Keynote Presentation Gorn Chapel, 8:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Revelation through the Lens of Community
Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Dr. Rosann Catalano, PhD
On Shavuot eve, the idea of Revelation is at the center of any conversation. In this opening session we will explore the issue of Revelation using the lenses of authority and community. Where does the authority of the revelatory experience come from? What role does community play in determining this? These and other questions will be explored as we kick off an evening of learning, study, and conversation.
Rabbi Steven Schwartz is the Senior Rabbi of Beth El Congregation.
Dr. Rosann Catalano, PhD is the Roman Catholic Scholar at the Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies in Towson, MD.
Breakout Sessions, 9:10 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Is The Torah The Blueprint of Creation? Ms. Ariel Greenberg, The Kreitzer Memorial Room
Does the world exist for the Torah, or does the Torah exist for the world? Together we will explore this fascinating question, understand some of the implications the question poses, and some of the classical rabbinical responses to it.
Ariel Greenberg grew up at Beth El and has just completed her preparatory year of Rabbinical School at The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.
Kashrut: You’re Eating WHAT For God’s Sake? Mr. Ezra Salzberg, The Kolker Room
The Kosher rules from the Torah, through the Talmud and into our own time reflect both continuity and change. We will study some of the key texts about traditional kosher rules, and explore the intersection between traditional kosher rules and issues that have arisen in the modern world like Hecksher Tzedek and eco-kashrut.
Ezra Salzberg is a staff veteran of the Beth El Schools and will be starting his studies at The Jewish Theological Seminary this fall.
Angels in Judaism Michelle Stern, The Gorn Chapel
The angels didn’t want to share the Torah with humanity. In fact, the angels didn’t even want humanity created. Judaism’s take on angels and their relationship with humanity will likely surprise you.
Michelle Stern serves as Program Coordinator: Chavurah Chadasha and is the Simchat Shabbat Prayer Leader for Beth El Schools. She will be entering her final year at The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College this fall.
From Liberation to Torah: A Lot Can Happen on the Road to Holiness
Mr. George Wielechowski, The Schuster Library
Looking at Passover (The Feast of Liberation) and Shavuot (The Festival of Revelation) we have these two extremely important and interconnected pilgrimage festivals forty-nine days apart. We'll spend some time understanding how the Festivals are connected, then (ever so lightly) touch on the sefirat ha'omer, and spend the rest of the lesson discussing a sampling of the wealth of midrashim on this 49 days from liberation to Torah.
George Wielechowski has just completed his first year of The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.
10:00-10:20: Cheesecake Reception in the Schapiro Auditorium
10:30-11:00: Wrap-up Session with Rabbis Saroken and Greenspoon in the Gorn Chapel:
The Rabbis on the Rabbis on Ruth
Rabbis Saroken and Greenspoon share their favorite rabbinic legends on the Book of Ruth.
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