Life Cycle and Special Events and Homiletics - Einzelansicht

Some Tuesdays are being replaced by joint synagogue service visits and life cycle events attendances. [places and times to be disclosed.]

Whereas Shabbat services tend to lose attendance, people increasingly attend ceremonies for birth, adulthood, marriage, and death, called rites de passage. These and other less traditional ceremonies for special occasions are becoming increasingly popular amongst a lot of Jews whether they are raised Jewish or not. These services open new opportunities for creative services and special sermons. We focus on these new opportunities for the community and for us as rabbis, cantors, pastoral workers, and teachers.

Goals:

· to preach in a specific liturgical context to an audience that expects a special event;

· to apply traditional liturgy in a new and creative way;

· develop ideas for a sermon according to a homiletic structure.

· active class participation in Chevrutah-style learning;

· develop a sermon with a target sentence and a homiletic structure.

(1) Introductory readings (required) will be handed out before the course starts.

(2) Reference works (recommended):

& Isaac Klein, A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice, New York 1979, pp. 269 – 300 (Mourning);

379 – 418 (Marriage); 419 – 432 Circumcision and Name-Giving), or:

& Leo Trepp, The Complete Book of Jewish Observance, New York 1980, pp. 214 – 342, or:

& Martin S. Cohen, Michael Katz, The Observant Life, New York 2012, pp. 239 – 304.

(3) Rabbinic Manuals:

& Rabbinic Council of America, The RCA Lifecycle Madrich [Orthodox]. & Moreh Derech The Rabbi’s Manual of the Rabbinical Assembly [Conservative]. & CCAR Rabbi’s Manual, Lakol Ei, New Rabbi’s Manual [Reform]. & Hyman E. Goldin, HaMadrikh: The Rabbi’s Guide [Orthodox].

Further Literature and Handouts will be given during the course.

Formally reflect on your sermon in 15.000 characters.