Senior Sage
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FIFTH ANNUAL SENIOR SAGE CLASS 5772/2011-2012 Fourth Monday of Each Month (unless otherwise noted) Responsa are thousands of volumes of answers to specific questions surrounding Jewish law. Each monthly meeting will be a self-contained topic on an important issue of modern life. Each hot topic will be explored first in the Torah and then in Rabbinic texts such as the Talmud. We will then explore the subject through the lens of modern Judaism, Reform legal scholars, and finally through the responsa of different denominations. Participants will have the option of joining small discussion groups called chevruta where they will study core texts between the monthly sessions. INTRODUCTION – Monday, October 24, 2011 - This session will provide an overview of the curriculum and the structure of chevruta (study groups). The study materials will be distributed and we will look at a sampling of unusual responsa. Where does responsa fit into the library of Jewish literature? Where can one find responsa from the different denominations? How are new responsa created? Who writes responsa and how are those scholars selected? MEDICAL ETHICS AND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE PART I - WHEN LIFE BEGINS - Monday, November 28, 2011 - This session will explore when life begins from Exodus through Rabbinic resources to modern understanding. We will study responsa concerning miscarriage, abortion, and fertility so that we can make an informed decision with respect to pro-choice vs. pro-life legislation. MEDICAL ETHICS AND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE PART II - END OF LIFE CONCERNS – Tuesday, December 27, 2011 – What happens when there is an imminent decision regarding maintaining life or stopping medical treatment? What happens if end of life decisions that are not documented by the patient are contrary to Jewish law? Which supersedes? We will explore issues of passive versus active euthanasia from physician assisted suicide to removal of nutrition and/or life support. SEXUAL ETHICS AND VALUES - Monday, January 23, 2012 – This is most definitely the class you do not want to miss with the answers to the questions you were afraid to ask but the planning committee was not. We will explore modern Jewish sexual ethics. Where are the lines of infidelity (pornography, texting)? Can an open marriage be possible in Judaism? Can one atone after infidelity? What do we say to our grandkids about premarital sex? Can senior couples have a Jewish wedding without a legal wedding? BORN THIS WAY – GAY, LESBIAN, BI-SEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER - Monday, February 27, 2012 – We will explore the evolution of liberal Jewish law on homosexuality, bisexuality, gay parenting, transgender and gender identity. We will also address issues surrounding gay marriage legislation. WHO IS A JEW PART I – CONVERSION - Monday, March 26, 2012 - What are the movements' standards for conversion? What is Patrilineal Descent? What are the origins of the Law of Return and how has it been amended? Can the grandchildren of our interfaith marriages or our Jews by Choice be citizens of Israel? Will they have a second class status? Does it make a difference whether one is converted by a Reform or an Orthodox rabbi? WHO IS A JEW PART II, INTERFAITH MARRIAGE - Monday, April 23, 2012 - What are the issues surrounding officiation at interfaith marriage? How do clergy make their decisions? What do the movements have to say? What do the responsa of each denomination say about intermarriage? ETHICS OF WAR, Tuesday, May 29, 2012 – When is war required? When is war acceptable? Was the war in Iraq justified? What are the ethics of war? What are proportionate and disproportionate responses (i.e. Nagasaki, Hiroshima)? What are some differing responsa surrounding Israel and its military efforts from pre-independence until today? OTHER ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED: Are there modern day questions we want to submit to our Reform Responsa committee? Do we have funny or real other questions we want our clergy to address?
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