Moving Forward

Reacceptance and the Criminal Background Check

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 26, 2019)

“All of your deeds are recorded in a book.” So declares the Rosh Hashanah liturgy, and so it is within the contemporary criminal justice system. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are released from prison and seek to rejoin society, but many are stymied by the public availability of their criminal records. Is it possible to find a balance between the needs of society, prospective employers, and ex-offenders? After surveying the contemporary situation, this class looks for answers in the paradigms of Jewish law.

Do It Because You Care

Personal Touch Is All the Difference

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 18, 2019)

Getting a birthday card with no personal message is just a wee bit disappointing. Have you ever done something like that? Have you ever “gotten it done” but without any personal feeling? Join the Jews in the perilous times of Shushanic Purim, and find the tools to inject passion and personality into your otherwise banal behavior.

Do It Because You Care

Personal Touch Is All the Difference

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 18, 2019)

Getting a birthday card with no personal message is just a wee bit disappointing. Have you ever done something like that? Have you ever “gotten it done” but without any personal feeling? Join the Jews in the perilous times of Shushanic Purim, and find the tools to inject passion and personality into your otherwise banal behavior.

Decoding the Universe - Part 18

"Secrets of Shema"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 17, 2019)

The Shema is the first prayer traditionally taught to young children. It is also the last prayer traditionally recited before one returns their soul to their Creator. The Shema is recited both at moments of profound joy, and at moments of sorrow.

We are instructed to recite the Shema twice a day -- in the morning, and at night. This was one of the instructions that Moses shared with the Jewish people before his passing. And yet, notwithstanding how many times we've said this prayer, there are deeper and deeper layers of meaning and insight into the Shema.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we study the Kabbalistic messages and mysteries of the Shema.

Decoding the Universe - Part 18

"Secrets of Shema"

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 17, 2019)

The Shema is the first prayer traditionally taught to young children. It is also the last prayer traditionally recited before one returns their soul to their Creator. The Shema is recited both at moments of profound joy, and at moments of sorrow.

We are instructed to recite the Shema twice a day -- in the morning, and at night. This was one of the instructions that Moses shared with the Jewish people before his passing. And yet, notwithstanding how many times we've said this prayer, there are deeper and deeper layers of meaning and insight into the Shema.

In this session of Kabbalah & Coffee we study the Kabbalistic messages and mysteries of the Shema.

Today Is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life

Make the Most of It

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 13, 2019)

Routine can be boring. A vacation, a surprise visit, a concert -- now you’re talking! But do you want your job to change every day? Do you like sleeping in a different bed every night? Would you enjoy a new relationship every week? Regardless of your answer, this class is for you.

Today Is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life

Make the Most of It

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 13, 2019)

Routine can be boring. A vacation, a surprise visit, a concert -- now you’re talking! But do you want your job to change every day? Do you like sleeping in a different bed every night? Would you enjoy a new relationship every week? Regardless of your answer, this class is for you.

Larger Than Life - Lesson 5

"Work"

With Mrs. Dena Schusterman

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 11, 2019)

Is wealth to be sought, or is a life of austerity and “happiness with one’s lot” the Jewish ideal? Work, in the Jewish view, is not ancillary to our mission in this world. G-d could have showered us with wealth and made work superfluous, but He specifically chose to make it a necessity. But how do we -- particularly as women -- balance work with family, religion, and other important areas of life?

This lesson provides a spiritual perspective on work and wealth and why it is such a central focus of our lives, and also seeks to find a healthy balance between work and the other important callings of our lives.

Larger Than Life - Lesson 5

"Work"

With Mrs. Dena Schusterman

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 11, 2019)

Is wealth to be sought, or is a life of austerity and “happiness with one’s lot” the Jewish ideal? Work, in the Jewish view, is not ancillary to our mission in this world. G-d could have showered us with wealth and made work superfluous, but He specifically chose to make it a necessity. But how do we -- particularly as women -- balance work with family, religion, and other important areas of life?

This lesson provides a spiritual perspective on work and wealth and why it is such a central focus of our lives, and also seeks to find a healthy balance between work and the other important callings of our lives.

Clean Slate

How Do Criminals Make Amends?

With Rabbi Ari Sollish

(Recorded live at the Intown Jewish Academy on March 12, 2019)

What is the ultimate aim of the criminal justice system? If society seeks restitution for crimes and rehabilitation for criminals, it needs a better plan. It must consider what rehabilitation looks like, for which offenders and offenses it is applicable, and how to ensure sentencing contributes to this end. This class examines the extensive, systematic program of repentance laid out in the Talmud and considers what insights this process holds for the above questions and present-day criminal rehabilitation.