Spring 2020 @ OASIS Abq

Great Courses of Jewish Interest

Abq Jew is pleased to inform you that

OASIS Albuquerque has just announced

their Spring 2020 line-up of classes!

Registration opens on
Wednesday January 8

but you can Wish List your selections now.

OASIS Albuquerque Executive Director Kathleen Raskob and her staff continue (as always) to bring you new and interesting class offerings, and continues to make sure there are plenty of courses of Jewish interest.

This session's courses and instructors include, but are by no means limited to:

The Story of Love in Judaism
Monday 10 February 2020 @ 10:00 am

& Wednesday 12 February 2020 - #135

Instructor: Paul Citrin

What It Is: During two sessions, examine how Judaism and Jewish teachers have understood the commandments to love God and one's neighbor; and to love in marital and family life, in the communal setting, and in terms of sex and sexuality. We read and discuss texts from the Bible and from the ancient rabbis as well as material from contemporary sources. The goal of these sessions is to deepen our understanding of what the world needs in this era of me-ism and tribalism.

Unexpected Bride in the Promised Land:

Eyewitness to History in Palestine & Israel

Monday 10 February 2020 @ 12:30 pm - #88

Instructor:  Iris Keltz

What It Is: Iris Keltz continues to discuss her experience as chronicled in her award-winning book, Unexpected Bride in the Promised Land. Having survived the Six-Day War under the protection of a Palestinian family, it was 32 years before Keltz returned to Jerusalem. She went to find out what happened to the people who had protected her, and she went to find out if friendships between Jews and Palestinians were possible. You do not need to have attended Part 1 (offered in August 2019) to attend this class.

The Strange Case of
the 17th Century Jewish Mystical Messiah

Friday 14 February 2020 @ 10:00 am - #136

Instructor: Michael Nutkiewicz

What It Is:In 1666 Shabbatai Zvi (d. 1676) was declared the messiah. Most of the known Jewish world from the Middle East to Western and Eastern Europe was prepared to follow him. Skeptical rabbis were powerless to stop the movement, and Christian writers followed the story very carefully as it unfolded. But why did Shabbatai Zvi convert to Islam, and what happened to him and his believers?

The Spiritual & Social Ideas
of Simone Weil - A Continuation

Friday 21 February @ 10:00 am - #137

Instructor: Frank Yates

What It Is: This continuation of Frank Yates' talks on Simone Weil focuses on her spiritual and social ideas. Weil, who died during World War II, conveyed many of her spiritual ideas in her book Waiting for God. While working for De Gaulle's French government during her exile in London, she wrote a blueprint for post-war France. That became her book The Need for Roots. These two works are examined in detail while we learn more about this fascinating philosopher, spiritual writer, and political theorist. Note: you do not need to have attended the previous lecture (summer 2019) to enroll in this one.

The Biblical Saga of Joseph & His Brothers

Thursday 5 March 2020  @ 10:00 am - #138

Instructor:  Shlomo Karni

What It Is: Learn about Joseph, the hated brother who was kidnapped, sold into slavery, imprisoned, and who then rose to be viceroy of the pharaoh of Egypt. This is an emotionally-charged drama with actions of envy, coldblooded cruelty, bereavement, tenderness -- and the occasional providence or fate. How relevant is this story to us today?

Art & Architecture Tour of
Congregation Albert Synagogue: Field Trip

Wednesday 11 March 2020 @ 10:00 am - #139

Instructor: Paul Citrin

What It Is: Congregation Albert is 121 years old and its present synagogue facility is 35 years old. Join Rabbi Paul Citrin to learn about the architect's concept for the building and examine the art and artifacts which make it a unique synagogue. See how the values of a community influence and are influenced by the physical surroundings of where people meet. A feature of this tour is to see both the Centennial Torah scroll and the Holocaust scroll. Enrollment limited to 30.

Jack Benny: Forever 39

Wednesday 11 March 2020 @ 2:30 pm - #42
Instructor: Yolanda Day

What It Is: Jack Benny, star of stage, screen, radio and television, not only did it all but did it all at the same time. Known for both his impeccable comic timing and stinginess, he developed a devoted audience over a more than 30-year career. This lecture by Yolanda Day brings you history from Benny’s friends and family as well as live skits performed by The Rio Grande Players from some of his most successful radio shows and personal favorites.

The History of Crypto-Jews
in New Spain & New Mexico

Tuesday 31 March 2020 @ 10:00 am - #172

Instructor: Stefanie Beninato

What It Is: Learn about a lesser-known aspect of Southwestern history by exploring the settlement of New Spain by Sephardic Jews, many of whom practiced Judaism secretly (Crypto-Jews). Learn how and why many Hispanics in New Mexico did not know of this ancestry or, if they did, how they hid it from the agents of the Inquisition. Understand how these ethnic roots affect cultural identity and contemporary issues in New Mexico today. Presented in partnership with the Historical Society of New Mexico.

Regular OASIS Albuquerque instructor (and award-winning composer and recording artist) Jane Ellen also continues (as always) to bring you new and interesting class offerings, and continues to make sure there are plenty of courses of musical and Jewish interest.

Jane's courses this session include, but are by no means limited to:

You've Got A Friend in Carole King

Tuesday 21 January 2020 @ 10:00 am - #101

What It Is: Singer/songwriter Carole King (1942- ) began her career in the 1960s writing hit songs with then husband Gerry Goffin. A decade later, she became an award-winning performer in her own right when the album Tapestry topped the US charts in 1971 for 15 weeks, remaining on the charts for six years. Recipient of the Gershwin Prize from the Library of Congress in 2012, King has written the musical soundtrack of our lives across five decades.

Kurt Weill's Useful Music

Monday 20 April 2020 @ 2:30 pm - #116

What It Is: Kurt Weill (1900-50), known primarily in the United States for "Mack the Knife" from The Threepenny Opera, was a leading composer for the stage, as well as a classical composer during his tragically short career. Denounced by the Nazis, he fled Europe in 1933 to pursue his ideal of writing music that served a socially useful purpose. This class is amplified by a wide range of recordings, including classic performances by his wife, Lotte Lenya.

OASIS Albuquerque also offers regular Friday Performances - musical, dance, theater, and storytelling - all by local artists. They're listed among the schedule of classes.

This session's Jewish performances include but are by no means limited to:

Neshama del Bosque

Friday 17 April 2020 @ 2:00 pm - #129

What It Is: Neshama del Bosque (Soul of the Forest) performs Sephardic music from medieval Spain, Syria, Turkey, and the Mediterranean. You might hear a Ladino lullaby from Greece, an ancient folk song from Turkey, a mushwasha love song in Arabic from Andalucia, a Ladino folk song by Flory Jagoda about "Tu Beshevat" (the New Year of the Trees), a suite of traditional folk songs and fiddle tunes from New Mexico -- y mucho mas!