Thursday (FREE): Best short story ever
"The Conversion of the Jews" by Philip Roth is provocative, earnest, and laugh-out-loud funny
This Thursday, September 22, Jewish Culture 101 will examine Philip Roth’s delightful short story “The Conversion of the Jews,” which is my all-time favorite work of literature.
Ozzie Freedman is a bar mitzvah student whose rabbi cannot adequately answer his theological questions. So Ozzie converts the rabbi to Christianity. Really.
Find out how by reading the 10-page story here or listening to the 40-minute recording by Elliott Gould here.
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
Please note: I need 40 participants in Jewish Culture Academy by Sunday night or I won’t be able to do the project. Right now I have 20. If you’ve been meaning to sign up, please do so today. Individual classes are $8 each, or 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
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
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)
Monday, October 19 Disney’s Jews (Noon EDT)
Thursday, October 22: Jewish Culture Academy: Mel Brooks 101 (Noon EDT) and Funny Women (1 pm EDT)
Monday, October 26 Rodgers & Hammerstein 101 (Noon EDT)
Thursday, October 29: Jewish Culture Academy: Sondheim’s Lyrics (Noon EDT) and Women Photographers (1 pm EDT)