The ancient rabbis ascribe a special, even mystical, quality to the Hebrew letters. The daily liturgy reinforces this idea with the phrase “Blessed is the One who spoke and the world came to be.”  It is said that these divine letters cannot be destroyed. Even when Moses broke the material tablets after the episode of the golden calf, the letters flew upward (Pesachim 87b).

This five-week course will explore a carefully selected group of key Hebrew value concepts that give shape to Jewish ideas and practice as a way to uncover some of the mystery and majesty of the Hebrew letters.  The class will be co-taught by a rabbi and an artist and include a mix of text study and creative expression.  Learners of all levels of knowledge and experience with Hebrew and art are welcome to join us in this journey of exploration and discovery.

Sessions will take place on Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 pm on the following dates:

Nov. 12, 19

Dec. 3, 10 and 17

Rabbi Lisa D. Grant, Ph.D. is emerita professor of Jewish Education at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.  She served on the faculty from 2006-2026 and was Director of the New York Rabbinical Program for her last seven years prior to retirement. Teaching Jewish texts to adults is one of her most favorite things.

Deborah Ugoretz: A recipient of the NYFA/NYSCA folk art fellowship and a master papercutter who specializes in Jewish Papercutting and calligraphy, Ugoretz will devise art experiences that will enhance the text study. We will explore the expressive,mystical associations of Hebrew Letters in a variety of media.