Chumash Skills Course

Wednesday Nights 8:00pm–9:00pm, with Rabbi Devin Villarreal in the Bet Midrash

The Chumash is in our hands every Shabbat morning and it is the first text that our children study in school. Robust Chumash skills are foundational to Jewish learning. New this year, this course will empower you to engage in and deepen your own learning and to increase your understanding of the weekly Torah portion. As an added benefit for parents of school-age children, you will be better equipped to assist your children with their Torah homework. The course is designed to hone the abilities of more advanced students as well. Join us for one, two, or three semesters.  We will be utilizing Sefer Devarim, the book of Deuteronomy, as our textbook.

Semester I: Biblical Hebrew Grammar and Ta’amei Ha-Mikra

(cantillation marks)  Starts October 6, 2010

Semester I: Rashi

Starts December 8, 2010

Semester III: Discerning Peshuto Shel Mikra

(the straightforward meaning of the text)  Starts February 9

Rabbi Devin Maimon Villarreal, “Rabbi V” as he is known to his students, is a Southern California native, and a graduate of UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in the Study of Religion, a Wexner Graduate Fellowship alumnus and a candidate for a Master of Arts in Teaching at the American Jewish University. He is a Judaic Studies instructor at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy and teaches adult education throughout the Los Angeles area, with a focus on enabling parents to be active participants in their children’s Jewish education.