The day that I found out that I would not be traveling to Israel this with Kohenet I happened upon a flyer advertising a three-week study program at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem which was scheduled for more or less the same time slot. I signed up as did a friend of mine, Ellyn Bender who is starting on her journey to be a bat mitzvah. At about the same minute I met my cousin Ami's daughter Laura Marder who was living in Jerusalem and had a room to sublease in her apartment, in fact two rooms. So we were set, something to do and a place to live.
I really did not know what I was getting into when I signed up for the Conservative Yeshiva. I thought I would be studying conversational Hebrew in the mornings and text study and biblical Hebrew in the afternoon as I was told they did at Pardes. But it was not to be. In the morning, for 5 mornings a week, Sunday through Thursday I did conversation Hebrew in an Ulpan at the Yeshiva. Ulpan is a method developed to teach immigrants, not stubborn Americans. So for many of us it was a challenge to let go and just be ignorant and incompetent. For those of us who were used to beginning ignorant and incompetent, not such a challenge.
During the afternoon sessions there were many choices of study. And we did study text but in English although there was always the chance to look at the Hebrew and if knowledgeable enough compare the translation with the original text. I was pleased that I was not totally in the dark having taken Biblical Hebrew at Hunter College last academic year. My big issue is one of my core issue---too many choices, interesting choices. It was my mantra, "I can't be in two places at the same time. Don't you just hate that." And to make things worse, we were able to try out classes and then settle in. And of course, the two I liked the best met at the same time. But let's skip this neurotic litany and get on with it.
On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays I took "The Theology of Human Rights" taught by Shaiya Rothberg. I also took "We were Strangers" taught by Esther Israel during which we looked at the commandments in Leviticus and Deuteronomy that deal with commandments that related to our obligations towards other people. The perspective if not the content reenforced Shaiya's class examining human rights as an aspect of God. On Mondays and Wednesdays I took a class in liturgy and one on Engaging with Israel in the Diaspora.
Classes started at 9 AM, continued to 12:30 followed by a break until 2 and then ended around 5:30. Not for the faint of heart. And don't forget, this was the Conservative Yeshiva affiliated with Jewish Theological Seminary and there were morning prayers at 7:30 to about 8:15 and afternoon prayers from 1:30 to 2. But the atmosphere was very open and there was no pressure to participate unless they needed a minyon. And all the services were completely egalitarian with women as full participants. But the services were Conservative and not to my liking. However, I would often study in an adjoining room and could hear the prayers, prayers and melodies that I am very familiar with from my youth.
Here is the course descriptions of the classes I took.
Jewish Theology of Human Rights "Human Rights" is a modern idea. But the idea of redeeming humanity through the just rule of law is as old as the Bible itself. Would an international Human Rights regime fulfill the prophecies of old? What constitutes the Kingdom of God? These questions have been explored in halacha and aggadah and in Jewish philosophy and mysticism. In this class, we will delve into Jewish tradition in order to uncover some of the Torah significance of the global movement for Human Rights. Dr. Shaiya Rothberg
Tefillah / Liturgy (Prayer) This class will explore sections and texts of the Siddur, the prayer book. We will try to understand the meaning of the texts, their place in the service, and how they got there. Rabbi Daniel Goldfarb
For You Were Strangers… I am God Fear of God and historical experience- both joint and communal- form a partnership which is the basis for the commandments aimed at promoting justice, and preventing injustice, as we will see in both the written and oral law. Esther Israel
Engaging with Israel This course will focus on defining what is meant by 'Israel,' identifying the challenge of Israel in the Diaspora, and creating a vision for translating this into meaningful educational/congregational engagement with Israel. Sally Klein-Katz
And the parsha of the week with Esther Israel.
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