part of the program: 1) Opening Retreat, 7pm Sun., 9/4 through 2pm Mon., Labor Day 9/5; 2) Monday evening, Nov. 7, Organization Fair; and 3) Sunday, Feb. 12 Limmud *October 5 meeting is Wednesday instead of Tuesday because of Rosh Hashana.
Funded in part by grants from the Jewish Women’s Philanthropy Circle of Arizona, and The Jewish Community Foundation.
Enroll - Free -
D. Smart, Short, Sweet: Pirkei Avot
Tuesdays at 10:00am
September 13, 20, 27 October 26* (Wed) November 1, 8, 22, 29, December 6, 13
Taught by Rabbi Elana Kanter
One of the most beloved Jewish texts of all time. Short teachings to challenge the mind and grow the soul.
Enroll - $225 -
2. Tea and Torah: Conversations on Aging with Wisdom (Winter 2017)
Wednesdays at 4:00pm
January 4, 11, 18, 25
Taught by Rabbi Elana Kanter
Join us for Tea and informal Torah conversation based on brief Jewish texts on aging, together with the book Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. Open to Men and Women. (Re-scheduled from Spring 2016)
Enroll - $125 -
1. Halutzot – Israeli Women who are Changing Judaism in Israel
Wednesdays at 9:00am
November 9th, 16, 30th, December 7, 14
Taught by Rabbi Tracee Rosen
Women’s lives in Israel are at best a conundrum. While they enjoy legal civil rights as progressive as any first world country, including in politics and in the military, socially they are often constrained by cultural and religious barriers. Judaism, especially of the ultra-Orthodox variety, has not generally been welcoming of women’s participation in the public sphere. This class will study five women / groups of women who have been pioneers (Halutzot) in the area of women’s participation in the Jewish life of the country, the impacts they have had on society in general, and the work that is still left to do. We will also look at their readings of classical texts which have informed their vision of Judaism and the modern State of Israel.
Enroll - $150 -
A. Joan’s Class: Jewish Literature and Jewish Life
Mondays at 10:00am
Sept. 12, 19**, 26 Oct. 31 Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 Dec. 5**, 12
Taught by Rabbi Elana Kanter
Joan Beren, zichrona livracha, was a beloved and regular participant in this class for many years. Each fall, as we inaugurate a new year of study, we begin with a short tribute to Joan, a person who embodied both a love of Jewish texts and a love of Jewish life. She was an inspiration to those of us who knew her, and her memory continues to be a blessing for us.
This fall, we’ll read Edith Pearlman’s Honeydew: Read 1-2 short stories per week and discuss in depth. **Please note that Sept. 19 and Dec. 5 class will begin at 10:30am.
Enroll - $225