Exploring the Book of Samuel with Cantor Epstein at Temple B'nai Abraham
Join us at Temple B’nai Abraham, 300 E Northfield Road, Livingston for the class, “Set a King over Us: Personal Reflections on Paradigms of Power in the Book of Samuel,” led by Cantor Jessica F. Epstein, beginning on Thursday, November 7, from 7:00-8:15 PM. The class is designed for lay people with limited Hebraic and Biblical knowledge. All sessions will be 75 minutes. We will closely read the Book of Samuel focusing on one main character a week ( Eli, Samuel, Saul, David) plus the female actors. We will gain a fresh, empathetic view of the text in terms of the corrosive effects of power upon leaders while applying its wisdom through the prism of our lives and internalizing its lessons vis-à-vis our own roles in society. Using Halbertal and Holme’s The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel, as a guide, we will be able to understand the basic narrative, identify pitfalls inherent in wielding power, discuss its effect on both the powerful and powerless, and gain new personal and contemporary political insights. Other recommended books for this class are The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel, by Robert Alter The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel, by Moshe Halbertal and Stephen Holmes. The other dates when this class will meet are Thursdays, November 14, November 21, December 5 & December 12, 2019, 7:00 to 8:15 PM.

This series is free and open to the community. Register online at www.tbanj.org or call 973.994.2290. For further information, call 973.994.2290