Recognising that it is all too easy in a busy life to overlook that there is more to religion than the meticulous observance of a set of rules in the kitchen and the routine mumbling of little-understood words of prayer at breakneck speed, one purpose of this experimental, part-time Diploma Course was to provide lay men and women with detailed practical knowledge of parts of the Halacha (Jewish Law) most relevant to present-day living, such as Shabbat, Kashrut and Prayer – with focus on practical topics such as the use of electrical appliances on Shabbat.
It was also intended to teach that halacha is not set in stone; and that our sages often had and have differing opinions on some of its rules and prohibitions. It is all too easy simply to say ‘no’ but, to quote Gaon Haim David Halevi,
- ‘it is flexible and progressive halachic rulings that will ensure the continuation of Judaism in perpetuity.
The other and equally important purpose was to promote deeper understanding of our faith and heritage by study of Divine Revelation and by deeper interpretation of sacred texts in an attempt to awaken the awe at the wonders of creation and human consciousness that should be behind all religious thinking. It also covered topics such as working for a living, creation and science, human consciousness, Midrash what Kabbalah is about, and Jewish history.
This experimental course was a fine example of an important aspect of what we call the Montefiore Ethos. And here, the description of the of the Course by one of its graduates as a step towards ‘a thinking Judaism’ is particularly apt. A small step it may be – but a beginning.
This was one-year study course, extendable to two-years to gain the diploma. It involved a class every week in term time, some home study and revision sessions on Sunday evenings. There was testing and essay writing from time to time, but no formal exams.
The instruction was in English to enable the course to be accessible to those with differing levels of previous knowledge. More advanced notes on sources were also available for those who are equipped to benefit from them. Students were issued with a copy of ‘Our Glorious Tradition’, part of the Endowment’s Heritage Programme, as back-up for parts of the Course and full advantage was taken of the internet to enable students to join from outside the London area.
The Course, which ended in 2022 was judged a success by its 14 graduates and by those who just followed it just out of interest. It was unique in its aims; and the trustees will consider running it again as soon as their resources permit.
I commend the excellent delivery and content of the first lectures (on the Diploma Course just started), light-hearted but with substantial content and the exciting promise of those to come . . .
Renee Wasserman