Chabad plans ‘The Jewish Course of Why’

“The Jewish Course of Why,” the new six-session winter course by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), will be offered at two area locations starting this month.

The course will be led by Rabbi Yosef Landa from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning Feb. 16 at the newly constructed Lazaroff Chabad Center, 8124 Delmar Blvd. in University City. In Chesterfield, the course will be led by by Rabbi Avi Rubenfeld from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning Feb. 17 at Pepose Vision Institute, 1815 Clarkson Road.

“No religion is known for its welcoming of questions and intellectual debate quite like Judaism” explained Landa, Regional Director of Chabad. “In preparing for the course, the JLI turned to over 30,000 people of varied Jewish affiliations who each submitted their biggest questions about Judaism.”

”The Jewish Course of Why” spans a diverse range of topics, from fun, light, and off-the-beaten-track questions, to more complex and controversial issues. Some of the course’s 50 questions include: Why are there so many Jews in Hollywood? Why do Jews eat gefilte fish and cholent and wish each other mazal tov and l’chaim? Why does the Bible sanction slavery and animal sacrifices? What is the cause of anti-Semitism? What does Judaism say about Christianity and about the role of women in Jewish life? In addition to the above, the course offers insight into mysterious Jewish practices, strange biblical narratives and enigmas of Jewish identity. 

JLI programs are designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the general public. Affiliation with a Jewish institution is not required. 

Interested students may call Chabad of Greater St. Louis at 314-725-0400, email [email protected], or visit myJLI.com for registration and other course-related information.