THURSDAY: Debbie Friedman 101 (FREE)
Her "World's Official Havdalah" (lie, lie, lie...) and "Mi Shebeirach" are only the beginning
This Thursday, September 17, Jewish Culture 101 will offer “Debbie Friedman 101” - a FREE class on the life, music, and impact of this pioneer of American Jewish liturgical music who also helped shape the American Jewish community of the last half-century.
Her most famous works are the “World’s Official Havdalah” (lie, lie, lie…) and the Mi Shebeirach. You can listen to some of her music here.
The following Monday, September 21, it’s Arthur Miller 101. With dramas such as Death of a Salesman, The Crucible, and All My Sons, Miller is the playwright who more than any other helped define the American dream. Where do American Jews fit in?
Announcement: In October, “Greatest Hits” Thursdays have been supercharged with “Jewish Culture Academy,” which includes two repeat classes per week.
Included in Jewish Culture Academy next month:
• West Side Story
• Cabaret
• Philip Roth’s Goodbye, Columbus (two-part class)
• Norman Lear’s sitcoms
• MAD Magazine
• Mel Brooks 101
• Funny Women
• Sondheim’s Lyrics
• Women Photographers
A monthly pass to all ten classes for October is $25 (less than $3 a class). Register here: bitly.com/BenkofOctober
Save $30: I have extended the Early Bird rate for Judaism 101 through the end of September. This intimate, intensive course will meet for eight Wednesdays at Noon EDT, starting October 7. Every week, we’ll explore the most important knowledge and wisdom needed to understand Jewish history, life cycle, calendar, Israel, values, Hebrew, theology, Bible, and the Jewish home. All are welcome - Jews with no background; Jews with minimal or moderate Jewish educations; and non-Jews. Limited to 40 participants, $95 early bird rate through September 30; $125 regular rate. Register: bitly.com/Benkof101
Here’s the upcoming calendar, with links (note the newly announced “Voice Actors” class on October 5 and “Women Poets” on October 12):
Thursday, September 17 Debbie Friedman 101 (Noon EDT)
Monday, September 21 Arthur Miller 101 (Noon EDT)
Thursday, September 24 Philip Roth’s “The Conversion of the Jews” (Noon EDT)
Monday, September 28 NO CLASS (YOM KIPPUR)
Thursday, October 1: Jewish Culture Academy: West Side Story (Noon EDT) and Cabaret (1 pm EDT)
Monday, October 5 Voice Actors (Noon EDT)
Wednesday, October 7 Judaism 101 course begins (Noon EDT)
Thursday, October 8: Jewish Culture Academy: Goodbye, Columbus by Philip Roth double class (Noon EDT)
Monday, October 12 Women Poets (Noon EDT)
Thursday, October 15: Jewish Culture Academy: Norman Lear’s sitcoms (Noon EDT) and MAD Magazine(1 pm EDT)
Thursday, October 22: Jewish Culture Academy: Mel Brooks 101 (Noon EDT) and Funny Women (1 pm EDT)
Thursday, October 29: Jewish Culture Academy: Sondheim’s Lyrics (Noon EDT) and Women Photographers (1 pm EDT)