Update: this course is now proctored by Rabbi Patrick Beaulier. The assignments were originally multiple choice quizzes and open ended written essays . Your new assignment will be shortened versions of the original quizzes, and in addition to make videos posted in the main Slack channel (#prs), similar to the Modern Diaspora Jewish History course. You must answer the quiz questions and post your video replies for credit, no exceptions. You will be marked incomplete if not.
About This Course
In this course, Creating Inclusive Jewish spaces, we will explore ways to engage every member of the Jewish community through unique programming whether it be for a holiday, Shabbat or community gathering, virtual or not and cater to Jews of all different backgrounds. We will explore Jewish texts and learn to incorporate them into our teachings of am yisrael. We will watch clips of how Jews are using their Judaism in many different ways of expressing themselves. We will explore the concept of otherness and what it may feel like to feel out of place in the Jewish community, and how to think of ways to accept and look out for the other.
Review the syllabus below before taking the course.
This course is .5 credits towards smicha
Course Objectives
- How to create Jewish spaces that cater to people of all backgrounds and experiences i.e. multi-faith, LGBTQ, recovering addicts, non-mainstream, different races, abilities
- How to create an alternative service to help bridge the gap between unique Jewish/non-Jewish backgrounds
- Understanding different Jewish knowledge levels i.e. Hebrew reading knowledge, Israel knowledge
- Ve’ahavta Le’re’a’cha ka’mo’cha/Love your fellow as yourself
- Jewish Guidelines for Inclusive Communities
- Coming up to the Torah. Which pronouns should you use? How to address a multi-faith family in their child’s Bar/Bat mitzvah?
Assignments By Lesson Number
- Multiple choice quiz only
- Multiple choice quiz only
- Multiple choice quiz and one video essay question:
- When discussing Israel in your community, what are some things to think about?
- Multiple choice quiz and two video essay questions:
- How can we learn to be inclusive of Jews from many different backgrounds?
- How can we employ the idea of ve’ahavta le’re’acha ka’mo’cha in our daily lives?
- Two question multiple choice quiz and one video essay question:
- How are you going to create a welcoming home for others in your communities, especially outsiders?
- Two question multiple choice quiz and three video essay questions:
- What might you be sensitive to when planning a bar/bat mitzvah for a student with interfaith parents?
- What should you include in your community’s inclusion statement?
- Which community’s inclusion statement did you identify with most?
Meet Your Instructor
Rabbi Arielle comes to the rabbinate with a background in Jewish education and teaching. She has taught Hebrew language in elementary and pre-school and then decided to attend rabbinical school. Rabbi Arielle served as the Rabbinic Intern to Temple Emanu-El in Miami Beach for five years and loved every part of the rabbinate, from officiating at wedding ceremonies, Bnei mitzvah, funerals, teaching Hebrew school, mentoring conversion students, teaching Hebrew, running synagogue programs for young professionals and young families and so much more!
Rabbi Arielle began my rabbinical career through the Jewish Renewal movement where she learned to incorporate yoga and meditation into my Jewish spiritual practices and learned to see Judaism in a new light. She strives to make Judaism relevant and meaningful on a daily basis. Coming from a traditional background, and having a strong background in text study in Hebrew and English, Rabbi Arielle is excited to share my passion and love of Judaism with her students. In her spare time, she enjoys making jewelry, practicing yoga, and taking long walks with her children and husband.
Smicha, Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute
BA, Hebrew Language and Literature, Queens College
BA, Art History and Hebrew, Queens College
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Ratings and Reviews
Donald MeltzerA good overview of the issues of inclusiveness that almost all Jewish organizations are confronted with. Liked that Rabbi Arielle included sources to support inclusiveness in general (betzellem Elohim etc) but also went through alot of the practical issues that have to be dealt with and thought about (excellent job on interfaith b'nai mitzvahs eg). Our synagogue needs an inclusion statement.
Miriam FeilerThis was an excellent course that got me thinking far more broadly about what best-practice inclusivity in our congregation in Singapore would look like. Very thought-provoking and impactful content. Thank you, Rabbi Arielle!
I enjoyed this course after the inital fustration of figuring out I could only screen shot my answers into the assignment box, until the last question. It has given me a few ideas of where I can improve or when I have my own non profit I can gain further information when more inclusivity is needed. I couldn't get all the links to work. But I learned some important facts. Thanks for sharing.