fter the Yom Kippur morning service, learn, study and reflect in one of the study sessions led by scholars of the Temple. Participation is open to all congregants and their guests. Sessions will be held in the Marvin and Elisabeth Cassell Community House (One East 65th Street), unless noted otherwise, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM.| SESSION 1 — Abraham, Sarah and Isaac: What Really Happened? Lecturer: Rabbi Bruce Cole Location: Room 602 ON ROSH HASHANAH, we read in the Torah Genesis, Chapter 22, the dramatic story of Abraham taking his beloved son Isaac on a three-day journey to Mount Moriah in Jerusalem in order to sacrifice him to God. During the 10-day period culminating on Yom Kippur, we have been asked to reflect upon our actions over the past year in order to receive full pardon for the sins that we have committed and for which we seek atonement. However, there is no record of Abraham ever seeking atonement for his lack of compassion for his dear wife, Sarah, in not telling her of his intentions to sacrifice their son. What a “shonda” this is! What has Abraham done — or not done? In our class we will examine the “real” story of Genesis 22. Did it actually happen, or is something else going on behind the scenes? All participants will have an opportunity to share their thoughts. So, come and find out the “truth” of the story and in so doing help Abraham out of his apparent dilemma. |
| SESSION 2 — Sacred Attunement and Jewish Philosophy as a Guide to Life Lecturer: Rabbi Richard A. Davis, D.D. Location: Greenwald Hall THE BIG IDEAS in these books are about ordinary life. Michael Fishbane’s Sacred Attunement is a meditation on religious experience. Hilary Putnam’s Jewish Philosophy as a Guide to Life offers his personal views on four 20th century philosophers (Wittgenstein, Rosenzsweig, Buber and Levinas). After looking at the views of Fishbane and Putnam, we will toss in some insights of Reform luminaries (Eugene Borowitz, Leonard Kravitz and David Posner). Add a bit of Temple Emanu-El’s history, and we may even stumble upon the next page in Jewish life for which our atonement prepares us. A multilayered pastry! Food for thought on Yom Kippur. |
| SESSION 3 — Sin and Forgiveness: From Leviticus, the Cradle of Forgiveness, to Rabbinic Enlightenment Lecturer: Rabbi Philip Hiat Location: Room 405 IN PLACE OF ISRAEL’s sacrificial cult, our elders have instructed us “your words in place of sacrifice.” The mouth that condemns us should be the same mouth that exonerates us. We will examine the concept of repentance as it is addressed in our contemporary world where language, intentions and deeds have replaced ritual practices. |
| SESSION 4 — God Needs a Human Blessing Lecturer: Rabbi Yael Shmilovitz Location: Leventritt Room (Room 405) WHAT REALLY HAPPENS in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur? Are humans the ones who need to seek forgiveness from God, or is it the other way around? Delve into a Talmudic aggadah from Tractate B’rachot to explore these questions and learn the meaning of empathy, compassion and human grace. |
| SPECIAL TEEN PROGRAM — The High Holy Days: Rated PG-13 (For 7th Grade and up, parents and teens together, or teens alone) Lecturers: Rabbi Amy Ehrlich, Director of Lifelong Learning Saul Kaiser, Youth Coordinators Danny Mishkin and David Wolkin Location: Gene L. Blumenthal Hall (Enter at 10 East 66th Street.) THIS IS A SPECIAL time of year for Jews to reflect both backward and forward: We look back on the year that was, and we look forward to a better year to come. Participants will engage in a thoughtful, age-appropriate activity that connects teens and their parents to the High Holy Day season by reflecting upon the times when we missed the mark in the past while looking forward to a more meaningful, joyous and productive year to come.
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