Insights on Tradition: Havdalah
Four Tuesday Evenings
(September 3, 10, 17, 24)
Time: 7-8:30 PM ET
Instructor: Gideon Amir
Location: Zoom Classroom
Standard Class Rate: $120
Base Rate: $80
(Subsidized by Haberman Institute donors)
Haberman Institute courses are offered on a sliding payment scale.
Both tiers receive identical access to the program. All interested students are encouraged to join our classes. Should the registration rates become a barrier to enrollment, please contact our Executive Director, Matthew Silverman.
Join us for our Tuesday night classes led by Gideon Amir, where we delve into the interpretations and nuances of Jewish ritual.
In the rich tapestry of Jewish tradition, the Havdalah ritual holds a significant place, marking the end of Shabbat and the transition into a new week. While the Bible does not explicitly mention Havdalah, its practice has become an integral part of Jewish life, emphasizing the distinction between the sacred and the ordinary.
This ritual, symbolized by lighting a braided candle and reciting blessings, serves as a poignant reminder of the sanctity of Shabbat and the importance of setting it apart from regular daily activities. Through the centuries, the Havdalah ceremony has evolved into a mosaic of customs and traditions, weaving together elements from different periods to create one of the most colorful and cherished ceremonies in Jewish culture.
Join us in September to explore the beauty and significance of Havdalah, shedding light on its profound meaning and relevance in contemporary Jewish life.
This series continues throughout the fall. We invite you to join us for one, two, or all three sessions!
October: Insights on Circumcision
November: Insights on Mourning
Gideon Amir was born in the Netherlands to Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Israel in 1947. He grew up in Jerusalem and served in the IDF as a Paratrooper.
Gideon received his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rechovot. In 1980, he moved to the United States, where he worked as a manager in several companies including Sperry Univac, British Telecom, and Cisco Systems.
In 1999, he pursued his interest in Judaic Studies and enrolled in a full-time graduate program at Baltimore Hebrew University, where, in May 2001, he received his Master’s degree with honors. Redirecting his passion for teaching from computer science to Jewish and Bible studies, he became an adult Jewish educator for several education programs, including the Haberman Institute, where he continues to teach today.