What is a prophet? From where do prophets draw their strength? What would it mean to speak and act prophetically in our own time? Are we obligated to? How can we find the courage to do so? What can the wisdom embedded in Jewish texts and in our own experiences teach us about these and many such questions? Spend an intensive day in a progressive beit midrash - House of Study - exploring prophecy and courage through the lenses of traditional and contemporary texts, and using creative responses to those sources to develop our own vision of prophecy for today. From Havdalah on Saturday night until 8:00 pm on Sunday, we will study and create, eat and celebrate - under the guidance of Rivkah Walton, the director of the Institute for Contemporary Midrash, and Rabbi Rochelle Robins, the director of Bat Kol: A Progressive House of Study. Come listen to the voice of our ancestors and to the voice within each of us as we wrestle with the ancient call to "speak truth to power."

Session Descriptions

Session 1: Introduction (2-3 hours)

This evening session serves as an introduction to and overview of the next day's topic and modalities of study. Rivkah and Rochelle present collaboratively, weaving together shiur (lecture), text study in hevruta (dyads) and small groups, and midrashic exercises (may be Bibliodrama, writing, art). This session is designed to be open to the public and therefore can also stand alone, or serve to whet the curious' appetite for more.

Session 2: Text Study (2-3 hours)

The day of study begins with short introductions and exercises to allow participants to feel comfortable with the presenters and one another. The morning then moves into an intensive encounter with traditional and contemporary texts, led by Rochelle - with occasional support by Rivkah. Using a variety of study structures (shiur, Q&A, hevruta, small groups, jigsaw learning & teaching), we examine such sources as:

• Humash (Bible) and the Apocrypha (e.g., Exodus, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Prophets and the Book of Judith)
• Talmud
• Hasidic and Musar (moral instruction) texts
• Classical and contemporary midrashim
• Modern religious thinkers such as A.J. Heschel, Rav Kook, Will Herberg
• Psychologists such as Rollo May, Viktor Frankel

Session 3: Midrashic Responses (2-3 hours)

Rivkah leads the group in finding personal midrashic (interpretive) responses to the topics explored in the morning, with occasional support from Rochelle. The group may use Bibliodrama, creative movement, sound, art, and/or writing exercises to encounter texts with "the other side of our brains." Special attention will be paid to the role of women in "speaking truth to power," examining the roles of such figures as Miriam, the daughters of Zelophlehad, Devorah, Judith, etc., as well as those of recognized male prophets. No special artistic or theatrical talent or experience is required for participation in this session.

Session 4: Integration (1.5 to 2 hours)

Rochelle and Rivkah again collaborate in leading the group to an integration of the day's experience, imagining next steps of study, and reaching closure on the day. Suggested Schedule:

Budget Preparation Sheet available on request.