Torah in Townsville
Chabad North Queensland has formed the first Torah study group ever presented in Townsville.
Torah discussion in tropical Townsville
The Jewish Course of Why is a new six-session 2016 course is being presented in both Cairns and Townsville.
“No religion is known for its rational basis and its welcoming of questions and intellectual debate quite like Judaism” explained Rabbi Ari Rubin, director of Chabad of North Queensland.
“In preparing for the course, we turned to our community to submit their biggest questions about Judaism. We then selected the most popular among them and addressed each one with resonant insights from the greatest minds in Jewish history.”
The Jewish Course of Why spans a diverse range of topics, from fun, light, and off-the-beaten-track questions, to more complex and controversial issues. Some of the course’s 50 questions include: Why are there so many Jews in Hollywood? Why do Jews eat gefilte fish and cholent and wish each other mazal tov and l’chaim? Why does the Bible sanction slavery and animal sacrifices? What is the cause of antisemitism? What does Judaism say about Christianity and about the role of women in Jewish life? In addition to the above, the course offers insight into mysterious Jewish practices, strange biblical narratives, and enigmas of Jewish identity.
“We’re excited to be offering this fun and dynamic learning experience here in both Cairns and Townsville,” said Rabbi Rubin. “The Jewish Course of Why gives our participants the opportunity to expand their Jewish knowledge and intellectualize their Judaism by exploring rational insights into the most intriguing questions that Jews have today. The Torah provides the answers or its Jewish perspective on them”
Like all previous Cairns programs, The Jewish Course of Why is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.
