Meeting People Where They Are

It has become a mantra in the 21st century Jewish communal world that if we want to succeed in engaging the next generation we need to work at meeting them where they are, both literally and figuratively.

One example is Torah study. In the past, it was not uncommon to hold lunch and learn sessions at people’s offices downtown. But over time, with people’s busy schedules and offices moving out of downtown, it became more difficult to sustain participation.

Well, we now have a way to meet people where they are, not matter where they are, to add a little Torah study into their lives. Over the past few months, we have been experimenting with what we call a virtual lunch and learn. You can sign in from wherever you are and participate in a lively discussion. We have had people from all over the country sign in.

Right now, our topic of discussion is Judaism’s view and role in everyday behavior. We believe that Judaism has something to say about how we act and comport ourselves in every aspect of our daily life, from the time we wake up, until the time we go to sleep. Judaism even has something to say about how we sleep!

We are studying Maimonides’ (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon) “Book of Dispositions”– Hilchot Day’ot. In this section of his seminal work, the Mishna Torah, he lays out the rules of daily conduct. It is fascinating to discover just how scientifically and medically advanced Maimonides was for his time. He discusses everything from what and when to eat to sexual relations. In each case he describes what he believes the path that we are to follow as Jews.

This coming Monday February 6 at 12 PM PST you can sign into Zoom Viewer. You can sign on to any device with a video camera, computer, IPAD, IPhone or Android phone. If you go to midbarkodesh.org you will see where to click to sign on. If you have any questions email or call the office.