RS 653 Leading High Holiday Services (MRS)
Instructor: Rabbi Benjamin Raker Ehrenfeld
Location: Populi (https://mjti.populiweb.com)
Dates: March 21 –May 30
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides students of the Master of Rabbinic Studies program basic skills and knowledge necessary to lead High Holiday and Haggimservices as rabbis. Students will learn the structure and content of the services for holidays, how to access nusach and melodies for leading their davening, and pertinent halakhic information on the implementation of services/customs unique to these holidays. Students will also be given resources for the structuring of communal organization of various elements of these services. This course will equip the student to lead these services in a way that is creative, Yeshua-centered, and deeply respectful of tradition.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE CURRICULUM
This is a service implementation classand its prerequisites include RS651 The Basics of Synagogue Worship and RS652 Leading Shabbat and Weekday Services. This class focuses on Jewish prayer from a leader’s perspective on Haggim and High Holidays.
RELEVANCE
A basic function of a rabbi is to ensure regular worship within his/her community’s framework. This course provides students with knowledge and skills to serve in this capacity for their communities.
PREREQUISITE
Basic Hebrew skills or registration in BH501 Biblical Hebrew 1. RS651 The Basics of Synagogue WorshipRS652 Leading Shabbat and Weekday Services Course limited to MRS students only. (Unless special permission is granted.) TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Students must have a computer and Internet access.Please contact Joyce Klayman, our IT assistant, for technical help at jbklay@gmail.com.
COURSE FORMAT
Asynchronous blog discussion, short instructor podcasts, completing assignments, four Zoom video call class discussions (Sundays, 3/21, 4/11, 4/25, and 5/16 at 2:30pm EDT), and individualized learning contract work (Guided Learning Contract-GLC).
REQUIREMENTS
Participating in class discussion, reading materials, listening to instructor podcasts, and completion of assignments. Students will be required to formulate and complete a GLC under the direction of two mentors. Students must have approved mentors by the beginning of the class. Please contact the instructor at benehrenfeld@gmail.comto receive mentor approval.
REQUIRED TEXTS
- Sacks, Rabbi Lord Jonathan. The Koren Sacks Siddur, with English Translation and Commentary. Jerusalem: Koren Publishers, 2009. Standard Edition, ISBN 9789653010673
- Sacks, Rabbi Lord Jonathan.The Koren Rosh HaShana Mahzor with English Translation and Commentary. Jerusalem: Koren Publishers, 2011. Standard Edition, ISBN 9789653013421
- Sacks, Rabbi Lord Jonathan. The Koren Yom Kippur Mahzorwith English Translation and Commentary.Jerusalem: Koren Publishers, 2012. Standard Edition, ISBN 9789653013452
- Resource Packet for RS653. Compiled and Edited by Rabbi Benjamin Raker Ehrenfeld. This will be provided to students. No purchase.
- Ruach IsraelSelichot. This will be provided to students by permission. No purchase.
- Machzor Ruach Israel: Rosh HaShana. This will be provided to students by permission. No purchase.
- Machzor Ruach Israel: Erev Yom Kippur.This will be provided to students by permission. No purchase.
- Machzor Ruach Israel: Yom Kippur Shacharit. This will be provided to students by permission. No purchase.
- Machzor Ruach Israel: Neilah.This will be provided to students by permission. No purchase.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
- Weisenberg, Joey. Building Singing Communities: A Practical Guide to Unlocking the Power of Music in Jewish Prayer.New York, Mechon Hadar, 2011.