Ben Zoma said: Who is wise? One who learns from everyone, as is said,
“Because everyone has been my teacher, I have gained understanding.” —(mAvot 4:1)
Rabbi Hanina said: From my teachers I learned much, from my colleagues still more,
but from my students most of all. –(BT Ta’anit 7a)
This is a list of the various classes and workshops I have taught. For more information about my teaching and for student endorsements, please read here
Tziporah and the Awesome Fusion of Aaron and Moses (Feb 16, 2017)
Ruach HaYam Facebook Subscribe to newsletter Ruach HaYam Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA February 16, 2017. See end of post for logistics. This study is led by Penina Weinberg. There is a mysterious and awe-filled encounter between YHVH and Moses, as Moses returns from Midian to Egypt to undertake the deliverence of the Hebrew slaves from Pharaoh (Exodus 4:24-27). It appears that YHVH seeks to kill Moses and that Moses’ wife Tziporah, a Midianite priestess with overtones of Osiris, performs a magical and life-saving circumcision. Immediately afterwords, YHVH sends Aaron from Egpyt to join Moses…
A True Leader – Moses and the Five Women who Birthed Him (Jan 19, 2017)
Ruach HaYam Facebook Subscribe to newsletter Ruach HaYam Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA January 19, 2017. See end of post for logistics. This study is led by Penina Weinberg. Join us for a queer look at Moses and the five powerful women of Exodus 1-2 who birthed/midwifed/nurtured the great leader of the Hebrew people. Despite contrary decrees by the powerful Pharaoh of Egypt, the women used their wits to gain power when they lacked authority. They launched Moses as a prophet and leader, and Miriam became a prophet herself. At the end of the book…
Genesis: Creation, Destruction, and Re-Birth (Dec 15, 2016)
Ruach HaYam Facebook Subscribe to newsletter Ruach HaYam Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA December 15, 2016. See end of post for logistics. This study is led by Penina Weinberg. Inherent in the watery story of creation is the deluge – the flood which God will bring to wipe out God’s act of creation. In the first six chapters of the Hebrew Bible, humanity is birthed, drowned and rescued. From “God’s spirit glided over the face of the waters, and God said ‘Let there be light.’” (Gen 1:2-3) to “YHVH regretted having made human beings on earth…
Elijah the Prophet: Zealotry, Despair, and Hearing kol d’mama daka (Sept 15, 2016)
Ruach HaYam Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA September 15, 2016. Ruach HaYam study sessions provide a queer Jewish look at text, but are open to any learning or faith background and friendly to beginners. Study starts promptly at 7:15 pm. However we open the doors at 6:45 for schmoozing. Feel free to bring your own veggie snack for the early part. —- A parking consideration is in effect for the three blocks around EC during all regularly scheduled events. Accessibility information: MBTA accessible, all gender/accessible bathrooms, entry ramp. This study is led by Penina Weinberg. We will do…
The Hannah Narrative: Listening to (my, your, their) Inner Voice (August 18, 2016)
Ruach HaYam Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA August 18, 2016. Ruach HaYam study sessions provide a queer Jewish look at text, but are open to any learning or faith background and friendly to beginners. Study starts promptly at 7:15 pm. However we open the doors at 6:45 for schmoozing. Feel free to bring your own veggie snack for the early part. —- A parking consideration is in effect for the three blocks around EC during all regularly scheduled events. Accessibility information: MBTA accessible, all gender/accessible bathrooms, entry ramp. This study is led by Penina Weinberg. The Hannah Narrative,…
Majesty Thrown to the Dogs: Queen Jezebel and the Assault on Transgender Womanhood (July 7, 2016)
Ruach HaYam Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA May 26, 2016. Study starts promptly at 7:15 pm. However we open the doors at 6:45 for schmoozing. Feel free to bring your own veggie snack for the early part. Ruach HaYam study sessions are open to any learning background and friendly to beginners. For those arriving by car, parking is allowed within 2 blocks on event nights. We are proud to have the co-sponsorship of Keshet for this event! This study will be co-led by Mischa Haider and Penina Weinberg. They have recently begun collaborating on articles drawing wisdom from…
Batsheva – In her own Voice (April 28, 2016)
Ruach HaYam Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA Join us for an interactive study of Batsheva, in her own Voice. Study will be led by Penina Weinberg. 6:45 pm for schmooze. Bring veggie snacks if you wish. Study will begin promptly at 7:15pm. Congregation Eitz Chayim 136 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA April 28, 2016 Batsheva’s story begins with a bath on a roof-top, where her life is overpowered by King David’s (2 Samuel 11-12). But at the end of King David’s life, Batsheva, as Queen Mother, holds the keys to the kingly succession and sits at the right hand…
Rebecca, Isaac, Jacob and Esau: A Queer Look at Family, Love, Jealousy and Gender in the Hebrew Bible (February 25, 2016)
Ruach HaYam Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA Join us for an interactive study of Rebecca, Isaac, Jacob and Esau. Study will be led by Penina Weinberg. 6:45 pm for schmooze. Bring veggie snacks if you wish. Study will begin promptly at 7:15pm. Congregation Eitz Chayim 136 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA February 25, 2016 RSVP here We’ll do a close reading of the story of Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Esau. We’ll follow through on what we learned from Song of Songs 8:6 For love is as strong as death [“The love which Isaac bore to Esau” –from Song…
And the Fire Flashed all Around: Introduction to Song of Songs (January 28, 2016)
Ruach HaYam Workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim, Cambridge, MA Join us for an interactive text study of the Song of Songs. Study will be led by Penina Weinberg. 6:45 pm for shmooze. Bring veggie snacks if you wish. Study will begin promptly at 7:15pm. Congregation Eitz Chayim 136 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA January 28, 2016 RSVP here “And the fire flashed all around.” >> What does flashing fire have to do with Song of Songs? << “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” >> How did this sensual love poem find its way into the Hebrew…
THE SOUL OF DAVID (December 17 2015)
Ruach HaYam workshop at Congregation Eitz Chayim Join Ruach HaYam for an interactive text study of the soul of David. Study will be led by Penina Weinberg on December 17, 2015 at Congregation Eitz Chayim, 136 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA. Join us at 6:45 pm for shmooze. Bring veggie snacks if you wish. Study will begin promptly at 7:15pm. Parking is allowed within a three block radius on event nights. According to the Book of Samuel, “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (1 Sam 18:1). Our study…