Dear JCOGS family,
As we begin the new year, I’d like to announce a new adult education initiative at JCOGS:
Learning for LifeJewish education has always been at the forefront of consciousness for Jews. As perhaps you’ve heard me quote before, my zaidie used to say in his thick Yiddish accent: “
H-education siz da most importent ting.”
But how do we turn our learning into something that is relevant to our lives? To our hopes? Our existence? Our future? Learning for Life seeks to raise the bar on how we live our lives by integrating Jewish insights and wisdom into ourselves, while shaping Jewish learning now and for the future.
And this year’s Learning for Life starts this weekend. First, TONIGHT along with the JCOGS band, we welcome scholar-in-residence
Rabbi Michael Cohen. Over a Kosher chicken dinner, Rabbi Cohen will speak about “The Bible and the Environment.” TOMORROW at Noon, join him again as he addresses: “The Environment as a Bridge to Peace: The Arava Institute as a Case Study.” In this way, we’ll look at Jewish perspectives and lived experience to combat the climate crisis and how we build bridges of peace.
Then, on MONDAY from 5:30-7PM, the learning continues as we gather for a workshop I will lead entitled Writing Your Own Ethical Will, along with a Sukkot Yizkor memorial service, both in person and online. We’ll reflect and write about how each of us can create a legacy of love to leave behind for the next generations, all inspired by the book
The Beauty of What Remains. Learn more
here and join us.
Some of our Learning for Life throughout this inaugural year will be old favourites, like Torah on Tap, where we look at hot topics through Jewish perspectives, all while making a
l’chayyim and
noshing together at one of the local joints. Another highlight is the upcoming revitalization of our library, with the most extensive collection of Jewish books in our area. In November, we launch another cohort of learning with
Foundations for A Thoughtful Judaism with a focus on ethics: the choices we make in life. Stay tuned for other special speakers and surprises throughout this year and how you can connect in.
To Learning for Life,
l’chayyim!
Tihiyu bri’im, be well. Shabbat Shalom and Happy Sukkot!
Rabbi David
