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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & EVENTS



Omaha jewish community Beit Midrash



October 2021 - May 2022
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 pm


Omaha is blessed with a Jewish community whose members have deep affection for each other and for their spiritual leaders, regardless of which congregation they happen to belong to. Embracing our desire to be together and learn together, this exciting Beit Midrash (house of study) gives all of Jewish Omaha the opportunity to engage in spirited and challenging cross-denominational study with local rabbis and cantors. 

For more information on how this series was formed, read the Jewish Press article.

 

The remainder of January 2022 sessions will be held via ZOOM ONLY.

Please watch for updates when we plan to hold classes in-person again at the JCC AND virtually, via Zoom. We ask that everyone register using the button below to obtain a Zoom link, even if you are primarily interested in in-person participation. This will provide you with maximum flexibility to join.


The remainder of January 2022 sessions will be held via ZOOM ONLY. Please watch for updates when in-person sessions will resume in the Wiesman Reception Room on the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus from 7-8 pm Wednesdays. We will continue to monitor local rates of transmission, moving to all-virtual classes if necessary. 

 

Drop in for one session, or become a regular attendee – everyone is welcome. Registering allows you to participate in any or all sessions.





Registering allows you to participate in any or all sessions.
We ask that everyone register to obtain a Zoom link, even if you are primarily interested in in-person participation. This will provide you with maximum flexibility to join.


Contact Mark Kirchhoff for more details - (402) 334-6463 or mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org.





UPCOMING SESSIONS:


JANUARY 19  | Be Fruitful & Multiply (Pru u'rvu); But What if We Can't? (2 of 2)
Facilitated by: Rabbi Steven Abraham & Cantor Joanna Alexander
This session will be held via Zoom ONLY.
The commandment of Pru u'rvu, or to be fruitful and multiply, has challenged families over the centuries. Rabbi Steven Abraham & Cantor Joanna Alexander will share stories both from the text and from modern life in this second of two sessions on the topic. Watch the Zoom recording of the first session HERE.



JANUARY 26  | Halakhah: Religious Observances & Daily Life (2 of 2)
Facilitated by: Rabbi Ari Dembitzer & Rabbi Brian Stoller
This session will be held via Zoom ONLY.
A deep dive into understanding Jewish law through the lens of different response literature (papers related to certain topics). Watch the Zoom recording of first session on this topic HERE.


FEBRUARY 2  | Revelation: (2 of 2)
Facilitated by: Hazzan Michael Krausman & Rabbi Brian Stoller

Presenters will take a look at a few rabbinic texts in addition to discussing their own personal views on revelation in their daily lives.


FEBRUARY 9  | American Loyalty to Israel vs Progressive Values (2 of 2)
Facilitated by: Cantor Joanna Alexander & Rabbi Yoni Dreyer

Community clergy members will explore the tension between American loyalty to Israel and the progressive values held strongly by many American Jews. Jennie Gates Beckman will moderate the discussion.


FEBRUARY 16  | Same Prayer - Different Tune
Facilitated by: Cantor Joanna Alexander & Hazzan Michael Krausman

FEBRUARY 23  | Holiday Observances Across Denominations (2 of 3)
Facilitated by: Rabbi Steven Abraham & Rabbi Aryeh Azriel

All Jews celebrate the same holidays, but do we all celebrate holidays the same?!? For this series the clergy will explore various expressions of holidays through liturgy, customs, and practice. Watch Session 1 of this series with Rabbi Brian Stoller and Rabbi Yoni Dreyer HERE. 

MARCH 2  |  American Jewish History
Facilitated by: Rabbi Brian Stoller & Rabbi Eli Tenenbaum

MARCH 9  | UAPs: A Jewish Take on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (1 of 2)
Facilitated by: Rabbi Mendel Katzman & Hazzan Michael Krausman



 



OCTOBER 6 & 13 - PANEL DISCUSSION

Jewish Americans in 2020 - unpacking the Pew Study data
Discover more about what it means to be Jewish in America in 2020 and the results of the Pew Study HERE and learn about the 10 Key findings from the report HERE.

Want to know how you compare to other Jewish Americans on specific topics? Take the quiz. OCTOBER 6 | Rabbi Deana Berezin, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, Hazzan Michael Krausman, Rabbi Brian Stoller, moderated by Jennie Gates Beckman
Watch the Zoom recording HERE.

OCTOBER 13 | Rabbi Steven Abraham, Cantor Joanna Alexander, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Eli Tenenbaum

Due to technical difficulties, there is not a recording of this session.




OCTOBER 27  |   "Antisemitism: Historically & Today" (1 of 3)
The clergy will facilitate the first of several classes exploring antisemitism experienced throughout Jewish History and consider our current situation in the context of that narrative. Watch the Zoom recording HERE.




NOVEMBER 3  |  Holiday Observances Across Denominations (1 of 3)
All Jews celebrate the same holidays, but do we all celebrate holidays the same?!? For this series the clergy will explore various expressions of holidays through liturgy, customs, and practice. Watch the Zoom recording HERE.



NOVEMBER 10  | Revelation (1 of 2)

Rabbi Steven Abraham of Beth El Synagogue and Rabbi Emeritus Aryeh Azriel of Temple Israel discuss the topic of revelation. They will take a look at a few rabbinic texts in addition to discussing their own personal views on revelation in their daily lives. Watch the Zoom recording of this session HERE.




Nov. 17 - PANEL DISCUSSION


NOVEMBER 17  | PANEL DISCUSSION: American Loyalty to Israel vs Progressive Values (1 of 2)
Facilitated by: Rabbi Deana Berezin, Rabbi Yoni Dreyer & Rabbi Mendel Katzman
Moderated by: Jennie Gates Beckman

Community clergy members will explore the tension between American loyalty to Israel and the progressive values held strongly by many American Jews. Jennie Gates Beckman will moderate the discussion. Watch the Zoom recording of this session HERE.




DECEMBER 1  | Be Fruitful & Multiply (Pru u'rvu); But What if We Can't? (1 of 2)
Facilitated by: Hazzan Michael Krausman

The commandment of Pru u'rvu, or to be fruitful and multiply, has challenged families over the centuries. Hazzan Michael Krausman will share stories both from the text and from modern life in this first of two sessions on the topic. Watch the Zoom recording of this session HERE.



DECEMBER 8  |  Anti-Semitism: Historically & Today (2 of 3)
Facilitated by: Rabbi Brian Stoller & Rabbi Eli Tenenbaum

Rabbi Brian Stoller and Rabbi Eli Tenenbaum will continue the exploration of antisemitism experienced throughout Jewish History and consider our current situation in the context of that narrative. Watch the Zoom recording of this session HERE. Watch Session 1 of this series with Rabbi Deana Berezin and Rabbi Ari Dembitzer HERE.



DECEMBER 15  |  Greatest Hits of Pirkei Avot (1 of 2)
Facilitated by: Rabbi Yoni Dreyer & Rabbi Mendel Katzman
Watch the Zoom recording of this session HERE.




JANUARY 5, 2022  |  Anti-Semitism: Historically & Today (3 of 3)
Facilitated by: Rabbi Yoni Dreyer & Rabbi Mendel Katzman

The clergy will explore antisemitism experienced throughout Jewish History and consider our current situation in the context of that narrative. Watch the Zoom recording of this session HERE.




JANUARY 12, 2022  |  Halakhah: Religious Observances & Daily Life (1 of 2)
Facilitated by: Rabbi Steven Abraham & Rabbi Deana Berezin

A deep dive into how the Conservative and Reform movements understand Jewish law through the lens of different response literature (papers related to certain topics). This session was held via Zoom only.
Watch the Zoom recording of this session HERE.

Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus
333 South 132nd Street
Omaha, NE 68154
Operator: 402-334-8200
Our vision is that every person in Omaha feels welcome on the campus and is inspired to have a meaningful and relevant relationship with the Jewish Federation of Omaha and its agencies.


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