JMS Women’s Classes Continue

This Sunday, the JMS will reconvene for its second summer session, beginning with a guest appearance by Rabbi Yitzchak Goldshmid, Shliach in Valley Stream, Long Island and master teacher of Chasidus.

Journey of Mind and Soul – the Institute of Advanced Judaic Studies for Women, referred to in short as the JMS, was launched this July as an evening learning program, graciously hosted by Mrs. Sara Labkowsky and “the Bayit.” Since then, about fifty women from in and out of Crown Heights have joined.

When does a school become a journey? When classes present broad and foundational material, students have questions to ask and answers to pursue, and learning is treated as a dynamic process. Through its diverse curriculum, the JMS endeavors to facilitate this kind of journey through Torah and Chasidus.

“A History of Jewish Thought: the Evolution and Intersections of Kabbala, Chakira and Chasidus,” is one of three weekly courses taught by resident scholar Rabbi Chaim Miller. What constitutes Jewish thought? What is its threshold? How far does the mind take us, and how? These are questions that Jewish thinkers dealt with throughout the centuries of our history, and the kinds of discussions featured in this course.

Other questions – uniquely contemporary – are dealt with in “Chabad off the Bookshelf: Discussions on Identity.” In this course, Rabbi Miller presents subtle issues that affect our community today. As Brachy, a JMS student, commented, “These classes are very relevant; the subjects are important ones that need to be discussed but are often left behind.”

Rabbi Yisroel Fried presents the subtleties of Jewish law in a course entitled, “Halacha: its Methods and Meanings.” In its first three classes, this course traced the Halachic process through the intricate workings of the Mesorah, R’ Yishmael’s thirteen exegetical tools, the rules governing Talmudic disputes and modern Rabbinic authority. “It’s important to know,” says Rabbi Fried. “It’s important to be educated.” His classes combine readings from the Gemara and other sources with history, humor and insight to target prevailing myths and misconceptions about the way Halacha came to be.

In “Finding G-d: the Journey of Tefillah,” Rabbi Yossi Paltiel addresses the most elemental of discussions: a Jew and her Creator. Tefillah is a ladder to the heavens, and its ascent takes place not only during prayer. Each week, Rabbi Paltiel discusses another aspect of this ascent, presenting a variety of sources that speak about the obligation of prayer, its mystical accomplishments, self-scrutiny and more.

Mrs. Bronya Shaffer’s course in Taharas Hamishpacha presents a comprehensive study of the halachos and meaning of Jewish femininity and marriage. “Offering a class on Taharas Hamishpacha to singles is an innovative and refreshing idea,” says Esty, a class participant. “Mrs. Schaffer’s broad knowledge on the subject and pleasant way of teaching make the classes very enjoyable.”

JMS classes take place on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with Sunday featuring guest lectures. Lecture series are on the topics of “Intersections: Torah’s Encounters with the Arts, Sciences and Modernity” and “Dor Shvii: Innovative Aspects of the Rebbe’s Leadership and Teachings,” including, so far, a class by Rabbi Dov Ber Pinson on the Kabbalistic view of “upper” and “lower” wisdom.

“Being immersed in learning for a few solid hours a week with top of the line lecturers was incredibly invigorating,” says Dina, a student at the JMS’s first summer session. “It’s like I’m going to college,” says Mushky. “The learning is high quality and intense. JMS gives meaning to my day.”

In the words of some other participants:

I’ve been looking for this kind of opportunity since I came to Crown Heights; I wish we would have this during the year as well! The teachers are great, the topics are to the point… and I love the consistency of the program and curriculum. – Miri.

The classes are about things you always wanted to know… Growing up frum, there are things that you somehow miss, and this goes back and fills in the gaps. -Miriam

The classes cover some really core, fundamental ideas about Chabad and about Yiddishkeit. The crowd is one that really values learning, a good group of people to be surrounded by… there are a lot of questions and interaction. – Chava

There are a variety of ways to register for and join the second session of the JMS, running from August 1st through August 19th. Some program highlights, in addition to the continuation of all first session courses, are: Rabbi Yitzchak Goldshmid on “Dor Shvii: Innovative Aspects of the Rebbe’s Teachings and Leadership” this Sunday; an evening with Rabbi Eli Silberstien, Shliach at Cornell University and renowned lecturer, on August 8th; and “Quantum Insights: Torah through the Lens of the News Science” with Dr. Alexander Poltorak, on August 15th.

For more information about the JMS, see www.journeyofmindandsoul.wordpress.com, or contact Chanah Poltorak or Rivky Blumberger at [email protected]. We hope to see you there.