Center for Jewish Learning and Experience
Welcome to the BU Class of 2012 and welcoem back back to all the returning students!!
Shira and I are thrilled to be back for another year of the Center for Jewish Learning and Experience (CJLE) and the Jewish Learning Initiative.
We have great classes, programs, seminars, guest speakers, student initiatives and more to help you bring Jewish meaning to your lives.
Email rabbiavi@bu.edu
sheller@bu.edu
or check out our Google calendar (publicly available)
Rav Avi and Shira
Click here to get your Weekly Dose of Torah, Rabbi Avi's weekly essay on Jewish thought.
Available soon: The Weekly Dose of Torah Podcast! MP3 downloads of Rabbi Avi's series of essays on Jewish thought.
Fall 2008 Class Schedule (tentative)
Hillel classes are free to current students, but a suggested donation of $54 is appreciated by us. You may register and/or donate online with Hillel at our home page - www.bu.edu/hillel
We look forward to learning with you!
Rabbi Polak, Rabbi Avi, and Shira
SUNDAYS
*It Takes 2 to Torah
Rabbi Avi Heller
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
2nd floor lounge
Starts September 14 -- meets weekly
After dinner ($2), Learn Jewish with a friend at your level on any topic you want (we’ll help you find one), join a small group discussion or read on your own.
MONDAYS
*Seminars in Jewish Experience
Various teachers
6:00-7:30 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
1st floor library
Starts September 15, 2008 -- meets weekly
2-4 week seminars on various contemporary topics of Jewish religion, life, history and culture. Topics vary widely. Sign up to receive updates on upcoming seminars. Past seminars have included A Short History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, Love and Marriage, Judaism in the Modern World, and the 21st century Kosher Kitchen.
*Melachim Aleph (I Kings)
Malka Simkovich
7:30-9:00 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
1st floor library
Starts September 15, 2008 -- meets weekly
For the more advanced student, a text-driven study of Kings focusing on a literary approach to the text and including consideration of other Near Eastern ancient material. The first half hour will be given to source-preparation, followed by a class by well-known teacher Malka Simkovich.
TUESDAYS
*Judaism for the Hungry
Rabbi Avi Heller
1:00-1:30 pm
GSU -- in Starbucks
Starts September 9, 2008 -- meets weekly
A spirited and insightful discussion of essential Jewish topics. Feed your body and your soul!
*Run with the Rabbi
Rabbi Avi Heller
4:15-5:00 pm
Meets in Hillel lobby - 213 Bay State Road Starts Sept 2, 2008 -- meets twice a week (W at 4:15 as well)
Exercise your body and your soul on these fun 2.5 mile runs with Rabbi Avi.
*Women and Judaism
7:00-8:00 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
2nd floor lounge
Starts September 15, 2008 -- meets weekly
Girls only! Shira Heller leads a guided discussion on contemporary topics of Jewish feminity.
WEDNESDAYS
*Run with the Rabbi
Rabbi Avi Heller
4:15-5:00 pm
Meets in Hillel lobby - 213 Bay State Road Starts Sept 3, 2008 -- meets twice a week (T at 4:15 as well)
Exercise your body and your soul on these fun 2.5 mile runs with Rabbi Avi.
*Student Talmud
Rabbi Joseph Polak
6:00-7:00 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
Rabbi's study
Starts September 10, 2008 -- meets weekly
Rabbi Polak leads an intellectually-challenging inquiry into the Talmudic tractate of Kiddushin, dealing with marriage laws, vows and other topics.
All levels welcome.
*Women's Halacha Class
Rabbi Joseph Polak
7:00-8:00 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
Rabbi's study
Starts September 10, 2008 -- meets weekly
A study of the Guide for the Perplexed, Maimonides's famous theologico-philosophical work.
*ASIFA (The Gathering)
Rabbi Avi Heller
8:30 pm -10:00 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
2nd floor lounge
Starts September 24, 2008 -- meets monthly Come hang out with other members of the tribe for music, food, fun and a little inspiration on the topic of the month. Sign up to get notified when the next one is!
THURSDAYS
*Judaism In A Nutshell
Rabbi Avi Heller
5:00-6:00 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
1st floor library
Starts September 11, 2008 -- meets weekly
Explore the essentials of Jewish life in an informal setting, but with real content and depth.
*Topics in Kashrut
Rabbi Avi Heller
7:00-8:00 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
1st floor library
Starts September 11, 2008 -- meets weekly
A study of contemporary topics in Kosher law with their conceptual background. Designed for the more advanced student.
SHABBAT
*Rabbis' Dvar Torah
Rabbis Polak and Heller
At services
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
4th floor chapels
Starts Aug 29, 2008 -- meets weekly
Short reflections on Jewish thought and practice delivered in Reform, Orthodox and Conservative services.
*Philosophical Reflections on the Parsha Rabbi Joseph Polak 8:30 am - 9:30 am Hillel - 213 Bay State Road Rabbi's study Starts September 6, 2008 -- meets weekly
This class is beginning its 40th year! Thoughtful analysis of the weekly Torah portion using the 13th century Book of Education as a springboard.
*Kiddush class
Rabbis Heller and Polak
12:00 - 12:30 pm
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
2nd floor lounge
Starts August 30, 2008 -- meets weekly
Enjoy a light Kiddush, refreshments and 10-minute discourse by one of our eloquent and sagacious Rabbis.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
*Student Dvar Torah
Friday nights at services
Hillel - 213 Bay State Road
4th floor chapel
Sign up here if you would be interested in preparing and delivering a five-minute Jewish thought to your peers.
*Find a study partner
On your own schedule
We can help you find a student to study a Jewish topic of your choice. Sign up here and come in for a short consultation.
*RAJE - Reserve a Jewish Educator
At various times
Sign up here to have a private or semi-private study session with one of our Rabbis or female educators.
*JCOOL - Jewish Committee on Learning
Sign up here to join a student group devoted to exploring new opportunities for exciting Jewish educational programs designed by students for students.
*Jewish Holiday Crew
Sign up here to get involved with a student group that's thinking about out-of-the-box ways to celebrate the Jewish holidays on campus.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Center for Jewish Learning and Experience (CJLE) at the Florence & Chafetz Hillel House at Boston University is to create a culture of Jewish pride on campus in which there is access and incentive for every student to achieve essential Jewish literacy and to participate in high-quality, thought-provoking and inspirational Jewish experiences.
The Center for Jewish Learning and Experience runs a series of classes
and one-off programs and events. For more information please contact
Rabbi Avi Heller.
Ideas for the Future:
CJLE retreat A weekend getaway in New England complete with a community Shabbat, special sessions and speakers on a selected Jewish topic and team-building skills, athletic events and morning meditations and tai-chi.
On-line Learning Beginning with archives and a podcast of Rabbi Heller’s Weekly Dose of Torah (a weekly mediation on the Torah portion accessible to all levels of student), we hope to create a Jewish content archive and portal on our website, offering both original content and making other Jewish resources available to our students.
Healthy Body, Healthy Soul The Director of Sargent College’s Sargent Choice nutrition program discusses how students can stay healthy while living a college lifestyle, followed by a presentation on the Jewish view of keeping the body healthy. Concluded with a healthy (and kosher) cooking demonstration.
Ask the Rabbi (@ Late Night Café). Open forum at a number Late Night Cafés in the student dorms where students can pose ethical, religious or philosophical questions to Rabbi Heller.
Brewskies with the Jewskies (Graduate students and 21+) A weekly get-together at the BU Pub to share a pint and discuss modern Jewish topics. Trigger materials will be distributed electronically each week and discussions will be free-ranging, frank and open.