Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC

Torah & Sexuality: The Touchy Subject
Edlavitch DCJCC

Torah and Sexuality

Beginning with the new Jewish year, GLOE - The Kurlander Program for GLBTQ Outreach & Engagement at the Edlavitch DCJCC is introducing a new Jewish learning class on the 3rd Tuesday of every month through June 2018. Each class will explore a different topic in Judaism that relates to sexual expression and identity, presented in a contemporary queer context by various rabbis and other Jewish educators.

The inaugural Torah & Sexuality class focuses on "The Touchy Subject"—exploring the biblical and rabbinical texts that discuss masturbation in all of its forms. Led by the Edlavitch DCJCC's Director of Jewish Engagement Darya Watnick and local Jewish educator Becca Benoff, class participants will be doing a deep dive into text in order to fully grasp the reasoning behind common understandings around masturbation.

Each class is $10; if cost is a barrier to your participation, please email at gloe@edcjcc.org.

This class is also fully inclusive of all, regardless of gender expression, sexual identity, or ability. For accommodation requests, please email Stacey Herman at staceyh@edcjcc.org.

About the instructors:

Darya Watnick - Jewish Engagement Manager at the EDCJCC Darya Watnick
Director of Jewish Engagement, Edlavitch DCJCC
Darya is the Director of Jewish Engagement at the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, focusing on programming for families with young children. She is also a current JOFEE (Jewish Outdoor, Food/Farming and Environmental Education) Fellow with Hazon, a Jewish environmental nonprofit. Prior to working at the EDCJCC, Darya lived in Israel for three years. She was a participant on the Yahel Social Change Program in Gedera, Israel. Then she moved to Jerusalem to study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, focusing on social justice in Jewish texts. Darya enjoys cooking and baking, and especially loves to create unique flavors of homemade ice cream. Other interests include photography, creating community, and traveling.
Becca Benoff Becca Benoff
Jewish Educator, Congregation Etz Hayim

Becca has been teaching at Congregation Etz Hayim for two years. She also works full-time at the Edlavitch DCJCC where she provides support to the Jewish Life and Learning department.  She attended The George Washington University where she studied Psychology and Judaic Studies.

The Kurlander Program for GLBTQ Outreach & Engagement (GLOE) at the Edlavitch DCJCC is the first and only full-time LGBTQ outreach program of any Jewish Community Center in North America.  GLOE has been recontextualizing Judaism for a contemporary queer community since its founding by Stuart S. Kurlander over ten years ago.

Date:
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Address:
1529 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

We're sorry, the deadline for online sales has passed. Contact program staff listed above to purchase by phone.

 


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