Calendar

Join us for the ninth Jewish Arts Month (JAM)–the annual exhibit of paintings, fiber, beadwork, metals, glass, ceramics, and more co-sponsored by ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists and the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. This year’s show takes place in the MJCC lobby from Sunday, February 2nd through Friday, February 28th. Different sets of 4-6 artists will display their work each week. Everything displayed will be for sale.

Sex, Beauty, War and Despair: Adult Themes in the Five Megillot with Rabbi Kosak

Sunday, February 2 – June 21, 9:45-11:15am, (12 weeks total; full schedule available with registration)

The five megillot are some of the enduring classics of world literature. Jews read these scrolls publicly on holidays throughout the year, but without the regularity with which we read the Torah. As a consequence, these important sections of the Bible are less familiar to the average synagogue goer. In this course, we will have an opportunity to examine the megillot, their deeply human themes, and the light they can shed on our own lives.

Cost: $36 ($72 for non-members).

Shroud Crowd, Sun, Jan 12, Feb 2, 2:00pm, Rm 102

Help create traditional burial clothing which will then be used by the Chevra Kavod haMet for their work. Contact Sandy Axel: sandyaxel@msn.com.

Sunday, Feb 2, 2:00 to 3:30 PM –

Open to all who are interested. If you’d like to attend, please contact Bob Lowe at bob.pnaior@gmail.com for location and reading material.

Would you like to know more about what is going on in our prayer services? This intro class will present a “macro” view of the Siddur (prayer book), about how the morning prayer service takes us through the four worlds of Kabbalah and, in doing so, mirrors how we received the Torah on Mt. Sinai. With this perspective, we’ll take a quick walk through the individual prayers and see how they fit in to this journey. If we have time, we’ll take on one example of the challenge of prayers that can be off-putting because of their apparent inconsistencies with our personal values. We’ll do so by taking on one of the most uncomfortable – and most frequent – words in our blessings: “Melech,” usually translated as King. We’ll unpack alternative interpretations of this word.

Making God Laugh follows one typical American family over the course of thirty years’ worth of holidays. Starting in 1980, Ruthie and Bill’s grown children — a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former football star — all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. The empty-nester parents contend with their own changes, too, as old family rituals are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. As time passes, the family discovers that, despite what we may have in mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations.

Gates of Light: A New-Old Approach to Torah and Kabbalah
Jewish mysticism helps us understand the Torah, the world, and ourselves. Delve into the core teachings of the majestic Kabbalistic tradition. Red bracelets aren’t going to do it – dig deep into the texts and into ourselves. Join Rabbi Joshua Rose for a look into the book Sha’arei Orah – Gates of Light.

Monday, January 13
Monday, February 3
Monday, March 16
2:30 – 3:25 pm
Free and open to the community.
In partnership with Congregation Shaarie Torah

Organize Yourself for Success: For Grades 5 – 8 and 9 – 12
Help your student learn new study skills to maximize their efficiency and decrease stress. This motivation-based approach builds students’ academic confidence and organizational skills.
Instructor: Tina-Marie Baskin
Per Session: Cost: $56. Member Cost: $48.

For Grades 5 – 8
Session II: Mondays
February 3 – March 2
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI210A

For Grades 9 – 12
Session II: Wednesdays
February 5 – March 4
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI210B

Register: oregonjcc.org/registration

Mah Jongg for Beginners
Learn to play this ancient game.
Tuesday Mornings
January 7 – February 11
10:30 am – 12:30 pm, CG200
Cost: $110. Member Cost: $90.
Register: oregonjcc.org/registration