1972 NW Flanders Street, Portland, Oregon 97209 | 503-222-1069
1972 NW Flanders Street, Portland, Oregon 97209 | 503-222-1069
Torah Study at CBI is a weekly source of connection, joy, solace, and growth. No previous in-depth Torah study or familiarity with Hebrew is needed be a part of this Jewish journey. CBI’s Torah scholars meet Saturdays at 9:00 via Zoom for conversation and inquiry led in alternate weeks by Rabbi Shelton Donnell, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Sholom in Santa, Ana, California, and Ziva ,Gunther a rabbinical student at HUC.
Join via Zoom Meeting ID: 872 6796 8642
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Rabbi Shelton Donnell is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana, CA. After almost thirty years as a congregational rabbi he made aliyah to Israel in 2005, where he was on the staff of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion serving as the rabbi of the Year-in-Israel program and instructor in liturgy.
His “goal for the CBI Torah Study group is to find contemporary insights speaking through ancient texts. Drawing upon traditional and modern sources and commentaries, we explore the weekly portion and encourage the participants to engage the Torah on a personal level to find lessons and guidance relevant to their lives and to the modern world.”
When asked what upcoming Parasha he is particularly excited to explore, Rabbi Donnell says, “As I thoroughly enjoy Torah study, the Torah portion that I look forward to the most, quite frankly, is the portion that I am preparing for the next Torah Study session. That is the beauty of the Torah wherein even well-trodden paths can lead us to new revelations.”
Ziva Gunther is a passionate and dedicated individual with a deep love for Torah and Jewish education, originally hailing from Texas she has spent most of her life in Santa Fe, NM. Actively involved in her synagogue life, she has served as a committee chair, lay leader, Sunday school teacher, board member, and more. She is now in her second year of rabbinical studies at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles. Ziva enjoys Torah study deeply and hopes to inspire joy and foster community as a future rabbi. Outside of her professional pursuits, she’s a Star Wars enthusiast and over all geek who loves cooking, baking, scrapbooking, watching Formula 1 racing, and is learning to work on cars.
CBI congregants on the the many ways they find Torah Study meaningful.
Torah study is a great way to start your Shabbat morning. We are fortunate to have wonderful teachers to lead the sessions whose Jewish knowledge is both broad and deep. In addition to the text of the weekly Torah portion, they share other sources from Mishnah, Talmud, later and contemporary writings to expand our understanding. I’ve made new friends and look forward to seeing them in person. We’re a friendly, welcoming group. We often share books we are reading, blogs we discovered, and information about Jewish websites. Torah study is a great way to reconnect to your Judaism. It’s perfect someone on the path to conversion. You can sip your coffee and just listen or jump right in as an active participant –Judith Pakosinski | Torah Study on Saturday mornings is a highlight of my week. For regulars, occasional attendees and those who are new, it is a place of community and an opportunity to engage in learning that is both exceptional and accessible. –Sally Rosenfeld | Torah Study sparks our imaginations and souls. Our Rabbis lead us to ever deepening meanings. Our Study group, ever questioning and supporting souls, comes from all walks of life. We seek understanding. We find connections, love for each other, and love of Judaism. –Randie Peterson | The great thing about reform Judaism is that everyone has the opportunity to find their own best expression of their faith. For me, Torah Study is the ultimate expression of Judaism because it combines community, learning, and engaging with the mythology of our people in a very visceral way. My way of being an active part of the congregational community is to participate in Torah Study, to lead Torah Study, to help the clergy, and to hope that my presence adds a little something to the experience that everyone has. Because what Torah Study is really about is helping each other to engage with our beautiful history, past, and future through the most important texts we have. Our clergy can’t be available to do everything, all the time. But, with our rabbinic students and other outside resources, we have an extraordinary group of leaders and I wouldn’t miss a week of it. –Steve Bilow |
Ziva
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