Center for Jewish Learning and Experience
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.
Click here to get your Weekly Dose of Torah.
Offerings SPRING 2008 (download .pdf of schedule)
Classes:
Everyday:
1. Ten Minutes of Torah 9:00 am
Immediately following morning minyan, grab a bagel and a coffee from the café and learn from 9:00-9:10.
Sundays:
2. It takes Two to Torah (peer to peer) 7:00 pm
This successful program features pairs and small groups of students who learn together once a week. They can pick any topic they want (we’ll buy the book if we don’t own it) and we also provide Rabbis and resources to answer questions and free snacks to make it more fun. Now featuring hot kosher dinner!
Mondays:
3. Run with the Rabbi 4:30 pm
Exercise your body and soul on these invigorating 2-3 mile runs with Rabbi Avi Heller
4. Judaism in a Nutshell 5:30 pm
A fun, informal approach to all the Jewish basics.
5. Prime-Time Parsha 7:00 pm
A high-level, thought-provoking look at the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Avi Heller, interweaving textual analysis of the Torah and commentators with historical, literary and other contemporary thoughts.
Tuesdays:
6
. Dine and Drash 6:00 pm
Rabbi Elyse Winick of Koach offers a twice monthly Dinner and Learn on Ta Sh'ma: How Liturgy Teaches us to Listen, specifically targeting members of the Conservative minyan. Dinner is free and catered by Hillel.
7. Seminars in Jewish Experience 6:00 pm
Three-week mini-courses (free gift with registration and attendance at all 3 classes) on essential topics in Jewish living. This semester’s seminars will be: A History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (4 weeks), Love and Marriage, and Keeping a Kosher Kitchen.
8. Women and Judaism 7:00 pm
All- new, women-only class led by Shira Heller!
Wednesdays:
9. Student Talmud 6:00 pm
A stimulating study of Tractate Kiddushin. Topics include the obligations of bride and groom to each other, the consequences of getting married out of false expectations and issues dealing with family pedigree.
10. Jewish Philosophy and Maimonides 7:00 pm
Rabbi Polak teaches various topics in Jewish philosophy seen through the writings of Maimonides.
11. Women’s Halacha 8:00 pm
Rabbi Polak’s women’s-only class on various topics in Jewish Law.
Thursdays:
12. Torah for the Hungry 12:30 PM
Various topics. Open to all levels of student. Classes are taught by Rabbi Avi.
13. Faculty Talmud 3:00pm
A stimulating study of Tractate Kiddushin. Topics include the obligations of bride and groom to each other, the consequences of getting married out of false expectations and issues dealing with family pedigree.
Fridays:
14. Rabbis’ D’var Torah at services
Always provocative! Always interesting! Friday nights at each service, followed by Kiddush and Shabbat dinner at Kosher dining on the 3rd floor of Hillel. Alternating with Rabbi Heller.
Shabbat:
15. Philosophical Reflections on the Parsha 8:30 am
This class — in its 38th year! — looks at the legal underpinnings of the weekly Torah portion, often using the14th Century Book of Education as its point of departure.
16. Kiddush Class 12 noon
Short Torah presentations over kiddush and food after Shabbat morning services.
17. Meor Leadership Fellowship TBA
Study hot topics in Judaism (10 weeks and 2 weekends) and receive $500.
By application only
Events – Spring '08:
1. ASIFA (The Gathering) --
A monthly get-together in a relaxed atmosphere with food, music and socializing. Each ASIFA also has a Jewish theme of contemporary relevance that is discussed during part of the event. Past events have included Kabbala: Is Jewish Mysticism For You?” and “Sex and Judaism.” This year, we hope to contemplate “Jesus and the Jews”, “The Chosen People” and “Death and Immortality.” A student committee is meeting to discuss topics and venues.
2. Friday Night Lights
Have the chance to spend Shabbat with some of the most interesting personalities of the Jewish worlds.
Other Learning Opportunities:
1. Weekly Dose of Torah
Rabbi Heller’s weekly email on the Torah portion of the week, holidays and lifecycles. Contact Rabbi Avi Heller to join the list.
2. Reserve A Jewish Educator (R.A.J.E.)
Spend some time learning about the exciting Judaism you never knew with the best Jewish educators around. Free cup of coffee with first appointment.
3. Find A Learning Partner (chevruta)
Contact our Rabbis to find a peer to study with on your own. You pick the topic, the place, the time
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.
Campus-wide Holiday Celebrations A new student committee is tackling the question of how to get more Jewish students aware of an involved in the holidays. Building on past successes (including Latkepalooza and our Paassover seders), we’ll be looking into new media – art, Internet, public displays – for getting the Jewish holidays on everyone’s Google calendar.
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.