The S.F.-based Bureau of Jewish Education has announced that it’s starting a new series of Sunday morning talks titled “Exploring the World of Judaism.” The first of 17 lectures will be Sunday, Oct. 3, and the series will continue through Jan. 30.
The talks will rotate between the Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael and Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco.
Topics will include Israel, spirituality, the arts, ethics, interfaith issues and food. Guest speakers on the schedule include author-historian Frances Dinkelspiel, KQED radio host Michael Krasny, San Francisco State University Jewish studies professor Marc Dollinger and many Jewish community professionals.
The sessions have been scheduled to parallel what students are learning in religious school, thus giving parents an opportunity to engage in discussions with their children.
“Exploring the World of Judaism” was founded by David Becker, a member of Congregation Rodef Sholom in San Rafael. It’s partially funded by the Newton and Rochelle Becker Trust, of which Becker is the trustee.
The EWJ series begins Sunday, Oct. 3, with a talk titled “The Arab-Israeli Conflict 101” by Yitzhak Santis, the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Middle East Project director. He will speak about the history, issues and attitudes behind today’s headlines from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the lounge at the Osher Marin JCC lounge.
The talks at the Marin JCC are designed for members of Rodef Sholom, but anyone can attend. No reservations are needed, but seating is limited, and non-congregants are asked to make a small donation.
The ground rules are the same at Sherith Israel, where the talks will be held in the Labé Lounge from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The first, “Kabbalah — What’s in it for Me?” by Rabbi Yisrael Rice, executive director of Chabad of Marin, is slated for 10 a.m. Oct. 10.
For more information, send an e-mail to [email protected], visit www.bjesf.org or call (415) 751-6983 ext. 127. Weekly reminders are available via e-mail.