Congregation Kohelet

LEARNING

Opportunites abound at Kohelet for people who want to increase their Jewish learning in a way that is compatible with their particular needs. Our learned members come from all walks of life, and are of every age and background. Virtually anyone can find congenial members who are delighted to share in the vast repertoire of Jewish tradition and philosophy. From the novice to the deeply-studied, there is a niche at Kohelet. Here's a list of the topics covered in our ongoing Shabbat-After-Lunch Series:

Davening, Kavanah, and Breathing
Unmasking Purim: Behind the Buffoonery
Saintly Behavior: A Brief Catalogue from the Talmud
What is A Personal G-d in Jewish Tradition?"
Torah and Technology
Theodicy: Reconciling the Existence of Evil with the Assumption of a Benevolent G-d
A Taste of Heaven: Cooking, Hospitality and G-d
Jewish Illustrators Make a Mark on All Our Childhoods
Psyche and Nefesh: Greek and Jewish Teachings on the Soul
How do the Blessings of the Shema Help Define our Judaism?
Shalom Bayit

These monthly, member-created talks have been quite successful. With an average of 15 attending, a member usually begins with a presentation followed by discussion and sharing. The wide base of experience offers a fascinating variety of subjects, and since people generally find great reward in doing these, they offer thoughtful and entertaining creations to enrich their friends in the community.

Kohelet Hebrew School
The Kohelet Hebrew School is open to Kohelet members and their children, students whose families are affiliated with other synagogues, and those who are unaffiliated. Kohelet provides a unique educational opportunity to children in the community and adds an important educational resource. Our student body ranges from 6 to 10 students annually, of different ages, backgrounds and skill levels. We administer the Kohelet Hebrew School as a "one-room schoolhouse" in which we provide individual and group experiences.

Currently our students range in age from 7 to 10 years old, and a typical Thursday class session includes time with the whole group together and time when we divide up into two groups by skill level. The children receive a variety of Hebrew / Judaic information, ranging from basic familiarity with the Hebrew letters, vowels and pronunciation, to Torah trup and overviews of the Holy Days and other customs.

According to the parents, the kids actually look forward to coming to class, and emerge able to make blessings appropriately, read Hebrew at improved levels, and with a working understanding of the Jewish calendar of events.

While having fun and meeting other kids, our students develop a foundation of Judaic knowledge combined with fond memories of their experience.

For more information: Chuck Jacobs, 303-753-9000; cjacobs@lohfshaiman.com

In May of 2008, we will begin our weekly examination of Pirke Avot - Foundational Ethics ("Ethics of the Fathers"). Each week, a Kohelet member will present an overview of one of the chapters, followed by open discussion. Most of the sessions will occur just after Shabbat lunch, and two of them will be held later in the day for Havdalah and Shalos Seudas.

The Kohelet Book Group meets monthly, and covers a wide range of titles. "The Haj," by Leon Uris, "The Lost: A Search for Six of the Six Million," by Daniel Mendelsohn, "Brain and Culture," by Bruce Wexler, "Mazel," and "Betraying Spinoza, the Renegade Jew who Gave us Modernity," by Rebecca Goldstein, and "Real Jews," by Noah Efron are just a few.

Rabbi Howard Hoffman leads a variety of study groups through the auspices of Kohelet, and officiates many member Life-Events, and is available for council. Moreh Yehudis Fishman, from Taos and more recently Boulder, leads occasional study groups for Kohelet. Rabbi Newman from South Africa gave a delightful talk on the Yiddish language. Other guest teachers have included Abraham Sutton, and Melinda Ribner.

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