Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

To study the history of most cultures, you need to learn about wars and empires, warriors and city builders, and great works of art. But the history of Judaism is overwhelmingly a history of books. Books form the core of Judaism’s culture. But even if they’re known as “the People of the Book,” much of Judaism’s classic literature remains closed to contemporary Jews.

This month, local Chabad Centers will open Jewish literature to a contemporary audience. Jews of many affiliations and backgrounds will explore the history, authors, and content of Judaism’s most important titles in a new course titled Book Smart.

“It’s an ambitious undertaking,” Rabbi Mendy Bronstein said. “I’m excited because I think the course will give us a richer understanding of what Judaism meant throughout the centuries and what it can mean for us today.”

When Book Smart’s first 90-minute session kicks off on this January at Chabad Centers throughout Orlando, students will begin their six-week survey of traditional Jewish literature, covering; Torah, Talmud, Midrash, halachah, ethics, and philosophy, as well as kabbalah and Chasidic mysticism. “We’ll meet the authors behind the big ideas of Jewish history over a period of 33 centuries,” Rabbi Yanky Majesky said.

The history of Jewish literature is a broad subject, but Rabbi Yosef Konikov said the course will also go deep. “We’re not just going to learn why these works were written. We’re actually going to get a taste of what it’s like to participate in a Talmudic debate, unpack a philosophical conundrum, and decipher a kabbalistic text from the Zohar.”

Book Smart was developed by The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, which has a sterling reputation for producing high-quality and engaging courses. Over 400,000 people have participated in JLI’s courses since the organization was founded in 1998.

Rabbi Bronstein said he isn’t promising students overnight expertise on the works discussed in the course. “But I can assure them it will be an enjoyable and intellectually engaging journey, giving us valuable context for all our future Jewish learning.”

This course is being offered at Chabad Centers throughout Orlando:

Chabad of Altamonte Springs, 195 S Westmonte Dr., Ste 1126, 407-720-8111 — Tuesdays, Jan. 17-Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. The course is offered online and in person, however it is designed to be taken in person.

Nate’s Shul, 1701 Markham Woods Rd., Longwood, 407-636-5994 — Tuesdays, Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. The course is offered online and in person.

Chabad of Greater Daytona, 1079 West Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, 386-672-9300 — Tuesdays, Jan. 24- Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Chabad of Greater Orlando, 708 Lake Howell Rd., Maitland, 407-644-2500 — email rabbi@chabadorlando.org or call for dates and time.

Chabad – Center of Jewish Life, 7347 W. Sand Lake Rd., Orlando, 407-354-3660 — email office@JewishOrlando.com or call for dates and time.

Chabad of O’Town, 311South Hampton Ave., Orlando, 321-385-7697 — email levikl@gmail.com or call for dates and time.

The Palms @Solivita, 1055 San Clemente Ave., Kissimmee, 407-354-3660, ext. 0 — email office@JewishOrlando.come or call for dates and time.

Please join the course conveniently located in your area. For more information or to register, visit http://www.MyJLI.com.