Mandell Campus Summer 2007 Courses
 

Tuesday, May 29 – Friday, June 1 & Sunday, June 3

Hebrew 10301H:  Hebrew I –Beginners            
Adjunct
Students will acquire basic knowledge of Hebrew as a modern living language. Focus will be equally divided among four language skills: Listening-comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be able to create simple sentences using the present tense in two different verbs’ structures (pa’al and pi’el).

June 4 – 8

Education 40222A: Supervision and Staff Development for Jewish Educators
Dr. Richard Solomon
The purpose of this course is to develop, shape and refine skills in professional practice through collaborative supervision and staff development.
Students will explore:

• recent trends in inducting new teachers
• the knowledge base and skills needed for mentoring and coaching preservice and in-service teachers
• the knowledge base for teaching and learning, learning to teach, and reflection
• clinical supervision models
• observation forms and techniques for observation
• giving and receiving professional feedback
• conducting professional feedback conferences.

Literature 40409: Changing Realities in Israel
Dr. Uzi Adini
This course will explore the changing realities in Israel as Israeli poets and writers speak out on the evolving world around them. Literary examples (in English translation) will include the themes of war and peace and Jewish identity and heritage. The works will be representative of the author’s expressions of their Jewish heritage, their self-assessment, and at the same time, representative of their finest work. Bearing in mind that any translation is a form of interpretation, the selections will be those that preserve the author’s voice and style and will be analyzed on the basis of their historical and literary, as well as their psychological dimensions.

June 11 – 15

Thought 40708:  Introduction to Kabbalah
Dr. Joseph Davis
This course provides an introduction to the Jewish mystical tradition, focusing on the classic text of Jewish mysticism, the Zohar.  The course will cover topics such as mystical visions and experiences, mystical interpretation of the Torah, the doctrine of Sefirot, the relationship of mysticism to philosophy, the mystical purpose of the commandments, mystical heresy and Sabbatianism, devekut, and union with God.

June 18 - 22

Education 40206: Methods of Teaching Prayer: Skills, Concepts and Affect       
Dr. Saul Wachs
This seminar establishes a methodological approach to the teaching of the Siddur and the Mahzor. Theological issues arising from these prayer books will be discussed. Affective approaches that complement cognitive and skill learning will be explored. Observation and micro-teaching are required.                        

June 25 - 29

Rabbinics 30626:  The Liturgy of the Weekday Service
Dr. Saul Wachs
This is an introductory course in liturgy, whose content deals with the Shaharit, Minhah, and Arvit weekday services. The structure, ideas, and values of the weekday Siddur are analyzed and general issues of prayer and theology are explored. Some attention is paid to halakhot and minhagim as related to the weekday services. Ability to decode Hebrew is required.

July 9 – 13

Soc/Tht 30704: "Who is a Jew": Contemporary Complexities of Jewish Identity
Dr. Carol Harris-Shapiro
"Who is a Jew?": Contemporary Complexities Jewish Identity This course examines how the often intense arguments over who is an "authentic" Jew shape the values, fears and complex sociological realities of contemporary Jewry in the United States, Israel, and elsewhere. Topics to be covered include patrilineal vs. matrilineal descent, the contested Jewish of "Jewish Christians" and "Jewish Buddhists," secular Jewish groups who reject a religious identity, and the increasingly popular self-definition of individuals as "half-Jews." All of these can call into question our understanding of "normative" Judaism and lead us to re-evaluate the seeming simplicity of the idea of "One People."

July 16 – 20

Ed 40207 / Hist 30512:  Teaching the Holocaust
Ms. Josey Fisher
Lessons of the Holocaust reflect current concerns with violence, racism and propaganda, and ethical aspects of science and government. This unique course will provide educators with significant background for discussing the questions and introducing them to classroom-tested teaching strategies, curricula, and resources. (this course may be taken for Education or History credit) (This course is supported by the Clara and Daniel Isaacman Endowment on Teaching the Holocaust)

July 23– 27

Hist 40531 / Lit 40431: Writing and Rewriting the Shtetl
Dr. Michael Steinlauf
How have several generations of Jews imagined their Eastern European Jewish roots? This seminar examines the legendary Jewish small town of Eastern Europe through the perspectives of history, anthropology, literature, and film. (this course may be taken for History or Literature credit)

July 30– August 3

30840:  Dreamers, Pioneers and Politicians: Music of the Land of Israel
Dr. Marsha Bryan Edelman
Israel is a cultural “salad bowl” in which many musical styles co-exist. By surveying the music of its disparate people, the varied influences on Israeli folk and art music, from Hasidic nigunim to Oriental ragas will be explored. The place of Israeli music in the main body of Jewish music will also be discussed.

Special Offerings

Sunday, July 8 – Thursday, July 12.
Music 30842: Unlocking the Seventh Heaven: An Introduction to Traditional Jewish Music
Dr. Marsha Bryan Edelman
Melodies and modes for singing the traditional texts of Jewish worship have emerged which identify specific holidays and liturgical units.  Focusing on the Ashkenazic ritual, students will explore the themes of synagogue song as they discover the nature and function of liturgical and biblical chant. Contemporary cultural preferences and their effect on the evolution of Jewish musical “tradition,” both inside the synagogue and beyond, will be examined.
This course will be taught in conjunction with the 18th annual North American Jewish Choral Festival, in residence at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in Kerhonkson, NY.  Additional fees apply.  For further information, contact Dr. Edelman or visit the Choral Festival web page at www.zamirfdn.org

Bible 40118: Archeological Excavation of Tel Dor, Israel
Dr. Elizabeth Bloch-Smith
Students can earn 3 credits through a 2-week minimum independent study and fieldwork at the excavation of Tel Dor, Israel. Archeological experience includes field excavation, processing of excavated material, and afternoon lectures.
The dig dates for the 2007 season are June 26 -July 28 (2 week minimum for Gratz College credit, but 4 week stay recommended). No prerequisites, particular skills, or experience necessary). For more information see http://www.hum.huji.ac.il/dor and contact Dr. E. Bloch-Smith at bloch-smith@msn.com.

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