Previous Classes Taught by Rabbi Levin

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Beth El Class Takes a
Magnifying Glass to the Siddur

Beth El’s Rabbi Mordechai Levin says the Siddur is “the most important book that Jews read regularly, and yet it is little understood by American Jews.” Wanting to give the community the opportunity to discover the significance of the text, Rabbi Levin has chosen to explore its passages during his year-long class, "Getting More out of Prayer: Insights into the Siddur." The class meets every Thursday at noon; the entire community is invited to join in the conversation.

In addition to examining individual prayers, the rabbi and his class tackle such questions as ‘What is prayer?’ ‘What are the reasons for praying – or not praying?’ ‘Does God answer our prayers?’ and ‘How can fixed liturgy meet individuals’ needs?’

So far, the class (which convened in October) has reviewed three important ideas in Jewish theology: creation, revelation and redemption, and has discussed the Shema and its blessings, “the central and most ancient party of Jewish liturgy,” Rabbi Levin said. “We talked about why the Shema is so important, the difference it makes in believing in one God, and if there are rewards and punishments for obeying or disobeying God’s commandments.”

The class has proven to be both stimulating and thought-provoking, and the rabbi noted his ongoing enjoyment of the group’s lively discussions. “The 30 class members discuss, analyze and contribute their insights. There are always interesting and wise perspectives, offered by those attending, and we have fun, too.

For several attendees, the in-depth study has created a new-found relationship with the Siddur.

“I feel more connected to the prayers in the Siddur and more connected to myself in a way by having a better understanding of the prayers and what the meaning and background of the prayers are,” said Beth Staenberg. “It has enlivened my time when I am at the synagogue - the prayers have a deeper meaning to me and make more sense in many ways, even though I have been familiar with them for so long - I feel a greater depth of understanding now.”

Staenberg, who also attended Rabbi Levin’s Thursday class last year, commended her teacher, saying “he brings new thoughts and perspectives to the information - many of which I had not previously considered or thought about. His classes are really very accessible to people and he is a very clear presenter.”

She added that, “I like to expand my understanding of being Jewish - there is so much to learn and appreciate and have different levels of understanding. I think that adult education is so helpful in my own growth - learning should not end with a bar or bat mitzvah!”

Fellow classmate Harold Kosowsky said that following a recommendation from friends Harold and Phyllis Zabin, he decided to give Rabbi Levin’s class a try. “So even though I am not a believer in God or prayer, I decided to attend in the hope that I would discover new insights into my heritage,” he said.

“Rabbi Levin is now teaching me what I should have learned sixty years ago,” Kosowsky continued. “The class has revealed to me the structure of the prayer book, something to which I have never given any thought. I especially enjoy the discussions about what the prayers mean and why certain passages have prevailed over the years and continue to be recited by the Jewish people.

“I thank the Rabbi for his careful, thorough preparation for each class,” he noted, adding that he appreciates Rabbi Levin’s acknowledgment that each prayer may mean something different to each student. “He continually informs everyone that there are no correct answers, and that every viewpoint is valid.”

Discovering the Talmud:
Lessons for Everyday Living

Rabbi Levin's always-popular Thursday class will resume on November 3 at noon, and we look forward to seeing everyone there — regulars and newcomers alike!

This year's class, titled Discovering the Talmud: Lessons for Everyday Living, will explore the importance of this essential rabbinic work, and will offer historical background, as well as a road map through its many features.

If the Bible is the cornerstone of Judaism, then the Talmud is the central pillar, Rabbi Levin said. In many ways the Talmud is the most important book in Jewish civilization. No other book has had a comparable influence on the theory and practice of Jewish life, shaping spiritual content and serving as a guide to conduct.

"The Talmud offers profound insights, lively debates and challenging perspectives for everyday living," he continued. "We will learn about some of the most important people and ideas of the Talmud; we will also discuss selected texts and see how they apply to our lives today."

People and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible
To be Examined During Beth El Class

On October 14, Rabbi Mordechai Levin’s popular Thursday class will begin its third year at noon at Beth El Synagogue, with the theme "The Most Important People and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible." Previous classes, which revolved around the "Introduction to Judaism" and "Jewish Wisdom for the 21^st Century," drew around 50 people each week.

This year, the rabbi will focus on what the Bible says about topics such as love, justice, honesty and peace, as well as many others. In addition, he will spend time discussing the great personalities in the Bible, examining their lives, their message and their significance in contemporary life.

The influence of laws and narratives contained in the Bible has reverberated for centuries, Rabbi Levin said, noting, "These commandments provide priceless guidelines which serve as a compass not only for individual morality, but for the morality of society as a whole." The narratives, he added, are universal in nature and paint pictures of the human condition; for example, the story of Cain and Abel tells of the tragic consequence of sibling rivalry and family disharmony; Abraham's confrontation with God to save the lives of the people of Sodom depicts the difficult spiritual struggle between man and God.

The Bible's stories of love, deceit, and the human condition are timeless, as are its most important people, events, laws and ideas, Rabbi Levin said. Through this course, he said he hopes to "lead attendees through a fascinating, entertaining and enlightening journey through the most influential book in human history."

Rabbi Levin to Offer Class for Adults
In Preparation for High Holidays

Sundays, September 5 and 12, 10am - Noon

Repairing the world and bettering ourselves as human beings will be the focus of a two part High Holidays class presented by Rabbi Levin on Sunday, September 5 and September 12, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The entire community is invited to attend "Preparing Ourselves for the High Holidays: Bringing Deeper Meaning to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur," which will center on ways the Mahzor addresses tikkun olam, performing public acts to repair the world; and tikkun middot, the personal and private process of internal mending.

"Tikkun middot and tikkun olam are mutually dependent and both are necessary," Rabbi Levin said. "We will examine the relationship between them, and how the High Holidays challenge us to overcome or compensate for them."

As we approach our Holy Days, this class will prove to be both meaningful and thought-provoking. Please save these dates and plan to attend.

Rabbi Levin's Class

Thursdays at Noon with Rabbi Levin in the Sanctuary

Rabbi Levin's class covering Jewish Wisdom for the 21^st Century may have outgrown its original room, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for you!

The class, which meets at noon on Thursdays, now gathers in a pod in the sanctuary.

This course shows how the wisdom of the past — found in classical texts that form Jewish religious tradition — can address the moral perplexities of the present.

Rabbi Mordechai Levin recognizes that students of all ages learn best in an atmosphere that’s non-threatening, comfortable and even fun. He brings this understanding to bear every Thursday at noon, when he presides over packed classrooms in his classes for Omaha’s Jewish adults.

The one-hour sessions took off last year as an "Introduction to Judaism," and 33 regular participants received certificates of achievement. This year, even larger numbers of adults gather weekly to explore a variety of topics under the broad framework of "Jewish Wisdom for the 21^st Century." At each class, Levin presents source material as a basis for learning; opens the room to discussion and questions; and offers his own combination of knowledge, insight, and humor.

For example, looking at the Ethics of Speech in several inter-related sessions this fall led to such concerns as How to Argue and Criticize Ethically. Discussion turned to tact, kindness, and "little untruths."

Thus, the sessions carried out Levin’s aim of offering guidelines for living today based on Judaism’s traditional teachings of yesterday. The results are powerful, as proven by the enthusiasm of one student after another.

Ann Goldstein, for example, said, "There’s always something that we learn. And there’s so much camaraderie that we feel we’re learning together," and Carol Schneider, who attends every week, added, "It’s just like a family. We have all become very connected," Marcel Kahn, paying tribute to Rabbi Levin’s teaching methods, said, "He does such a good job in making things known, and explaining things, that it’s a pleasure to be here."

David Cooper echoed, "He presents things in such an interesting even entertaining way. He communicates very well with us." The attraction for Harding and Rovia Collis is the "informal, enjoyable learning experience," and, for Ann Belmont, it’s the chance to learn "things that I never knew before."

At the conclusion of each session, many students stay for an optional lunch to continue the camaraderie and the lively discussion. Indeed, for many, Rabbi Levin’s "Jewish Wisdom" has become a highlight of their week.