Adult Education

Thursday, February 7th at 7:30 PM – The topic of this Thursday’s program has been changed to “What Does Judaism Say About…Freedom of Expression Especially if it’s Critical of Jews and Israel?” This amendment is due to a very recent and timely situation which is important to us all. To be discussed is the charge by the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi that Israel and Jews are the Biggest Players in a Culture of Violence! Join Rabbi Julie Schwartz to discuss this topic and Gandhi’s comments.
 
PLEASE HELP! On March 29, 2008, the Temple will hold its Gala Event, “Black Tie and Pearls.” This event is in honor of our 30th anniversary. The planning committee would like to recognize the first thirty babies who were named at Temple Emanu-El, as well as the first thirty Bar or Bat Mitzvah children. Please call Brenda Graiser at 770-396-0006, if you think your child might fit into these categories.
 

Friday, February 8:

• 6:00 PM – Family Shabbat Dinner. During the mealtime, YFI will be holding a social action event to benefit sick and underprivileged children. Nothing to bring! Just come and make a card or help stuff bags for a worthy cause.
• 6:45 PM – Family Shabbat Service featuring 6th Grade Song Leaders.
• 8:00 PM – Shabbat Service – Rabbi Schwartz’s sermon is entitled “?” During services we will celebrate the naming of Evan Rich, son of William and Michele Rich.

 
Shabbat Service....Shabbat Schmooze…
Shabbat is about community. Feel welcome to arrive as early as 7:30pm for snacks and socializing as we prepare for Shabbat Services.
 

Saturday, February 9:

• Chevrah Torah at 9:00 AM. – Exodus 25:1-25:40.  All are welcome.
• Casual Shabbat Service in the Chapel at 10:00 AM.
• Shabbat Service in the Sanctuary at 10:00 AM. During Services we will celebrate the B’not Mitzvah of Rachel Aron & Rachel Vaizer.

 

Sunday, February 10:

• Minyan – 9:15-9:30 AM
• Religious School at 9:15 AM
• Oneg 8th Grade Teen Program- 9:15 AM
• Adult Advanced Hebrew Class – 9:30 AM
• Trop Class – 9:30 AM
• Leadership Training – 9:30 AM
• Family B’nai Mitzvah Class – 9:30 AM
• 2nd Grade Social Action Program – 9:30–10:15 AM
• 3rd Grade  Parent Education Program – 9:30 AM
• 3rd Grade Social Action Program (after family program) – 10:30 AM
• Back to Bible Class – 10:30 AM      
• Adult Advanced Beginners Hebrew Class – 11:15 AM–12:00 PM

A Taste of Judaism

For those curious about Judaism, this FREE, three-session program will be held at congregations throughout Atlanta.  In the North Metro area, classes will be held in both Alpharetta and Roswell beginning the week of February 4th. The sessions will be taught by the host congregations’ Rabbis and is open to those not affiliated with a local synagogue – Jews or non-Jews – all are welcome. If you or someone you know are interested please have them contact Pathways to register at 678-812-4161 or email: tasteofjudaism@pathwaysatlanta.org. “Taste of Judaism” was developed by the Union for Reform Judaism. The program is supported and co-sponsored by the URJ and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. 
 

Jazzercise at Temple Emanu-El

These 1-hour classes are held on Mondays & Wednesdays in the social hall at 9:00am.  RSVP to Nikkia Wright, Certified Jazzercise Instructor, at jazz4nikkia@comcast.net.  Single class sessions are available at $9/session.  Come prepared to have fun!
 

Coming Weeks 

YFI

Sunday, February 17th at 4: 00 PM Come clown around!! Join YFI at the Big Apple Circus for the new show “Celebrate!” at Stone Mountain Park. We have a RINGSIDE SECTION RESERVED BLOCK SEATING!!! $28/pp (children under 3 are free on lap of ticketed adult, one child per lap). If you want more information about the show go to www.bigapplecircus.com, or contact Cara at caraat@aol.com.
 
Next Family Shabbat - Friday, March 7th.
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Tags: Weekly News

The Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi Charges Israel and Jews Are the Biggest Players in a Culture of Violence! What Does Judaism Say…About Freedom of Expression, Especially If it’s Critical of Jews and Israel?

Recently, Arun Gandhi, a grandson of pacifist Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, wrote: "Jewish identity in the past has been locked into the Holocaust experience. . . . It is a very good example of [how] a community can overplay a historic experience to the point that it begins to repulse friends. . . . The world did feel sorry for the episode but when an individual or a nation refuses to forgive and move on the regret turns into anger. . . . The Jewish identity in the future appears bleak. . . . We have created a culture of violence (Israel and the Jews are the biggest players) and that Culture of Violence is eventually going to destroy humanity."

Ghandhi is a panelist on an online site entitled On Faith that is led by Newsweek editor John Meacham and former Washington Post writer Sally Quinn.  (You can see a complete article about this from this past Sunday’s Washington Post)
Needless to say, Ghandhi’s thoughts have raised a storm of protest…and apologies.  Are his words anti-Semtic?  Do they feed into the hands to anti-Semites?  Or, as one Jewish editor suggests, is he simply speaking as would any pacifist?
What do our Torah and Jewish law tell us about freedom of speech?  Our secular law preaches that truth is the ultimate defense against a charge of libel.  Does Jewish law agree?  Is there truth in Ghandi’s claim?  What about a Jew who makes inflammatory statements about another, based on that person’s religion?  How are we told to deal with that?  What qualifies as censorship?

Join Rabbi Julie Schwartz to discuss this topic and the recent Ghandhi comments this Thursday, February 7th, 7:30-9PM, for our continuing series of “What does Judaism say about…?”

Tags: Adult Ed