Advanced Learning Institute

Mondays, October 20, 27 and November 3
9:30 am PT | 12:30 am ET

Through a synthesis of text material drawn from biblical and Kabbalistic sources, science, modern medicine, Near Death Experiences and the work of Elizabeth Kubler Ross, Rabbi Shere will open our minds and hearts to all that is possible once the soul departs from the body through a Jewish lens.

October 20  | What is the Nature of the Soul? 
October 27  | Angels, the Afterlife and Reincarnation  
November 3  | Mourning Rituals and their Connection to the Soul

Native Detroiter Rabbi Rachel Shere received Rabbinic ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at AJU in 2004. After serving full-time in the pulpit for 16 years, she joined the Detroit-based Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network Team serving families as a spiritual resource and developing the agency’s grief counseling initiatives.

Mondays, November 10,17,24 and December 1
9:30 am PT | 12:30 pm ET

When you think about biblical women, what images and words come to mind? Temptress? Victim? Women subjugated by husbands or fathers? Close textual reading reveals that these stereotypes are incongruous with the actual lived experiences of female characters in TaNaKh. In this course we will gain some new insights into the extraordinary women that populate the pages of our Holy Scriptures.

November 10 | Woman as Temptress: Eve, Jezebel and Delilah
November 17 | Women Warriors: Devorah, Yael and Judith
November 24 | The Oppressed Who Strike Back: Hagar, Tamar and Yiftah's Daughter
December 1 | Agents for Change: Daughters of Zelophehad, Vashti and Esther

After a successful career in film and TV production, second career Rabbi Suzanne Singer served Temple Beth El in Riverside, CA for 15 years. She currently works as adjunct clergy for small congregations, teaches for the Union for Reform Judaism and JCoOC, and is active with mission-driven Jewish non-profits in the US and Israel.