Session II

Tuesday, May 22–Thursday, June 21, 2012

Unless otherwise indicated, Session II and III courses are taught at the graduate level in English, using texts in the original (although translations are generally available), and by JTS faculty. Each course earns 3 credits. Session II and III courses meet three days every week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday), except for holidays.

All Session II courses are open to Summer Learners.

Eliezer Diamond, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
How do the Rabbis approach resolving conflicts between property owners? What are the parameters of ownership? How does the Bavli balance the rights enjoyed by property owners with the responsibilities that they bear? Study the structure and terminology of the Bavli through sugyot drawn mainly from Bava Batra, chapter 2, and learn to prepare texts from the Bavli on your own. Proficiency in Hebrew is expected.

LTG 5035: Modern Commentaries to the Prayer Book
Reuven Hammer, Visiting Professor, JTS; 1:30–3:20 p.m.
Sections of the siddur will be examined through the eyes of a variety of 19th- to 21st-century English-language commentaries representing a wide spectrum of approaches, including historical, homiletical, theological, and polemical. The emphasis will be upon understanding the motivation that led to these commentaries, how they reflect their time and their sponsoring movements, and discerning how they contribute to deepening appreciation and understanding of the siddur text.

JTH 5751: Holocaust and Post-Holocaust Jewish Thinking
Sharon Portnoff, Connecticut College; 1:30–3:20 p.m.
This course is an introduction to some of the issues in Holocaust studies, including the difficulties of understanding, representing and incorporating the Holocaust in contemporary thought and experience. Through survivor accounts and secondary sources, we will address problems associated with memory and representation; discuss the question of the Holocaust's uniqueness and/or universality; examine post-Holocaust Jewish theological responses; and consider the Holocaust's impact on Israeli society. We will also discuss how to recognize the distinct experience of Jewish women in the Holocaust; and how to "remember" in a way that enriches both Judaism and the world.

BIB 5412: The Five Megillot and Jonah
David Marcus, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
A survey of the six short books of the Bible that are all read on Jewish holidays: Ruth, Esther, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Jonah. The books will be analyzed from the point of view of contents, central ideas, literary structure, motifs, and historical background.

LIT/JGW 5560: Reflections of Eve
Anne Lapidus Lerner, 5:30–7:20 p.m.
An examination of the stories of Eve, which are central to our construction of gender roles and identity. This course will involve the many genres of Jewish literature from the Bible through the Rabbis to the present. Same as JGW 5560, BIB 5570.

Student Computer Lab