One Congregation - One Book Archives - UJC HK https://ujc.org.hk/tag/one-congregation-one-book/ Welcoming all who seek a Progressive vision of Jewish Life Tue, 09 Sep 2025 03:48:48 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 One Congregation/One Book https://ujc.org.hk/one-congregation-one-book/ Thu, 23 Jun 2022 04:21:10 +0000 https://ujc.org.hk/?p=16574 One Congregation/One Book 5785 Reading Reform Responsa by Rabbi Mark Washofsky Click here to sign up for One Congregation/One Book This year we will be reading Rabbi Mark Washofsky's new book, Reading Reform Responsa. In Reading Reform Responsa, Rabbi Washofsky presents a deep dive into this literature, boldly arguing that Reform Judaism is indeed [...]

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One Congregation/One Book 5785

Reading Reform Responsa by Rabbi Mark Washofsky

Click here to sign up for One Congregation/One Book

This year we will be reading Rabbi Mark Washofsky’s new book, Reading Reform Responsa.

In Reading Reform Responsa, Rabbi Washofsky presents a deep dive into this literature, boldly arguing that Reform Judaism is indeed a movement fundamentally based on halachah. By inviting and guiding readers to understand Reform responsa with a critical eye, he shows that our movement has always been informed by Jewish law, as well as Reform history. A teacher and mentor of generations of students at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Washofsky gives us a peek inside his classroom, making Reform responsa engaging and accessible for all.

See below for the schedule of check-ins and a suggested reading schedule:

Check-in Dates: (Note new dates)

December 1 – Sunday at 10:30 AM (in person and on Zoom)
December 4 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only)
January 5 – Sunday at 10:30 AM in The UJC Sanctuary (in person and on Zoom)
January 8 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only)
February 9 – Sunday at 10:30 AM (in person and on Zoom)
February 12 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only)
March 2 – Sunday at 10:30 AM (in person and on Zoom)
March 5 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only)
April 16 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM (via Zoom only) – note new date
May 11 – Sunday at 10:30 AM (in person and on Zoom)

Please contact The UJC office for location and zoom link.

Suggested Reading Schedule
(Note the appendix pages contain the full text of the responsa discussed in the main chapters)

December – Introduction, Chapter 1 and Appendix 169-171
January – Chapters 2-3, Appendix 171-192
February – Chapters 4-5, Appendix 193-215
March – Chapters 6-7, Appendix 215-234
April – Chapters 8-9, Appendix 234-252
May – Chapter 10 and Conclusions, 252-264

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]]> One Congregation/One Book 5782 https://ujc.org.hk/one-congregation-one-book-5782/ Sat, 29 Jun 2019 02:54:48 +0000 http://ujc.org.hk/?p=13105 One Congregation/One Book 5782 Food for the Body/Food for the Soul Click here to sign up for Food for the Body Track Click here to sign up for Food for the Soul Track   This year there will be two tracks and a total of three books.  (And yes, we are still calling it One [...]

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One Congregation/One Book 5782
Food for the Body/Food for the Soul

Click here to sign up for
Food for the Body Track		 Click here to sign up for
Food for the Soul Track

 

This year there will be two tracks and a total of three books.  (And yes, we are still calling it One Congregation/ One Book.)  You can join either track, but it is best to do both.

Track 1: Food for the Body

We will explore the world of Jewish food by reading two books.  First, we will read The 100 Most Jewish Foods: A Highly Debatable List.  This book is anthology of essays on all things edible and Jewish.  Consider it an appetizer for our main course, Jewish Eating and Identity Through the Ages, by David C. Kraemer.  This book explores the tie between food and identity, examining not just what Jews eat, but also “how, when, and with whom they eat it.”

The 100 Most Jewish Foods is readily available in print or as an ebook (click here).  Jewish Eating and Identity Through the Ages, is less easy to come by.  Apologies for the high price of the ebook.  Like a nice kugel or plate of hummus, we may want to share around some copies.  It is the best book of its kind, so we will make do.  Click here for information from Amazon.  Let us know if you find other sources for the main course of Track 1.


Track 2: Food for the Soul

Our food for the soul will be Robert Alter’s The Book of Psalms: A Translation and Commentary.  The Psalms have been our people’s constant companion in times of joy and sorrow.  Join us as we spend a year in the world of the Psalms, seeing them in a new light through Alter’s beautiful translation and insightful commentary.

The book is available in print or as an ebook (click here).

 

Prof. David Kraemer will be joining us as a scholar-in-residence (via Zoom) March 11th and 12th.  Click here for details. (This program is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Salata Family.) 

 

See below for the schedule of check-ins and suggested reading schedules.

 

 

Food for the Soul Track Check-in Dates Food for the Body Track Check-in Dates
October 24
– Sunday at 10:30 AM via Zoom
November 21
– Sunday at 10:30 AM via Zoom
October 27
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom
 November 24
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom
November 14
– Sunday at 10:30 AM via Zoom		 December 22
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom
November 17
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom		 January 23
– Sunday at 10:30 AM via Zoom
December 15
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom		 January 26
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom
January 16
– Sunday at 10:30 AM via Zoom		 February 23
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom
January 19
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom		 March 27
– Sunday at 10:30 AM via Zoom
February 16
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom		 March 30
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom
March 20
– Sunday at 10:30 AM via Zoom		 April 24
– Sunday at 10:30 AM via Zoom
March 23
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom		 April 27
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom
April 20
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom
May 22
– Sunday at 10:30 AM via Zoom
May 25
– Wednesday at 12:30 PM via Zoom
 

 
Suggested Reading Schedule for Food for the Soul Track Suggested Reading Schedule for Food for the Body Track
October – Psalms 1-20 November – All of The 100 Most Jewish Foods,
Chapter 1 of Jewish Eating
November – Psalms 21-40 December– Chapters 2-3
December – Psalms 41-60 January– Chapters 4-5
January – Psalms 61-80 February– Chapters 6-7
February – Psalms 81-100 March – Chapters 8-9
March – Psalms 101-120 April– Chapter 10
April – Psalms 121-140
May – Psalms 141-150

About David Kraemer

Professor Kraemer is both the Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian and a professor of Talmud at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. His scholarly work is focused on the literary analysis of rabbinic literature, rabbinic ritual, and the social and religious history of Jews in late antiquity. Professor Kraemer is a prolific author and commentator. In addition to his books, he has written influential articles on the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, the Mishnah, and many other subjects. His latest book is A History of the Talmud, which was published by Cambridge University Press in 2019.

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]]> The Bible That We Should Know – But Don’t https://ujc.org.hk/the-bible-that-we-should-know-but-dont/ Fri, 07 Jul 2017 02:00:36 +0000 http://ujc.org.hk/?p=12644 In this series we will take a deeper look at Biblical texts that are in front of our eyes all the time in synagogue life, but that we perhaps have not thought deeply about.  The course consists of two parts.  Part 1 will examine selections from the Psalms that we encounter in prayer and ritual.  [...]

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In this series we will take a deeper look at Biblical texts that are in front of our eyes all the time in synagogue life, but that we perhaps have not thought deeply about.  The course consists of two parts.  Part 1 will examine selections from the Psalms that we encounter in prayer and ritual.  Part 2 will focus on selected haftarot, the readings from the Prophets that are associated with particular Torah portions and festivals.  Our aim will be to go beyond passive familiarity with these texts so as to appreciate their deeper meaning.
Texts will be provided, but you may want to have a copy of The Jewish Study Bible (click here to purchase ) and Robert Alter’s translation of Psalms (click here to purchase).  These books will be useful in our class sessions and will be valuable additions to your Jewish library.
Watch Shabbat Shalom AND this spot for class schedules.  Order your books today.

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]]> One Congregation One Book https://ujc.org.hk/one-congregation-one-book-for-year-5778/ Fri, 07 Jul 2017 01:31:44 +0000 http://ujc.org.hk/?p=12639 THE STORY OF THE JEWS, VOL. 2 Join us for our community reading of the second volume of Simon Schama's The Story of the Jews.  In this continuation of his Jewish history series, Schama will take us from 1492 to 1900 - from the aftermath of the expulsion of the Jews of Spain to the beginning of modernity.  Anyone [...]

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THE STORY OF THE JEWS, VOL. 2
The Story of the Jews Vol 2Join us for our community reading of the second volume of Simon Schama’s The Story of the Jews.  In this continuation of his Jewish history series, Schama will take us from 1492 to 1900 – from the aftermath of the expulsion of the Jews of Spain to the beginning of modernity.  Anyone who read the first volume of The Story of Jews with us two years ago can tell you that Schama has an extraordinary journey planned for us, one that will take us through Shavuot next year.
Keep reading over the summer.  Check-ins will resume in the fall.

 

Suggested Reading Schedule:

July/August/September 2018: Chapters 5–7
October 2018: Chapter 8
November 2018: Chapter 9
December 2018: Chapter 10
January 2019: Chapter 11
February 2019: Chapter 12
March 2019: Chapter 13
April 2019: Chapter 14
May 2019: Chapter 15
Order a copy of The Story of the Jews, Volume Two click here to order a print or e-book copy).

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]]> One Congregation, One Book 5777 https://ujc.org.hk/one-congregation-one-book-5777/ Mon, 01 May 2017 01:49:34 +0000 http://ujc.org.hk/?p=12076 We are reading The David Story, Robert Alter's beautiful translation and commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel.  Join us as we dive deeply into the Bible's gripping chronicle of the rise and reign of King David.  While our focus will be the Biblical narrative, we will also explore the image of David in later [...]

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We are reading The David Story, Robert Alter’s beautiful translation and commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel.  Join us as we dive deeply into the Bible’s gripping chronicle of the rise and reign of King David.  While our focus will be the Biblical narrative, we will also explore the image of David in later Jewish tradition and in popular culture.
Check-In Dates through the end of May
May 7 – Sunday at 10:30 AM in the UJC Sanctuary
May 10 – Wednesday at 12:30 PM at Alan Schiffman’s office
(42/F, Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark)
Suggested Reading Schedule
April 30-May 6: pp. 311-328 (II Sam. 19-20)
May 7-13: pp. 329-344 (II Sam. 21-22)
May 14-20: pp. 345-359 (II Sam 23-24)
May 21-27: pp. 363 (I Kings 1-2)
May 28-30: Catch up days
May 30: Siyyum at Tikkun Leil Shavuot at 9:00 PM on Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

Schedule of Topics and Reading Assignments

(Revised)

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