MID (Multi-Interest Day)

We are pleased that Multi-Interest Day (MID) is returning on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, with new and ongoing classes. Rabbi Mark Goodman returns in the fall semester with the “Continuation of Wandering Jews of the Diaspora.” In the Spring, Rabbi Goodman will teach “Jewish Theology.” In the fall semester, Rabbi Leslie Alexander will teach “Jewish Ethics.” Rabbi Schuldenfrei will focus this spring on the continuing topic of Talmudic Tales” that will continue showcasing Talmudic stories that resonate today.  Susie Katz returns to facilitate the “Writing Club” where students write on different personal memories and topics. Lastly, Mah Jongg will return for those wishing to play after lunch. The rabbinic classes will be streamed on the Adat Ari El website. The Writing Club will be on Zoom.

SPECIAL NOTE: This year we continue to charge a basic amount for our classes.  We are always looking for generous donors to support MID classes throughout the year. Our catalogue of courses is given below. Specific fee and registration information are also given on page three of this letter. Like last year, we are inviting members of Chai Neighbors to join our MID classes.

MID COURSE CATALOGUE

“CONTINUATION OF THE WANDERING JEWS OF THE DIASPORA.” and JEWISH THEOLOGY. Join Rabbi Mark Goodman in the fall as he continues his exploration of the various homes of the Diaspora Jews as they migrate from country to country. It is amazing that in the past two years, we have not covered all the countries where Jews migrated and lived.  In the Spring, Rabbi Goodman will teach a new class about Jewish Theology. This class will focus on the belief structure of Judaism, the meaning of God, and why the Jews have continued to thrive despite antisemitism over time. Rabbi Goodman serves as spiritual leader at Valley Beth Israel in Sun Valley, California.  He has taught Jewish History classes at the American Jewish University and is an Adjunct Professor at Los Angeles Valley College. He earned his B.A. in English from UCLA, obtained an M.A. in Music from California State University Los Angeles, earned an M.A. in Jewish Studies and Rabbinics, and received his ordination at the Academy of Jewish Religion as a Cantor and Rabbi.  Rabbi Goodman will complete his comprehensive exams in Jewish Studies from the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies to complete his doctoral dissertation. Coincidentally, Rabbi Goodman is an opera singer as well!

“JEWISH ETHICS.” Join Rabbi Leslie Alexander, our Adat Interim Rabbi, as she teaches a new exciting class this year focused on a major topic that will be interesting to hear. Jewish Ethics will focus on standards of right and wrong, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, and virtues as to how it relates to Jewish practice. Ethics also ensures a continuous examination of one’s beliefs and behavior to ensure they are in keeping with reasonable and well-founded standards. Rabbi Alexander currently serves as Rabbi at Adat Ari El. Years ago she served as Assistant and later Associate Rabbi at Adat Ari El from 1986-1996 working with Rabbi Moshe Rothblum. She was the first woman in the world appointed to serve as a Rabbi at a major Conservative synagogue. We are happy that Rabbi Alexander will remain at Adat Ari El another two years so we are able to benefit from her teaching.

“CONTINUATION OF TALMUDIC TALES.” Join Rabbi Brian Schuldenfrei, our Adat Senior Rabbi, for continuation of, “Talmudic Tales.” Rabbi Schuldenfrei will explore some of the Talmud’s most interesting and colorful stories. Rabbi Schuldenfrei serves as Senior Rabbi at Adat Ari El. He also served as a Senior Rabbi in Palos Verdes, California and Miami, Florida and was an Associate Rabbi at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. Rabbi Schuldenfrei’s flair for creative programming and outreach has received international coverage in many publications. Rabbi Schuldenfrei also sat on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis, the Rabbinical Assembly’s Resolutions Committee, the Rabbinic Cabinet of the Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism, and other organizations. Rabbi Schuldenfrei was a distinguished student at the Jewish Theological Seminary, and received his B.A. with honors from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Originally from New York, Rabbi Schuldenfrei is a big Mets baseball fan!

WRITING CLUB:  Join Susie Katz as she facilitates the members of the class in writing their never-to-be forgotten memories and experiences. This class has been ongoing for many years.

MAH JONGG:  Join us for fun as we play Mah Jongg after lunch. Several tables will be set up for us to play.   

MID SCHEDULE

1^st Period (10:00 am – 10:50 am)

October 30, 2024 – February 12, 2025 (Semester 1)

February 19, 2025 - May 28, 2025 (Semester 2)

“Continuation of the Wandering Jews of the Diaspora” and “Jewish Theology.” (Both Semesters) with Rabbi Mark Goodman

2^nd Period (11:00 am – 11:50 am)

October 30, 2024 – February 12, 2025 (Semester 1)

“Jewish Ethics” with Rabbi Leslie Alexander. 

2^nd Period (11:00 am – 11:50 am)

February 19, 2025 - May 28, 2025 (Semester 2)

“Talmudic Tales” with Rabbi Brian Schuldenfrei

3^rd Period (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm)

WRITING CLUB (first Wednesday of each month on Zoom) with Susie Katz during both semesters.

MAH JONGG:  Join us for fun as we play Mah Jongg after lunch. Several tables will be set up for us to play.   

NO CLASSES:  Thanksgiving Holiday, November 27, 2024; Winter Break, December 25, 2024, and January 1, 2025; and Passover Holiday, April 9, 2025, and April 16, 2025. 

ANNUAL REGISTRATION AND FEES: $54 for members of Adat Ari El and Chai Neighbors, and $72 for all others. Please remit your check to Susie Katz at 4945 Gaviota Avenue, Encino, CA 91436. Make check payable to Adat Ari El Sisterhood.  Or, you may register and pay by clicking below. We will forward you the streaming link after the High Holy Days before the start of classes for those not coming to the in-person classes. 

For further information call: Rosalee Pechersky, at (818) 360-0437, or Susie Katz at (818) 995-0391. 

To register for classes, please click here.