Skip Navigation LinksHome > Genesis Forum Series 2011-2012
Genesis Forum 2012 - Banner

A free Wednesday noontime series of text study

All sessions held Wednesdays, 12:00 to 1:15 p.m.
CJP, 126 High Street, 9th floor, Boston

Bring your lunch and explore the greatest Jewish sages of the medieval world. Poets, philosophers, warriors and mystics enriched these times, and we will study and discuss their stirring and brilliant contributions to Jewish life and learning. Our subjects include ten surprisingly different masters of Jewish thought, piety, and politics.

Click here to read about the Genesis Forum faculty.

Gensis Forum Faculty 2011-2012, Rabbi Samuel Chiel - ImageWe are pleased to announce that CJP’s free, lunchtime text study program has been renamed as The Rabbi Samuel Chiel Genesis Forum. This new name honors Rabbi Chiel’s lifelong service to the Jewish community, and it reflects our gratitude for the warmth, humor and intelligence he has brought to his role as a Genesis Forum scholar and as CJP’s rabbi-in-residence.

All sessions are free and open to the public, and you are welcome to attend any or all. Preregistration is required here. (Registration is only required once and covers all sessions.)

Photocopies of the texts studied will be provided. Beverages are available.

For more information, please e-mail Jason Gaines at adultlearning@cjp.org.

Miss a week? Click here to view handouts, or to download the Genesis Forum podcast!



2011-2012 Schedule of Topics and Instructors

10/26/11 |  The Geonim
Revolutionary scholars and visionary leaders in early medieval
Babylonia
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels and Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor
11/2/11 |  Rabbeiunu Gershom
Talmudist and so-called “father of Ashkenazi Judaism”
10th/11th century, Germany
Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor
11/16/11 |  Judah He-Hasid
Humble miracle working mystic who studied ethics and theology
12th/13th century, Germany
Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor
11/30/11 |  Women in the Medieval Period
Professor Jonathan Decter
12/14/11 |  Samuel Ha-Nagid (Ismail ibn Nagrela)
Vizier of Granada, known as a statesman, poet, scholar, and military
general
11th century, Spain
Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor
1/18/12 |  Abraham ibn Ezra
Wandering biblical commentator, skilled in astronomy,
mathematics, and philosophy
12th century, Spain
Jason Gaines
2/1/12 |  Judah Halevi
Philosopher and physician, celebrated as the greatest medieval
Hebrew poet
11th/12th century, Spain
Professor Jonathan Decter
2/15/12 |  Rambam / Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon)
Bible and Talmud commentator, Kabbalist, poet, physician, courtier
and heroic leader
12th century, Spain and Egypt
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels
2/29/12 |  Abraham ben Ha-Rambam
Theologian and mystical priest, only son of Maimonides
13th century, Egypt
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels
3/14/12 |  Menahem Meiri
Provencal Jewish scholar, Talmudic commentator, and ecumenical
visionary
13th/14th century, Spain
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels
3/28/12 |  Ramban / Nahmanides (Moses ben Nahman)
Reluctant polemicist, popularizing mystic, theologian and Zionist
pioneer
13th century, Spain
Rabbi Dr. Meir Sendor
4/18/12 |  Rashi (Solomon ben Isaac)
Foundational commentator on the Bible and Talmud
11th century, France
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels
4/25/12 |  Siyyum: From Medieval to Modern Times
Dr. Yoram Hazony

We look forward to welcoming you at the sixteenth annual Genesis Forum.


CJP welcomes the participation of interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds and sexual orientations.
| More