Summer Study

July: Summer holidays are on the horizon; a time to wind down and relax, and – weather permitting – enjoy the big outdoors. But that’s not all. While pupils and students may be getting ready to spring out of their classes and put away their books, the summer is also the time for those who are not engaged in full-time study the rest of the year, to take short courses, to read, to explore new areas of knowledge and skill. I remember, exactly twenty-years ago now, attending a week’s intensive Yiddish course at the City Lit in London during July – which actually turned out to be my first step towards Jewish learning. Interestingly, during that week, I met a woman from the United States , who was also on a journey into her Jewish roots – ten years later, when we met again, we were both rabbis… Which is not to say that all Jewish study summer programmes are likely to lead you astray: For five consecutive weeks beginning on July 12th, I shall be leading a short course entitled, Learn to Chant the Torah, on Shabbat mornings in the usual 10-10.45am adult study slot. Taking students systematically through those strange squiggles and dots that aren’t the vowels, this programme will enable people to identify and sing them, and understand the way in which they help us to read the Torah more fully – taking in all the emphases, stresses and pauses in each verse. The course is open to anyone who can read Hebrew (including slow readers). On July 12th, in addition to launching this new adult study initiative, we shall also be celebrating the Kabbalat Torah Graduation of Daniel. With support from the Kabbalat Torah class and its teacher, Harry, and myself, Daniel will be leading the Shabbat morning service, including giving the sermon. As he becomes Kabbalat Torah, Daniel completes his formal Jewish education as a young person by ‘receiving the Torah’. We send him all our good wishes for his special day – and welcome him as a fully-fledged lay reader of our congregation. Talking of lay readers, on Sunday July 13th, from 11am – 1pm those who participate in leading our High Holy Day services will have an opportunity to find their way round the new liberal prayer book, Machzor Ruach Chadashah, which has just been published. I shall, subsequently, be leading a four week course during the Hebrew month of Elul, commencing Shabbat morning August 30th, from 10-10.45am , so that every one has a chance to get to know the Machzor before the High Holy Days begin in earnest. But that’s a long while off – in the meantime, enjoy July. 

© Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah
July 2003