Winter 2015 @ OASIS Albuquerque

Great Courses @ OASIS:  You know about OASIS, right?  Abq Jew has featured OASIS Albuquerque on several occasions, and lists OASIS Abq courses of Jewish interest on his Learn/FiftyPlus page.

OASIS (as stated on the organization's website) is

 ... a unique educational program for adults age 50-plus who want to learn, grow and explore new ideas. We promote successful aging through lifelong learning, health programs and volunteer engagement. OASIS Albuquerque has just announced their Winter 2015 line-up of classes.

Registration will open on Wednesday January 7

Executive Director Kathleen Raskob (Michael Nutkiewicz has retired) has continued to make sure there are plenty of courses of Jewish interest.  This session's courses and instructors include:

Spain & the Jews: Then & Now
Thu 22 January 2015 @ 10:30 am - #40
Instructor: Norma Libman
What It Is: In the year 1000, a million Jews lived on the Iberian Peninsula. By 1492, three-quarters were gone, and Spain expelled all the remaining Jews and Muslims who refused to convert to Christianity. What happened to those Jews who still refused to leave? And why is Spain now offering citizenship to the descendants of Jews who were forced out of the country? Who is thinking of returning and why?

Friday Performance: Alavados
Fri 30 January 2015 @ 2:00 pm - #79
Instructor: Alvados
What It Is: Alavados (a name meaning prayers or supplications in Spanish) is Congregation Nahalat Shalom's holy days ensemble. Directed by Nahalat Shalom's Cantorial Soloist Beth Cohen, the band was formed in 1996 to accompany the music for the holidays celebrated at Albuquerque's Jewish Renewal synagogue. The group will perform Jewish liturgical music, folk songs, dance tunes and some comparative selections of east European Jewish music with Sephardic music for an uplifting and interesting performance that will be enjoyed by all

Issues Concerning the Jewish Victims of the Holocaust.
Mon 9 & 16 February 2015 @ 10:30 am - #42
Instructor: Noel Pugach
What It Is: This class will continue exploring critical issues surrounding the Jewish Holocaust from different perspectives. We will focus on the Jewish victims and try to account for their response. Was German Jewry too passive when the Nazis deprived them of their rights? Did European Jewry mount a serious resistance to the Final Solution? What could they have done? Were they prisoners of their own history? Did other Europeans do more against Nazi Germany's immense power?

The Jewish Messiah Who Became a Muslim: The Story of Shabbatai Zvi
Thu 12 February 2015 @ 10:30 am - #95
Instructor: Michael Nutkiewicz
What It Is: In 1665, a young man from Jerusalem named Shabbatai Zvi was declared the messiah of the Jewish people. The word spread, and Jews throughout the known Jewish world were prepared to follow him and bring about the messianic era. But in 1666, Shabbatai Zvi converted to Islam, and the movement collapsed entirely… almost. Learn about one of the most bizarre episodes of Jewish history and its tragic aftermath.

The Heart of Ruth
Wed 18 February @ 10:30 am - #96
Instructor: Janet Gaines
What It Is: Janet Gaines will discuss the story of one of the Bible’s most beloved women. The Book of Ruth demonstrates various loving relationships with which we still struggle today -- love of God and duty, love of family and in-laws, love between man and woman. We will examine background biblical passages regarding laws on gleaning, levirate marriage, and attitudes toward Moabites that shape many of Ruth’s themes.

The Life of Josephus
Mon 23 February 2015 @ 10:30 am - #98
Instructor: Frank Yates
What It Is: This presentation will focus on Josephus' autobiography, "The Life." We will examine this important Jewish writer who lived in the first century CE and who wrote about the Jewish war against the the Romans. His writings give us an insight into the first century Jewish world.

American Songwriters: Lerner & Loewe
Mon 23 February 2015 @ 1:00 pm - #70
Instructor: Jane Ellen
What It Is: In 1942 fate brought together Alan Jay Lerner, a lyricist-playwright and son of the proprietor of a chain of women’s clothing stores and Frederick Loewe, an unknown Viennese composer and former boxer, cowpuncher, busboy, and gold miner. They were to enrich American musical theatre with six unforgettable collaborations including Brigadoon, Camelot, and My Fair Lady. Join us for the magic of Lerner and Loewe, part of our ongoing series featuring American Songwriters.

Jewish Environmental Ethics
Thu 26 February 2015 @ 1:00 pm - #99
Instructor: Paul J Citrin
What It Is: We live in an unprecedented time of human-induced climate change, depletion of resources and depredation of species. Our session will examine ancient and modern Jewish texts on the human obligation to protect the planet, species, and humanity while also enhancing our lives.

The Definition of Human Life
Tue 17 March 2015 @ 10:30 am - #100
Instructor: Harry Rosenfeld
What It Is: Jewish Perspectives on the Beginning and End of Life: When does life begin? When does life end? When do we become human and when does that state end? We will look at these and other questions by examining ancient, medieval and modern Jewish texts.