Blake Street Hebrew Congregation Inc.

What would life be like if we never learnt anything new? There couldn’t be anything more depressing. Can you imagine it? Having to go through the rest of our days knowing no more than we know now, never acquiring a new skill or new information, never getting better or more experienced at anything.

School children might relish the idea of never having to go to another lesson. But who would want to go through knowing only what they knew aged 18?

Now you have another chance. Here at Blake Street Hebrew Congregation we are proud to launch a comprehensive program of Jewish education. With something taking place every day of the week, at various times of the day and designed to suit a wide range of ages and abilities there really is something for everyone on offer, so you are sure to find something that is right for you.

Young or old, it’s never too late to start and no qualifications are required. So if your life is standing still, put a bit of excitement back and get learning.

Download the full program by pressing here.

Live and Learn

Learning for Life.

Every day, get a daily dose of Torah after davenning as Rabbi Goodhardt explains a nugget of halacha from the authoritative Code of Jewish Law (Shulchan Aruch). Currently the topic is tephillin, and we shall progress slowly through the topics in the order presented with breaks before each chag to refresh our knowledge of the laws of each festival as it approaches.

Once a month, roughly coinciding with Rosh Chodesh, this group for women will meet to discuss a topic of current interest, learn a new simcha dance and enjoy refreshments.

Dates (all Tuesdays) are: February 16, March 16, April 13, May 11, June 15, July 13, August 10, October 1 – Simchat Torah, November 9, December 7 – Chanuka
8:00pm in the shul.

6:30 pm - BBB & BBB+
Every Monday evening, anyone due to celebrate a Bar– or Bat-Mitzvah at Blake Street during 2010 is invited to join this innovative program which takes a look at various aspects of Jewish life from a new angle. We have lots of practical sessions - writing a sefer Torah, making challot –and things you may have never done before, like putting biblical heroes on trial. And for those who marked their big day last year, there is a special group for you too, at 7:30pm.

8:00 - 9:00 pm - Parshat HaShavua
Each Monday evening we prepare for the week ahead with this shiur which begins with an overview of the weekly parsha and then looks in detail at a particular verse and Rashi’s comment on it. We often use the popular book What’s Bothering Rashi which has very insightful comments on Rashi’s explanations.

Everyone welcome.

7:15 - 8:00 am - Triple MMM (Morning Mishna Munch)
Aimed at upper primary school students, after the regular weekday Shacharit, what could be better than a free yummy breakfast with a little Mishna thrown in?

8:30 pm - Relationships and Life
In an innovative new programme, relationship experts Rabbi Ian Goodhardt and Naomi Kalman (Dessauer) present a sequence of courses throughout the year for whatever stage you are at in your relationship. Newly married (up to 10 years)? Married 10 - 20 years, or longer? In the throes of parenting, or the child of older parents? Commencing with the basics of any relationship from traditional Jewish sources and the best relationship research from around the world, this course will enhance your life in unexpected ways. This is an interactive course, and each semester will be limited to 8 couples who are at a similar stage in their relationship. The first term will focus on those married for up to ten years - apply to any member of the education team.

9:30 am - Thursday for Knowledge
In a relaxed setting over a cup of coffee, join the discussion about Modern Ideas in Jewish Thought focussing initially on a series of lectures given by Chief Rabbi Sacks in 2000. The basic question addressed is whether we can still say anything new about Jewish Faith. Working our way slowly and carefully through the dense set of ideas and concepts is a uniquely rewarding experience, yielding surprises and laughs along the way.

8:30 pm - Open Learning
With the assistance of and in partnership with the Jewish Learning Centre, come along for one-on-one (chevruta) or small group learning on a subject of your choice. Open to all - no experience required.

Shabbat Programs

Ages 5-11
10:45 - 11:15 am - Parshat hashavuah - what’s the story all about? We will be looking at the weekly parsha and try to find out how it speaks to us today. What can we learn from the lives of our forefather and their adventures? 

Under 5s
11:00 - 11:30 am - The long-running Kidshul program continues this year with renewed enthusiasm and commitment.

If you don’t see what you are looking for in this brochure, contact any member of the education team to discuss the creation of a bespoke programme of one-on-one or group learning to meet your exact requirements. Our team is here for you and is only too happy to help.

Throughout this year we expect to continue to offer one-off shiurim by Rabbi Goodhardt, Rabbi Blackman and visiting international and local speakers as we have done previously. These will be advertised individually, so keep your eye on the weekly email and website.

At this stage we are looking forward to a series of four talks by Rabbi Blackman before Pesach on each Tuesday night in March (2, 9, 16 and 23 - yet to be confirmed) at 8:30pm in the shul.

Engaged Couples Course
This 3 to 6 week course will run several times during the year - the January one has already completed. It assists those about to be married to consider what being married is really like and aims to help the avoid some of the mistakes people make. Details will be sent to all those who book a first wedding in our shul.

Women in Tenach
We also hoping to secure the well-known Melbourne educator Adina Bankier-Karp, who will give a series of talks at 5:00pm on Shabbat afternoon on Women in the Tenach. Details and confirmation of this series will be sent separately by email.

Trial of Jacob
One of the highlights of the BBB calendar is the Trial of Jacob, in which our revered ancestor is accused in a court-room setting of having obtained a birthright by duress, and of having obtained a blessing by deception. The kids had so much fun preparing for the trial, they notice how much they were learning.

We will be running this program for adults as well this year - look out for further information after Succot.