Tutor Dina Burgess – U3A Network Tutor Recognition Award Recipient, 2022
U3A 2025: Jewish Scriptures and Writings
This year we will study selected verses from the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy) to try to understand concepts that underpin Jewish ethics and continue to be of great importance to societal wellbeing today. Topics will include: 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 the Hebrew Prophets, the Psalms, the books of Job and Ecclesiastes, plus the writings of sages and rabbis from the Talmud (e.g. Hillel and Shammai), through medieval times (e.g. Ibn Ezra and Moses Maimonides), to the modern era (e.g. Martin Buber, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks) and current Israeli and Australian thinkers.
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.