Devices for a Distinctive Jewish Journey To Our Personal Jewish Destinations

The Bernard “Beanie” Siegel
Scholar-in-Residence Program

In an historic program of Torah learning and outreach, Shearith Israel will embark on a one-month Scholar-in-Residence Program featuring the distinguished scholar Noam Sachs Zion, Director of Curriculum Development and Teacher Education at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Noam is an engaging and enlightened teacher who attracts Jews of all ages to nourish their Judaism through a wide range of inspired learning opportunities. In February 2010 Congregation Shearith Israel is privileged to invite you to join Professor Zion as together we explore the joys of creative learning.

This special learning experience will encompass in-depth learning and fun during the week and on Shabbat and weekends. The programs will enable adults, young adults, parents, children, teachers and rabbis to learn from a captivating teacher in a multitude of settings (homes, movie theaters, retirement communities, the JCC and throughout CSI) on a wide variety of topics, including: Tzedakah: Dilemmas of Dignity and Dependence; Jewish Parent-Child Expectations in the Art, Psychology and Politics of the Four Sons; The Art of Moral Criticism in Judaism; Jerusalem: The Politics of Irreconcilable Dreams; Crimes and Misdemeanors Movie Night: David, Batsheva & Woody Allen: The Private Sins of Public Figures -- and many more!

This month-long series is given in beloved memory of a lifelong CSI congregant, Bernard “Beanie” Siegel. Beanie lived every moment of his 43 years, imbuing his wife Jane and their five young children with a passion for the values of learning and social justice that Beanie championed. His son, Andy, learned from Beanie and Jane the politics of inclusion and the timeless value of a solid Jewish education.

This Scholar-In-Residence Program is an important step in realizing the mission and mitzvot of lifelong learning. Andy and Lynne were moved to act and discussed and shared with Rabbi Gershon this vision of bringing a continuing and expansive Jewish learning program to Shearith and beyond. Rabbi Gershon, having recently returned from studying with Noah Zion at the Hartman Institute, had the perfect plan. Inspired by Beanie, the three visionaries came together, and it is our shared good fortune to welcome a major Jewish scholar to CSI and the entire greater Dallas Jewish community for the month of February 2010!