FALL 2014 TUESDAY COURSE GUIDE
THIS GUIDE IS SUBJECT TO UPDATES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME MESSAGE
PAGE 2
MAKOR 2014-2015 TUESDAY CALENDAR
PAGE 3
TIFILLOT
PAGE 4
ELECTIVES
PAGE 4
CASE STUDIES
PAGE 5
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WELCOME TO MAKOR
“The finest quality of human beings is asking questions.” (Rabbi
Solomon Ben Gabriel)
As Director of Makor, I want to welcome you to what will be a year of Tuesdays filled
with questions. Your questions. You see, as students, you have a right to ask questions
and explore the answers - be it ones you can can Google to ones that you need to use
your internal “Google” and reflect. Here at Hebrew College’s Makor program, every
teacher is counting on you to ask questions.
This Tuesday Fall Course Guide has two purposes: to share the calendar and give you a
sense of what will be happening on Tuesdays. First, we will start out all together as we
daven (pray) as a community, with Cantor David Wolok. Cantor Wolok will provide both
different experiences and styles of tifillot along with honing in your skills as a member of
the Kehillah (congregation) and ba’alei tifillah (leaders). Next, you have the power to
choose the courses you wish to study. Your teachers have been working very hard in
designing courses for your interests. They are eager to start that journey of learning with
you. This year, ALL of you can choose a course. I encourage you to look through this
guide carefully and select your courses.
If you have any questions or would like some help selecting courses, I am happy to work
with you. Feel free to contact me by phone or email.
Ariel Margolis
Director of Makor
amargolis@hebrewcollege.edu
617-559-8807
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MAKOR ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2014-2015
TUESDAYS (MAOR ONLY): Period 1 – 4:15-4:35 /Period 2 – 4:40-5:25/ Period 3 – 5:30-6:15
All dates are tentative and subject to change.
SEPTEMBER CLASS DATES
Tuesdays:
9, 16, 23, 30
September Special Events
Wed. 3
Makor Family Orientation
Fri-Sun (5-7)
Shabbaton
Sun. 7
Opening Day / Community Day
Sun. 14
Makor 1st Semester Begins
OCTOBER CLASS DATES
Tuesdays:
7, 14, 21, 28
October Special Events
NOVEMBER CLASS DATES
Tuesdays:
4, 11, 18
DECEMBER CLASS DATES
Tuesdays:
2, 9, 16
JANUARY CLASS DATES
Tuesdays:
6, 13, 20, 27
January Special Events
Tues 13
Makor 2nd Semester Begins
FEBRUARY CLASS DATES
Tuesdays:
3, 10, 24
MARCH CLASS DATES
Tuesdays:
3, 10, 17, 24, 31
APRIL CLASS DATES
Tuesdays:
14, 28
MAY CLASS DATES
Tuesdays:
5, 12
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Tifillot
4:15 – 4:40pm
Taught by Cantor Davin Wolok
Tifillot (prayer) is a core component of Judaism. It helps to center
ourselves and also elevate our spirits. With Cantor Wolok, we will
explore different ways of expressing tifillot as well as build upon our
skills so we are more comfortable in services.
ELECTIVES
4:40 – 5:25pm
JEWISH PROPHETS AND MEDITATION
Taught by Misha Clebaner
There are many tales in the Jewish Biblical Cannon that tell of the rise of various
prophets. There are stories of success and sometimes there are those of
struggle, yet one thing they all have in common is the faith that the prophets
maintain. How are they able to do this? By being a prophet they demonstrated
strong connection and awareness of the world around them. This allowed them
to be truth tellers of their generation. We will incorporate techniques of
meditation, video clips about steadfastness in the face of trouble or anxiety, and
hasidic tales about how intentionality (kavanah) enables people to live more just
and compassionate lives.
Jewish Rituals – why do we have them?
Taught by Laura Bellows
Judaism is full of rituals; from putting on a tallit to washing one’s hands and
saying a prayer before a meal. Why do we do them? What are their purposes?
And, most importantly, how are they relevant to me. Come study as we learn
about several rituals and do some reflecting and experiential (hands-on)
learning. We will be using Hebrew College’s newest creations – Eco-Ritual Lab –
to help us understand the rituals.
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I WAS THERE: CASE STUDIES IN JEWISH HISTORY
5:30 – 6:15
Taught by Laura Bellows and Misha Clebaner
Over the course of the year, students will use the case study model to examine
dramatic and compelling episodes from Jewish history from the perspective of
that moment’s most influential leaders. Students research a case of each
historical moment, engaging with each community’s unique creativity,
production, obstacles, and threats. Students will learn about each community
and be presented with a core question or challenge. Students will work together
to present a proposed course of action for the community to follow. Following
the students’ proposals, they will learn how each scenario unfolded and consider
each moment’s impact on our Jewish experience today. The final case will
examine Jewish Boston today, challenging students to confront the demographic
and participatory trends that we are currently addressing. By understanding their
experience today as a new chapter in the Jewish historical narrative, students
will leave this course with a deeper commitment to one another and to building a
more vibrant Jewish future.
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