Torah Hub Begins in December

After a successful launch last year, Torah Hub will be offered again beginning in December featuring community-wide study led by local rabbis and teachers. A collaboration of the Jewish Federation of the North Shore (JFNS), Chabad of the North Shore, Congregation Shirat Hayam, the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore, and Temples Emanu-El and Sinai, Torah Hub is funded by JFNS through a Community Innovation Grant and a group of generous donors.

This year’s Torah Hub will feature three 3-week mini-courses held on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore in Marblehead.   

On Dec. 1, 8 and 15, Rabbi Aaron Fine of Temple Sinai will teach the Foundations of Hasidism: An Intellectual, Artistic and Experiential Journey through the exploration of core concepts of early Hasidism using text study in chevruta (with a study partner), discussion, and by engaging in art with the guidance of artist Shira Moss. 

On Jan. 12, 19 and 26, Jewish educator, lecturer and writer Layah Kranz Lipsker will teach Judaism and Medical Ethics: Abortion, Infertility, and End of life, which will explore the ways in which Jewish texts offer a framework for thinking about ethical dilemmas posed by recent advances in medicine and technology. 

On Feb. 9, 16 and 23, Rabbi Baruch HaLevi of Congregation Shirat Hayam will teach The Mussar Movement: A Jewish Path to Becoming the Authentic You, which will explore the Mussar Movement, a powerful Jewish system of self-development and improvement.

According to JFNS Director of Adult Education Alanna Cooper, plans are underway to continue Torah Hub into the spring with another mini-course as well as guest speakers and to offer Torah Hub in other parts of the North Shore.

To participate in Torah Hub, registration is required and a donation for enrollment is encouraged. To learn more or to register, go to www.jfns.org/torahhub or contact Alanna Cooper at acooper@jfns.org or 978 224 4096.