Interfaith
Exploration

Adult Education Offerings
Congregation of St. Saviour

Welcome to the Adult Education Courses presented by the Congregation of Saint Saviour at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. We offer these courses to the community. All are welcome to participate no matter what your religious background or affiliation, or even if you have no background at all. Our hope is to make studying with us an interfaith opportunity, concerned not with conversion but with the art of listening and sharing differing ideas. Our faculty consists of excellent instructors from diverse religious affiliations. Our goal is to make the Cathedral a safe place to learn, where questions are welcome and doubts respected. Please join us!

Faithfully,
Vicki+

The Reverend Canon Dr. Victoria R. Sirota, Canon
Pastor and Vicar Congregation of Saint Saviour
vicar@saintsaviour.org

 

Winter 2012

Exploring Genesis
Rabbi Leonard A. Schoolman
Four Tuesdays: January 24, 31, February 7, 14 7:00-8:30 p.m.
The biblical Book of Genesis has become the battleground for conservative and liberal thinkers. Its verses are widely used as proof texts for many arguments. Rabbi Schoolman will guide us in a consideration of the origins of the Book, and will help us to discern the original meanings and the various interpretations of the text itself. Among the topics will be Creation, Adam and Eve, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Binding of Isaac, and the Joseph cycle. Please bring a copy of the Bible.

Biblical Women of Worth
Dr. Phyllis Trible
Four Tuesdays: January 24, 31, February 7, 14 7:00- 8:30 p.m.
Unlike the book of Proverbs 31:10, this course offers different answers to the question, "A woman of worth, who can find?" Professor Trible will explore the phrase "woman of worth" through characters ranging from Eve and Miriam through Jezebel and Huldah to the Syro-Phoenician woman.

Introduction to the Gospels
Professor Deirdre Good
Four Thursdays: January 26, February 2, 9, 16 7:00-8:30 p.m.
The “good news” of the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is the telling of the life of Jesus. Dr. Good will help us to understand the origins of the Gospels, which came first and why, as well as the audiences for which the Gospels were written. These basic documents of Christianity form the basis for an understanding of the art and music of western civilization. Their message is crucial for the education of a well-rounded individual. Please bring a copy of the New Testament.


Introduction to Islam
Dr. Hussein Rashid
Three Thursdays: January 26, February 9, 16 7:00-9:00 p.m.
More than one million Muslims live in the greater New York area. How much do we know of their beliefs and practices? Dr. Rashid will guide us through a basic understanding of Islam as it is practiced in America and abroad. We will look at the Qur’an, Islam’s holy scriptures, and explore its relationship to the Bible of Jews and Christians. He will also help us to understand the many varieties of Islam, including Sunni, Shi’ia and Sufism. There will be ample opportunity for questions and answers, and for discussion.

 

Faculty

Deirdre Good is professor of New Testament at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York. She earned her doctorate at the Harvard Divinity School. She is the author of many books on the New Testament.

Hussein Rashid is one of the young, American born Muslims who are now rising into leadership in the Muslim community in New York. He is a graduate of Columbia University, Harvard Divinity School and earned his doctorate at Harvard University. Dr. Rashid is currently adjunct professor at Hofstra University.

Leonard A. Schoolman was ordained a rabbi at the Hebrew Union College. He was the administrative editor of The Torah, the first American Bible commentary in English. He is consultant to the Dean of the Cathedral on interfaith programming.

Phyllis Trible is one of the earliest feminist Bible scholars, and one of the most respected teachers in her field. She taught at Union Theological Seminary in New York, where she earned her doctorate in a joint program with Columbia University.

 

Each course sequence is $100 and classes are held in the Cathedral House.
Space is limited, early registration is advised.  To register or for more information please contact: office@saintsaviour.org or 212-316-7483