Jewish cultural history, biblical and rabbinic text interpretation, and Jewish thought and spirituality will be the focus of integrated course sequences this fall at Hebrew College's newly established Me'ah Graduate Institute. Offering lectures, workshops, courses and tours that build on the Me'ah experience, the Institute will enable students to pursue a particular subject or area of interest at their own pace and chosen level of intensity.

Participants who prefer to attend the occasional lecture or workshop are as welcome as those who wish to immerse themselves in coursework. And students who want to work toward a new goal may select from several certificates or earn a Master of Jewish Liberal Studies degree.

Students may explore Jewish cultural history in Early Modern Jewish Culture in the City: The Cases of Berlin, Venice, Odessa and Vilna, a 24-session course sequence held Mondays, 7:30–9:30 p.m., at Hebrew College. This sequence will provide the background for the first planned Institute trip to Europe in 2004.

Also offered at the College, Jewish Thought and Spirituality: Sources of the Self in Philosophy, Kabbalah and Hasidism, will examine approaches to the spiritual quest in medieval and modern thought, drawing especially on Maimonides, the Zohar, and Hasidic Masters as well as their modern interpreters. Starting October 21, this 21-session sequence will be taught at three different times: Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. or 3:00–5:45 p.m.; and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Several congregations will serve as Institute sites for the third course sequence, Biblical and Rabbinic Text Interpretation: Unraveling Jewish Practices and Their Meanings. At Temple Emanuel in Newton Centre, the 20-session sequence will be held on Tuesdays, beginning October 21, 7:00–9:45 p.m. At both the MetroWest Collaborative (Temple Beth Am) in Framingham and Temple Shalom in Newton, the course will be taught on Thursdays, beginning October 23, 7:00–9:45 p.m.

As in the Me'ah program, all Institute programs will be taught by experienced teacher-scholars who understand the needs of adult learners. To register or for information, contact the Center for Adult Jewish Learning at 617-559-8709 or visit hebrewcollege.edu/mgi.

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