Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Rabbi Dr. Gary P. Zola

Rabbi Dr. Gary P. Zola, Executive Director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, was our Scholar-in-Residence. In a series of three presentations, Rabbi Zola helped Temple Jeremiah celebrate its 50th anniversary by enlightening us about 50 years of American Reform Judaism and the 200th anniversary of Reform Judaism world-wide.

"Profiles in American Jewish Courage" - Friday, January 8, 2010, 8:00 pm Shabbat Service
Dr. Zola examined the careers of three little known but fascinating figures who lived lives of Jewish courage.

"What This Week's Torah Portion Can Teach Us About American Jewish History"- Saturday, January 9, 2010. 9:00 am Torah Study
Dr. Zola introduced the commentaries and poems of 19th century satirist and writer Gershon Rosenzweig.

"Great Voices, Civil Rights and American Reform Judaism" - Sunday, January 10, 2010, 10:00 am Program & Brunch
Have you ever wondered how leading American rabbis handled pivotal world events from the pulpit? Dr. Zola introduced us to some of Reform Judaism's most notable orators through a series of remarkable vocal recordings (digitized with visuals added).

Click above for more details on this inspirational weekend.

Film Series: "The Holocaust & Film"

Holly Price, a Holocaust educator and teacher at Temple Jeremiah, led this four-part film series. Click on the links to learn more about each film.

Film: "Imaginary Witness"

An audience favorite at more than 50 film festivals around the world and the centerpiece of dozens of panels and conferences at theaters, universities and museums from Warsaw to Washington, DC, "Imaginary Witness" tells the provocative and mostly unknown story of the 60-year relationship between Hollywood and the atrocities of Nazi Germany.

Film: "God on Trial"

Who is to blame for the greatest of all crimes? Facing extermination at Auschwitz, a group of prisoners solemnly weighs the case against God.

Film: "Europa Europa"

This irony-filled tale is based on the autobiography by Solomon Perel, a Jewish German who changes his name and joins the ranks of Hitler Youth in order to survive the Holocaust.

Film: "The Quarrel"

This movie takes up the age-old question of God's justice or lack thereof that has plagued Job and others since the dawn of time. Following their experiences during the Holocaust, one man stands firmly in his fundamentalist faith while his friend insists on the goodness of humanity.

January 10

January 24

January 31

February 7

Film & Discussion: "Banished"

In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Temple Jeremiah, together with the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs, hosted the famed documentary, "Banished: How Whites Drove Blacks Out of Town in America." The film looked at three U.S. towns which, at the turn of the last century, forced the exodus of their entire African-American population and explores what, if anything, can be done now to repair this injustice. A discussion followed with Dino Robinson of Shorefront Legacy and Doria Johnson, the great, great-granddaughter of Anthony Crawford who was lynched in South Caroline in 1916.

The issues raised in the film parallel reparation questions surrounding descendants of Holocaust victims.

Director Marco Williams, an intrepid researcher who crisscrossed the South and Midwest to document this film, unearthed proof of a widespread pattern of purging blacks from rural communities which persists to this day. Typically, the evictions began with a lynching, followed by a threat leveled at gunpoint against the remaining African-Americans, who were often forced to abandon their homes, farms and businesses with little more than the clothes on their back.

See Rabbi Cohen's article in the January, 2010 Covenant regarding the airing of this film.

Program with Maggie Anton

Ms. Anton, author of the bestselling "Rashi's Daughters," spoke about the latest book in her trilogy, "Rachel: A Novel of Love and the Talmud in Medieval France." The third installment on the children of Rashi, a widely revered Talmudic scholar of the 11th century, this book focuses on his youngest and favorite daughter, Rachel. The book looks at the personal turmoil in Rachel's life, as her husband travels to Sephardic Spain where he becomes engrossed in the secular study of astronomy, as well as the turbulence taking place in the outside world as all Europe is swept up in a wave of Christian fervor.

Ms. Anton began studying the Talmud as an adult. Intrigued with the idea that Rashi, one of the greatest Jewish scholars, had three daughters and no sons, she began to research the family and the era in which they lived, bringing these long-forgotten women back to light.

Adult Retreat - "Why Are Jews Liberal? An Exploration of Faith & Politics?"

Is there a correct way for Jews to vote? What do you believe and why? What's changed that might cause you to rethink your opinions? These are among the questions congregants, together with Rabbi Paul Cohen, discussed at this year's Retreat. The Retreat offers a rare opportunity to be intellectually challenged, enjoy Shabbat at camp, connect with other Jeremiahans, learn, pray, study and partake in meals together.

• What is the power of the words we are using?
• Why is each word so important?
• What is the importance of the uniqueness of each letter?
• What is the numerology and the relationship of words in the Torah?
• What is the structure of the Torah beyond the 5 Books?
• How can you tell the Torah is authentic?
• Why does it matter?

Dawn Schuman Institute

"The Matrix: Science Fiction or Jewish Spiritual Reality?"

The film, "The Matrix," described a future in which reality, as perceived by humans, is actually a simulated reality known as the Matrix. David Strulowitz, who has immersed himself in the study and teaching of Jewish spirituality, looked at Judaism's belief in a physical world as well as a spiritual realm which we don't perceive with our senses.

 "Judaism on the Other Foot"

In this four-part series, Rabbi Paul Cohen, Rabbi Michelle Greenberg, former Rabbi at Temple Jeremiah, Cantor Amy Zussman and Dr. Anne Lidsky offered an overview and introduction to Jewish origins, rituals and beliefs. (This is a sequel to the "Judaism on One Foot" series that took place in fall 2009.)

Together participants explored the foundations of Jewish spirituality, Jewish values and the Jewish people. Our topics included Theology, Lifecycles, Ritual and Reform Judaism.

Book Discussion: "East of Eden"

Congregant Ruth Adler led a discussion of Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck’s epic novel, “East of Eden.”Set in the rich farmland of California’s Salinas Valley in the early 20th century, this novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose generations helplessly re-enact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel.

Often considered his greatest work, ”East of Eden”features Steinbeck’s most mesmerizing characters and explores his most enduring themes: the mystery of identity, the inexplicability of love and the murderous consequences of love’s absence.

Jewish United Fund Brunch & Program with Jay Tcath

Jay Tcath, Vice President of the Jewish United Fund and Executive Director of its Jewish Community Relations Council, spoke on issues facing the Jewish community. Mr. Tcath was filling in for our scheduled speaker Daniel Levin, author of the New York Times bestseller, "The Last Ember," who was unable to make the program due to flight delays.

2010 JUF Event Co-Chairs:

Thanks to David and Anni Goldberg and Michael and Maria Fox for sponsoring this event.

In recognition of hosting this event, Temple Jeremiah received the 2010 Scroll of Honor from the Jewish United Fund - Israel Emergency Fund thanking the temple for showing "its commitment to the Jewish people in Chicago, in Israel, and through the world through its partnership with the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago."

"The Torah: Its Relevance in Our Days" with Rabbi Druin

This special two-part program was led by Rabbi Moshe Druin, our scribe for the Torah of Our Own Project. Rabbi Druin looked at how a 3000 year old book makes sense in the year 2010. He spoke about the hidden and revealed paths to finding meaning and guidance in our day and age.

Rabbi Druin looked at the prayer in which we thank God every morning for having a soul and the different levels of studying Torah - from simple to the highest spiritual plane.

Dawn Schuman Institute

"Separation of Church & State"

Rabbi's Reading Table: "America's Prophet - Moses and the American Story"

Dawn Schuman Institute

"Judaism & Sexuality"

Gary Shapiro explored texts from antiquity to the present in order to provide a new viewpoint on what Judaism has to say about sexual expression, restriction and pleasure in general.

Gary is the Director of Jewish Learning at the Community Foundation for Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago and the primary author of the ethics curriculum used for many years by the Florence Melton Adult Mini-Schools. Previously, he was Head of School at Akiva High School in Minneapolis and an instructor at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem where he taught Talmud, Bible, Jewish philosophy, ethics and prayer.

Dawn Schuman Institute

"Modern Jewish Thinkers"

Twentieth century Jewish philosophy was influenced by many thinkers as it strove to keep up with changing approaches to religious life in an evolving society. Using the ideas of Martin Buber, Joseph Soloveitchik and Abraham Joshua Heschel, Rabbi Dr. Joseph Ozarowski offered insight into the nature of modern Judaism and the relevance of philosophy to contemporary communities. Rabbi Ozarowski serves as Rabbinic Chaplain to the Jewish Healing Network of Chicago and for over 25 years has enjoyed a distinguished career as a pulpit rabbi, educator and author.