Syllabus/Syllabi Period 2 on Sunday in Newton Center Instructor: Ari Lev Fornari | |
| A People of the Book: a Survey of Jewish Literature | |
| Modified by: | Ari Lev Fornari |
| Body: | Course Description:
As “A People of The Book”, Jews have been writing and treasuring works of literature for thousands of years. In this class, we’ll read about the dangers of dimples and what to do when your mother starts belly dancing, about an ascent into heaven and a chilling game of life and death. We’ll recite poetry, read a play, and debate about Mark Twain’s observations on the Jews of his time. There’s something for everyone in this course as we explore the relationship between our Jewish identities and the books, poems and texts that have been passed down from generation to generation. Throughout the semester we will return to the these three guiding questions: > How is Judaism reflected through literature? > How does Jewish literature reflect the culture around it? > How is my/our Jewish identity shaped by Jewish literature? Course Structure: The course is structured around three units: • Unit 1: The Old World and the New World: Conflicting Perspectives. We will begin by exploring the themes of conflicting world-views in Jewish thought and life. These texts will flow from an “insider’s” perspective (Jews writing about Jews) to an “outsider’s” perspective (non-Jews writing about Jews). • Unit 2: Culture, Language and Peoplehood. This unit looks at cultural aspects of Jewish identity. In it, we will read texts that discuss particular elements of Jewish life (especially language, food and self-identity). • Unit 3: Relationship to God. These texts range from the biblical period through the modern day. Each text involves some sort of test of faith, and together we will discover their relevance to our personal experiences. Course Expectations: Your grade will be determined by the following: • Weekly in-class participation in discussions and classroom activities – 70% of grade. • Short project (responsive writing/reflection) – 10% of grade. • Final project (creative writing OR analytical book report) – 20% of grade. Students are responsible for all class material, including handouts, homework assignments and class discussions and presentations. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to contact me by email or phone to receive any materials that you missed. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions – I look forward to a great semester with you! Class Topics Class #1: Jan 24 What is Jewish Literature: An Introduction to the Course and to Each Other Yitro and Merle Feld Poem Class #2: Jan 31: Intro to Yiddish Read: Why the Geese Shrieked Mystical v. rational Class #3: Feb 7 Read: Dan Cohen Class #4: Feb 21 Purim Narratives Class #5: March 7 Read: Food of Love How different cultures are expressed through writing, Sephard v. Ashkenaz, immigrants Class #6: March 14 Read: The Key Game The Nazi Holocaust reflected through writing Class #7: March 21 Passover Narratives Class #8: April 11 Read: The Red Tent, The Story of Dinah Contemporary Feminism through Jewish narrative Class #9: April 24 Jewish Poetry about God Class #10: May 2 In class creative writing assignment Class #11: May 9 In class creative writing assignment Class #12: May 16 In class Presentations Class #13: May 23 Closing Reflections, Evaluations, and Celebration |
| Syllabus Modified: | 2010-01-27 15:16:22 |
Syllabus/Syllabi Period 3 on Sunday in Newton Center Instructor: Ari Lev Fornari | |
| TELEM: Generations in Action | |
| Modified by: | Ari Lev Fornari |
| Body: | Course Description:
This course looks at issues of aging, ageism and elder care. Through hands on experiential education, students will form meaningful relationships with older adults. These intergenerational relationships will be a vehicle for reflecting on our Jewish identities, the Jewish calendar and social justice issues. Course Expectations: Your grade will be determined by the following: • Weekly in-class participation in discussions and classroom activities – 100% of grade. Students are responsible for all class material, including handouts, homework assignments and class discussions and presentations. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to contact me by email or phone to receive any materials that you missed. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions – I look forward to a great semester with you! Class Topics Class #1: Jan 24th Intro to social justice and ageism , Stereotypes about Old/Young Adults Class #2: Jan 31 Coleman House: Bingo, Tu B’Shevat text study Class #3: Feb 7 Aging and the Body simulations Class #4: Feb 21 Coleman House: Purim texts & making masks Class #5: March 7 Coleman House: Text Study TBD Class #6: March 14 Nickle and Dimed Class #7: March 21 Coleman House: Passover texts Class #8: April 11 Coleman House: The Omer text study Class #9: April 25 Nickle and Dimed Class #10: May 2 Coleman House: Class #11: May 9 Nickle and Dimed Class #12: May 16 Nickle and Dimed Class #13: May 23 Coleman House: Closing Reflections and celebration… |
| Syllabus Modified: | 2010-01-27 15:18:10 |
Syllabus/Syllabi Period 4 on Sunday in Newton Center Instructor: Ari Lev Fornari | |
| TELEM: Hunger and Homelessness | |
| Modified by: | Ari Lev Fornari |
| Body: | Course Description:
This course will explore a Jewish perspective on systemic issues of poverty, class privilege and economic injustice. Twice a month students will connect with formerly homeless adults about important social justice issues. These relationships will serve as a vehicle to understanding the life experiences of those struggling with hunger and homelessness. Course Expectations: Your grade will be determined by the following: • Weekly in-class participation in discussions and classroom activities – 100% of grade. • Students are responsible for all class material, including handouts, homework assignments and class discussions and presentations. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to contact me by email or phone to receive any materials that you missed. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions – I look forward to a great semester with you! Class Topics Class #1: Jan 24 Intro to Jewish Social Justice: 1-1’s on family history w/ social justice work Class #2: Jan 31 Jewish perspectives on poverty Introducing Nickel and Dimed Class #3: Feb 7 TBD Class #4: Feb 21 Site Visit Class #5: March 7 Nickel and Dimed Class #6: March 14 Site Visit Class #7: March 21 Passover and Collective Liberation Theology Class #8: April 11 Site Visit Class #9: April 24 Nickel and Dimed Class #10: May 2 Site Visit Class #11: May 9 Intro to Organizing: Daughters of Zelophechad Class #12: May 16 Nickel and Dimed Class #13: May 23 Closing Reflections, Evaluations, and Celebration |
| Syllabus Modified: | 2010-01-27 15:18:59 |
Syllabus/Syllabi Period 1 on Sunday in Newton Center Instructor: Ari Lev Fornari | |
| The Torah of Gossip Girl, spring 2010 | |
| Modified by: | Ari Lev Fornari |
| Body: | Course Description:
This class will explore gossip as part of the human experience through Jewish texts, video clips, and personal practice. Some of the questions we will address include: What does Judaism have to say about gossip? What are some of the different kinds of gossip? Why do we gossip? What are the positive/negative effects of Gossip? Students we will be required to try on different practices and keep a weekly gossip journal. Course Expectations: Your grade will be determined by the following: • Weekly in-class participation in discussions and classroom activities – 70% of grade. • Gossip Journal (responsive writing/reflection) – 30% of grade. Students are responsible for all class material, including handouts, homework assignments and class discussions and presentations. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to contact me by email or phone to receive any materials that you missed. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions – I look forward to a great semester with you! Class Topics Class #1: Jan 24th Check-in, pronoun, goals Excerpt from season 1 Text study: The nature of gossip (excerpts from sefer haagadah) Class #2: Jan 31 Defining gossip Rambam on damaging words Class #3: Feb 7 Gossip Sermon Elohai Netzor: personal contract, gossip journal Class #4: Feb 21 Intro to Chofetz Chaim Principles of Gossip, set up accountability system, explore #1, take on practice for the coming week Class #5: March 7 Reflect on Principle #1, explore Principle #2, take on practice for the coming week Class #6: March 14 Reflect on Principle #2, explore Principle #3, take on practice for the coming week Class #7: March 21 Reflect on Principle #3, explore Principle #4, take on practice for the coming week Class #8: April 11 Reflect on Principle #4, explore Principle #5, take on practice for the coming week Class #9: April 24 Reflect on Principle #5, explore Principle #6, take on practice for the coming week Class #10: May 2 Reflect on Principle #6, explore Principle #7, take on practice for the coming week Class #11: May 9 Reflect on Principle #7, explore Principle #8, take on practice for the coming week Class #12: May 16 Reflect on Principle #8, explore Principle #9, take on practice for the coming week Class #13: May 23 Closing Reflections, Evaluations, and Celebration |
| Syllabus Modified: | 2010-01-27 15:15:16 |