JEWISH LEARNING

  It is important that fellows are constantly learning, growing, and moving along their own Jewish journeys.  The discoveries they make over the course of the year benefit not only them, but also their students.  By being able to set aside an hour a week for Jewish Learning, fellows are guaranteed to complete their year more knowledgeable about Judaism and at a different place in their Jewish journey.   

  The fellowship allows for a lot of flexibility so that fellows can learn about whatever aspect of Judaism most interests them.  For my Jewish learning, I audited two classes taught by the University of Miami’s Religion department.   First semester I audited an introductory course on Judaism in which we discussed Jewish beliefs and history.  And second semester I audited a class on the Five Books of Moses in which I read the Torah for the first time!

  Both courses were instructed by Rabbi Edwin Goldberg from Temple Judea, a reform synagogue located across the street from the University of Miami campus.   I contacted him when I arrived on campus and he said that he would be delighted to have me sit in on his class.  Auditing his class allowed me to meet and get to know him, as well as several other Jewish students enrolled in the class. 

Greater Miami Hillel also sent me to AIPAC’s Policy Conference in Washington D.C.  This was another incredible educational opportunity.  I got to hear some of the most amazing and powerful speakers discuss the U.S. relationship with Israel.  Speakers included:  Ehud Barak, Benjamin Netanyahu, Shimon Peres, Thomas Daschle, Tom DeLay and John McCain.