Course Description: Beliefs about life after death appear in almost every collective experience. Within the Jewish communities there is almost infinite variety. From sacred literature though concealed revelations transmitted via insights derived from personal experiences to impersonal, scientific analysis, only obtainable by those sufficiently trained in a proper methodology, we are confronted with a grandiose array of conclusions and disagreements. The primary purpose of this course is not to find THE TRUTH, but to work together to understand methodologies, purposes, conclusions and appeal of previous Judaisms.  The course will end with participants analyzing a piece by Maimonides to understand this guide for the perplexed. His work has been interpreted as affirming and as denying what happens after we die. Inasmuch as Maimonides is still regarded as a fundamental authority, his traditional process and innovative interpretations provide an opportunity to amalgamate and differentiate at the same time

Location: Harbor

Dates/Times: Fridays, Jan 17 to Feb 7, 11:00am to 12:15pm

Instructor: Aaron Koplin

Rabbi Aaron Koplin obtained his BA from Yale University and his MAHL and DD from Hebrew Union College, the seminary of Reform Judaism. Initially, his rabbinic career was in race relations and interfaith communal development.  For five years in the mid to late 70s he was adjunct professor of Jewish Studies at New College in Sarasota. After several years in private business, he served in developing or surviving  congregations, primarily in Florida and Virginia. He was the founding rabbi of Sinai Congregation in Sarasota.