Free for Friends of Streicker
Dr. Saul Kaiserman, RJE (he/him/הוא/هو) is emeritus founding director of lifelong learning at Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York, where he served for fifteen years. He has been honored as a “Visionary Leader in Jewish Life and Learning” and as a “Distinguished Jewish Educator.” He is a lecturer at American Jewish University, an advisor for the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership, and the music director at Tamid: The Downtown Synagogue here in New York City.
Why do the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer? What is the purpose of life and what brings true happiness? Does God actually respond to our prayers? And what does God want from us? Three ancient Jewish books of the Bible — Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes — provide answers to these enduring questions with powerful and resonant wisdom.
Together, we will explore how they guide us spiritually, each book in its own unique way, through times of celebration, challenge and uncertainty. In the process of considering the nature of evil, the value of love and justice and the role of the Jewish community, you will develop tools to read and appreciate biblical poetry.
This course is equally appropriate for those with experience in Bible study and for beginners. No knowledge of Hebrew is required.