Never stop learning.
PJCC is excited to bring Melton to the North Peninsula. Our first year of rich, text-based course offerings included: “Press Pause” (Shabbat and mindfulness in Jewish tradition), “Members of the Tribe” (textual foundations of Jewish peoplehood), and “Biblical Women in Midrash.”
We are pleased to offer a discount for affiliated members of our San Mateo County synagogues (PTBE, CBJ, PSC, PTS), Wornick Jewish Day school, and PJCC. Please contact Rebecca at jewishlife@pjcc.org to receive your Promo Codes before registering on the Melton website.
Upcoming Class:
Understanding Zionism: The Return to the Jewish Homeland
Summary:
The story of Zionism is remarkable and without parallel. It is a story of a people exiled from their homeland, a people that despite having suffered from prejudice and oppression for 2,000 years, maintained a strong identity, never losing faith with the dream of an eventual return home. This course examines how these ancient dreams took on new religious, cultural, national, and political dimensions that actualized into the Zionist Enterprise–culminating in the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The story continues with questions around the meaning of Zionism today, its relationship with the Jewish people in the Diaspora, and some of the contemporary challenges it faces – most notably, the intense criticism of Zionism and the State of Israel, particularly in the aftermath of October 7, 2023 – inviting a deeper reflection on the values, resilience, and relevance of Zionism in the modern era.
With the current pervasive misrepresentation of Zionism seen today, this course presents a nuanced multi-faceted perspective based on primary sources, firsthand accounts, and official documents.
Join us to deepen your understanding of how and why the State of Israel came into being, and its significance for you personally and for the Jewish people as a whole.
Thanks to a generous subsidy through the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, this course is offered for $50 per learner.
Dates:
Mondays: May 5, 12, 19, and June 9, 16, 23
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Register here
Meet the Instructors:
Dr. Eva Gurevich
Dr. Eva Gurevich earned her doctorate from Brandeis University, and her areas of expertise are Israel studies, modern Jewish history, and Hebrew literature.
Rabbi Dr. Greg Marcus
Rabbi Dr. Greg Marcus had successful careers as a scientist, marketer, and stay-at-home dad before his rabbinic ordination in 2024. Rabbi Greg studied the history of antisemitism for a full year, which keeps him centered during the current environment. He is also an author and expert on Mussar, or Jewish interpersonal ethics, in our contemporary American environment, and recently completed the “Wounds into Wisdom: Healing Intergenerational Jewish Trauma” course through the Institute of Jewish Spirituality.
Since its founding in the 1980’s, the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning has engaged adult learners in a life-enhancing study of Jewish texts and ideas that nurtures and deepens Jewish community worldwide. With open dialogue and multiple perspectives (both in the texts and in the room), you’ll join a conversation where Jewish texts and ideas become accessible and relevant. Become part of a worldwide movement of committed learners who are empowered to enrich Jewish life—every voice is significant!
Accessibility | Lo B’Shamayim Hee
Torah wisdom should be accessible to all. We welcome people of all backgrounds into meaningful Jewish learning.
Open-mindedness | Lilmod U’Lelamed
We can learn from one another and from ideas different than our own. We encourage a stance of curiosity and willingness to have our thinking challenged.
Integrity | Emet
We are committed to intellectual honesty. Through exposure to the breadth of Jewish perspectives, our learners are empowered to make informed decisions about their own Jewish beliefs.
Community | Havurah
Learning is not just about the individual but about fostering deeper connections between people that leads to stronger communities.
Innovation | Hiddush
We are constantly seeking new ways to fulfill our mission, renewing and refreshing our ideas and practices.
