classes

[cellio]

This year, for the first time, AJL is offering a class in biblical (not siddur or conversational) Hebrew. Wow! Better late than never, I suppose. :-) It's being done in conjunction with a local synagogue (and being held there); I don't know the instructor but my rabbi has heard of her and didn't say anything bad. The class is 20 weeks and 1.5 hours a week, so that's substantial. At $150 (so $5/hour), that's also way better than I could ever achieve via tutoring. (No idea what class size will be like, of course.)

I already know a lot of the material, but there are reasons to take it anyway. First, the teaching approach is different, and complementary to, my favorite textbook; that should help. Second, this could develop into a second-year course. Third, I want to encourage classes in this space by helping to ensure critical mass. So I'm doing it; if you're local and interested and didn't get the AJL catalogue (web site is out of date), ask and I can pass on the registration info.

Speaking of critical mass, I got email from the coordinator of the Melton program today saying "you might have noticed I haven't cashed your check...". They did not make minimum registration for the Monday-evening class. :-( My choices are to take a too-early Sunday-morning class (without my favorite instructors) or wait and try again next year. I'll be doing the latter. On the bright side, this means I can sing with the Debatable Choir for the coming year.

Comments

[dringle.livejournal.com]

I was perplexed by the name "Debatable Choir" and I googled it and I was like OH! hahahaha, an interesting name, isn't it.

[cellio]

Whoops. Sorry about that, but glad Google came to the rescue for you.

melton

[zahavalaska.livejournal.com]

Sorry for moving away and not taking second year melton at night! (I would have loved to continue) and there is really quite 'nothing' here. Our new rabbi just arrived and had his first service last week, so we'll see what he has in the works. In other news a couple weeks ago the weekly Tot Shabbat service landed in my lap and I am enjoying the challenge. I am used to doing Shabbat and Judaics with kids with no parents (whom I constantly assume are judging me) so it makes me a bit nervous that I am going to mess something up or not provide anything relevant to them. Makes me get a fraction of a feeling of how much goes into 'big people' services. --Carrie

Re: melton

[cellio]

I don't think you need to apologize for leaving the city. It's not like you did it to flee your classmates. :-)

It sounds like "frontier" life is pretty different from what you had back here. Glad to hear you're settling in ok! (I read your other blog.) It sounds like you and your new rabbi have the opportunity to do new things there, largely free of the "we've always done it this way" factor. THat's neat!

Don't let the parents make you nervous. Just do what you do, be adaptable, and have fun -- if you are the kids will.