Encountering Judaism

At a time when the world is witnessing a shocking rise an anti-Jewish hatred and an increase in polarization, it is more important than ever before for our Christian communities to reach out across differences and seek greater appreciation of our shared history alongside our Jewish neighbors. This four-part series will bring students a direct and deep engagement with Judaism, including an overview of the various Jewish denominations, an exploration of the development of modern rabbinic Judaism and its relationship to early Christianity, a look at Jewish sources and the Jewish approach to scripture, and an understanding of modern day antisemitism and the future of Jewish/Christian partnership. Maharat Rori Picker Neiss will be our instructor and facilitator of discussion.

Maharat Rori Picker Neiss serves as the Senior Vice President for Community Relations at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Prior to that she was Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of St Louis, an organization committed to a vibrant and secure Jewish community in a thriving and just St Louis region, after previously serving as a member of the clergy team at Bais Abraham Congregation, a Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue in University City, MO. Rori is also honored to serve as the Rabbi in Residence at Holy Communion Episcopal Church and at Greenville University, vice chair of the cabinet of Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis, and a member of the Board of Missouri Faith Voices, the Parliament of the World’s Religions, and HIAS. Rori is one of the first graduates of Yeshivat Maharat, a pioneering institution training and ordaining Orthodox Jewish women to be spiritual leaders and halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities.

Zoom Class open to all: February 1, 8, 22, and 29 2024 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm Central Time. Recordings for missed sessions will be available for all registrants.

Registration: $50