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Click the links below to watch four short video presentations with Rabbi Klein
(2023 and 2024, JLearn "Sneak Peek Week")
"Thank God We Got Out of the Garden"
"Cain as Tragic Hero"
"The 'Ten Commandments' - What did the people actually hear?"
"Pharoah's Heavy Heart"
Rabbi Klein teaches each year September- May
in the Federation's JLearn Adult Education Program.
For registration information and course fees
(248) 205-2557 • E-MAIL: [email protected] or go to https://thejdetroit.org/culture-education/jlearn/
Fall 2025
21st C Jews and a 1st C Theology: Faith, Belief and the Prayerbook
The theology of the Biblical Israelites and the rabbis of 2000 years ago does not work for 21st C Jews. This course explores the background and development of the traditional siddur, past challenges to its theology, and possible responses and changes that modern Jews might make to our prayerbook, that prayer and worship might be more satisfying and meaningful.
The seder of the siddur
Why Biblical theology doesn’t work
God has a “name”?!
Challenges to Biblical theology: Philo, Maimonides, ibn Ezra, Spinoza
Theodicy and Rabbi Harold Kushner
Affirming the affect of the traditional siddur
Can we, and should we, rewrite the siddur?
Winter 2026
Jews in America: Insiders and Outsiders
Jews have been in America since 1654, coming in three waves of immigration, each with its own response to “becoming American”. In what ways have we preserved Jewish distinctiveness as “American Jews”? In what ways have we acculturated as “Jewish Americans”? This course is about our story in America, answering the question “Is there room for ethnic and religious distinctiveness, and if so what form should that distinctiveness take?” Are we looking at integration, acculturation or assimilation?
Spring 2026
Reading the Gospels with the Rabbi
We know something about the New Testament Gospels, hearing about them each year at Christmas and Easter, but Jews don’t usually study them to see what they really say. Rabbi Klein will explore the three “Synoptic Gospels” of Matthew, Mark, and Luke as they separately tell the story of Jesus, his mission and his message to the Jews. Each has a different history and very different perspectives on Jews, Judaism, and being “in covenant” with God. For the Jewish community, productive and meaningful interfaith dialogue depends upon our understanding these Christian Gospels.
Rabbi Klein is Adjunct Professor at Oakland University and Rochester Christian University
Ketuvim: Psalms, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, Rochester Christian University, Fall Semester 2025
Introduction to Judaism, Oakland University, Winter Semester 2026
American Jewish Experience, Oakland University, Fall 2026
The Book of Exodus, Rochester Christian University, Winter Semester 2027
November 3, 2025
Laasok.org (a national online, inclusive, egalitarian beit midrash, a “house of study”)
“Cain as Tragic Hero”
Grosse Pointe Jewish Council
Fall 2025 Adult Education Series
How the New Testament uses Hebrew Scriptures to benefit its own story.
The early Jesus believers in the 1st and 2nd century did not want to appear to be a new, just-created (if not invented), religious community. They needed to present themselves as an authentic (if not established) religion if they were to be allowed a place in the Roman world. With the Jewish Jesus as their Savior they could attach themselves to Judaism, an already well-known, reputable, recognized, and culturally accepted religious community. But they were not Jews, had not arisen from within the Jewish community, and were in fact spurned by Jewish leadership. Thus they needed the authenticity of Jewish Hebrew Scriptures to demonstrate their legitimacy. Rabbi Klein's three-part series will examine how the New Testament Gospels, Paul's Epistles, the books of Hebrews and Revelation demonstrate and validate their faith in Jesus as Savior and Messiah.
Ketuvim: Psalms, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, Rochester Christian University, Fall Semester 2025
Introduction to Judaism, Oakland University, Winter Semester 2026
American Jewish Experience, Oakland University, Fall 2026
The Book of Exodus, Rochester Christian University, Winter Semester 2027
November 3, 2025
Laasok.org (a national online, inclusive, egalitarian beit midrash, a “house of study”)
“Cain as Tragic Hero”
Grosse Pointe Jewish Council
Fall 2025 Adult Education Series
How the New Testament uses Hebrew Scriptures to benefit its own story.
The early Jesus believers in the 1st and 2nd century did not want to appear to be a new, just-created (if not invented), religious community. They needed to present themselves as an authentic (if not established) religion if they were to be allowed a place in the Roman world. With the Jewish Jesus as their Savior they could attach themselves to Judaism, an already well-known, reputable, recognized, and culturally accepted religious community. But they were not Jews, had not arisen from within the Jewish community, and were in fact spurned by Jewish leadership. Thus they needed the authenticity of Jewish Hebrew Scriptures to demonstrate their legitimacy. Rabbi Klein's three-part series will examine how the New Testament Gospels, Paul's Epistles, the books of Hebrews and Revelation demonstrate and validate their faith in Jesus as Savior and Messiah.