Beginning the final week of its summer study program, the JMS will feature two guest lecturers this Sunday, August 15th – Hay Elul.
JMS (Journey of Mind and Soul – the Institute of Advanced Judaic Study for Women) has been offering two evenings a week of regular classes and Sunday guest events for most of this summer. This past week opened with a two-part lecture by Rabbi Eli Silberstein, who led the class through several difficult portions of Gemara and Rambam and then to the Rebbe’s chassidic insight, demonstrating how the latter illuminates and complements these texts and reveals the unity of all aspects of G-d’s Torah. Rabbi Chaim Miller concluded a five-part course on the “History of Jewish Thought,” comparing, contrasting and ultimately tying together the contributions of Chakira, Kabbala and Chassidus to our theology. Rabbi Yossi Paltiel presented insight into the personal relevance of Tefillah, Rabbi Yisroel Fried discussed the application of halachic principles to contemporary scientific issues, and Mrs. Bronya Shaffer’s Taharas Hamishpacha course continues to cover important Halachos and insights into marriage and femininity in a thorough and refreshing manner.
Week 6 at the JMS will feature additional classes on the above topics, beginning with two unique classes on Sunday: “Quantum Physics and Creation” with Dr. Alex Poltorak and “Prayer and the New Year: Re-opening Haftoras Chana” with Mrs. Malka Touger.
Quantum physics introduces radically new perspectives to science’s accepted world order. A theoretical physicists, Dr. Poltorak applies the framework of quantum physics to Torah and Jewish Thought. He has presented papers on the age of the universe and the nature of time at the bi-annual Torah and Science Conference, which were subsequently published in the B’Or HaTorah journal, in addition to authoring an e-book and several articles on chabad.org. This Sunday, Dr. Poltorak will be presenting a fascinating overview of the principles of quantum mechanics, and demonstrating how these principles can constitute a new framework for understanding the creation of the world and the age of the universe.
Mrs. Malka Touger is a world renowned author, lecturer and educator whose contributions span a wide range of areas within Jewish education. She has produced several popular educational videos for children, is sought-after for her expertise on Taharas Hamishpacha and the Jewish home, and has taught young women in seminaries and study programs throughout the United States and Israel. Among these and other things, Mrs. Touger is known for her unique approach to teaching Tanach, the foundational text of Yiddishkeit.
As “the people of the book,” Jews have the privilege and obligation to turn our attention to the infinite wisdom contained in the words and narratives in Tanach. In this class, Mrs. Touger will focus on the text that deals with Chana and her famous prayer for a son – read as the Haftorah on Rosh Hashana – utilizing a fresh approach to glean new and powerful insight.
Dr. Poltorak’s lecture will take place from 6:30 to 7:40 pm, with Mrs. Touger’s class following from 7:50 to 9:00 pm. Admission is $13 per class and free for registered students. For more information about the JMS, see www.journeyofmindandsoul.wordpress.com.
shes my aunt!! go aunt!! your great!!