2017-2018 Melton & More Brochure

EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JCC HOUSTON Bobbi and Vic Samuels Center for Jewish Living & Learning

CONTINUING JEWISH EDUCATION AT THE J Come for the Learning.

Stay for the Community.

erjcchouston.org

THE BOBBI & VIC SAMUELS CENTER FOR JEWISH LIVING & LEARNING The BVSCJLL offers Jewish classes, lectures, programs, and other meaningful Jewish experiences for the Houston community.

ISRAEL AT 70!

This year’s theme celebrates the anniversary of Israel's modern statehood. Look for this theme in various classes, lectures and programs throughout the year.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2017-18 SEASON Melton & More | Year Round Rich, in-depth Jewish studies courses designed by The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning as well as local Houston faculty (see pages 4-5 for details).

Celebrate the New Year the J Way Sunday, August 20, 2017

A full day at the J to prepare for the upcoming High Holidays through learning and the arts.

Explore Yom Kippur Learning Sessions | 1:15 PM–3:30 PM Concert: One Voice, One Community | 4:00 PM

Rice University Jewish Studies Lecture Series

The American Zionist Evolution: Reinterpreting Prevailing Ideas About Israel October 15, 18 & 22, 2017 I 7:30 PM

Turn It and Turn It: Studying the Weekly Torah Portion Instructors: Rabbis Jill Levy & Samantha Safran Fridays, 12:00 PM I FREE

A weekly discussion of the Torah portion using both classic and modern commentaries. No knowledge of Hebrew is required.

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Film & Learns The J is proud to partner with the National Center for Jewish Film to offer several rare and relevant documentary films throughout the year.

How to Re-Establish a Vodka Empire

UK, 2012 | 75 minutes I Directed by Dan Edelstyn

Thursday, June 15, 2017 I 1:00 PM & 7:30 PM Pre-Film Vodka Tasting I 6:45 PM Post-Film Discussion led by Rabbi Kenny Weiss Londoner Dan Edelstyn embarks upon a quest to bring his family’s Ukrainian vodka-making factory back to life.

Rosenwald

USA, 2015 | 95 minutes I Directed by Aviva Kempner

Monday, January 15, 2018 I 1:00 PM & 7:30 PM Pre-Film Discussion with Dr. Bernice Heilbrunn Potvin In the early 20th century, philanthropist Julius Rosenwald joined forces with African Americans in the Jim Crow South to become a significant silent partner of the pre-Civil Rights Movement.

Bunny and Leo Horvitz Scholar-in-Residence Series with Dr. Reuven Y. Hazan of The Hebrew University Israel at 70: Democracy, Politics and Society February 11–25, 2018

Professor Reuven Y. Hazan is a political scientist, diplomat, political affairs commentator and former Chair of the Political Science Department at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Hazan is a ninth generation Israeli, born in Jerusalem. He is married to a native Houstonian and is thrilled to be returning to Houston for this residency.

Spring Scholars Jewish Ethics Series April 8, 11 & 15, 2018

Community Yom Ha'atzmaut Israel Independence Day Festival April 19, 2018

JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS Mishpacha & Me

Celebrate Judaism through creative family activities all over town. For families with children ages 0-5.

Shabbatify

This monthly program brings together elementary school families for meaningful and fun-filled Shabbat afternoons and Sundays.

Jewish & Hebrew Explorers September 2017-May 2018

MELTON! Foundations of Jewish Family Living October 2017-March 2018

Oliver Lapin Family Day Sunday, November 5, 2017

Winter Break Bash

Sunday, December 25, 2017 3

MELTON CORE PROGRAM | 2017–2018 A P RO J E C T O F T H E H E B R E W U N I V E RS IT Y O F J E RU SA L E M

What is Melton?

The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning is a sophisticated, text-based Jewish literacy program developed at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, that explores centuries of Jewish traditions, history, theology and ethics, in an exciting, pluralistic and thoughtprovoking classroom environment. There are over 40 Melton schools across North America, South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom.

YEAR ONE

YEAR TWO

Rhythms of Jewish Living

Crossroads of Jewish History

This course focuses on the holidays, rites of passage, and daily rituals of Jewish tradition, using a wide variety of Jewish sources to discover the deeper meaning behind Jewish practice.

This course defines periods in Jewish history and provides an understanding of how these crossroads have shaped Judaism and Jewish identity as we know it today.

Purposes of Jewish Living

Ethics of Jewish Living

This course addresses the "why" of Jewish belief and behavior and delves into the big questions of life from a Jewish perspective.

Core Year One OR Year Two

This course provides an overview of how Jewish thinkers, ancient and contemporary, can shed light on the ethical issues of today.

$495 Member | $740 Public

TAKE $35 OFF for Early Bird Core Registration May 21–June 30!

Payment plans available. Contact Nomi Barancik at nbarancik@erjcchouston.org or 713.595.8190.

TIME

COURSE

INSTRUCTOR

CORE CLASSES, MELTON YEAR ONE | October 19, 2017–May 24, 2018 THURSDAY MORNINGS – MERFISH TEEN CENTER 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Purposes of Jewish Living

Rabbi Samantha Safran

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Rhythms of Jewish Living

Rabbi Jill Levy

CORE CLASSES, MELTON YEAR TWO | October 19, 2017–May 24, 2018 THURSDAY MORNINGS – MERFISH TEEN CENTER 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Crossroads of Jewish Living

Cantor Mark Levine

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Ethics of Jewish Living

Ms. Nancy Pryzant Picus

The Melton program is valuable to all those who would like to "fill in the holes" in their Jewish education, something we as adults are sometimes reluctant or embarrassed to admit we have. The program has increased my knowledge and continues to enhance my understanding of what being Jewish is all about. – Carol Emery, Long-Time Melton Student 4

MELTON & MORE SCHOLARS PROGRAM | 2017–2018 The Melton & More Scholars Program features trimester-long courses that focus on specific topics.

These courses can be taken independently, but also complement the strong background one receives in the Melton Core Program. The Scholars courses include classes developed by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as well as classes developed by local faculty.

Six Scholars Courses Three Scholars Courses Individual Scholars Courses

$495 Member | $740 Public $390 Member | $585 Public $165 Member | $250 Public

TAKE $35 OFF for Early Bird Scholars Registration* May 21–June 30 OR TAKE $35 OFF tuition by referring a friend for the Core Program through October 1 *Early Bird Scholars Registration applies to packages of 3 or 6 courses only.

Payment plans available. Contact Nomi Barancik at nbarancik@erjcchouston.org or 713.595.8190.

TRIMESTER 1 OCTOBER 16 – DECEMBER 21

TIME

TRIMESTER 2 January 8 – March 8

TRIMESTER 3 March 19 – May 24

MONDAYS – CONGREGATION EMANU EL 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

MELTON! Jews in America 1 Ms. Nada Chandler

MELTON! Jews in America 2 Ms. Nada Chandler

Kabbalah 101 Rabbi Dr. Danny Horwitz

MELTON! Jewish Mysticism Rabbi Annie Belford

MELTON! Book of Genesis 2 Rabbi Gideon Estes

TUESDAYS – WEST HOUSTON 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

MELTON! Beyond Borders 2 Rabbi Gideon Estes

TUESDAYS – EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JCC 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Our Matriarchs & Patriarchs 1 Ms. Mindeleah Pollak

Our Matriarchs & Patriarchs 2 Ms. Mindeleah Pollak

Ruth: Great-Grandmother of King David Ms. Mindeleah Pollak

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Sustainable Eating Ms. Nancy Pryzant Picus

Jewish Artists Dr. Bernice Heilbrunn Potvin

The Lives of Sephardic Jews Dr. Bernice Heilbrunn Potvin

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Ethical Mystics Rabbi Dr. Danny Horwitz

Jewish Artists Dr. Bernice Heilbrunn Potvin

Samuel the Prophet Ms. Gabi Gelman

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

MELTON! Genesis 1 Rabbi Samantha Safran

MELTON! Genesis 2 Rabbi Jill Levy

MELTON! Star & Crescent Rabbi Steve Morgen

8:15 PM – 9:15 PM

Through a Jewish Lens Mr. Michael Duke

Jews of Poland Mr. Aaron Howard

A Journey Into the Siddur Cantor Mark Levine

THURSDAYS – MERFISH TEEN CENTER 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

More Modern Jewish Authors Ethical Mystics Ms. Nada Chandler Rabbi Dr. Danny Horwitz

Yiddishkeit Dr. Mina Graur

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Misunderstanding the Bible Rabbi David Segal

Becoming Americans Dr. Joshua Furman

Midrash Is The New Black Rabbi Jill Levy

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

American Jewish Culture Rabbi Kenny Weiss

A Journey Into the Siddur Cantor Mark Levine

Jewish Artists Dr. Bernice Heilbrunn Potvin

10:45 AM – 12:15 PM

MELTON! Star & Crescent Rabbi Steve Gross

MELTON! Exodus 1 Rabbi Ranon Teller

MELTON! Exodus 2 Rabbi Samantha Safran

Additional courses available in the Woodlands and other locations.

Visit erjcchouston.org/meltonandmore for more information.

MELTON & MORE SCHOLARS COURSES Ethical Mystics

Rabbi Dr. Danny Horwitz Tuesdays, Trimester 1 7:00 PM–8:00 PM | Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Thursdays, Trimester 2 9:30 AM–10:30 AM | Merfish Teen Center What did the classical Jewish teachers have to say about ethics, and how did Kabbalistic teachers build upon that framework? Learn valuable moral insights from the mystical texts of Safed as well as the Hasidic masters.

American Jewish Culture

Thursdays, Trimester 1 I Rabbi Kenny Weiss 10:45 AM–11:45 AM I Merfish Teen Center This course will explore American Jewish culture from Eastern European immigration through the present, examining popular materials and everyday practices that help illustrate how Jewish immigrants transformed themselves into American Jews.

MELTON! Exodus 1: From Slavery to Sinai

Thursdays, Trimester 2 I Rabbi Ranon Teller 10:45 AM–12:15 PM I Merfish Teen Center This course brings us the Egyptian narrative of our people, the dramatic story of our rescue, and survival in the wilderness. Leadership, bravery, faith and doubt define some of the critical moments in these texts and offer us a rich backdrop for challenging some of our own assumptions.

Becoming Americans: The Jewish Immigrant Experience in America

Thursdays, Trimester 2 I Dr. Joshua Furman 9:30 AM–10:30 AM I Merfish Teen Center We will examine the forces that drove Jewish immigrants to American shores over the past three and a half centuries, discover the opportunities and challenges that America presented for new Jewish arrivals, and consider how this history informs our understanding of what it means to be and become Americans in the twenty-first century.

MELTON! Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, Part 2 Tuesdays, Trimester 1 I Rabbi Gideon Estes 9:30 AM–11:00 AM I Congregation Or Ami

This course provides a strong, text-based historical overview of the conflict from the late nineteenth century through today, and is a continuation from Part 1. Issues of religion, culture, history, politics, economics, identity and survival are reflected through primary sources designed to encourage discussion and debate.

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MELTON! Exodus 2: Revelation and Revolution

Thursdays, Trimester 3 I Rabbi Samantha Safran 10:45 AM–12:15 PM I Merfish Teen Center This course follows the development of the emerging Jewish nation from the awe-inspiring encounter at Mount Sinai through the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness. We will address some of the specific laws and regulations that were to become part of Jewish living as well as the meaning, purpose, and relevance to our lives today.

MELTON! Genesis 1: From Adam to Abraham

Tuesdays, Trimester 1 | Rabbi Samantha Safran 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM I Evelyn Rubenstein JCC The stories in this course take us from the creation of the world, the flood, and the Tower of Babel to Abraham and Sarah and the beginnings of the Jewish people. The themes of faith, honor and dishonor, passion and power provide a rich exploration of these ancestral and universal tales.

MELTON! Jewish Mysticism & Kabbalah Tuesdays, Trimester 2 I Rabbi Annie Belford 9:30 AM–11:00 AM I Temple Sinai

This course presents the rich history of Jewish mysticism, along with understandings of many of the texts that have been so central to that tradition, speaking to the deepest mysteries of human existence and to many of life’s eternal universal questions.

MELTON! Genesis 2: The First Jewish Family

Tuesdays, Trimester 3 I Rabbi Gideon Estes 9:30 AM–11:00 AM I Congregation Or Ami Tuesdays, Trimester 2 I Rabbi Jill Levy 7:00 PM–8:30 PM | Evelyn Rubenstein JCC This course follows the development of the first Jewish family. These stories of sibling rivalry, wrestling with an angel, palace seduction and reconciliation provide some of the most dramatic and iconic images that reverberate across the millennia.

Jewish Artists: From Chagall to Rothko Dr. Bernice Heilbrunn Potvin

Tuesdays, Trimester 2 10:15 AM–11:15 AM | Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Tuesdays, Trimester 2 7:00 PM–8:00 PM | Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Thursdays, Trimester 3 10:45 AM–11:45 AM I Merfish Teen Center In this course, we will explore European and American Jewish painters and paintings of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Some documented the lives of the common man, some nostalgically recorded the traditions of their ancestors, and others examined social issues.

All of these men and women made great contributions to the art world.

MELTON! Jews in America: Insiders and Outsiders, Parts 1 & 2

Mondays, Trimesters 1 & 2 I Ms. Nada Chandler 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM I Congregation Emanu El This course considers the challenges of Jewish acculturation to American life, and the sacrifices as well as the contributions that have been made over the past 200 years. Lessons will explore such topics as Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, Zionism and the State of Israel, the Civil Rights Movement, and other issues that address American and Jewish culture and identity.

Jews of Poland

Tuesdays, Trimester 2 | Mr. Aaron Howard 8:15 PM–9:15 PM | Evelyn Rubenstein JCC By the middle of the 17th century, the Jewish community of Poland-Lithuania was the largest in the world. Here was the center of the Ashkenazi tradition: yeshiva education, Talmudic scholarship, Halakhic investigation, the Yiddish language. We’ll examine the relationship between Jews and Poles. We’ll look at the cultural legacy of Polish Jewry, and we’ll end up with the role Jews play in defining a postCommunist Poland.

Marc Chagall, Amoureux de Vence 7

A Journey Into the Siddur Cantor Mark Levine

Tuesdays, Trimester 3 8:15 PM–9:15 PM | Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Thursdays, Trimester 2 10:45 AM–11:45 AM | Merfish Teen Center The Siddur is a theological “tel”, a building of our peoples’ concerns and beliefs upon those of previous generations. It is an encounter with more than 3,000 years of Jewish living and thought, Jewish celebration and Jewish tragedy.

Join me in unpacking the depth and brilliance of the Shabbat morning service via structure, history, and theology.

Kabbalah 101

Mondays, Trimester 3 I Rabbi Dr. Danny Horwitz 9:30 AM–10:30 AM I Congregation Emanu El For some Jews, it is not enough to pray to or understand God; they want to experience God. Find out how Jewish mysticism developed, what it taught, and how it changed the course of Jewish life.

Midrash Is The New Black

Thursdays, Trimester 3 I Rabbi Jill Levy 9:30 AM–10:30 AM | Rabbi Jill Levy Comedy, drama and statements about the meaning of life all intersect in Midrash. Rabbi Jill will present her “top Midrashim of all time” during this class. It will be text based and contain facilitated discussion.

Misunderstanding the Bible Thursdays, Trimester 1

9:30 AM–10:30 AM | Merfish Teen Center The Bible is the number one book that Americans like to pretend to have read. In this course, we'll tackle some common misconceptions about it, focusing on translation errors and some thorny interpretive problems. Our primary texts will be excerpts from the Hebrew Bible, as well as Joel Hoffman's book And God Said.

Lives of Sephardic Jews: After 1492 Tuesdays, Trimester 3 Dr. Bernice Heilbrunn Potvin 10:15 AM–11: 15 AM | Evelyn Rubenstein JCC

This course will look at the descendants of Jewish women and men who fled Spain and Portugal, settled in distant lands and proudly maintained their identity and culture. From Amsterdam to Salonika, Cairo to Recife, London to Algiers, Sephardic Jews in Muslim and Christian lands have many stories to tell us.

Jonathan Safran Foer

More Modern Jewish Authors

Thursdays, Trimester 1 I Ms. Nada Chandler 9:30 AM–10:30 AM I Merfish Teen Center An examination of contemporary Jewish authors including Jonathan Safran Foer, Geraldine Brooks, Lauren Belfer, Judy Blume, and Aharon Appelfeld.

Because we are the people of the books, the class provides an opportunity to keep abreast of the latest works.

Our Matriarchs & Patriarchs: Their Special Relationships, Parts 1 & 2

Tuesdays, Trimesters 1 & 2 I Ms. Mindeleah Pollak 9:00 AM–10:00 AM I Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Forget "Brangelina" (they are no longer); who were the IT couples of yesteryear - back in the period of the Torah? Let us travel through time as we learn about the special relationships of our Matriarchs and Patriarchs and what made each couple so unique. We will see who really ran the show and wore the pants in the house.

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Ruth: The Great-Grandmother of King David

Sustainable Eating: What Your Jewish Mother Never Told You

Join us as we study the great-grandmother of the Davidic dynasty—Ruth, who gives up her status as a Moabite princess and embarks on a discovery journey to the land of Judah. Following her mother-in-law to her new home, she finds her own special path of Judaism as she grows in faith and knowledge, and she teaches us what it truly means to be a sincere Jew.

This course will explore food-related issues through the lens of Jewish values and Jewish texts. Topics will include kashrut, food justice, vegetarianism and veganism, sustainability, birkot hanehanim (blessings for food), and more.

Tuesdays, Trimester 3 I Ms. Mindeleah Pollak 9:00 AM–10:00 AM I Evelyn Rubenstein JCC

Tuesdays, Trimester 1 I Ms. Nancy Pryzant Picus 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM | Evelyn Rubenstein JCC

Samuel the Prophet

Tuesdays, Trimester 3 I Ms. Gabi Gelman 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM I Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Delve into this exciting and dramatic story which includes the rise of Samuel the prophet, the appointment of Saul as the first King of Israel and the escalating conflict between King Saul and David, all highlighting Israel's transition to a central authority.

Photo by Robert Capa

Through a Jewish Lens: Jewish Photojournalists of the 20th Century Tuesdays, Trimester 1 I Mr. Michael Duke 8:15 PM–9:15 PM I Evelyn Rubenstein JCC

MELTON! The Star and the Crescent: The Long Relationship of Judaism and Islam

Tuesdays, Trimester 3 I Rabbi Steve Morgen 7:00 PM–8:30 PM I Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Thursdays, Trimester 1 I Rabbi Steve Gross 10:45 AM–12:15 PM I Merfish Teen Center Jews and Muslims have co-existed, at times peacefully, at times contentiously, for more than a millennium. What do they share in common?

What are the sources of tension and conflict between Judaism and Islam? This course is open to both Jewish and Muslim participants.

It’s no coincidence that in the panoply of eminent photojournalists and social documentary photographers of the 20th century, many of the standouts were Jewish. Learn about the work of these greats and consider how each one used his or her talents to call public attention to issues of social justice and tikkun olam.

Yiddishkeit

Thursdays, Trimester 3 I Dr. Mina Graur 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM I Merfish Teen Center The term "Yiddishkeit" refers to a rich and diverse cultural, linguistic, religious and literary world. In this course we will explore Yiddish literature, music, theater and cuisine, as well as the influence of Yiddish on English vocabulary. Basic Yiddish words, idioms and proverbs will be presented and explained throughout all lectures.

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ARTS, CULTURE & EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2017-18

Lucky Penny by David Deblinger

The 2017 Houston Jewish Film Festival Audience Choice Award Runner-Up, Fanny’s Journey, will be re-screened at the Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Fair in November.

David Krohn Bernstein: A Life in Music

Tu B’Av Film: The Second Time Around

Lucky Penny by David Deblinger

David Krohn Live in Concert Bernstein: A Life in Music

Celebrating Women!

Sunday, September 10, 2017 FALL THEATRE

Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor October 21 & 22, 2017

Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Fair

October 28-November 12, 2017

Jewish War Veterans Breakfast Sunday, November 12, 2017

Festival of Jewish Culture December 2017 10

WINTER THEATRE

Monday, August 7, 2017

February 17-18, 2018 March 2018

Houston Jewish Film Festival March 3-18, 2018

Intergenerational Passover Seder March 21, 2018

SPRING THEATRE

The Revisionist with Stages Repertory Theatre April 10 – 22, 2018

CONTINUING JEWISH EDUCATION AT THE J Enrollment opens May 21

Please return to Nomi Barancik at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC, 5601 S. Braeswood Blvd.

You may also email nbarancik@erjcchouston.org or call 713.595.8190.

To register online, visit erjcchouston.org/meltonandmore.

Name: Mailing Address: City:

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Please select one of the following categories: FEES FOR FULL PROGRAM (6 COURSES):

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JCC Member or Patron of the Arts

$495 | $460 for registrants by June 30

$390 | $355 for registrants by June 30

Public

$740 | $705 for registrants by June 30

$585 | $550 for

Jewish Professionals

$275

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Melton & More Tuition Refund Policy The Houston Melton & More program budgets for a full fiscal year, which entails faculty and administrative commitments.

If circumstances necessitate withdrawal after October 1 and through the first class meeting, refunds will be issued less a service fee of $50 per course. Up until the third class, one-half of tuition is refundable. No refund will be issued after completion of the third class. If tuition has been paid in full and a student is unable to continue a course, partial credit valid for up to one year may be issued.

I have read the Tuition Refund Policy above and agree to pay the full amount of my yearly tuition due, regardless of whether I do or do not remain a Melton & More student for the entire year.

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EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JCC OF HOUSTON 5601 S. Braeswood | Houston, TX 77096 erjcchouston.org

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REGISTER TODAY FOR THE 2017–2018 C ONTINUING JEWISH EDUCATION COURSES erjcchouston.org/meltonandmore

OUR COMMUNITY OF JEWISH LEARNERS Melton & More isn’t just a set of classes—rather, it is a community of Jewish adults who come together each week to learn, socialize, and add meaning to their Jewish lives and identity. In addition to our first-rate faculty and course topics, enrolling in our program will give you access to exclusive, extra-curricular learning and social opportunities throughout the year.