In a year-long series called Questions of Belief, we will use the topical format of last year’s successful Jewish Questions/Jewish Answers to delve into Jewish theology. Part I of Questions of Belief will begin with an exploration of the platforms of Reform / Progressive Judaism and then will move into some of the key issues of Jewish Theology (see the schedule below).
As we grapple with all these questions of belief, we will work through both traditional views and the insights of contemporary Jewish theology. Throughout this portion of the course, we will be using Gillman’s masterful Sacred Fragments: Recovering Theology for the Modern Jew. Reading assignments are also listed below. Part II of Questions of Belief will be a mini course on Jewish views of the afterlife. For this portion of our studies, the essential book is Gillman’s The Death of Death. This book remains one of the most important theological studies of our time. (See the schedule below).
Schedule of Topics and Reading Assignments
(Revised)
(Available in print and e-book editions.
Questions of Belief Part I
April 23 – Sunday at 10:30 AM in the UJC Sanctuary
(will cover both Chapter 7 & 8)
— The Nature of God: What Can We Know? Part III
—- (Readings: Sacred Fragments, Chapter 7)
and
— Good God/Suffering World – The Problem of Theodicy
—- (Readings: Sacred Fragments, Chapter 8)
April 26 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM at Alan Schiffman’s office (42/F, Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark)
(will cover both Chapter 7 & 8)
— The Nature of God: What Can We Know? Part III (Repeated)
—- (Readings: Sacred Fragments, Chapter 7)
and
— Good God/Suffering World-The Problem of Theodicy (Repeated)
—- (Readings: Sacred Fragments, Chapter 8)
Questions of Belief Part I – Makeup Class
May 14 – Sunday at 10:30 AM in the UJC Sanctuary
(will cover both Chapter 9 & 10 of Sacred Fragments)
Questions of Belief Part II
Life after life: A mini course on Jewish views of the afterlife
May 21 – Sunday at 10:30 AM in the UJC Sanctuary
— Background and the Biblical Understanding of Death
—- (Readings: The Death of Death, Chapters 1-3)
May 24 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM at Alan Schiffman’s office (42/F, Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark)
— Background and the Biblical Understanding of Death (Repeated)
—- (Readings: The Death of Death, Chapters 1-3)
June 4 – Sunday at 10:30 AM in the UJC Sanctuary
— Developing Views of the Afterlife: From the Rabbis to Maimonides
—- (Readings: The Death of Death. Chapters 4-6)
June 7 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM at Alan Schiffman’s office (42/F, Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark)
— Developing Views of the Afterlife: From the Rabbis to Maimonides (Repeated)
—- (Readings: The Death of Death, Chapters 4-6)
June 18 – Sunday at 10:30 AM in the UJC Sanctuary
— Mystical Teachings, Modern Skepticism and Making Sense of It All
—- (Readings: The Death of Death, Chapters 7-10)
June 21 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM at Alan Schiffman’s office (42/F, Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark)
— Mystical Teachings, Modern Skepticism and Making Sense of It All (Repeated)
—- (Readings: The Death of Death, Chapters 7-10)