Weekly Classes
All previous CBI class recordings are here
Tuesdays // 12PM // in person @ CBI
Midrash on the Parsha
Rabbanit Meira Wolkenfeld
This class will explore the weekly Torah portion through the lens of midrash. We will also discuss the history of midrash and study selections from both legal and nonlegal midrashic collections. We will consider how the rabbis developed unique and creative approaches to reading the biblical text. Come think about the Parsha on Tuesdays, and you’ll always have a d’var Torah ready for your Shabbat table.
Fridays // 9AM // in person @ CBI
Talmudic Wisdom: Tractate Sotah
Rabbi Yonatan Cohen
Tractate Sotah primarily explains the ritual of the bitter water, a trial by ordeal of a woman suspected of adultery by providing close Halakhic readings of biblical verses. Rich in Aggadic references, Sotah also includes material relating to central biblical figures and events. Time and time again, talmudic discussions offer a lens into the rabbis’ views on religious, moral, and theological questions, delving into major themes, such as the futility of sinning in secret, the harmfulness of pride, the evil of flattery, divine retribution, and the superiority of the service of God from love over the service from fear. What starts as an analysis of marital infidelity ultimately turns into a profound reflection on Israel’s own infidelity and the state of deterioration into which the Jewish people sank in the period immediately before and after the fall of the Temple.
Series
November 13, November 20, December 4 // 7:30 PM
Dilemmas in Israeli Society Following October 7th
Dr. Masua Sagiv
The past year has been perhaps the most dramatic in Israel’s history. However, the internal challenges Israeli society faces today are not new. This series will focus on three distinct groups within Israeli society: Religious Zionism, the Haredi Ultra-Orthodox community, and Israeli liberals. We will explore core challenges of these groups throughout the war – from questions of religion and power, through the Haredi exemption from military service, to dilemmas on unity vs. political struggle in times of war – we’ll dive into the legal and social frameworks that brought each group to this moment.
February 2, February 9, February 16 // 9:00 AM
Siddur Sundays
Rabbanit Meira Wolkenfeld
Each Sunday we’ll dive into a different part of the Siddur. We’ll consider the history and development of prayers; their words and meaning; and practical halachot about how they are recited. For beginners and non beginners!
- February 2 – The Shema and its Blessings
- February 9 – Kedusha
- February 16 – The Amida
April 28, May 5, May 12 // 7:30 PM
Halakhic Perspectives on Tragedy: Responding to Loss and War in Contemporary Contexts
Rabbi Yonatan Cohen
This class delves into the halakhic responsa related to the tragic events of October 7 and the war in Gaza, addressing pressing questions such as the initiation of mourning practices when a corpse remains missing, the participation of a kohen commander in the funeral of a soldier, and the laws of redeeming captives (pidyon shvuyim) in the context of modern warfare. We will explore how Jewish law navigates these complex issues and their implications for individuals and communities facing unprecedented challenges.
Scholars in Residence
November 15-16
The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic & Other Talmudic Tales
Gila Fine
Gila Fine teaches rabbinic literature at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, exploring talmudic tales through philosophy, literary criticism, psychoanalysis, and pop-culture. As editor in chief of Maggid Books, Gila worked closely with leading scholars like Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, publishing over a hundred titles of contemporary Jewish thought. Her work has been featured in the BBC, Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post, The Jerusalem Report, Tradition, Jewish News, and The Jewish Chronicle (which selected her as one of the ten most influential Brits in Israel). Gila’s new book is The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic: Rereading the Women of the Talmud.
December 13-15
It Takes Two to Torah
Rabbi Dov Linzer
An acclaimed Torah and halakha scholar, Rabbi Linzer has been a leading rabbinic voice in the Modern Orthodox community. He is the President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School and has published over 100 teshuvot (responsa) and scholarly Torah articles. He is co-author, together with Abigail Pogrebin, of It Takes Two To Torah: An Orthodox Rabbi and Reform Journalist Discuss and Debate Their Way Through the Five Books of Moses and will soon be coming out with The Rosh Yeshiva Responds, a collection of his scholarly, halakhic teshuvot to the yeshiva’s hundreds of rabbis in-the-field.
On Sunday morning, Rabbi Linzer will be joined by Abigail Pogrebin to discuss their new book. Abigail is also the author of the National Jewish Book Award finalist My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew and Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish. She’s written for The Atlantic, the Forward, and Tablet, and moderates public conversations for The Streicker Center and the Jewish Broadcasting Service.
February 21-22
Musical Shabbat
Rabbi Yosef Goldman
Rabbi Yosef Goldman is a renowned ba’al tefillah (prayer leader), educator, rabbi, synagogue consultant, and facilitator of Jewish communal music who helps communities to cultivate vibrant prayer and musical-spiritual creativity. Yosef’s work is informed by his diverse rabbinic experience, in chaplaincy and spiritual counseling, education, and congregational leadership. He weaves together ancient devotional music from both his Mizrahi and Ashkenazi heritage, alongside contemporary American and Israeli Jewish sacred music. He has contributed to dozens of albums of diverse artists across the soundscape of Jewish music and has released two albums of his own compositions on Rising Song Records —Open My Heart (2019) and Abitah (2023). His latest project is Kedmah, an ensemble of Mizrahi piyyut and sacred music. Their debut album, Simu Lev was released last spring.
May 16-17
Teaching Torah Teachers
Rabba Yaffa Epstein
Rabba Yaffa Epstein serves as the Senior Scholar and Education-in-Residence at the Jewish Education Project. Previously, she was the Director of the Wexner Foundation, and the Director of Education, North America, for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. She received Smikhah from Yeshivat Maharat, earned an additional private Ordination from Rabbi Daniel Landes, holds a Law Degree from Bar-Ilan University, and studied at the Talmud Department at Hebrew University. Rabba Epstein is the recipient of the prestigious Covenant Award for exceptional Jewish educators. She has taught educators, rabbis and lay leaders from across the spectrum of Jewish denominations and is passionate about making Jewish learning accessible, exciting, and inclusive to all who wish to participate.