U3A Waverley & U3A Deepdene 2024: Judaism & Jewish Life
Tutor Dina Burgess - 2022 U3A Network Tutor Recognition Award Recipient.
What does it mean to be Jewish? To answer this question, at least in part, we will look at Jewish beliefs, ethics, and practices, and at Jewish families and communities, using texts from the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the Tanach (the Hebrew Bible), and post-Biblical rabbinic commentary over the last two thousand years, up to the present. Topics will include ethical monotheism, B’tselem Elohim (made in God’s Image), good and evil, free will, the soul and Olam Habah (the world to come), and the Messiah/Messianic age. In second semester, we will focus on Israel’s history from ancient to modern times, on antisemitism and its mutations, and on Jewish/Israeli contributions to humanity. Jewish religious festivals will be highlighted as they occur during the year. The course is for non-Jewish people, and is designed to suit both new and returning participants. In keeping with Jewish tradition, questions and respectful discussion will be encouraged.
The course is conducted on Zoom, from 10.30 am to 12.15 pm on Wednesdays through U3A Waverley. The course is also offered on Zoom, from 10.30 am to 12.15 pm on Thursdays through U3A Deepdene.
Members of other U3As are welcome to enroll as Distance Members, without charge. To enroll at U3A Waverley, contact u3awaverley@u3awaverley.org.au or at U3A Deepdene, contact info@u3adeepdene.org.au
Dates for U3A Waverley: 7 Feb to 20 March; 24 April to 19 June; 24 July to 11 Sept; 16 Oct to 4 Dec.
Dates for U3A Deepdene: 8 Feb to 21 March; 25 April to 20 June; 25 July to 12 Sept; 17 Oct to 5 Dec.
https://www.u3adeepdene.org.au/
Dina Burgess has taught Judaism courses for U3A Waverley, Deepdene, and Knox for 8 years. (She also conducted a U3A choir for 20 years and convened a Poetry group for 4 years). Dina has been a member of a Progressive Synagogue for most of her life, and in recent years, became a member of an Orthodox Synagogue. She seeks to convey both Jewish perspectives to her classes.