Judaism of the 21st Century:

Paradigms and Practices for the Global Age

June 16 - 19, 2008
Co-sponsored by Oraita: Institute for Continuing Rabbinic Education of Hebrew College

For Rabbis and Rabbinical Students

This program will allow rabbis and rabbinical students to grapple with some of the awesome challenges and opportunities we face as we enter the 21st century. Our ever-expanding global community, the new vistas and potential dangers of modern technologies, and the previously silenced voices of women, other cultures and the earth itself, are demanding original paradigms and innovative theologies. What will be the kabbalah and the halakhah of the 21st century? A faculty of world-renowned teachers and visionaries will offer their wisdom and guidance as we re-read our textual sources to empower us to create a Judaism of the 21st Century.

Faculty will work with both rabbi and rabbinical student tracks in classes, beit midrash text study and discussions. Each day will include dedicated time for rabbis and rabbinical students to meet separately and reflect on the plenary sessions as they relate to their own lives and careers. Rabbis will have the opportunity to share their experiences and to work with colleagues and faculty on specific applications for the rabbinate, while rabbinical students will meet as a group with faculty to discuss issues relevant to their rabbinic studies. The rabbinic track includes continued learning with these outstanding teachers as well as with each other for eight additional weeks through online video and audio presentations, hevruta study and discussions.

Acceptance to the Rabbinic Track is via application only, which is available at www.hebrewcollege.edu/oraita.

Registration Information
  

Teachers

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi was ordained at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva, and received his PhD at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. Reb Zalman ordains rabbis through the ALEPH Rabbinate Program and is the founder of the Spiritual Eldering Institute. He was recently the “Holder of the Chair of World Wisdom” at Naropa University.

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Rabbi Tirzah Firestone is a Jungian therapist, author and spiritual leader of Congregation Nevei Kodesh in Boulder, Colorado. She received rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi in 1992. Her books include With Roots In Heaven and The Receiving: Reclaiming Jewish Women’s Wisdom.

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Rabbi Arthur Green is Rector of the Hebrew College Rabbinical School and Irving Brudnick Professor of Jewish Thought. He has been studying and teaching Jewish mysticism and theology for nearly half a century. Much of his life has been devoted to thinking about rabbinic education and the role of rabbis.

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Rabbi Shaya Isenberg teaches Jewish studies and comparative mysticism at the University of Florida. He is co-founder and co-director of UF’s Center for Spirituality and Health and serves as Rabbi for P’nai Or Gainesville. He also serves as the director of studies for the Aleph Smicha Program.

Registration Information

For Rabbis

The program fee for rabbis for this class is $450. Fees are per person, and do not include the cost of Room and Board. For Room and Board rates see below. If you are a rabbi, click here if you wish to register.

For Rabbinical Students

The program fee for rabbinical students for this class is $100, and thanks to a generous grant from the Lasko Foundation, includes the cost of Room and Board. If you are a student and wish to take advantage of this opportunity, please complete the Lasko Scholarship Form. Once your application has been received and your scholarship approved, you will have a code allowing you to click here and register for $100.

Financial Aid for Rabbis

We will provide scholarship funding for rabbis with financial need. Financial aid will be applied toward standard, double occupancy rooms with hall baths. If you would like to request financial aid, please indicate your need in your application to Oraita at www.hebrewcollege.edu/oraita. Please note financial aid requests must be received at least three weeks prior to the retreat.

Financial Aid for Students

Rabbinical students are being highly subsidized for this retreat. There is a $100 fee for all rabbinical students. All other costs are being covered by a generous grant that has been provided by the Lasko Foundations. All rabbinical students must complete the Lasko Scholarship form to receive this subsidy.

Room and Board

Room and board includes housing, meals, Shabbat services, evening activities, hot tub, yoga, meditation, and full use of our facility. All rooms are air-conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. Adults fees apply to ages 15 and higher. Rates are per person, and include all meals. For double or triple occupancy, you may either request a roommate, or be matched with one by our staff.

Deluxe rooms

Deluxe rooms have private bathrooms. Single and double occupancy are provided with queen-sized beds, triple occupancy has twin beds. Handicap accessibility available, please call (800) 398-2630 x307.

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Plus rooms

Plus rooms have private bathrooms. A limited number of queen-sized beds are available for a $15/night surcharge, please call for availability.

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Standard rooms

Standard rooms share a bathroom with one other room. A limited number of queen-sized beds are available for a $15/night surcharge, please call for availability.

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Economy rooms

Economy rooms have twin beds with the bathroom in the hall.

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Dormitory rooms

Dormitory rooms are either triple or quadruple occupancy with bunk beds and bathrooms on the hall. Campers supply their own tents and equipment. The commuter fee includes all meals and snacks, use of the facility and its amenities, and participation in any open programming provided, such as prayer, meditation, or yoga.

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Children's Rates

Infants and toddlers under three are complimentary. Children aged 3-17 are welcome to share the room with at least one parent or guardian per room.