The Koffler Bornstein Families Institute of Jewish Studies
בֶּן בַּג בַּג אוֹמֵר: הֲפֹךְ בָּהּ וַהֲפֹךְ בָּהּ דְּכֹלָּא בָהּ
וּבָהּ תֶּחֱזֵי, וְסִיב וּבְלֵה בָהּ, וּמִנַּהּ לֹא תָזוּעַ
Ben Bag-bag says: “Delve in it and continue to delve in it, for everything is within it.
Contemplate it, and grow old and gray in it, and do not stir from it…”
-Pirkei Avot 5:21
Welcome to the Koffler Bornstein Families Institute of Jewish Studies!
As in past years, we offer a diverse range of programs for everyone to explore. As Ben Bag Bag said in the above quote from Pirkei Avot, everything is in the Torah - and we have tried to offer courses on just about everything here at the Institute. We will continue with our Author-Author program, in which local authors will present and discuss their newest books, both fiction and non-fiction. During this year’s educational weekend, “Talmudic Tales of Love and Darkness,” Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rubenstein will lead us in literary and historical explorations of Tamudic stories of shame, destruction, and love. Our mini-mesters will cover subjects as diverse as local Jewish history, poetry, d’var Torah writing, interfaith text study, and art; and our semester- and year-long courses include past favorites such as Talmud, Hebrew, Torah reading, and weekly parshah study, as well as new offerings on Jewish music, Hebrew literature, and social justice. Whatever you are interested in, we have something for you!
We hope this year will be one of exploration, discovery and joy. We invite you to explore this year's brochure, and to be in touch with Rabbi Rachel Zerin at 331-1616 or rzerin@teprov.org with any questions, comments, or suggestions. Most importantly, we look forward to learning with you soon!
Bivrakha,
Professor Alan Verskin, Chair
Rabbi Rachel Zerin, Director
Please join us for one of our year-long courses!
Hug Ivri
Meets every other Thursday from 9:00-10:00am
Instructor: Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer
In this group, which is conducted entirely in Hebrew, we will be reading selected Hebrew poetry, prose, and traditional midrashim. The discussions often move into other fascinating topics. If you are an advanced Hebrew speaker, join us!
Parashat HaShavua
Meets every Friday until June 9, from 7:45-8:35am
Instructor: Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer
In this breakfast-study session, we will study highlights of the upcoming Shabbat Torah reading – the Weekly Portion. The group will have an opportunity to raise questions and share interpretations on the text. Participants are welcome to daven in the Chapel at 7 a.m., before the breakfast and study.
Delve Deeper: A Program of Intensive Jewish Study is an exciting new adult education initiative that brings dynamic teachers to teach in-depth, university-level courses to a diverse group of adult learners in Rhode Island. Our first couurse, "Rabbis, Mystics, Philosophers, and Poets: An Introduction to Medieval Judaism" has been a great success. Stay tuned for more details about our upcoming classes!