Culture & Literature

This graphic marks classes that seniors may enjoy.

Jewish Literature, Identity and Imagination: "Between Two Worlds: Stories of Estrangement and Homecoming"

Held at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Avenue, Kensington

Book lovers! Don?t miss this five-part series designed to offer participants an opportunity to read, analyze and discuss the best in comtemporary Jewish literature with Naomi Seidman, Director of the Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies at the Graduate Theological Union.

The book selections are:

* Jan. 14 Lost in Translation by Eva Hoffman
* Feb. 11 Mr. Sammler's Planet by Saul Bellow
* Mar. 11 Out of Egypt by Andre Aciman
* April 8 The Centaur in the G arden by Moacyr Scliar
* May 6 Kaaterskill Falls by Allegra Goodman

Saturdays, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 11, April 8 & May 6, 2:00 pm
Fee: FREE - Preregistration recommended

? For more information or to register call Liz Ruhland or

Let?s Talk About It: Jewish Literature, a reading and discussion series, has been made possible through a grant from Nextbook and the American Library Association.

50+ Single?s Books, Discussions and Fellowship Group

Interested in meeting other 50+ singles for lively discussions on books and variety of topics, then this group is perfect for you. Discussion followed by lunch at a local restaurant (optional).

Sundays, Jan. 22, Feb. 19, Mar. 19 & April 23, 10:30 am ? 12:00 pm
Fee: FREE

? For more information call Aliza at or

Darkness and Light: A Modern Psychology of Kabbalah - CANCELLED

With the emergence of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, the history of the divinatory arts, i.e., occult philosophy, Hermeticism, alchemy and Kabbalah, conflated into psychology and theories of mind. Explore how Freud and Jung?s psychoanalytic insights on Kabbalah impacted the divinatory arts and contemporary figures Thomas Moore, James Hillman and Ken Wilber. With Daniel Harris. Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus

Thursdays, Jan. 26-Mar. 2, 7:00 pm
Fee: $60 public; $50 members

? To register call or www.lehrhaus.org

Reading Yiddish Texts

In this course we will read and discuss selections of Yiddish prose and poetry from the 19th and 20th centuries. The class will focus on comprehension, based not only on the Yiddish language, but also on the cultural contexts in which the texts are embedded.
Prerequisite: Students should have completed at least a year of college-level Yiddish language or the equivalent. With Yael Chaver, Ph.D.

Mondays, Jan. 30 - April 24 (excluding February 20),7:15 pm
Tuition: $130; $110/before Jan. 15, course code L350-BJ

? To register call or www.lehrhaus.org

Here I Am - International Jewish Literature - CANCELLED

Here I Am: A Collection of International Jewish Stories, featuring contemporary international Jewish stories, dealing with individuality vs. community, alienation vs. return, humor vs. sadness will be a spring board for discussing Jewish themes and commonalties, and how country and culture gives the story its unique flavor. Ms. Starkman is a poet and college professor.

Mondays, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, (no class Feb. 20), Feb. 27, Mar. 6 & Mar. 13, 7:00 pm
Fee: $65; $55/members of Alameda co-sponsors; $50/Learning for Life
Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica

? To register call or www.lehrhaus.org

Adventures in Literature

Be part of a forum which invites you to better understand the human condition from varying points of view.
George Porter, Facilitator
Thursdays, 11:30am-12:15pm
This class & Current Events can be taken for the same fee-$10 semester.
BRJCC site fee: $10/semester (Jan 1- Apr. 30).
Co-sponsored with the Berkeley Adult School

Creative Prose Writers' Workshop

A writers' group for novices and experienced writers: improvement is the bottom line for this group. Prerequisites are good manners to take one another seriously and sense to have fun in the process.
George Porter, Instructor
Wednesdays, 7-9pm; BRJCC site fee: $10/semester (Jan 1- Apr. 30).
Co-sponsored with the Berkeley Adult School

Creative Writing

Have fun with language and allow your creative voice to emerge. Discover the essential ingredients for effective writing through journal work, exercises and an inspirational variety of literature.
Julie Gamberg, Instructor
Thursdays, 9:30-11:30am; BRJCC site fee: $10/semester (Jan 1- Apr. 30).
Co-sponsored with the Berkeley Adult School

Life Stories Workshop: Written or Oral

Gather a collection of well-told, personal tales (written or orally recorded) as a gift for family and friends. Those who wish to join in the sharing and reflection are welcome. Standard workshop procedures; individual presentations followed by friendly critique.
George Porter, Instructor
Thursdays, 2:30-4:30pm; BRJCC site fee: $10/semester (Jan 1- Apr. 30).
Co-sponsored with the Berkeley Adult School

top