The Charlotte Jewish News - August 2011 - Page 11
Is Bible Study A Jewish Thing?
By Rabbi Chanoch Oppenheim,
Charlotte Torah Center
While giving classes on topics
directly related to the Bible, I have
noticed a hesitancy among Jews to
studying this ancient and popular
text. Ironically, some Jews think
that the Bible is for Christians or
others interested in religion. They
do not realize how much positive
impact its study could have on
their worldview (Weltanschau
ung). I can empathize with these
people because I once felt the
same way; but some words of wis
dom from my father eventually
opened my mind.
I grew up in a fairly typical
non-religious home - we found
ourselves in synagogue for part of
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur,
and not again until the following
year. During my junior year at
Columbia, my father asked what I
would be taking the next semester,
and seemingly out of nowhere, he
suggested a Bible course. “Dad,
why would I do that?” I asked. He
said that he had taken a Bible class
during college just to learn the sto
ries and history that are a part of
literature like any of the Classics.
As a philosophy major with
enough credits for an English
minor, I resonated with his idea.
The great works of literature from
ancient Greece to 19th century
American poetry were familiar to
me, yet I knew virtually nothing
about the most printed and influ
ential book in history other than
having to research Biblical refer
ences, imagery, or illusions when
they appeared in the literature.
This irony made me pause. I
thought, “How odd it is that I am
Jewish, yet my knowledge of the
Bible and therefore of much of
Judaism comes from non-Jewish
sources.” I soon found semester-
long courses on both the Jewish
Bible and the Christian Bible.
These were two of the most fasci
nating courses of my college
career.
Many years later as a Rabbi, I
began to think about all the edu
cated Jews who lack exposure to
our Bible. So I began teaching it in
a way that imparts meaningful les
sons about practical concerns and
challenges such as the following:
What qualities do I want in good
friends? (The answer can be found
in the story of David and
Jonathan). Can I change my mar
riage even if my spouse does not
want to, and can I forgive and be
Plans, Plans, Plans
The summer months find
Havurat Tikvah members plan
ning: planning for High Holidays,
for a new Religious School year,
and for another year of programs
and activities.
High Holiday preparations (our
23rd year!) are well underway. As
is our custom, services will be
lay-led and participatory. Among
the many highlights will be Torah
readings on the first day of Rosh
Hashanah by our post-Bat mitz-
vah students - Meara Waxman,
Lea LeBaron, Margot LeBaron,
and Sydney Feinglass. As always,
out goal for the High Holidays
and throughout the year is to cre
ate an atmosphere that’s welcom
ing, intimate, and inclusive.
The High Holidays will also
find us settling into a new congre
gational home and introducing
some exciting new directions for
our Sunday Religious School. To
learn more, contact us (see below)
or stay tuned for details in the next
edition of the C JN.
We’re also looking forward to
plans for a new year of stimulat
ing programs. Some of the high
lights include return visits from
Rabbi Marc Wilson and Rabbi
(and Sofer) Kevin Hale, as well as
a weekend with poet and UNC
Asheville Professor of Jewish
Studies Rick Chess.
Still, even as we look ahead
(and look forward) to the upcom
ing year, Havurah summer
activites continue:
This summer three of our
Havurah children are planning
and preparing for Bar/Bat
Mitzvah. Ethan Alexander is
studying with Meara Waxman.
Hannah Kobre is being mentored
by Barbara Stoner, and Brooke
Feinglass is working with Hardin
Rubin.
Erev Tisha B’Av services are
scheduled for Monday August 8
and participation in mitzvah activ
ities with the Dilworth Soup
Kitchen (www.facebook.com/
group.php?gid=77134194660)
and with “Project Linus” contin
ues throughout the month.
Contact us for information about
these activities, their times, and
locations.
Havurat Tikvah is an affiliate of
the Jewish Reconstructionist
Federation, providing a comfort
able, family atmosphere where all
Jews can feel welcome. Our
Sunday School, with its opportu
nities for B’nai Mitzvah prepara
tion, is open to Havurat Tikvah
member families. We invite you to
visit, get to know us, and become
part of our growing congregation
of nearly 60 households.
For an updated calendar or to
find out more about Havurat
Tikvah, specific event locations,
worship services, Sunday School
program, and community activi
ties - please visit our website at
www.havurattikvah.org or contact
new member chair, Brian
Feinglass, at bcfeinl@gmail.com
oral 1-877-203-5848. ^
Jewish
Reconstructionist
Federation
forgiven? (Samson). Why do I
procrastinate? (Jonah). What are
the criteria for making difficult
decisions? (Sara and Hagar). How
can I deal with disability? (Moses
and Aaron). Does life have mean
ing? (“the fugitive,” Book of
Numbers 35:22) Dealing with
life’s vicissitudes (Job). Can I
overcome fear? (Isaac, Esther).
The Bible covers all these topics
and much more.
Another benefit of Bible study
is to gain Jewish literacy.
Employers, employees, friends,
and even strangers sometimes ask
Jews about Judaism, and many
people can not always answer
even the most basic questions.
Which of the following questions
can you answer correctly?
(1) Who was Jesus’s mother?
Who was Moses’ mother?
(2) Who wrote Romeo and
Juliet and what is it about? Who
wrote Ecclesiastes and what is it
about?
(3) How many letters are in the
alphabet? How many are in the
alef beit (Hebrew alphabet)?
(4) What is the difference
between major league and minor
league teams? Name one of each.
What is the difference between
major prophets and minor
prophets? Name one of each.
(5) Who was the President of
the Confederacy? Who was the
leader of the secession of the
Northern Kingdom from the
Southern Kingdom?
We spend so many years
becoming educated in college and
graduate school, but we do not
have the opportunity to get a
Jewish education.
Gaining practical life lessons
and becoming a literate Jew are
great reasons for learning the
Bible. Meet us at any of three
weekly sessions to study the most
influential book in the history of
humanity (call or see our website
for details: 704-367-1225 or char-
lottetorahcenter.com). Newcomers
welcome. If you do not see a ses
sion that fits your schedule, create
a new class at a time and location
that is convenient for you—^we are
happy to accommodate. For more
information, visit our website at
WWW. charlottetorahcenter. com.
Our nation has a precious treas
ure; it is a tragedy not to access
it. ^
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