The Jewish Community Scholars Program began in 2001 in Orange County California to provide high level adult Jewish education. Technology has given CSP a global reach with partner synagogues in Israel, Europe and all of North America. As a partner synagogue, Temple Israel members have access to CJP’s vast array of live presentations from top notch scholars. CSP also has an extensive archive of past programs on You Tube.
Thursdays, September 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. (PT) and 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (ET) live on Zoom from New York City
“From Pickles to Prada: 150 Years on the Lower East Side” led by Dr. Sharon Keller
Join us for a four-part series exploring over 150 years of transformation in one of New York’s most iconic neighborhoods—the Lower East Side. Once a bustling enclave of pushcarts, pickled herring, and Yiddish theatre, this historic district has reinvented itself as a vibrant hub of boutique fashion, fusion cuisine, and cultural evolution. Through evocative images, rich stories, and sharp commentary, we’ll examine the changing landscape of entertainment, food, shopping, and social norms. Part 1 – Spotlight on the LES: Stages, Shtick, and Stardom, Part 2 – “I’ll Have What She’s Having!” Food Then and Now, Part 3 – Where Did You Buy Your Camp Clothes? From Pushcarts to Prada, and Part 4 – “They Were Good to Their Mothers,” But Were They? The Seamy Side of Life on the LES. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Sunday, September 7th, from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (PT) and 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (ET) live on Zoom from Jerusalem
“Visualizing Tishrei: The month of festivals in Art and Archeology” led by Nachliel Selavan
The entire month of Tishrei is a symphony of reflection, joy, and renewal. This class offers a sweeping yet focused look at the cycle of festivals—Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah—through the extraordinary record of Jewish art and archaeology. From mosaics and manuscripts to Samaritan sukkot and temple-era trumpets, we’ll explore how generations of Jews expressed the sacred through symbol and space, and how each holiday reflects a unique facet of Jewish identity and belief.
We’ll begin with the rhythm of the ancient Hebrew calendar and its agricultural framework, then move through layers of visual and ritual culture: the drama of the Binding of Isaac, the incense shovel’s mysterious symbolism, the silent teachings of missing lulavim in Samaritan art, and the evolving joy of Simchat Torah. As we explore the fusion of biblical commandment and oral tradition, we’ll uncover how these holidays were lived, celebrated, and imagined—and how they shaped the calendar we live by today.
Tuesday, September 9th, from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (PT) and 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (ET) live on Zoom from Barcelona, Spain (CSP Online Members Only Event)
“Masterpieces & Memory: A Jewish Walk Through the Vatican” led by Evgenia Kempinski
Join us for a captivating one-hour virtual journey through the Vatican—no crowds, no lines, and no need to whisper! Through a uniquely Jewish lens, we’ll explore the breathtaking masterpieces of Raphael and Michelangelo, uncovering hidden details, surprising stories, and deeper layers of meaning. Along the way, we’ll delve into the little-known history of Jewish life in Renaissance Italy and the evolving relationship between the Church and the Jewish people. Whether you’re an art lover, history enthusiast, or just curious about the untold stories behind iconic works, this is your front-row seat to the Vatican—like you’ve never seen it before.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Thursdays, September 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. (PT) and 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (ET) live on Zoom from New York City
“From Pickles to Prada: 150 Years on the Lower East Side” led by Dr. Sharon Keller
Join us for a four-part series exploring over 150 years of transformation in one of New York’s most iconic neighborhoods—the Lower East Side. Once a bustling enclave of pushcarts, pickled herring, and Yiddish theatre, this historic district has reinvented itself as a vibrant hub of boutique fashion, fusion cuisine, and cultural evolution. Through evocative images, rich stories, and sharp commentary, we’ll examine the changing landscape of entertainment, food, shopping, and social norms. Part 1 – Spotlight on the LES: Stages, Shtick, and Stardom, Part 2 – “I’ll Have What She’s Having!” Food Then and Now, Part 3 – Where Did You Buy Your Camp Clothes? From Pushcarts to Prada, and Part 4 – “They Were Good to Their Mothers,” But Were They? The Seamy Side of Life on the LES. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE UPCOMING SESSIONS IN SEPTEMBER
