Class meets Tuesdays, February 1, 8, 15, 2022 10:00 am-11:00 am on Zoom.

Join Rabbi Nevarez as he offers rich history and text to help us better understand the concept of wrestling within our tradition. Each session will offer a specific focus around our 3 pillars: God, Torah, and Israel. Session descriptions can be found below…

Session 1: Wrestling with…. God (Feb. 1)

For some of us, God may be like a critical parent or an exacting Divine Judge. For others, God could be a caring friend who fixes problems after we create them. In this session, we will examine different images and understandings of God, and reclaim our own power by tapping into the wellspring of holiness from within.

Session 2: Wrestling with…. TORAH (Feb. 8)

Incivility, culture wars, and tribalism are dominant in our world right now, amplified by a troubling divisiveness that diminishes and devalues the other. We will (re)visit familiar texts on machlokot l’shem shamayim (arguments for the sake of heaven) and a deeply insightful chapter from Morality, the last book written by Jonathan Sacks z”l, we will delve into the worlds of wokeness, cancel culture and populism and how rabbinic and modern texts help us navigate the breakdown of civil discourse.

Session 3: Wrestling with…. Israel (Feb. 15)

A Jewish state that embodies the noblest aspirations of prophetic Judaism, as articulated in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, is the fulfillment of the century-old aspirations of Zionism. In this session, Rabbi Nevarez will be joined by long-time friend, Israeli historian and guide, Nir Nitzan, as they provide rich text and history to better understand the deeper yearnings and complexities behind our modern Jewish state. **Nir will also be guiding Rabbi Nevarez’s October 2022 trip to Israel – not to miss!

This event is held on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. For more information, contact Program Director Ilene Tatro at itatro@cbisd.org.