Central Agency for Jewish Education will offer two new 10-week courses, each taking place on Monday evenings, beginning Feb. 7, at CAJE in the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive.

• “Introduction to Mussar” is taught by Rabbi Shmuel Kay and takes place from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mussar is a path of contemplative practice and exercise that evolved over the past thousand years to help an individual develop Jewish ethics, improve their character and become closer to God. The cost of the course is $100.

• “Mythology of Judaism” is taught by Howard Schwartz, Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. His “college level” course is presented as an adapted version at CAJE, and examine the 10 major categories of Jewish mythology and their primary myth-cycles as the role of God and the angels in creation; the myths of God’s bride, the Shekhinah; the myths of Lilith, Adam’s first wife, who become the Queen of the Demons and many more. Required text: Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism, edited by Howard Schwartz. The cost of the course is $150 (book fee is $25).

For additional information about either course, contact CAJE Director of Adult Education Cyndee Levy at 314-442-3754 or [email protected].