Portland revs up for Day of Learning

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2010-10-01T00:00:00

Portland will join communities around the world for a Global Day of Jewish Learning on Nov. 7 to celebrate Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’ completion of his monumental translation and commentary on the Talmud.

Steinsaltz is a teacher, philosopher, social critic and prolific author who has been hailed by Time magazine as a “once-in-a-millennium scholar.” His lifelong work in Jewish education earned him the Israel Prize, that country’s highest honor. In 1965, he began his monumental Hebrew translation and commentary on the Talmud.

Portland’s celebration, which will include 12 classes, is sponsored by the Oregon Board of Rabbis and all of its Portland area synagogues, Portland Area Jewish Educators, Portland Jewish Academy, Chabad of Oregon and Congregation Kesser Israel.

“No one would want to miss this opportunity; this is fantastic,” said Rabbi Arthur Zuckerman of Congregation Shaarie Torah. “When it comes to Talmudic scholars, he (Steinsaltz) is second to none. He is trying to explain the traditional commentary to contemporary people. For people around the world to be able to study this at the same time is something not to be missed.”

In Portland, the Global Day of Learning will be held at Congregation Shaarie Torah beginning with registration at 11 a.m. and ending with concluding remarks at 4 p.m. Three tracks for adults—God, Environment and Love—and a leadership track for high schoolers will each offer three classes during the day. The $18 cost will include three classes and lunch.

For $10, parents can attend the first session of classes while their children attend a story time. PJ Library volunteers will read stories to three age groups so parents can attend lectures. Story time will be offered for children 0-3, 3-6 and 6-8. Childcare by Northwest Nanny will be available with reservations by Oct. 21 for parents wishing to attend the full day (call 503-226-6131 for child care reservations).

Following the first session, a kosher lunch will be served. An eight-minute video will introduce the global program. Then two more sessions of classes will be offered in each of the four tracks. Local rabbis and educators will teach classes based on a worldwide curriculum, which has been created to stimulate discussion during classes.

According to the official website 1people1day.org, the Global Day of Jewish Learning curriculum is guided by the concept that our core texts should be accessible to every Jew, regardless of background, skills and affiliation. The Talmud tractate Ta’anit, from which the curriculum is drawn, is especially rich in ideas and themes that are universally relevant. Since every class will be drawn from the same Talmud volume, Jews around the world will be engaging with the same primary source.

“This work (Steinsaltz Talmud) and this day are for all Jews, regardless of affiliation,” said Dorice Horenstein, Shaarie Torah education director, who is coordinating the event locally. “Clal Israel will be studying together and enjoying together.”

The Global Day of Jewish Learning is coordinated worldwide by the Aleph Society. Organizing partners are the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Hillel, Jewish Federations of North America, JCC Association of North America, JESNA and Shefa.

For more information, contact Dorice Horenstein at education@shaarietorah.org.