A pioneer of applying modern translation techniques to ancient languages, Dr. Joel M. Hoffman brings the unappreciated wisdom of ancient texts to modern audiences.
Friday evening, Oct. 23
- Kabbalat Shabbat service, 5:30 p.m.
- Shabbat Dinner, 6:30 p.m.
- A talk on Four Exiles and Four Spiritual Revolutions. A whirlwind tour of 3,000 years of Judaism, focusing on three spiritual revolutions and the exiles that led to each. Then the most recent revolution: modern Judaism. How are we, today, like the prophets and like the authors of the Talmud? How is 21st-century Grand Rapids like the Golden Age of Spain? And what will we build for future generations? Watch your email for the online reservation link. If you would like to come just for the talk at 8:00 p.m., no reservation is needed.
Saturday morning, October 24
- Luncheon after the service (about noon), followed by Ancient Answers to Good and Evil That Were Cut From the Bible. The second half of the Adam and Eve story, missing from the Bible. Abraham’s formative childhood. The mysterious Enoch. And the way all three ancient scriptural texts explore the nature of our lives as they explain good and evil.
Sat night, 8:00 p.m.
- We invite those in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s for Encountering the Unique Tapestry of Israel: Why what you see isn’t always what you get. Through a series of vignettes from his personal experience as a frequent visitor to Israel and as a writer for the Jerusalem Post, Dr. Hoffman brings us an insider’s look that moves beyond the headlines to explore what’s really going on in the Holy Land. RSVP to Daveed BenAvraham, daveedbenavraham@gmail.com or (616) 337-2139 by Wednesday, October 21 at noon.
Sunday, October 25, hosted by Temple Emanuel.
- A light bagel breakfast followed by How Translations Conceal the Bible’s Original Meaning. The original Hebrew of the Ten Commandments doesn’t say, “don’t covet” or “don’t kill.” The translation “the Lord is my shepherd” is misleading, and the English phrase “with all your heart and all your soul” is just wrong. Come learn how modern translation techniques expose what the words of the Bible originally meant. RSVP to office@ahavasisraelgr.org or 616-949-2840 by Wednesday, October 21 at noon.