JANUARY 26 • 2023 | 21

T

o study the history of 
most cultures, you need 
to learn about wars 
and empires, warriors and city 
builders, and great works of 
art. But the history of Judaism 
is overwhelmingly a history 
and development of teachings. 
The great Jewish teachings 
and traditions form the core 
of Judaism’s culture. But much 
of Judaism’s classic literature 
remains an enigma to many 
Jews.
This February, Rabbi 
Levi Dubov 
of the Chabad 
Jewish Center 
of Bloomfield 
Hills will launch 
“Book Smart,
” 
a new six-week 
course from the 
Jewish Learning Institute that 
explores the vast sea of Jewish 
learning and literature. The 
class will take its participants 
on a deep dive into the history, 
authors and content of eight 
distinct genres of Jewish teach-
ings: Torah, Talmud, Midrash, 
Halachah, Mussar (ethics), phi-
losophy, Kabbalah and Chasidic 
mysticism. 
“It will be the ultimate Jewish 
learning experience,
” Dubov 
says, “I’m excited because the 
course will give us a richer 
understanding and context of 
what Judaism is, how it devel-
oped and what it can mean for 
us today. This course has been 

in development for over two 
years, and it is so exciting to 
finally bring it to our commu-
nity.
” Dubov was part of the 
editorial team that produced 
this course.
The history of Jewish liter-
ature is a broad subject, but 
Dubov says the course will also 
go deep. “We’re not just going 
to learn why these works were 
written. We’re actually going 
to get a taste of what it’s like 
to participate in a Talmudic 
debate, unpack a philosophical 
conundrum and decipher a 
kabbalistic text from the Zohar. 
It will be an enjoyable and 
intellectually engaging journey, 
giving us valuable context for all 
our future Jewish learning.
” 
The course begins 
Wednesday, Feb. 8, and runs 
for six consecutive weeks, with 
two options: morning option, 
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and an 
evening option, 7:30-9 p.m. 
The classes will be held at the 
Jewish Federation building in 
Bloomfield Township, and a 
Zoom option is available as 
well.
The course fee is $90, includ-
ing a full-color course textbook. 
Discounts are offered for cou-
ples and groups. Scholarships 
are available upon request.
For more info and to regis-
ter, visit www.bhchabad.org/
booksmart, or contact Rabbi 
Dubov at (248) 949-6210 or 
rabbi@bhchabad.org. 

Rabbi Levi 
Dubov

Rabbi Levi Dubov leads a 
Jewish learning session.

New course to explore the vast sea of 
Jewish learning and literature.
‘Book Smart’
A special event 
series from JLearn, 
with curriculum by 
the Shalom Hartman 
Institute

THOUGHTFUL JUDAISM: 
PEOPLEHOOD AND 
PRACTICE

RABBI ROBERT DOBRUSIN
ZOOM • WEDNESDAYS, 10 – 11:15 AM 
 MARCH 1 FOR TWELVE WEEKS

An exciting, thought-provoking learning 
experience offering fundamental concepts of 
Judaism and Jewish life. Explore compelling 
questions in Jewish thought, as Rabbi Dobrusin 
masterfully guides you through exciting content 
from the Shalom Hartman Institute – a think 
tank for world Judaism.

TUITION: $175 – includes books

Join us for Series 2 (Faith and Ethics), offered next Fall. 
This is a pluralistic class for all levels of learners.

RABBI ROBERT DOBRUSIN is Rabbi 
emeritus at Beth Israel in Ann Arbor, where 
he has served since 1988. He was ordained 
from the Jewish Theological Seminary, 
named one of the 33 most inspiring rabbis in 
America by The Forward, in 2015. He is also a 
published author. 

To register: 248-205-2557 
or JLearn.online
Complete catalog: JCCDET.org/JLearn

JLearn