A basic introduction to life cycle events in Judaism.

My class for the Ray Society of Drake University on current events, December 2019. Looking at Rabbi Mirvis' letter before elections in Britain. Discussing impeachment. Rising Antisemitism, including on college campuses.

I explain how we got the calendars that we have today and offer a basic outline of the Jewish holidays through the calendar year.

This is part of an ongoing class for the Ray Society of Drake University on current events. I began with the conflict between the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Israel which broke out the night before. Then I spoke about the Whistleblower law and need for it. I also spoke about the killing of al-Baghdadi, the impact of the killing on ISIS, and new US-Syria policy in light of the President's press conference about the killing of al-Baghdadi.

My class for the Ray Society of Drake University in October 2019. I primarily spoke about events in Syria, explaining who is who and what is going on. This class took place five days before the killing of al-Baghdadi and was at a time of grave concern about Turkey's invasion of northern Syria and an anticipated complete withdrawal of US forces from Syria.

A realistic assessment of where relations between Israelis and Palestinians and between Jews and Arabs are in May of 2019 and possibilities for improvement in those relationships leading to "peace" and resolutions that could lead to the development of a Palestinian state or states of some sort alongside Israel.

Background of Zionism and then a discussion of early Immigration to Ottoman and British Mandate Palestine followed by the birth of the modern nation of Israel and issues related to divisions between American and Israeli Jews.

Part of my Introduction to Judaism class series discussing the concept of Philosemitism, love of the Jews, and Modern Antisemitism particularly in relation to Anti-Zionism. If you're interested in the latter concept, please also see my May 2019 Understanding the World Class in which I discussed Soviet Anti-Zionism and it's fostering of left wing Antisemitism.

Looking at the foundations of Social Action in the Jewish tradition, the concepts of Justice (Mishpat), Righteousness (Tzedek), and Kindness (Chesed) in the Jewish tradition.

During my May class for the Ray Society, I discussed: