Temple Israel of Albany Jewish Learning Center
The Temple Israel of Albany Jewish Learning Center (JLC) is the manifestation of our dedication to being a Beit Hamidrash (House of Study). The goal of the JLC is to instill Jewish values and learning through cutting edge Judaic educational coursework that enhances the Jewish experience in the Capital Region. The JLC strives to strengthen the Albany Jewish community by engaging all generations and facilitating interactions between them in order to fulfill the ultimate mitzvah of learning. Our overarching goal is to maximize and transform your Jewish experience by reinforcing the reality of the Jewish people as an extended family of learners.
The JLC features Judaic scholars from far and near, teaching courses which revolve around classic and modern Judaic themes in our society. The prestigious faculty are skilled in teaching diverse populations at all levels to meet the needs of their students and are dedicated to the concept of lifelong learning for people of the Jewish community. Our wide variety of subjects is specially designed to bring a well-rounded education to anyone who registers.
We look forward to seeing you in our classrooms soon!
ZIONISM: TODAY, TOMORROW, AND BEYOND—EXPANDING THE CONVERSATION
FALL 2024 LEARNING SERIES*
Mondays | 1:00 PM
Click here to register.
*This program is through JTS.
PJP Program Descriptions
Eretz Yisrael Series
Thursday, February 20 @ 8:30 PM
Shay Rabineau, Associate Professor of Israel Studies/Associate Director of the Center for Isarel Studies, Binghamton University
“The Disappearing Dead Sea: An Exploration of the Poltical, Economic, and Military Factors that have Given Rise to One of the World’s Major Environmental Crises”
In 1934, a group of teenagers from a Zionist youth and scouting group became the first people in recorded history to circle the Dead Sea on foot. In 2022, Shay Rabineau embarked on an attempt to retrace the route of the 1934 expedition, with an eye on the remarkable regional transformations that had taken place over the intervening 88 years. The research project, which included writing, interviewing, photographing, mapping, and video recording along the way, was the most holistic exploration of the Dead Sea and its surroundings since the rise of modern nation-states in the Middle East. This presentation outlines the details of the 2022 Dead Sea Trek, and in doing so, examines the political, economic, and military factors that have given rise to one of the world's major environmental crises.
Shay Rabineau is Associate Professor of Israel Studies and chair of the Department of Judaic Studies at Binghamton University. His 2023 book, Walking the Land: A History of Israeli Hiking Trails (Indiana University Press) won the 2024 Yonathan Shapiro Best Book Award from the Association for Israel Studies. His research and teaching focus on the history, geography, and politics of Israel and the modern Middle East. Shay's current book project is a work of environmental history that builds on his 2022 circumnavigation of the Dead Sea through Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank.
Previous programs:
Ilai Saltzman, Director of the Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies, University of Maryland
“Changes in Israeli Politics and Society”
Recording here. Passcode: 8Zsl16G&
Travel the Jewish World Series
Thursday March 6@ 8:30 PM
“Jewish Jamaica” with Rivka Campbell
From the Inquisition to the Caribbean: Jews of Jamaica
The history of Jews in Jamaica is rich and extensive. The first wave of arrivals were escaping the Inquisition. Among the latest immigrants were European refugees running away from Nazism. Though the community today is but a fraction of its former size, its impact on Jamaica and Jewish history endures.
Rivka Campbell, a Jew of Jamaican descent born and raised in Toronto, seeks to build community among Jews of Colour in Canada while opening dialogue among the mainstream Jewish community about the experience of Jews of Colour and Jewish Diversity. She is the co-founder of the group Jews of Colour – Canada. Rivka is a recognized speaker on Jewish Diversity and has been interviewed by CJN and other publications numerous times. Rivka is filming a documentary on Jewish Diversity. She is the host of the Canadian Jewish News podcast called “Rivkush”. The only Jew of Colour hosted podcast with a focus on Jews of Colour discussing diversity, Judaism, and Israel. Rivka has lectured at Limmud conferences, synagogues, JCCs, community groups and Hebrew Schools. She is the Executive Director for Beth Tikvah Synagogue and an Executive Committee member of the North American Association of Synagogue Executives (NAASE).
Previous Programs:
“Jewish Ireland” with Alexander Vard
Recording here. Passcode: 63+&7Zs@
Sun, May 18 2025
20 Iyyar 5785
