By: Michael Arges
A foundation in Jewish learning for a deeper spiritual pilgrimage is available through two programs sponsored by East Windsor’s Shalom Heritage Center.
A five day Hebrew Reading Crash Course will be offered at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday in November (1, 8, 15, 22 and 29) at the West Windsor Public Library.
"Partners in Torah" is a program of one-on-one study sessions, beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31 at Shalom Torah Academy on Abbington Drive. The study partnerships allow participants to explore particular aspects of Jewish heritage that interest them. Both programs are free of charge and open to participants regardless of synagogue membership.
"The Hebrew Crash Course is an opportunity to learn Hebrew reading in five simple hour-and-a-half lessons – and the lessons are free of charge," Malka L. Josephs said in a center press release. Local synagogue participants find that the service is much more meaningful if they know the language.
The program is in conjunction with the November "Read Hebrew America" month sponsored by the non-denominational National Jewish Outreach Program.
"It’s run on a national level, in cities all across America, and they pay for advertising, and we pick it up on a local level," center Rabbi Yisroel Nadoff said.
There is a growing rate of Jewish assimilation such that at least 80 percent of all North American Jews do not know how to read Hebrew, Ms. Josephs reported.
The "Partners in Torah" program pairs up participants with a knowledgeable study partner to explore any area of Jewish thought or tradition at any level of depth – from the most elementary to the most advanced.
"People come in and out. Since it’s on an individual basis, once they’re paired up with somebody they work it on their own," Rabbi Nadoff said. "There are some partners who’ve been studying together for five or six years. It went from just studying in a class to friendship."
There is no telling how much such a study partnership might accomplish. Rabbi Nadoff recalled his own "Partners In Torah" relationship in Lakewood that resulted in the publication of a book on the laws of the Jewish holidays. He was paired with a journalism professor at Brooklyn College who had been a longtime news writer for CBS.
"Here we were, people from two totally different backgrounds with two totally different educations. We put it together and it turned into a book!" Rabbi Nadoff said.
"Partners in Torah" participants can join a class with Rabbi Nadoff until they get paired up with a study partner.
Other Shalom Heritage Center programs include home study groups, Shabbat services and retreats. "Take what you want; leave what you want," Rabbi Nadoff said. For information call him at (609) 443-7170.
