Learn With Rabbi Abrams
If you like the website, you'll love learning with Rabbi Abrams in person even more! She can come to your synagogue or group as a scholar-in-residence or you can learn with her long distance via phone or Skype. You can also have her teach single lectures to your group. Here are just a few of the talks available:
Lecture Series
(Please Note: The lecture series can also be presented as single lectures. Contact Rabbi Abrams for further information.)
Swim in a Whole New Sea of Talmud: Explore the Yerushalmi
A learning session(s) about the Yerushalmi, the “other” Talmud. We can explore tractates that are not covered in the Bavli (e.g., Peah) and/or compare and contrast tractates that are in both Bavli and Yerushalmi. Lots of fun. No background required.
Talmud for Beginners
Learn how the Talmud works and why it's such an important part of Jewish life. No background required. Lots of fun.
Judaism and Disabilities
Disabilities were a part of everyday life in the days of the Talmud. Judaism has a remarkably welcoming attitude towards persons with disabilities that are often misunderstood. In this learning session(s), we'll explore biblical and rabbinic texts that demonstrate Judaism's attitude on these issues. No background required.
Women of the Talmud
Women in the days of the sages were powerful and empowered. Discover these wonderful women in this session(s). Lots of fun, no background required.
Learning to Love Leviticus
People tend to regard the book of Leviticus (and the end of Exodus and the book of Numbers) with distaste and puzzlement. In this session(s), we'll learn how to love Leviticus and find out all the wonderful things it has to offer us as modern learners. Lots of fun, no background required.
Numerology and Judaism
One of the most enjoyable ways to understand Torah is through numerology. In this fun session(s) we'll learn how to use numerology to unlock some of Torah's secrets. Hebrew is necessary for this session.
“Stand Alone” Learning Sessions
Angels, Demons, Karma, Heaven, Hell, Etc. in Judaism
Anything you want in another religion you can have (wholesale) in Judaism. In this session we explore these concepts, and more (e.g., reincarnation).
The Benefit of the Doubt
Giving people the benefit of the doubt is one of the most important concepts in Judaism. In this learning session, we explore what the Talmud has to say about having a merciful attitude towards others…and towards yourself. No background required. Lots of fun.
Hurting and Healing
Our Tradition's Wisdom: In this learning session, we'll explore how prayer works, what pain means and from whence strength comes.
How to Live a Long and Happy Life
In this learning session, we'll explore how different sages ensured that they lived a long and happy life. Lots of fun, no background required.
Rosh Hashanah Accounting
In this session, we'll prepare for the new year physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
Meditation in Judaism
Meditation is a genuine Jewish form of prayer and enhancement of life. Together, we will encounter some texts which prove this point and will practice meditation during the program.
Magic in Judaism
Judaism does have magic (even though you may have been told otherwise). In this learning session, we'll explore God's magic names, how to control the energy that comes to you, how to manifest angels and demons and more.
A Woman's Voice
You may have heard that women shouldn't pray aloud because their voices are distracting. But you'll probably be surprised to learn what the Talmud says on the issue and how it supports women singing publicly in prayerful situations.
Passing on Judaism to the Next Generation
The sages teach us, as parents and grandparents, how to pass Judaism on to the next generation. Enjoy this learning session that shows you how. Lots of fun, no background required.
Self Esteem for Yourself and Your Child
The Talmud shows us how to believe in our own importance and our own gifts as well as how to accept ourselves and our children. Enjoy this learning session that shows you how. Lots of fun, no background required.
The Myth of Normative Judaism
Perhaps in your learning you have been given the impression that there is such a thing as “normative Judaism”. No such thing exists or has ever existed. In this learning session, we'll get a taste of some of the different varieties of Judaism that existed in the sages' days. Lots of fun, no background required.
Vicarious Atonement in Judaism
Yes, the sages had the idea of vicarious atonement (i.e., that someone else's suffering can atone for your sins) in Judaism. In this session, we'll look at texts that show us this idea in Judaism. Lots of fun, no background required.
Rabbinic Literature and Archaeology
What we read about in the Talmud can be verified (and disputed) through archeology. In this learning session, we compare text and archaeology.
The Mystical Rites of Shabbat: The Relation of Havdalah to Yom Kippur and Our Hope For Redemption
Havdalah has deep symbolic meanings. Explore them in this learning session.
Contact Rabbi Abrams at 713-723-2918 or maqom@compassnet.com to schedule your learning time now!