SAJE has two upcoming events and two new programs we're launching! (See below for details.)
This weekend:
Donuts, Hot Chocolate, and the Problem of Evil
Lunch and Text Study
New Programs:
Chavruta (Partner Learning) Program
Leyning (Torah Reading) Tutoring Program
Donuts, Hot Chocolate, and the Problem of Evil
TOMORROW Friday January 15
5-6 pm at UChicago Hillel, 3rd Floor
Start your Shabbat/weekend with a philosophical discussion in a cozy setting while filling up on warm beverages and doughnuts (really, what could be better?). Hillel Steinmetz will be leading a discussion on theodicy, or proving the existence of God in a world in which evil also exists. All are welcome - no background in Jewish philosophy required! Texts will be provided.
This will be the first in a series of discussions on Jewish philosophy and thought, so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming announcements about the next discussion.
Lunch and Text Study
SHABBAT Saturday January 16
12:30 pm at 5450 S Dorchester Ave (affectionately known as "the hoose")
The first-ever Shabbat lunch hosted by SAJE! Everyone is invited. A group will head over from Hillel around 12:30, or just knock when you get there. After we've filled up on delicious food we will fill up on Torah, in a text study led by Ayelet Pinnolis. No background knowledge required - texts in Hebrew and English will be provided.
Chavruta (Partner Learning) Program
SAJE board member Ariel Aiash will be coordinating this program. To sign up or request more information you may contact him at arielaiash@yahoo.com.
Chavrutas are a traditional Jewish mode of learning in which you and a peer study a text together. You read a text (traditionally Talmud, but it can be anything within the Jewish cannon) out-loud with a partner and do a line by line analysis. It is a wonderful experience, and those of you who are interested in alternative educational and pedagogical models should definitely check it out.
If you would like to participate, please email Ariel with the topics you are interested in learning (and your preferred language in which to learn) and Ariel will match you with someone else who is looking to study similar things. Once you are matched you can decide with your chavruta what times work for you to meet and study. If you already have a chavruta you can register together. Once you are registered you are eligible to get funding from SAJE to purchase snacks to enhance your learning time.
Later on in the quarter we will be having a Yom Iyun, an event in which everyone who is involved in the Chavruta Program is invited to share with each other and other guests some of what they have been learning together. We will send an email about this event in a few weeks.
Leyning (Torah Reading) Tutoring Program
Ayelet Pinnolis will be coordinating this program. To sign up or request more information you may contact her at apinnolis@uchicago.edu.
This program is for those interested in learning how to leyn (chant Torah) for the first time, those who would like more practice or have not read Torah since their bat/bar mitzvah, and those who would like to learn other tropes: Haftarah, Eicha (Lamentations), Esther, Kohelet/Shir Hashirim/Rut (Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs/Ruth), and High Holidays. All genders and denominational affiliations (or lack thereof) are welcome! Even if you do not plan to read Torah during services and would like to learn how we would love to help you learn.
If you would like to teach or learn leyning please send an email to Ayelet stating which kind of trope (Torah, Haftarah, etc.) you are interested in learning, as well as gender preferences for whom you are comfortable learning with if this as a matter of religious concern for you. Please respond quickly so that we can set up matches within the next week.
Thank you to all those who already expressed their interest in this program at the end of last quarter - if you have already sent an email requesting to join this program you do not need to send another.
