Back by Popular Demand — and Open to New Faces

Whether or not you joined us for the first Genesis series, this upcoming 4-week course is designed to welcome you in — no prior background or attendance required.

We’ll revisit the rich, ancient stories of the Book of Genesis — not as children’s tales, but as layered, sophisticated narratives that speak to the complexity of our lives today.

You'll discover new angles, deeper meanings, and unexpected relevance in stories you may have thought you already knew.

Join us for an enlightening series on the Book of Genesis, published by OpenBook Press.

Each lesson is designed to immerse you in the profound narratives, historical contexts, and rich linguistic nuances of these ancient stories. 

Our goals for each topic include:

• Uncovering Hidden Depths:
  We will highlight nuances and often overlooked intricate details of each story
• Relevant Timelines, Maps, and Familial Charts:
  Enhance your understanding with visual aids such as timelines, maps, and charts that provide geographical and genealogical context.
• Notable Translation Variance:
  Explore how different translations and lexical interpretations can offer new meanings and insights into the text.
• Highlighting New Perspectives:
  Discover fresh perspectives that may challenge or expand your understanding of these familiar narratives.
• Experience the vastness of Torah:
  Embrace the vast interpretative landscape of the Torah by examining at least two alternate interpretations for each narrative, showcasing the richness and diversity of Jewish thought.

Lesson One: Cain and Abel - The First Fracture

Murder, Mission, and the Birth of Moral Conscience
How did humanity collapse just one generation in?
We’ll explore what Cain and Abel were really fighting about, and how this ancient tragedy can frame our relationships and life's mission. 

Lesson Two: Into the Furnace: Avraham vs. the World

Standing Alone, Burning Bright, and the Enduring Legacy
What gives someone the courage to stand alone?
Long before Sinai, one man faced down an empire for the sake of truth. Discover what it means to live, not just die, for a cause greater than oneself.

Lesson Three: The Covenant Beneath the Stars

Inside the Ritual That Informs & Shapes Jewish Destiny
What really happened at The Covenant of Parts?
We’ll unpack the symbolism of the various split animal carcasses, the setting, and the eternal promise of land, purpose, and chosen-ness - and wrestle with what that chosenness means today.

Lesson Four: When Justice Gets Complicated

Sodom, Shechem, and the Ethics No One Wants to Talk About
Why do bad things happen to bad people? Why was Sodom doomed? Were Shimon and Levi justified — or reckless?
This session we’ll gain perspective on collective punishment, vigilante justice, and what they reveal about prayer, protest, and Jewish responsibility.

Each lesson promises a comprehensive and engaging exploration of a section of Genesis, designed to deepen your understanding and appreciation of these foundational biblical stories.
Join us and discover the timeless wisdom and enduring relevance of the Torah.

4 Mondays In July 2025: Monday, July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th 

11:00 am - 12:30 pm at Main library on Goodwood.
Those who register will have access to a zoom of the class and recordings. 

Course Fee: $75 | Scholarship rate: $45
Bring a friend/spouse and each save 10% $135
Book is not included. Retail: $79.95. Group Purchase: $65 

About the book we're using:

This exquisitely designed edition of the first book of the Bible features a new foundational English translation, an anthology of commentaries representing the full spectrum of Jewish learning spanning 33 centuries, and an abundance of illustrations, maps, and infographics.

Never before has the English reader been given direct, unmediated access to this wealth of moral, legal, philosophical, mystical, and psychological wisdom and guidance.