Menu
Menu
Come and learn five fascinating stories from the Talmud which offer us valuable insights into a much-needed skill for our day: how to manage difficult and sensitive interactions. In these stories, we witness the pain and shame that ensue when disagreements, which the sages value so highly, devolve into what, today, we call “cancel culture.” And we witness as well, the sages’ interactions with friends, mentors, and spouses – some of which are exquisitely sensitive but many that show deep disregard for the other. We will explore what we can learn from their failures and successes. We will look at these stories beyond the traditional storyline and with the help of contemporary writers and scholars, we will foreground the voices of women, like Imma Shalom, Bruria and Rachel, to bring additional nuance and relevance to these rich stories of old.
Dates: 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30 2023 (5 sessions)
Fee: $180 Generous financial scholarships available
Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning is for learners of all backgrounds.
About the Instructor
Rabbi Sonia Saltzman served as Senior Rabbi at Ohabei Shalom, Brookline from 2011 to 2018 and as the rabbi of Sha’arei Shalom, Ashland, MA from 2008-2011. She was ordained at Hebrew College in 2008. Prior to becoming a rabbi, she worked in economic development, eleven years in the field of micro-finance at ACCION International and seven years at Bank of Boston. She chose to enter the rabbinate because “I believe in the wisdom and beauty of Judaism and hope to inspire others to deepen their relationship to Judaism by offering opportunities to engage in study, to experience the richness of prayer and to build a caring and committed community. “She grew up in Chile, in a home imbued with Jewish values, but at a time when opportunities for Jewish learning were especially limited for women. Rabbi Saltzman holds a Masters Degree from Columbia University in International Affairs as well as a Masters in Bible and Jewish Thought from Brandeis.
