Programs
See below for this New Program!
Israel and
the Middle East: History, Perspective, and the Prospects for Peace
The Institute offers a variety of educational and experiential programs on topics
related to Jewish spirituality and practice, and on selected theological and
religious themes.
All programs emphasize respect and understanding of different religious
perspectives and are suitable for people of all faiths.
The Institute works with the staff and representatives of local community and
interfaith groups as well as churches, synagogues, School Boards, and other
non-profit entities within our broad geographic area.
Workshops and class series are typically organized in a community by a local
sponsor who works in conjunction with the workshop leader or teacher.
Schedule, locations and the program content can be tailored to meet the requirements
of the local organizer and participants. Weekend workshops incorporate
observance and honoring of Shabbat, framed by the Kiddush on Friday night and Havdalah at sunset on Saturday.
Lectures usually take place as one-time events - frequently in the evening -
at a synagogue, church, or school. The Institute can present an interesting and
engaging evening program dealing with almost any aspect of Judaism.
If you would like to discuss scheduling a speaker, sponsoring a
program, or are interested in attending one of our classes or workshops, please
send an email message to:
Below are sample workshops and classes offered by the Institute.
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This is
a new grass roots education initiative that is being undertaken by
the Teshuvah Institute. The goal of this program is to deliver facts
to local communities about the Arab/Israeli/Palestinian conflict in
the Middle East, to present a dispassionate and unbiased historical
context as well as accurate information about more recent
developments. The objective is to foster thoughtful discourse in an
atmosphere of tolerance, patience and understanding with the
ultimate aim of promoting a peaceful, negotiated settlement.
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There is a great deal of misinformation about these
topics in the media - print, radio, TV and the internet - and
increasingly the coverage of events and the commentaries explaining
them are driven by fear, anger, and hatred. Truth is the first
casualty, but the greater casualty is PEACE.
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Help the Teshuvah
Institute promote peace and deliver these programs to synagogues,
churches, libraries and schools in the TN and Carolina regions by
making a tax deductible contribution today! We can't do this without
your help!
- Introduction to Judaism
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A series of four 2-½ hour classes designed to give the
participants an overview of Judaism as a religion, a people, a
culture, and a way
of life. Topics include: the Biblical roots and sacred texts of
Judaism, Jewish worship, holidays and life cycle rituals, key theological and
philosophical themes in Judaism, the role of women in Judaism, and the
challenge of modernity. This course is suitable for both Jews and
non-Jews, and it addresses some of the key differences between Judaism
and Christianity.
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- Theodicy - Where is G-d when good people
suffer and evil people prosper?
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A series of four 2-½ hour classes that explores how people
have historically reconciled the idea of a G-d that is all-powerful
and benevolent with the evil and suffering that we witness in the
world. We look at several ancient
Near-Eastern texts that deal with the subject of innocent suffering,
and then explore the Book of Job in some depth.
We see how Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism have responded to the theodicy problem
– and if it actually is a problem for all of these religions. Finally,
we examine personal responses to evil and suffering by people such as
Eli Wiesel, Mother Theresa, the Dalai Lama, and others. Ultimately, an
authentic response to suffering and evil in the world may have more to
do with the questions that we ask than with the stock answers that
have traditionally been offered to us. In this course, we won't take
the easy way out. This course is suitable for people of all faith
communities.
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- Soul Searching - Awakening to the Path of Your Soul in
the Jewish Tradition
- Jewish midrash explains that before each of us is born an
angel comes to us in the womb and teaches us about our life to come - what our special gifts
and talents are and what difficulties and challenges we will face
during our lifetime.
Most important, we learn the purpose of the unique life that we will be
born to live. But - the moment that we leave the womb we forget everything
we have learned - and some people
spend the rest of their lives searching for that knowledge. The word
Torah means teaching, and there is a personal torah for every soul,
for every person. Though the conscious mind may have forgotten it, the echoes of
that angel's voice - our life torah - remain in each person's heart.
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Through traditional Jewish ritual, prayer, spiritual exercises and group process, we begin the
process of remembering who we are - who we are meant to be - who we
were born to become. Spiritual
guidance is always available to each of us, although few of us
are taught how to seek and reach it. Soul Searching
will teach you how to re-connect to that source of spiritual guidance
and strength, to awaken to the unique path of your soul, to discover
meaning in your life.
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This weekend workshop is ideally suited to those who want to return -
to make
teshuvah - to their authentic life path, especially as it can be
understood and accessed within the context of Jewish spirituality and
tradition. This task is both very
difficult and extremely simple - it requires immense courage and
clear intent - but it is deeply rewarding and worthwhile.
- Introduction to Living Judaism
Judaism calls us to be holy, to be a holy people, to live a holy life.
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But what does living a Jewish life look like? Does it mean being
Kosher and observing the Sabbath and all of the commandments? If I
don't keep Kosher, does it mean I am a "bad" Jew? What about
people who keep Kosher but are dishonest in business - are they
"good" Jews or "bad" Jews? These are serious
questions and they deserve serious thought and discussion.
- Living Judaism presents Jewish life as a web of
relationships and responsibilities, facilitated and given structure
by mitzvoth and traditional Jewish practices. Instead of focusing on
and defining a Jewish life according to a long list of rules, the
focus of Living Judaism is on relationships and responsibilities and
how they acquire greater coherence and meaning through Jewish
practice, rituals, and traditions.
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This weekend workshop is
designed to introduce the participants to Living Judaism, a way of
understanding the web of relationships and responsibilities that
Judaism calls us to live. Whether or not you believe in the
traditional Jewish G-d, or in any G-d at all, if your spirit is
calling you then you may find a new understanding of what it means to
be Jewish and how to live a Jewish life. Living Judaism will deepen your connection to your family,
friends and community... and to your soul.
- YBJ: 101 (Why Be Jewish?)
This program is designed for Jewish teenagers and young adults who
want to know just what's so special about being Jewish. The question,
"Why be Jewish?" is one that faces many young Jews today -
but all too often the traditional answers are
not satisfactory or compelling enough. This interactive and experiential program,
which can be presented in a class or short workshop setting, builds
and strengthens the desire for a Jewish identity and provides a
compelling model of what it is to live a Jewish life in today's
complex world.
If you would like to discuss scheduling a speaker, sponsoring a
program, or are interested in attending one of our classes or workshops, please
contact:
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NEW!