Chabad of Hunterdon presents evening course debunking myths about Judaism

Posted Wednesday, Nov 2nd, 2011
NJ.com

By Rick Epstein / Hunterdon County Democrat

CLINTON — Chabad of Hunterdon County’s Jewish Learning Institute will present Fascinating Facts: Exploring the Myths and Mysteries of Judaism; the six-session course starts Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Rabbi Eli Kornfeld will conduct the six course sessions at 7:30 p.m. on six consecutive Tuesdays at the Chabad Jewish Center in Clinton.

"Jews have always been called 'The People of the Book.' This course tells the story about some of the most intriguing ideas that are contained in 'The Book.' Every Jew should know the richness of their Jewish heritage," explains the rabbi, “and that is what we hope to accomplish with this entertaining new educational offering.”

Spanning a wide range of intriguing subjects, Fascinating Facts includes sessions on Jewish myth and urban legend, biblical stories and events, Jewish foods, the Hebrew language, life cycle events, and mysteries of the occult. The course will address issues such as the Jewish view on Satan and the evil eye, whether angels have wings, and why pork is considered the quintessential non-kosher food.

“The Fascinating Fact course will deepen the knowledge for the informed Jew while providing an entrée for those with less background” says Carolyn Starman Hessel, director of Jewish Book Council.

Betsy Dolgin Katz, ed.D. author of "The Adult Jewish Education Handbook" and "Reinventing Jewish Learning" recently said, “The course not only conveys Jewish knowledge but also helps students ‘unlearn’ and rethink their Judaism. Through this course students can potentially transform themselves, their families and their community”

Like all JLI programs, Fascinating Facts is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

Interested students may call 908-238-9002 or visit myJLI.com for registration and other course-related information. JLI courses are presented at the Chabad Jewish Center 90 Beaver Ave.

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