Goals and Mission Statement of the Beit HaMidrash

08/02/2010

Listen "Goals and Mission Statement of the Beit HaMidrash"

Episode Synopsis

To help provide you with a better understanding of our organization's key goals and mission statement - the following points  from our Bylaws may prove useful:• The first and primary goal of the Beit HaMidrash is to enable cross-denominational learning and the sharing of perspectives across the full spectrum of Jewish movements: Orthodox (modern to haredi), Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Renewal and Humanism. Enabling even the smallest minyanim from Novato to Aptos to have access to learning and scholarship from our full scholastic team as well as interested parties from outside these areas as applicable.• To provide a broad range of educational classes, including but not limited to:         o        Public lectures and seminars on issues of import and potential controversy within the Jewish community;         o Co-sponsoring the Thursday morning Talmud and Pirkei Avot studies at Congregation Sinai; o Thursday noon-1pm individualized study classes at Ahabat Torah; o Secular studies including but not limited to Jewish art history, historical seminars, Jewish leadership, language studies; o Other classes with support from leading Rabbis and lay scholars (regardless of Jewish denomination or other faith) throughout the Bay Area and beyond• Bringing Jewish learning into the 21st century through appropriate use of technology – streaming multimedia via YouTube and iTunes, online social communities such as Facebook, Twitter; classes via videoconferencing and online teaching platforms. • Close working relationship with trans-Jewish national movements such as Hadassah as well as local groups serving the entire Jewish community such as Chevra Kadisha• Working towards the development of a single Jewish court (beis din) in the San Jose area to serve potential converts from all denominations• Co-sponsoring the annual Jewish Heritage day at the San Jose Giants and working with the San Francisco Giants for their similar event• Sponsoring the annual Sephardic Heritage week program• Outreach to the Anusim community