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Philosophy and Goals

This class is for all those who wish to deepen their understanding of the Jewish orientation towards life. This program is for you if you:

• Were born to a Jewish family or ancestry, but received little information or deep understanding of what it may mean to your life.
• Have a Jewish partner or friends and desire to deepen your understanding of them.
• Have come to recognize a resonance or Jewish connection deep within your soul that you yearn to explore.
• Consider yourself Jewish but have not found your spiritual home or been able to quench your thirst for understanding in the avenues thus far explored.
• Have connected with other spiritual paths that have piqued your interest in Jewishing.

After completing the two year program you will have the knowledge, skills and confidence to:

• Discover the joy, wisdom, compassion and Holiness in the Jewishing Way of Life.
• Practice and participate in some of the daily, weekly and annual practices and observances of Jewish life.
• Create meaningful rituals, prayers, and services.
• Understand the different streams and offerings within modern Judaism.
• Understand and express a Jewish World view and perspective.
• Develop a greater appreciation of the Holy texts.

Upon completion of the program you will receive a certificate of mastery of the fundamentals of Jewish life, thought and practice.

Each Year the curriculum will alternate between the Year 1 and Year 2 topics listed below. One can begin the two year program with either year.

The Jewishing Journey is a living evolving process. The exact topics, focus, and activities emerge from the relationship of Rabbi Hanan and the past and current class.

Many elements are utilized in our exploration including: music and chant, meditation, story-telling, dance, artistic expression, journaling, personal sharings, foods, and films.

Year 1: The Jewish Approach to Life

Covenant (Brit) - Understanding God and Ourselves in relation to one another.

Torah ‚ The written - as well as all other expressions - of the flow of the divine.

Halakah ‚ Ones continuing walk with God.

Embracing paradox and uncertainty vs. dogma and blind faith

Living in the Garden of Paradox

• Original Blessing vs. Original Sin
• Co-creating with God
• Free will

Four interwoven paths to comprehending sacred texts (PaRDeS):

• Literal/Historical, Symbolic,
• The subjective, The hidden

Cycle of the Jewish Year as a Paradigm of one's lifetime

Tikkun Olam ‚ Mending the World

Jewish Mysticism:

• Kabbalah, Tree of Life and Four Worlds
• Hassidism: The path of Joy and Ecstasy in music and story

Shabbos ‚ The Sabbath as the heart and soul of Jewishing

PesachăShavuot: Journey from Enslavement to Liberation

The High Holy Days: Transformation and At-One-Ment

Transformation & Understanding through Stories Aggadah and Midrash

Year 2: Expressions of Jewishing

Practice of Jewish Worship: Daven'năJewish Prayer

Cultivating awe to develop appreciation and gratitude as a path to Joy and love.

Life Cycle of the Jew: Origins, meanings and practices

Jewish History - A Survey of 3800 years (through films & discussion)

Jewish People and the Land of Israel (through films & discussion)

Jewish Music through the Ages: Biblical, European, Niggunim, contemporary and more.

The most Important Jewish Thinkers of the 20th Century.

Jewish Meditation and Art

New Paradigms for Judaism in the post-Shoah era

When, Where & How?

The program consists of a weekly gathering with Rabbi Hanan. We'll meet on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and occasionally on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., for films (by agreement and schedule). Each year the journey begins with the High Holy Days. Refer to the High Holy Day Flier for the dates and first class times.

Students are invited to participate in other Ad-Olam offerings such as holiday events and Shabbos circles, in order to ground the teachings in the realities of shared Jewish living.

The essence and purpose of our learning and exploration is "lish'ma" (doing something for its own sake rather than external reward). Come prepared to share of yourself and to grow.

Assignments are light, however supplemental reading, experiential assignments and special projects are available if interested.

The best time to begin the program is in the fall of either Year 1 or Year 2. Space permitting, guests are welcome to any class; however the Certificate of Mastery is for completion of the two year course.

For the complete class schedule see the website or contact Ad-Olam.

Tuition is $5-10/class or work-trade, by arrangement. The location for the classes will be announced at the High Holy Days.

Registration is available at the High Holy Days, or by contacting Ad-Olam.

From the Students

The classes have given me a sense of the connected purpose inherent in Judaism. The spiritual, belonging and guiding purpose of "Jewishing". With attendant humor and sweet love of learning, I look forward to each lesson.

- Suzanne -

This class is a revelation ‚ a miracle, a joy. Learning from Hanan is an opportunity like no other. From reconnection me to my Jewish roots to studying Hebrew, this one-of-a-kind course is amazing.

-Sandy-

Taking Rabbi Hanan Sills classes have revealed to me what Judaism is really all about. It has given me a personal relationship with a religion that previously had not been of much importance in my life.

-Skye-

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For more information or to be added to the email list for news of upcoming events please email Ad Olam