Take your study of Tanach to the next level...

Give yourself the time to delve deeper into select books and episodes in the Bible. You will explore Tanach in a wide variety of traditional and modern ways. We have expanded the faculty teaching the course this year to enable you to study from a range of exciting perspectives and new angles. This is one of two courses which build upon our very popular and successful LSJS Tanach Course.

This year we are offering you the opportunity to study three more books of the Tanach: Bereishit, Esther and Tehillim. Additionally, there is a chance to analyse some of the most controversial episodes in the Bible.

Course details 

·         Each book will be studied for one term, in seven weekly sessions

·         Each weekly session lasts for two hours, including a break for refreshments

·         There are morning and evening study options

·         You will study the biblical text as well as ancient, medieval and modern commentaries and interpretations

·         Each week you will receive clear and useful source materials to enhance your learning

·         Class sizes are limited to enable interactive learning and discussion

Teaching Faculty

The Book of Genesis

Dr Raphael Zarum

How does God’s Covenant evolve in this book? We will analyse this theme of brit as it appears at key moments in Bereishit: hidden in Creation, before and after the Flood, on Avraham’s body and in his election, through the lineage of Yitzchak and Ya’akov, and fi nally in the abduction of Dinah.

Controversial Episodes in Tanach

Dr Daniel Youngerwood

Some biblical episodes challenge our notions of morality and ethics: Was Joshua guilty of war crimes? Did King David get away with murder? Is the genocide of Amalek justifi able? Did Yiftach slaughter his daughter? Did Reuven really sleep with his father’s wife? We will examine these infamous episodes and discover new ways of understanding them.

The Megillah of Esther

R. Dr Naftali Brawer, R. Warren Kaye, Maureen Kendler, Johnny Solomon, Suzanne Weiniger, Dr Daniel Youngerwood, Dr Raphael Zarum

Each teacher will share their particular pleasure and fascination with this wonderful and well-loved book. Approaches include: analysing Vashti, Esther and Mordechai, comparison with the book of Ezra, understanding the Persian historical context, and rabbinic and midrashic readings of this book. This course will fi nish in time for Purim enabling you to gain a deeper appreciation of the festival.

The Book of Psalms

R. Mordechai Ginsbury, Ariel Kahn, R. Warren Kaye, Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz and Dr Abigail Wood

Why have the Psalms had such a profound impact on our tradition? We will look at historical, rabbinic, literary, musical and liturgical readings of this book as well as its importance in personal devotion. The different messages, meanings and refl ections will be analysed and discussed.

Study times

Students have the option of morning or evening study. Choose the option most convenient for you:

Option 1: Mon mornings 10:00am to 12:00pm Starts 3 Nov 2008 Option 2: Mon evenings  8:00pm to 10:00pm Starts 3 Nov 2008

Term dates

First term 3 November to 15 December 2008

Second term 19 January to 16 March 2009

Third term 18 May to 6 July 2009

Course fee: £210

Book online anytime and save a £5

www.lsjs.ac.uk 

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  Dig deep into the Bible...

The Tanach is populated by some of the most fascinating and inspiring people to ever have lived. Meanwhile, archaeological research has transformed Biblical studies. Improve your knowledge in both these of areas in this brand new follow-up course to the very popular and successful LSJS Tanach Course.

In the first two terms, major features of six minor prophets and seven lesser-known characters will be examined. In the final term the relationship of archaeology and the Bible will be investigated.

Course details

·         There are three terms, each spanning seven weekly sessions

·         Each weekly session lasts for two hours, including a break for refreshments

·         There are morning and evening study options

·         You will study the biblical text as well as ancient, medieval and modern commentaries and interpretations

·         Each week you will receive clear and useful source materials to enhance your learning

·         Class sizes are limited to enable interactive learning and discussion

Teaching Faculty

Dr Simon Cooper

Rabbi Warren Kaye

Maureen Kendler

Sandy Littman

Debbie Meyer

Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz

Dr Daniel Youngerwood

Dr Raphael Zarum

Six Prophets (Term 1, 1-3pm)

Sandy Littman

A giant fish, a plague of locusts, an unfaithful wife... we will study six of the so-called "Minor" Prophets: Hoshea, Yoel, Amos, Ovadiah, Yonah, Micha. This course will look at the background to their prophecies, their metaphors, messages and fi nd startling messages for today.

Overlooked & Misunderstood (Term 1: 8-10pm)

Simon Cooper, R. Warren Kaye, Maureen Kendler, Debbie Meyer, Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz, Dr Daniel Youngerwood and Dr Raphael Zarum

The Tanach is full of "minor" players who are overshadowed by more infl uential fi gures in their stories. Some of these have a rich life in Midrash, folklore and modern culture. This course gives them the attention they deserve. We will study: Yitro, Delilah, Gideon and others.

King David’s Relationships (Term 2: 10am-12pm and 8-10pm)

Debbie Meyer

A great way in to the most complex character in the Tanach - King David. This course will examine David’s story and his kingship through his relationships with his ancestors, his generals, the women and children in his life, his enemies... and his God.

Digging Up the Bible (Term 3: 10am-12pm and 8-10pm)

Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz

The discovery of antiquities in Egypt and Mesopotamia - the world of the Bible - fi red the Victorian imagination and led to the development of Near Eastern archaeology. The earliest British archaeologists were overwhelmed by discoveries that paralleled Biblical accounts. But has that early romance turned sour? Many archaeologists today question the veracity of many Biblical stories. We will explore the history and current state of biblical archaeology, from the Exodus to the Dead Sea Scrolls. The course will incude special visits to the British Museum and the Palestine Exploration Fund.

Study times

Students have the option of afternoon or evening study. Choose the option most convenient for you:

Term 1

Option 1: Tues afternoons 1:00pm to 3:00pm Starts 4 Nov 2008 Option 2: Tues evenings   8:00pm to 10:00pm Starts 4 Nov 2008

Terms 2 and 3

Option 1: Tues mornings 10:00am to 12:00pm Starts 4 Nov 2008 Option 2: Tues evenings   8:00pm to 10:00pm Starts 4 Nov 2008

Term dates

First term: 4 November to 16 December 2008

Second term: 20 January to 24 March 2009 

Third term: 19 May to 7 July 2009

Course fee: £210

Book online anytime and save £5

www.lsjs.ac.uk

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 MIDRAH AND THEW MOVIES

 Enjoy a unique blend of film and text studies

We are proud to present this ground-breaking course in partnership with the School of Creative Studies and Media at Bangor University. The aims of the course are to:

·         Analyse a series of films with Jewish content from two points of view: film criticism and Jewish thought

·         Look at the relationship between traditional midrashic texts and modern movie myths

·         Study the social and religious meanings of these films for Jews and Judaism today.

Course Details 

·         This seven-part course will take place once a month between November and June

·         Each session lasts for two hours, including a break for refreshments

·         All the films that will be discussed in the course are available in the LSJS library

·         Each week you will receive clear and useful source materials to enhance your learning

Teaching Faculty

This course was developed, and will be team taught, by:

Dr Nathan Abrams, Director of Film Studies at Bangor University

Dr Raphael Zarum, Head of Faculty at LSJS

Course Structure

The plan for this seven-part course us outlined below. The films from which clips will be screened and discussed are also included.

1. Introduction: How to see layers of meaning in film and midrash

2. Hollywood Hanukah Eight Crazy Nights, The Hebrew Hammer, The Diary of Anne Frank

3. Movie Jews The Big Lebowski, A Price Above Rubies, Driving Miss Daisy, Kadosh, Suzie Gold

4. The Bar Mitzvah Movie Sixty Six, Keeping up with the Steins

5. The HOLYwood Haggadah The Ten Commandments, Prince of Egypt, Jews in Space, When Do We Eat?, Crimes and Misdemeanors

6. Theology in the Cinema The Believer, Pi, Keeping the Faith, Song of Songs

7. Real Kashrut Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, American Pie, Munich, Leon the Pig Farmer and a selection of films by Woody Allen

Study times

Students have the option of afternoon or evening study.

Choose the option most convenient for you:

Option 1: Thursday afternoons From 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Option 2: Thursday evenings From 8:00pm to 10:00pm

Course dates

1 Thursday 20 November 2008 (NOTE DATE CHANGE)

2 Thursday 18 December 2008

3 Thursday 22 January 2009

4 Thursday 26 February 2009

5 Thursday 26 March 2009

6 Thursday 21 May 2009

7 Thursday 18 June 2009

Course fee: £70

Book online anytime and save £5.

www.lsjs.ac.ukMid

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Trace the evolution of three striking stories of Jewish history

Last year’s hugely successful LSJS History Course surveyed the triumphs, trials and tribulations of Diaspora Jewry from the 1st to the 20th centuries. This year we invite you to study three very different and intriguing paths through Jewish history.

In each term you will explorea different Jewish journey in its historic context and learn about its relevance for today

Course details

·         In each term you will explore a different Jewish journey in its historic context and learn about its relevance for today

·         Classes meet once a week for 21 weeks spread over three terms running from November to July

·         Each weekly session lasts for two hours, including a break for refreshments

·         Use is made of traditional Jewish texts, rabbinic responsa, official documents, maps, art, music, literature, letters and diaries

·         Avenues for further study will also be presented

Teaching Faculty

1ST Term: Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz

2ND Term: Elkan Levy

3RD Term: Dr Charles Landau

1. Good and bad sects

Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz

It’s natural to regard ourselves today as “mainstream Jews”, but there are many fateful crossroads in our history at which Judaism could have gone in a very different direction. This course begins by investigating some of the sects, movements, and ideas that didn’t make it into rabbinic Judaism. We will take a look at the proliferation of competing sects at the end of the Second Temple period including Samaritans, early Christians and Karaites. Then we will move to the medieval period and study the rise and fall of the Shabateans and Frankists, and the success of Hasidism. Finally, we will bring things up to date by following some recent sectarian developments.

2. British, Jewish, and proud of it

Elkan Levy

The Jews officially returned to England 350 years ago but the truth is that they had never left. In the centuries since then, the Jewish contribution to the breadth and richness of English society has been exceptional, but things have not always been easy. This course will explore the rich history of Anglo-Jewry from pre-Roman times through civic rights in the glorious days of Victorian England to today’s uneasy integration.

3. German Jewry’s one-way love affair

Dr Charles Landau

Flirtation, Courtship, Adoration, Obsession, Infatuation and Rejection: The Life and Times of German Jewry 1084-1935.

The course will focus on the German Jewish community, both those who identified as Jews and those who did not, and examine the extraordinary role that Jews played in German life and culture. Was it always “a one-way love affair” when Jews became “more German than the Germans”? Would German Jewry have disappeared through assimilation and intermarriage without the rise of National Socialism? We will employ a wide selection of materials in order to understand a remarkable millennium.

Study times

The course will be held once a week on a Monday evening,

from 8:00pm to 10:00pm

Term dates

First term: 3 November to 15 December 2008

Second term:26 January to 23 March 2009

Third term: 11 May to 29 June 2009

Course fee: £210

Book online anytime and save £5

www.lsjs.ac.uk

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Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks   

The chumash is the constitutive document of the Jewish people. For over three millennia it has been the counter- voice in the conversation of mankind.

In his writings and lectures, the Chief Rabbi has argued consistently that Torah has a message for the great spiritual, ethical and social issues of the 21st century. But to hear this message we need to engage in an act of focused listening to the Torah’s words.

In this series, the Chief Rabbi will give six text-based lectures demonstraiting how the literary style of the chumash is intrinsically related to its substance. He will explore major biblical themes, from the personal to the political, and from the moral to the spiritual.

Course details

·         The course is made up of six lectures spread between December and June

·         Each lecture will run for ninety minutes, including time for questions at the end

·         Refreshments will be available before and after each lecture

·         Handouts will be provided each time, containing the main sources that will be addressed in the lecture

·         The entire course will take place in the large Lecture Hall in LSJS which has limited capacity, so please book early to avoid disappointment

Learning with the Chief Rabbi

The Chief Rabbi is an outstanding moral authority of our time. A gifted communicator, he is a regular contributor to radio, television and the national press and a prolific, award-winning author.

The Chief Rabbi is frequently asked to represent Jews and Judaism to governmental bodies, political think tanks, academic seminars and global conferences. This is his public role as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. He is also a profound teacher of Torah. Covenant and Conversation, his weekly essay on the sedra, is read by thousands throughout the Jewish world.

The Art of Listening to Torah lecture series will give you the opportunity to learn with the Chief Rabbi: analysing texts, paying attention to subtle details, discussing commentaries and finding renewed relevance for all of us today.

Lecture Dates

1 Sunday 7 December 2008

2 Wednesday 11 February 2009 (NOTE CHANGE OF DATE)

3 Wednesday 25 February 2009

4 Wednesday 25 March 2009

5 Wednesday 6 May 2009

6 Wednesday 24 June 2009

Venue

Main Lecture Hall

LSJS

Schaller House

44a Albert Road

London NW4 2SJ

Course fee: £60

Book online anytime and save £5

www.lsjs.ac.uk

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LSJS is proud to announce two new MAs offered in conjunction with King’s College London

. Study with LSJS and King’s expert faculty

. Earn an MA from one of the UK’s leading universities

. Full and part-time study options available

Whether you are seeking professional advancement or looking to enhance your own knowledge and skills in Jewish education, this new MA programme could be just what you need. You will benefit from the combined strengths of LSJS and one of the leading Education departments in the UK.

1. Two modules in Jewish Education:

(A) Philosophies of Jewish Education

·         Explore the major philosophies and theories of Jewish education

·         Enter the debate over Jewish Studies curricula – who should learn what, and when?

Consider the real meaning of being an "educated Jew"

(B) From Theory to Practice:

·         The Contexts of Jewish Education Discover how educational visions shape schools in the real world

·         Examine the historical, economic and sociological contexts of Jewish education

2. Two modules selected from the wide range on offer in the modular MA Education programme at King’s, including courses in Psychology & Learning, Education Management, Religious Education, and Educational Assessment. (see www.kcl.ac.uk)

3. You will also need to write a dissertation (15,000 words) on a topic within Jewish Education.

This MA course has been devised by Dr Tamra Wright, Dr Raphael Zarum and Clive Lawton and will include a programme of guest lecturers including rabbis and academics, as well as lectures given by our specialist faculty:

            Rabbi Dr. Naftali Brawer

Alistair Falk M.A (Cantab) M.Ed

Rabbi Dr Michael J Harris

Clive Lawton M.A.M.Ed

Professor Elliott Melamet

Dr Tamra Wright

Dr Raphael Zarum

INTERNATIONAL GUEST LECTURER:

Professor Elliott Malamet is a Visiting Lecturer at LSJS and Associate Professor of Jewish Education at York University in Toronto. He lectured in the Jewish Studies Dept. at Queen’s University in Kingston and taught at the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto for twelve years, where he headed the Jewish Thought Dept. His work in education has been featured in the Canadian media, radio and television.

Application

Contact LSJS Director of Academic Studies, Dr Tamra Wright (twright@lsjs.ac.uk), for an informal discussion by 7 July 2008.

Note: Prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Late applications may be accepted, subject to availability of places.

"Philosophies of Jewish Education" and the dissertation are compulsory modules. It is recommended that students also choose a second Jewish Education module.

Study times

Classes will generally be taught in twilight sessions – from 5:30 to 8:00pm. Alternative timings may be arranged for the Jewish Education modules, subject to the approval of all students and lecturers.

Jewish Education modules are offered on the LSJS campus in Hendon. Other modules are taught at the Waterloo Campus of King’s College London.

You can complete the degree in one year, or spread it out over up to four years of study.

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 LSJS is proud to announce two new MAs offered in conjunction with King’s College London

. Earn an MA from one of the UK’s leading universities

. Full and part-time study options available

Study with top scholars and academics

Jewish Studies is a richly diverse field, covering a wide array of approaches and disciplines. Our new MA in Jewish Studies reflects this diversity. It brings together academics from LSJS and King’s, offering you the chance to study a range of subjects.

The King’s faculty members who currently offer modules on the LSJS pathway include Professor Ephraim Karsh, a leading Middle East expert and Dr Rory Miller, who has written extensively on Zionism and anti-Zionism. Dr Diana Lipton, Lecturer in Hebrew Bible & Jewish Studies at King’s, is the co-ordinator of the MA in Jewish Studies.

Course Details

You will need to accumulate 180 Credits (Cs) to complete the degree. This will include:

1. One compulsory module (20 Cs):

    Methods and Foundations in Jewish Studies

o    Explore key ideas and methodological approaches in Jewish philosophy, halacha, and Jewish history

o    Develop your academic research skills

2. One Hebrew Language Module (40 Cs)

3. A dissertation (15,000 words) on a topic of your choice in Studies(60 Cs)

4. A selection of optional modules (min 60 Cs)

LSJS students on the MA Jewish Studies follow a special designated pathway through the optional degree modules. You will be able to choose from the following modules:

·         Anti-Zionism as Ideology: From Herzl to Hamas (40 Cs)

·         War & Peace in the Middle East (40 Cs)

·         Ethics in Contemporary Jewish Philosophy (20 Cs)

·         Post-Holocaust Jewish Thought (20 Cs)

·         Gender & Sexuality in Jewish Law & Society (20 Cs)

·         Jewish Social Ethics (20 Cs)

Teaching Faculty

The LSJS faculty who teach on the MA Jewish Studies include:

·  Simon Cooper

·  Rabbi Dr Michael J Harris

·  Rabbi Reuven Livingstone

·  Dr Tamra Wright

Application

Candidates will normally have an undergraduate degree, preferably, but not necessarily, in a humanities subject. We will interview most applicants, so that we can take your individual circumstances into account. Contact Dr Tamra Wright, twright@lsjs.ac.uk, for an informal discussion by 7 July 2008.