Torah Study: Modern Jewish Thought

Rabbi David Segal • Aspen Jewish Congregation
rabbi@aspenjewish.org • 970-925-8245 x.1

Modern Jewish Thought

Thursdays* 1:30-3:00, January 10-April 18, 2013

@ Aspen Chapel, Basalt Library Community Room, and Online

In this 14-week course, we'll be introduced to the most influential philosophies of Judaism of the modern period. No prior knowledge of philosophy or theology necessary -- just curiosity and an openness to be challenged and challenge others! 

Registration: $54 covers the main textbook, additional handouts, and refreshments.
To register, call 970-925-8245 x.1 or email rabbi@aspenjewish.org.
ONLINE participation:
https://www.webex.com/login/attend-a-meeting, enter meeting # 192 543 805. Please email or call for the meeting password.

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Session Topics and Readings 

*sessions are at Aspen Chapel unless otherwise indicated*

1. JANUARY 10. Introduction: The Problem of “Jewish Theology”
1. Choices, Preface and Part I Ch 1 (pp. 3-25)
2. Choices, Appendix (351-353)
   
   
2. Systematic Theologies: The Rationalistic Models
1. JANUARY 17. Hermann Cohen’s Neo-Kantianism
1. Choices, Part II Ch 2 (29-51)
2. JANUARY 31. Leo Baeck’s Religious Consciousness
1. Choices, Part II Ch 3 (53-73)
3. FEBRUARY 7. Nationalism & Zionism
1. Choices, Part II Ch 4 (75-97)
4. FEBRUARY 14. Mordecai Kaplan’s Naturalism - @ BASALT LIBRARY
1. Choices, Part II Ch 5 (99- 121)
   
   
3. Systematic Theologies: The Nonrationalistic Models
1. FEBRUARY 21. Franz Rosenzweig & Martin Buber's Existentialism
1. Choices, Part III Ch 6 (125-142)
2. Choices, Part III Ch 7 (143-165)
2. FEBRUARY 28. AJ Heschel’s Neo-Traditionalism - @ BASALT LIBRARY
1. Choices, Part III Ch 8 (167-184)
   
   
4. Contemporary Theologies
1. MARCH 7. Post-Holocaust Theology
1. Choices, Part IV Ch 9 (187-220)
2. MONDAY MARCH 11. Soloveitchik’s Modern Orthodoxy
1. Choices, Part IV Ch 10 (221-248)
3. MARCH 21. Jewish Mysticism
1. Choices, Part IV Ch 11 (249-280)
4. APRIL 4. Borowitz’s Postmodern Judaism
1. Choices, Part V Ch 12 (283-312)
5. MONDAY APRIL 8. Jewish Feminist Theology
1. Choices, Part V Ch 13 (313-340)
   
   
5. APRIL 18. Conclusions and Visions
1. Choices, Part V Ch 14 (341-350)

Note: syllabus subject to change!
*No class March 14 - will meet Monday March 11 instead
No class MaRch 28 (during Pesach)
No class April 11 - will meet Monday April 8 instead

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Readings

Required

• Choices in Modern Jewish Thought, Eugene Borowitz ($25)
  http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Modern-Jewish-Thought-Partisan/dp/0874415810 OR http://behrman.powerwebbook.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=6043
  Note: this will be ordered for you when you register for the class
• Excerpts of major works, to be provided

Suggested for Further Study

• A Touch of the Sacred, Eugene Borowitz ($17 paperback, $22 hardcover)
  http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-416-0 
  OR http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Sacred-Theologians-Informal-Jewish/dp/1580233376 
• Contemporary Jewish Theology: A Reader, ed. Elliott Dorff (~$75)
  http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Jewish-Theology-Elliot-Dorff/dp/0195114671