Courses
HEBREW SEMINARY
FALL SEMESTER 2026 COURSES
The Fall 2026 Semester begins September 10 and ends on December 18. Classes will not be held on September 21, October 12, and November 26.
MONDAYS
Jewish Ethics
Rabbi Dr. David Oler
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM CT
Pedagogy
Professor David Schwartz
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT
TUESDAYS
Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
Rabbanit Goldie Guy
11:15 AM – 1:00 PM CT
Liturgy of the Three Festivals
Rabbi Jonah Rank
6:00 PM – 7:45 PM CT
WEDNESDAYS
Hilkhot Shabbat
Rabbi Daniel Vaisrub
1:30 PM – 3:15 PM CT
Hebrew Taught in American Sign Language
Pararabbi Sari Daybook
6:00 PM – 7:45 PM CT
THURSDAYS
Parashat HaShavu’a I
Rabbi Shari Chen
11:15 AM – 1:00 PM CT
Mixed Level Hebrew
Rabbi Shari Chen
1:30 PM – 3:15 PM CT
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Jewish Ethics
Rabbi Dr. David Oler
Mondays 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM CT
This course will survey a variety of middot, character traits, that are emphasized in Musar, i.e. Jewish ethical literature. Various perspectives, including present day innovative thought, will be studied and contrasted with one another to see how Jewish values inform Jewish ethical decision – making. Opportunity will be provided to reflect on our personal perspectives on these values and of how they apply to our counseling and our own development. We will also consider the role of the rabbi in teaching Musar and other Jewish ethical frameworks in communal settings. Knowledge of Hebrew is not a prerequisite.
Pedagogy
Professor David Schwartz
Mondays 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT
In “Pedagogy for Youth,” students will learn the basics of successful youth instruction across a variety of settings. Topics will include, but are not limited to, child development, lesson planning, classroom management, administrative skills, learning styles, and more.
Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
Rabbanit Goldie Guy
Tuesdays 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM CT
This course will introduce students to the earliest layers of rabbinic literature. Students will learn about the origins of the Mishnah, the Tosefta, the Talmud Yerushalmi, and the Talmud Bavli, and students will learn fundamental vocabulary for navigating early rabbinic literature. Students should have completed Beginning Hebrew I or the equivalent prior to enrollment.
Liturgy of the Three Festivals
Rabbi Jonah Rank
Tuesdays 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM CT
Our spiritual forebears were accustomed to traveling to Jerusalem during three annual pilgrimage festivals: Sukkot, Passover, and Shavu’ot. Although the specific observances of these holidays have evolved drastically over time, contemporary Jewish religious expression still marks these unique holy days with specialized liturgy. In this course, we will study and even workshop words, melodies, traditions, and rituals that merge to form profound modern reclamations of these sacred moments in the Jewish calendar.
Hilkhot Shabbat
Rabbi Daniel Vaisrub
Wednesdays 1:30 PM – 3:15 PM CT
An overview of the laws of Shabbat as articulated in foundational rabbinic texts. The course offers grounding both in the legal framework of Shabbat as well as the overall rabbinic conception of halakhah. Ability to read vocalized Hebrew texts a requirement.
Hebrew Taught in American Sign Language
Pararabbi Sari Daybook
Wednesdays 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM CT
A beginning Hebrew course taught for native signers of American Sign Language.
Parashat HaShavu’a I
Rabbi Shari Chen
Thursdays 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM CT
Jewish leaders who deliver sermons from a pulpit, officiate life cycle events, or teach in any other capacity must become familiar with our weekly Torah portions. Each week we will read select passages from the weekly Parashah and explore the different levels of meaning of the portion as well as the Hebrew and grammar found in it, and how to incorporate its teachings into our lives.
Mixed Level Hebrew
Rabbi Shari Chen
Thursdays 1:30 PM – 3:15 PM CT
In this course we will explore and learn key concepts in Biblical Hebrew, building reading and translation skills by studying select passages from the Torah.