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Oct. 27th Virtual Torah Study

Thank you for joining us in virtual Torah study with teachers from all over the world. This commemorative Torah study honors those who were taken on October 27th.

If you are interested in in-person Torah study, we will be holding one on the yahrzeit within the Jewish Community Center. Please check our yahrzeit page for more details.

Thank you to all our generous Torah Study teachers! Recordings of some of the sessions are available below.

Rabbi Leo Dee: Dealing with Grief

8am, Oct. 27, 2023

We are grateful to have Rabbi Leo Dee join us from Israel for this Torah Study. Rabbi Leo Dee was born in London, England. He studied at Yeshivat HaMivtar 2004-2008. In 2008 he became the Assistant Rabbi Hendon, United Synagogue, where he served until 2011. Rabbi Dee was the Senior Rabbi, Radlett, Hertforshire from 2011-2014. He holds a Masters in Engineering from Cambridge University (1994) and a Masters in Public Heath from Hebrew University (2016).

Rabbi Leo Dee’s wife and two daughters were killed in a terror shooting on April 4, 2023.

Rachel Sharansky Danzinger:
Human vulnerability and the Covenant of Choice

9am, Oct. 27, 2023

We are grateful to have Rachel Sharansky Danziger joining us from Israel for this Torah Study. Rachel Sharansky Danziger grew up in Jerusalem, where she completed degrees in philosophy and history and taught Tanach to new immigrants. Her MA focused on the way 18th century American protoevangelicals told their personal stories, and what their stories tell us about their experiences of emotions and self. Rachel continues to explore connections between stories, religion, and emotions as an educator and a blogger and her work can be found on The Times of Israel, 929, and other online venues.

Cantor David Lipp:
Israeli Popular Music tackles Tough Times

10am, Oct. 27, 2023

Cantor David A. Lipp, of Congregation Adath Jeshurun, has established a reputation as an inspiring leader of worship and transmitter of Jewish musical tradition, ancient to contemporary. He currently leads worship services, prepares youth for bar and bat mitzvah, teaches synagogue skills to children and adults, co-officiates at life-cycle events, does pastoral work, and directs the Adath Jeshurun Adult Choir. Cantor Lipp is currently the immediate past president of the Cantors Assembly. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and grew up in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Minneapolis.

Rabbi Joe Ozarowski:
Trauma from the Past, Hope for the Future

10am, Oct. 27, 2023

Rabbi Dr. Joseph S. Ozarowski is Rabbinic Counselor and Chaplain for JCFS Chicago (Jewish Child and Family Services) and Jewish Chaplain at Skokie Hospital.  He is also an adjunct professor at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership as well as the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles.  Rabbi Ozarowski was cited by Chicago Jewish News as a “Top Jewish Chicagoan of 2013,” and received the “Rabbi Mordechai Simon Award” from the Chicago Board of Rabbis in 2014.   

Rabbi Elyse Wechterman:
what do we do about joy when the world hurts so much?



10am, Oct. 27, 2023

Rabbi Elyse Wechterman came to the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association as CEO in the fall of 2015. During her tenure she created the Office of Rabbinic Career Development to serve the professional needs of rabbis in any field of work. As one of the founding faculty at Camp Havaya, she has served on the summer faculty for many years. Before coming to the RRA, Rabbi Wechterman served as spiritual leader of Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, Massachusetts from 2001 to June of 2014. Additionally, she has taught at the college and adult level in many settings and worked broadly with children and families with special needs to create inclusive communities for Jews of all abilities and backgrounds.