Study with Rabbi Alter

Rabbi Alter’s Classes

Rabbi Alter is a teacher at heart, committed to the idea that greater understanding can inspire passion for our tradition and a sense of agency within it. He believes that through Torah study we can discover ourselves and our place with God. This is why Jewish learning belongs to us all.

Rabbi Alter’s educational approach shapes many of his interactions with the CBINT community. For example, he and Hazzan Stein offer brief teachings in nearly every prayer service to assure that participants are always learning something new, and he works individually with all b’nei mitzvah to prepare their teachings for the congregation.

Periodically each year Rabbi Alter offers formal courses of study for the congregation. In the fall of 2020, he facilitated a JTS course on Jewish Ethics. Future offerings will include courses on Jewish thought as well as more text-based learning in Bible and Rabbinic literature. Rabbi Alter invites other instructors to offer still more adult education offerings to the CBINT community.

2024 Summer Courses With Rabbi Alter

Two Offerings: Open to All. One may attend either course or both, and any individual session within each course.

No Cost to CBINT Members
Non-Members: $50

All classes held live at CBINT; one may also participate by Zoom.

1. King David: Still Swooning After 3,000 Years (continued)
   Tuesdays, January 2 through March 12
   7:00 – 8:30 pm
   Continuing the Book of Samuel, picking up where we left off last spring (I Samuel Chapter 21). Each class is a close reading of the text, highlighting meaning over plot. Through open and engaged discussion, we explore ambiguous questions of morality, humanity, ambition, devotion, and more. Our core text is Robert Alter’s translation and commentary The David Story, though we do access the Hebrew original.

2. Feel Like A Stranger in a Foreign Land? An Introduction to Jewish Prayer
   Sundays, February 25 through April 7
   10:15 – 11:30 am
   We’ll cover some essential what, how, and why’s of Jewish prayer, opening closed doors even for experienced folks.

   You can expect…

   1. • to learn core prayer terms and concepts
      • to try postures and practices that help prayer motions become prayer
      • to consider questions like, Why Pray and Pray to Whom?

   Note: Hebrew literacy is NOT required. All are welcome. We seek a mix of beginners and experienced service-goers.

2024 Course Registration

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Which course do you plan on attending? *

• A Stranger in a Foreign Land: An Introduction to Jewish Prayer

The King David course has concluded. Please join us for the Introduction to Jewish Prayer course, beginning on February 25.

How do you plan to attend? *

• In person
• On Zoom

Are you a CBINT member? *

• Yes (free to attend)
• No ($50 per course)

If you are not a CBINT member you will be automatically redirected to our Payments page after registering. Please pay the amount of $50 per course you will be attending. Thank you.

Register