Adult Ed: Talmud
06/19/2022 03:31:46 PM
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Our last two weeks in this course (6/26 and 7/3) we will jump to Masechet Yevamot and check in a bit on what most other Talmud-studiers around the world are reading this week.
Here's a little primer on what to expect from Yevamot as a whole, and here is the text of Yevamot 107-108 (what we will be reading the next two weeks) from the indispensable Sefaria.org.
Please Note that the July 3rd, the class will meet at 11 AM rather...Read more...
Adult Ed: Intro to Talmud
06/08/2022 10:15:22 PM
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This Sunday at 1 pm we are continuing our study of Talmud, this time diving into some text!
If you missed last week's class you can always go back and watch our recording, or check out the resources below:
Steinsaltz tells us "What is Talmud?"
My Jewish Learning breaks it down further
A Reform Perspective
Read more...Book Club: June
06/02/2022 07:48:14 PM
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According to Amazon.com, the book is about: The moving story of Joana Halevi – one brave woman who was...Read more...
Shavuot Tikkun: How do Reform Jews decide which Mitzvot to follow?
05/23/2022 05:12:29 PM
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On Leil Shavuot, we will discuss around the campfire the topics of Reform Judaism's relationship with mitzvot. Here are some links and talking points to prepare you for our communal discourse.
We often hear that there are "613 commandments." That's not quite true: https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-origins-and-use-of-the-613-mitzvot
There is perhaps no...Read more...
Book Club: May
05/04/2022 08:45:55 PM
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What if there was a town that history missed?
For decades, the tiny Jewish shtetl of Kreskol existed in happy isolation, virtually untouched and unchanged. Spared by the Holocaust and the Cold War, its residents enjoyed remarkable peace. It missed out on cars, and electricity, and the internet, and indoor...Read more...
Book Club: April
04/06/2022 11:14:31 AM
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Adult Ed: Zohar
03/25/2022 08:33:46 AM
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Sunday, March 27th, we are learning with and from Rabbi Justin Jaron Lewis (https://justinjaronlewis.wordpress.com/) as he guides us through a lesson about the Zohar - the most prominent book of Jewish mysticism.
Justin Jaron Lewis is a rabbi, Jewish Studies professor, and storyteller who loves the imagination and emotional richness of the Zohar. He is the author of Imagining Holiness: Classic Hasidic Tales in Modern Times and...Read more...
Jewish Baking
03/13/2022 09:47:21 AM
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The Origins of Challah
American Challah: A People's History
Purim Cookies: Are they Haman's ears, pockets, or hat?
History of Hamantaschen
Read more...Adult Ed: Mikveh
03/04/2022 08:47:12 AM
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For One Class Only!
3/6 1:00pm Everything you wanted to know about Mikvah but were afraid to ask
Learn about the history, purpose, and modern potential of the mikveh with Rabbi Lizz! If there is interest in a follow up, and covid restrictions allow, we may take a "field trip" at a later date to the community (non-Orthodox) mikveh in DC.
Source Sheets on Mikva'ot:
The...Read more...
Book Club: March
02/28/2022 12:40:57 PM
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The scene is Otisville Prison, upstate New York. A crew of fraudsters, tax evaders, trigamists, and forgers discuss matters of right...Read more...
Adult Ed: Jewish Humor
01/27/2022 11:01:13 AM
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Our fifth and final class on Jewish Humor will discuss contemporary Jewish comedy and where it looks like the future of American Jewish Comedy is headed.
Rachel Bloom is a musical theatre and literary nerd who embraces her Jewishness in a deep and very visible way with her songs such as Remember that We Suffered (with Patti LuPone and Tovah Feldshuh), The JAP Battle, and the JAP Battle Reprise.
Jessica Kirson, slightly older...Read more...
Book Club: February
01/27/2022 10:54:59 AM
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Our next Book Club meeting will be February 23rd at 10:30 am on Zoom to discuss A Remarkable Kindness.
From the Jewish Book Council:
Diana Bletter’s excellent writing makes the characters of A Remarkable Kindness come alive in this moving story about community, family, personal growth, and difficult loss in Israel. All living in an Israeli village close to the border with...Read more...
Adult Ed: Jewish Humor
01/21/2022 10:56:27 AM
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This week we are looking at 19-20th century Jewish comedy, particular in the United States of America.
Jackie Mason brings Borscht Belt Humor all the way to the end of the 20th century
What happened to the Borscht Belt?
An Hour Long Video from the Forward about the "Rise of American Jewish Comedy"
Rabbi Lizz's Notes on Jewish Humor by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
A Parallel Story: Performing...Read more...
Adult Ed: Jewish Humor
01/14/2022 02:05:03 PM
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This week we are looking at medieval and enlightenment-era humor.
Examples of Medieval Sense of Humor
Jewish comedy in the medieval and early enlightenment periods were often fairly directed at the issues of antisemitism and assimilation. They tended to particularly poke fun at the idea of conversos ever truly believing in Christianity and at the attempts of the Christian-influenced humanists and deists of the...Read more...
Book Club: January
01/08/2022 02:16:20 PM
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On January 26th we will meet via Zoom at 10:30 am to discuss The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer.
From the author's website:
Chronically-ill Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a “nice Jewish girl‚” with a secret: she loves Christmas. As the best-selling author of over twenty Christmas romance novels, and four made-for-TV movie spin-offs, she’s kept her stellar career secret from her...Read more...
Adult Ed: Jewish Humor
01/08/2022 02:02:25 PM
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In our second class, we will start at the beginning. What are the Biblical roots of Jewish comedy, and how did Jews invent sarcasm in the Talmud?
Rabbi Lizz's Outline of Jewish Comedy: A Serious History
Text Study of Biblical Laughs
Humor as an Act of Faith
Talmudic Comedy
Elijah Invented Sarcasm
Why Jews Laugh at Themselves
Alan King's Great Jewish Joke Book
Read more...Adult Ed: Jewish Humor
12/27/2021 11:12:40 AM
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Each Sunday afternoon in January, we will be meeting on Zoom to discuss the history, purpose, and stylings of Jewish Humor. Reach out to ekibbitz@nershalomva.org or rabbi@nershalomva.org for the zoom links.
Steve Allen called American comedy "a Jewish cottage industry", and attempts to define Jewish humor have come up short. Still we will try! Prepare for our first class by checking out some of these links:
My Jewish...Read more...
Book Club: December
12/01/2021 11:39:51 AM
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We are now reading The Last Rose of Shanghai. We will meet on Zoom at 10:30 AM on December 29th to discuss.
From Goodreads:
In Japanese-occupied Shanghai, two people from different cultures are drawn together by fate and the freedom of music...
Read more...
Book Club: November
10/27/2021 11:45:42 AM
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Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the November book will actually be discussed on December 1st. We will still meet at 10:30 am on zoom.
This month we are reading The Last Kings of Shanghai by Jonathan Kaufman. From Goodreads:
The Sassoons and the Kadoories--two Jewish families from Baghdad--had long been successful in business, politics, and society. They kept up their intrigues and opium smuggling while helping to rescue...Read more...
Adult Ed: Apocrypha
10/24/2021 04:06:32 PM
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For our final class on this unit (10/31) we will be reading Ben Sira/Sirach/Ecclesiasticus
Ecclesiasticus, written by Ben Sirach (בן סירא)
Also known as Ecclesiasticus or Ben Sira, Sirach was written around 200 BCE in Hebrew by Ben Sira. The work was then translated into Greek by his grandson who added a prologue for...Read more...
Adult Ed: Apocrypha
10/17/2021 04:21:14 PM
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On 10/24 we will discuss The Life of Adam and Eve:
Life of Adam and Eve (ספר אדם וחוה)
Expands on the life of Adam and Eve after the expulsion from Eden, including Eve’s perspective. All known manuscripts date to well after the 2nd Temple period, and different versions have been found in several languages, none of them Hebrew or...Read more...
Adult Ed: Apocrypha
10/10/2021 03:58:57 PM
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For next time (10/17/21) we will be discussing the Book of Tobit.
Book of Tobit (ספר טוביה)
Read more...
Adult Ed: Apocrypha
10/10/2021 02:36:47 PM
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“Apocrypha” refers to biblical-style books from the Second Temple period that were not included in the canonization of Tanakh, including historical works, didactic wisdom literature, and apocalyptic texts, among others. Traditional Jewish approaches to these works have varied throughout the ages, but they are generally viewed as helpful sources of information and literature without much religious significance....Read more...
Adult Ed: Apocrypha
10/09/2021 08:47:16 PM
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Below is the list of all the texts considered to be Jewish Apocrypha. That is, they are ancient writings believed to have been written by and for Jews, but for various reasons were not canonized into our Tanakh.
Each title links to their Wikipedia article. For Rabbi Lizz's summaries and links to someplace you can read the text online (where such links could be found), go to this Google Doc.
In the TorahRead more...
Adult Ed: Apocrypha
09/30/2021 12:26:54 PM
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The entire process of canonization is murky. Scholars are simply unsure how certain books ultimately became authoritative and others did not. In these 5 one-hour sessions we will explore some theories on how canonization came to be and what was left out.
A Rough Timeline of Biblical Writing and Canonization
Apocrypha are books outside the Hebrew Bible canon, not considered divinely inspired but regarded as worthy of study by...Read more...
Book Club: October
09/29/2021 11:39:41 AM
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Our Book Club meets at 10:30 am on Zoom the last Wednesday of each month. This month we are reading The Family Man by Elinor Lipman.
The Amazon summary says:
A hysterical phone call from his ex-wife upends Henry Archer's well-ordered life - and brings him back into contact with the child he adored: Thalia, now 29, an aspiring actress. Hoping it will lead to better things for her career, Thalia agrees to pose as the...Read more...
Book Club: September
09/23/2021 02:03:30 PM
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Our next book club meeting will happen on Zoom at 10:30 am on September 29.
We will be discussing Esau's Blessing: How the Bible Embraces Those with Special Needs by Dr. Ora Horn Prouser.
Read more...Book Club: August
07/25/2021 04:05:09 PM
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Book Club: July
06/26/2021 08:30:01 PM
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Book Club: June
05/27/2021 01:20:17 PM
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Tue, June 28 2022
29 Sivan 5782
Upcoming Events
-
Wednesday ,
JunJune 29 , 2022
Wednesday, Jun 29th 10:30a to 12:00p
We will meet to discuss our next book on June 29, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. The Book is The Rabbi's Wife, The Bishop's Wife: A Historical Novel by David Jacobson and Chayuta Deutsch. According to Amazon.com, the book is about: The moving story of Joana Halevi – one brave woman who was willing to give up the most precious things in her life to maintain her faith. Spain, 1391. Joana, wife of Shlomo Halevi, the Rabbi of Burgos, mother of five, and daughter of a wealthy and respectable family, is living a comfortable, carefree life. Until her world is shattered without warning one summer day. While her husband Shlomo, now Pablo de Santamaria, joins the Catholic church and takes their family with him, Joana struggles with the unrelenting yearning for her children. Will her soul find relief? Will her children return to her side? Jerusalem, 2020. Ruth is struggling with personal conflicts when the Covid-19 pandemic shakes her world, adding loneliness and isolation to her struggle. With her new online friend, she embarks on a voyage that will set Joana Halevi’s memory free from oblivion. Based on the true story of Joana Halevi, The Rabbi’s Wife, the Bishop’s Wifeaddresses human behavior and condition: true and false alliances, betrayal and loyalty, destruction and redemption. -
Thursday ,
JunJune 30 , 2022
Thursday, Jun 30th 7:00p to 8:00p
Summer crash course on Judaism. Intended for those beginning conversion journeys, but everyone is welcome! Meetings may vary between in-person and zoom, so please RSVP to rabbi@nershalomva.org -
Friday ,
JulJuly 1 , 2022
Friday, Jul 1st 7:00p to 9:00p
Young Adults, between 18-25(ish) are invited to a potluck campfire on the synagogue grounds. Come meet other young Jews in the area, sing some songs, schmooze, kibbitz, eat, and enjoy a nice Friday evening together. -
Saturday ,
JulJuly 2 , 2022
Shabbat, Jul 2nd 10:00a to 11:00a
At the synagogue! -
Sunday ,
JulJuly 3 , 2022
Sunday, Jul 3rd 11:00a to 11:30a
Join Rabbi Lizz and the Ner Shalom lifelong education crew for a dip into Talmudic learning. -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 7 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 7th 7:00p to 8:00p
Summer crash course on Judaism. Intended for those beginning conversion journeys, but everyone is welcome! Meetings may vary between in-person and zoom, so please RSVP to rabbi@nershalomva.org -
Friday ,
JulJuly 8 , 2022
Friday, Jul 8th 7:30p to 8:30p
In person! Masks required. -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 14 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 14th 7:00p to 8:00p
Summer crash course on Judaism. Intended for those beginning conversion journeys, but everyone is welcome! Meetings may vary between in-person and zoom, so please RSVP to rabbi@nershalomva.org -
Friday ,
JulJuly 15 , 2022
Friday, Jul 15th 7:30p to 8:30p
Join us at the synagogue for low-key, lay-led summer services! -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 21 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 21st 7:00p to 8:00p
Summer crash course on Judaism. Intended for those beginning conversion journeys, but everyone is welcome! Meetings may vary between in-person and zoom, so please RSVP to rabbi@nershalomva.org
Ner Shalom in the News
- Washington Jewish Week - June 30, 2020
CNS Branded Masks Save Lives
- Prince WIlliam Living - September 20, 2019
Annual Patriot Day Shabbat
- Prince William Living - August 26, 2019
Learn About the Jewish High Holidays!
- Prince William Living - July 16, 2019
Synagogue in Summer
- Prince William Living - May 16, 2019
Seasons of Our Joy
- Prince William Living - March 20, 2019
- Learning About Jewish Traditions
- Building an Inclusive & Vibrant Community
- - Prince William Living - December 14, 2018
- The Future of the Community
- - Prince William Living - November 20, 2018
- Coming Together After a National Tragedy
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