Forgotten Books of the Second Temple Period (Trimester #1)
Sunday Morning Learning with Gideon Amir
Most courses move directly from the world of the Hebrew Bible to the Rabbinic era and the development of Jewish law (Halakhah). Yet one of the most fascinating and transformative periods in Jewish history, the Second Temple Period (c. 515 BCE–70 CE), often receives little attention.
Sunday Mornings
October 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 22
December 6, 13
Time: 10:30 AM-Noon ET
Instructor: Gideon Amir
Location: Zoom
Standard Class Rate: $162 ($18/class)
Base Rate: $140
(Subsidized by Haberman Institute donors)
This 27-week course - divided into three trimesters - explores that missing chapter through a selection of the Apocrypha, Jewish writings composed during the late Second Temple era that were not included in the Hebrew Bible. These remarkable texts open a window into the beliefs, values, hopes, and struggles of Jewish communities during a time of profound religious and cultural change.
Through close reading and discussion, we will discover how these works reflect new theological ideas, illuminate the historical background of Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity, and deepen our understanding of the Jewish world between the Bible and the Rabbis.
We will read and discuss Tobit, Judith, and, time permitting, Ben Sira (Sirach). No prior knowledge is required, only curiosity and a desire to explore some of Judaism's most intriguing and influential forgotten books.
Join us as we uncover the texts that helped shape the Jewish tradition but never became part of the biblical canon.
Haberman Institute courses are offered on a sliding payment scale. Both tiers receive identical access to the program. Should the registration rates become a barrier to enrollment, please contact our Executive Director, Matthew Silverman.
Gideon Amir was born in the Netherlands to Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Israel in 1947. He grew up in Jerusalem and served in the IDF as a Paratrooper.
Gideon received his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rechovot. In 1980, he moved to the United States, where he worked as a manager in several companies including Sperry Univac, British Telecom, and Cisco Systems.
In 1999, he pursued his interest in Judaic Studies and enrolled in a full-time graduate program at Baltimore Hebrew University, where, in May 2001, he received his Master’s degree with honors. Redirecting his passion for teaching from computer science to Jewish and Bible studies, he became an adult Jewish educator for several education programs, including the Haberman Institute, where he continues to teach today.
Register below for trimesters two and three.
Enrollment in prior trimesters is never a pre-requisite. Join us anytime of the year!