STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Chabad of Staten Island plans to host a series of courses later this month on Judaism’s contributions to the Western world.
Amid a string of anti-Semitic attacks, the Meiers Corners congregation will host the weekly, six-session course titled “Judaism’s Gifts of the World” starting Sunday, Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m. For those unable to attend, a nighttime option will be offered at the Bernikow Jewish Community Center in Sea View starting Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
“At a moment in which we are witnessing a rise in anti-Semitism, it is important to explore what has been the true impact of Jews and Judaism on civilization,” Rabbi Mendy Katzman of Chabad said.
“Understanding Judaism’s historical contribution gives us a deeper appreciation for its continuing relevance and a better understanding of how the moral and ethical institutions we take for granted came into being,” he added.
A series of anti-Semitic incidents in the New York metro area have occurred in recent months with the most deadly coming in early December when members of an extremist sect of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement killed four people, including one police officer, in a Jersey City attack.
Katzman’s congregation suffered its own bout with anti-Semitism in May when multiple anti-Semitic graffiti tags were found on their synagogue and yeshiva. Perpetrators were never apprehended in that incident.
Community leaders along with law enforcement and elected officials have been working to address the issue. More than 10,000 people took part in a march across the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday to protest anti-Semitism and hate.
According to a media release from Katzman, the course being offered is designed by the Brooklyn-based Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, which serves as the educational wing of the larger Chabad-Lubavitch movement — an international branch of Hasidism.
JLI offers programs at more than 800 international locations, according to the release. Rabbi Mordechai Dinerman, the director of curriculum at JLI, edited the course coming to Staten Island.
“It is widely known that Judaism gifted monotheism to the world, but for many, that’s where the Jewish contribution ends,” Dinerman said.
“Even this contribution is often viewed rather narrowly, as a religions contribution, which is only meaningful to those interested in religion. But as this course demonstrates, the universal change effected by the Torah is much broader,” he added.
The course will be offered at a cost of $79 per person, but Katzman said anyone attending the first session will not be turned away due to lack of funds. It is open to the general public, and you do not need to be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.
Those interested should call 718.370.8953 or visitwww.myJLI.com for registration and for other course-related information.
The Sunday courses will be held at Chabad’s West Brighton location, 530 Forest Ave., and the Tuesday sessions will be at the Bernikow JCC, 1466 Manor Rd.
Source: https://www.silive.com/news/2020/01/chabad-of-si-to-host-courses-on-judaisms-gifts-to-the-world.html
