Jewish Spirituality For the Non-Jewish Spouse/Partner

Monday November 26, December 3, 10, 17

7:00 pm in Religious School Building

The Feasibility Study Committee has determined a strong need in our congregation and requests from our members to bring an adult education program to the non-Jewish spouses/partners of our members. In these sessions, we will be exploring Jewish ideas of God, responsibility, spirituality, prayer, orientation toward the world and identity. Participation is restricted to the non-Jewish partners/spouses of CBS members in order to allow for open discussion and for dealing with the specific questions that individuals might want to raise. RSVPs to CBS office are required to ensure sufficient materials. Questions about the program can be addressed directly to Rabbi Soltz.

Tentative Outline:

Session 1: What Is Judaism? Is Judaism different? Are Jews different? What does Judaism say about non-Jews? What are the different streams of Judaism and how do those differences reflect different responses to these questions?

Session 2:  What are the significant events of the Jewish year and of the Jewish life cycle? How can a non-Jewish partner/spouse relate to those festival and life cycle events?

Session 3: What is Jewish prayer? What are the major themes of the prayerbook? How do Jews pray? What is the relationship of “reason” to “emotion” in prayer?

Session 4: Wrapping it all up. Personal feelings, impression, questions.