U3A Waverley & U3A Deepdene 2025: Judaism & Jewish Life

Tutor Dina Burgess - 2022 U3A Network Tutor Recognition Award Recipient.

U3A 2025: Jewish Scriptures and Writings

This is a thematic study of the Tanach (Hebrew Bible). Beginning with the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy), but not necessarily in that order, we will deepen our understanding of selected chapters and verses, using texts from the other two sections of the Tanach, namely the Prophets (e.g. Ezekiel, Isaiah, Second Isaiah, and Jeremiah) and the Writings (e.g. Psalms, Job, and Ecclesiastes), focusing on concepts and themes, ancient and modern, relating to Jewish ethics and societal wellbeing. Topics will include, amongst others: free will and God’s role in history; idolatry and the problem of evil; war and peace; affluence and human hubris; gratitude and the sin of joylessness; and stewardship of God’s gifts. Discussions will reference writings of rabbis and Jewish sages from the Talmud (e.g. Rabbis Hillel and Shammai), through medieval times (e.g. Ibn Ezra and Moses Maimonides), to the current era (e.g. Martin Buber, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, and selected Australian rabbis).

Most sessions will begin with a segment called “Israel matters”, with updates about events in Israel and the Jewish world. Jewish religious festivals will also be highlighted as they occur during the year.

The course is for non-Jewish people, and will suit both new and returning participants. In keeping with Jewish tradition, questions and discussion are welcome, the only requirement being mutual respect. This is a year-long course, conducted on Zoom, weekly on Wednesdays, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, through U3A Waverley.

Members of other U3As are welcome to enroll as Distance Members, without charge. To enroll contact u3awaverley@u3awaverley.org.au

Term dates: 5 Feb to 26 March; 30 April to 18 June; 23 July to10 Sept; 15 Oct. to 3 Dec.

Tutor: Dina Burgess

Dina has taught Judaism courses at U3A Waverley, Deepdene, and Knox for over 9 years. Formerly a member of a Progressive Synagogue, she later joined an Orthodox Jewish congregation. In her courses, she seeks to convey elements of both traditions.