Put the "School" Back into "Schul"
The late Mordecai M. Kaplan once told Rabbi Goor that synagogues today have taken the "school" out of "schul" -- the Yiddish word "schul" is taken from the German "schule."
He suggested that at Shabbat service the amount of time spent in praying should be reduced, and the amount of time teaching-learning be increased.
Rabbi Goor is doing just that at the Metropolitan Synagogue! Starting in October, he will begin a year-long survey course in Judaism with a 30-minute college level lecture (with reading materials) every Friday evening immediately following a short worship service. October and November will be devoted to "Great Dates in Jewish History," December and January to "Great Names in Jewish History," February and March to "Great Values in Jewish History," and April and May to "Great Books in Jewish History."
Rabbi Goor, spiritual leader of the Metropolitan Synagogue for 24 years, says "If someone devotes one hour each Friday evening for eight months, they should come out well-rounded in basic Jewish knowledge. We forget thtat the word "rabbi" means teacher, not preacher. It is a shame that so many Jews go to schul regularly and to not at least become grounded in Judaism."
The service and lecture begin at 6:00 pm every Friday evening. The public is invited, free of charge. For more information, please call us at (212) 679-8580 or e-mail Rabbi Goor at rabbigoor@aol.com
