Rooted: An Introduction to Judaism

Are you looking to deepen your understanding of Judaism? Are you hoping to weave Judaism into your everyday life and don’t know where to start? Come explore the many facets of Judaism from Jewish practice to Jewish literature, from Shabbat and holidays to Jewish ways of celebrating and mourning. This class will offer an informational foundation for people who are looking to understand more about Judaism: all are welcome, whether you are already engaged in Jewish community or are still looking for your place. We will cover a number of topics between November and May. Participants are encouraged to join us for the full thirteen session series and are alternatively invited to join for a three session "chapter". The class size will be limited to facilitate space for deep discussion and exploration. We hope you come ready to ask questions and share your ideas. Rabbi Jackson and Rabbi Ilana are excited to make themselves available outside of the class itself to meet with people for individual conversations or additional learning. If you are trying to decide if this series is right for you, don't hesitate to reach out to Rabbi Ilana ([email protected]). An Overview of the Series: Chapter 1: Exploring the Jewish Canon - Nov 3, Nov 17, & Dec 8 Discover the Jewish literature that lays the groundwork for much of Jewish life, practice, and narrative: understand what makes up the Jewish bookshelf and what can be found in Biblical and Rabbinic literature. Chapter 2: The Shabbat Building Blocks - Dec 22, Jan 12, & Jan 26 Explore the meaning and traditions of Shabbat, our weekly opportunity for rest and community, while considering how you might bring elements of Shabbat into your own life. Chapter 3: Marking Time on the Calendar and in Life - Feb 9, Feb 23, & Mar 9 Learn all about the Jewish holidays, from their significance to their traditions and also how Judaism uses ritual to mark life cycle events. Chapter 4: Understanding and Cultivating Jewish Practice - Apr 13, May 11, May 25 Dive deeper into Jewish law and practice, from prayer to keeping kosher and how that might show up in everyday life. One-off Session (Topic TBD) - Mar 30 . . . Rabbi Jackson Mercer is the Rabbi of Base Boston - a pluralistic community for Young Adults run out of his home in Cambridge with his partner Rachel. Jackson was ordained at the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College in Newton, MA with a Specialization in Spirituality and Social Justice and a Master's in Jewish Education with a concentration in Israel education in conjunction with the iCenter. He has worked to build singing prayer communities across the country in California (Congregation Rodef Sholom, URJ Camp Newman, University Synagogue, and NFTY), in New York (at Kehillat Romemu as the Joseph S. Ingber Rabbinic Fellow) as well as in Boston (Asiyah Jewish Community, Temple Beth Sholom of Framingham, Temple Beth Zion, and Mishkan Tefilah). When not recording his own music, like his most recent album – “Notnim B’ahavah Reshut”, Jackson has sung with the Chaverai Nevarech Band featured on Rabbi Josh Warshawsky’s albums. Rabbi Ilana Sandberg is the Assistant Director of the House of Learning at Lehrhaus. Rabbi Ilana has served various different Jewish communities during her time as a rabbi and in rabbinical school including in Hillels, Gann Academy, Ramah summer camps, synagogues, and more. She moved back to the Boston area, where she grew up, after finishing Rabbinic school at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and now lives in Jamaica Plain with her husband Adam. Committed to Jewish exploration through interpersonal relationships and meaningful education, Rabbi Ilana strives to connect people to Jewish tradition and culture—working passionately to find each person a home in Jewish community. When she's not at Lehrhaus, you might find Rabbi Ilana cooking a big Shabbat dinner, crocheting kippot, making pottery, or experimenting with her new sewing machine.