Beth El

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Engaging with Rabbi Emeritus Steve Sager

Rabbi Steve Sager
June 29, 1951 – May 15, 2022

We invite the community to participate in the mitzvah of tzedakah by making donations designated for the Sager Visiting Scholar Fund at Beth El. Proceeds will be used to support learning with teachers and students who made a difference in Rabbi Sager‘s life and those whose lives he affected. These people will help us carry forward Rabbi Sager‘s Torah. Click here to make a donation (select Sager Visiting Scholar Fund in the fund dropdown).

 

Rabbi Sager served as Beth El’s rabbi for 32 years.  He is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) and earned a Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature at Duke University. Rabbi Sager has been a teacher, rabbinic advisor and mentor for students and graduates of the RRC, Hebrew Union College, Jewish Theological Seminary and the Rabbinical School of the Boston Hebrew College.  Rabbi Sager was an adjunct faculty member of Duke Divinity School and had taught at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and in the Department of Social Medicine at the UNC Medical School.  Rabbi Sager was a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, where he was also a leader of the Rabbinic Programs Advisory Committee and of the Rabbinic Havurah program.  Rabbi Sager served as President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and of the Greater Carolinas Association of Rabbis (GCAR); co-director of the GCAR Interfaith Institute, Scholar in Residence on numerous occasions for the GCAR, as well as serving in this capacity in congregations throughout the United States.   Rabbi Sager published articles in The Reconstructionist, The Journal of Religious Education, and The Southern Medical Journal. Rabbi Sager served as the Director of Sicha, a project to stimulate conversations between classical Jewish culture and contemporary Jewish needs. Rabbi Sager passed away on May 15, 2022.

Funeral services for Rabbi Steven Sager took place on Tuesday, May 17. Click here to view a recording.

An obituary of Rabbi Sager’s life may be found here. Click here for an obituary published on JTA.org.

On May 31, the Shalom Hartman Institute hosted Torah and Stories in honor of Rabbi Sager. View the recording here.

Midrash, Stories, and Poetry

Click on the bold sessions below to view a recording:
  • “The Patriarchs and Journeys of Aging, Part II, Isaac” April 12, 2022
  • “The Patriarchs and Journeys of Aging, Part I, Abraham” March 13, 2022
  • “Father We Thank Thee For The Night…” Rabbi Sager’s Childhood Night-Time Prayer. What Is Yours?, December 6, 2021
    (Click here to view the text)
  • “I Have No Earthly Idea About God,” part two: Theology And Meteorology- Predicting The ‘Whether’ Of God, November 22, 2021
  • “I Have No Earthly Idea About God! ‘Sometimes I Pray,’ ‘Prayers Preceded God'” November 8, 2021
    (Click here to view the text)
  • “Great, Mighty, And Awesome” October 25, 2021
    (Texts are available here and here.)
  • “Prayer is Both the Key and the Lock to the Holidays” October 11, 2021
    (Click here to view the text.)
  • “Presence In The Sukkah” September 27, 2021
  • “Taking Place: Blessings Within And Without” September 13, 2021
    (Click here to view text.)

 

Conversations with Rabbi Sager: “Holiday Seasons: Judaism While Standing On One Foot–At A Time”

Click on the bold sessions below to view a recording:
  • “Holiday Seasons: Judaism While Standing On One Foot–At A Time” August 16, 2021
    (Click here to view texts.)

Conversations with Rabbi Sager: “Doors, Doorways, And Transitions” 

Click on the bold sessions below to view a recording:
  • “Doors, Doorways, and Transitions” October 19, 2020
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Teacher In The Door” November 2, 2020
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Doors have Soul” November 16, 2020 
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “God is a Doorway” November 30, 2020
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “In Light Of The Door: The commandment of the Hanukkah light is to light it in the doorway closest to the public thoroughfare in order to publicize the miracle…” December 14, 2020
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Giving in the Doorway” December 28, 2020
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Opportunity Knocks: The Poor At The Door” January 11, 2021
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Miracles Behind the Door” February 8, 2021
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Elijah and the Messiah at the Entrance” February 22, 2021
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Elijah in the Doorway” March 8, 2021
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Elijah: Bridging Worlds”March 22, 2021
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Torah For All And Torah For Each” April 5, 2021
    Related texts: “Torah Revealed to Each” and “Torah Not Yet Given.”
  • “The Door From Sinai To Sinai” April 19, 2021
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “‘Threshold’ Experiences of Revelation” May 3, 2021
    (Click here to view texts.)

 

Conversations with Rabbi Sager: “Torah From Heaven, Heaven From Torah”

Click on the bold sessions below to view a recording:
  • “My Father Was God and Didn’t Know It” June 29, 2020 
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “All Were Present at Sinai Except For One” July 13, 2020 
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “The Threatening Mountain and Loving Shelter” July 27, 2020
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Moses Only Once Saw God’s Face and Forgot” August 10, 2020
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “Moses Received Torah from Sinai and It Became Three Things” August 24, 2020
    (Click here to view texts.)
  • “A Mystical Master and a Modern Poet Receive Torah for a New Age!” September 14, 2020
    (Click here to view texts.)

About Rabbi Steven G. Sager, Rabbi Emeritus

Rabbi Sager served as Beth El’s rabbi for 32 years.  He is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) and earned a Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature at Duke University. Rabbi Sager has been a teacher, rabbinic advisor and mentor for students and graduates of the RRC, Hebrew Union College, Jewish Theological Seminary and the Rabbinical School of the Boston Hebrew College. Read more.

Check the calendar for Rabbi Sager’s upcoming conversations:

January 2023

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
  • Office Closed

    Office Closed

    January 2, 2023

    See more details

  • Virtual Healing Yoga

    Virtual Healing Yoga

    January 2, 2023  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360231552?pwd=RE5EWFBTaDJLVWtwOW1sOEVKcUlQZz09

    See more details

• •
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4
5
  • EC Meeting

    EC Meeting

    January 5, 2023  7:30 am - 9:00 am

    See more details

  • Virtual Healing Yoga

    Virtual Healing Yoga

    January 5, 2023  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360231552?pwd=RE5EWFBTaDJLVWtwOW1sOEVKcUlQZz09

    See more details

• •
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  • DurhamISH First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat

    DurhamISH First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat

    January 6, 2023  6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
    Beth El Synagogue, 1004 Watts St, Durham, NC 27701, USA

    See more details

•
7
  • CANCELLED: Mishnah Study

    CANCELLED: Mishnah Study

    January 7, 2023  8:45 am - 9:30 am

    See more details

  • "Yehuda Amichai : A Writer's Life" with Shalom Goldman

    "Yehuda Amichai : A Writer's Life" with Shalom Goldman

    January 7, 2023  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
    Beth El Synagogue, 1004 Watts St, Durham, NC 27701, USA

    In memory of Rabbi Sager (z"l), Shalom Goldman will tell the story of Amichai's life and literary work, which included short stories, novels, plays, and poetry. Amichai's poetry deeply influenced generations of readers around the world. In this presentation we will study some of these poems and focus on English translations made by Rabbi Sager.


    Sign up here: https://betheldurham.shulcloud.com/form/shalom-goldman-jan-2022

    See more details

• •
8
  • Knitting Chavurah

    Knitting Chavurah

    January 8, 2023  10:00 am - 11:30 am
    Beth El Synagogue, 1004 Watts St, Durham, NC 27701, USA

    Location: Classroom 8

    See more details

•
9
  • Virtual Healing Yoga

    Virtual Healing Yoga

    January 9, 2023  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360231552?pwd=RE5EWFBTaDJLVWtwOW1sOEVKcUlQZz09

    See more details

•
10
  • Va'ad Hachinuch Mtg.

    Va'ad Hachinuch Mtg.

    January 10, 2023  7:00 pm - 8:15 pm

    See more details

•
11
  • Board Meeting

    Board Meeting

    January 11, 2023  7:15 pm - 9:00 pm

    See more details

•
12
  • Virtual Healing Yoga

    Virtual Healing Yoga

    January 12, 2023  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360231552?pwd=RE5EWFBTaDJLVWtwOW1sOEVKcUlQZz09

    See more details

•
13
  • Eat Schmooze Pray: Friday Night for Everyone

    Eat Schmooze Pray: Friday Night for Everyone

    January 13, 2023  5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

    Eat, Schmooze, Pray: Friday Night for Everyone
    (come to any portion you'd like!)

    5:30 pm - Tot Shabbat perfect for 0-5s and their grownups
    6:00 pm - Kid-friendly fare for the littles, wine and cheese for the not-littles
    6:30 pm -  Accessible, meaningful, musical Kabbalat Shabbat service 

    See more details

•
14
  • Mishnah Study

    Mishnah Study

    January 14, 2023  8:45 am - 9:30 am
    Beth El Synagogue, 1004 Watts St, Durham, NC 27701, USA

    See more details

  • Slow Down Minyan

    Slow Down Minyan

    January 14, 2023  10:30 am - 11:45 am

    Join Rabbinic Intern Rachel Posner for an hour of prayer and contemplation on Shabbat morning. We will take our time….diving deep into selections from our siddur, learning our most-loved Beth El congregational tunes, and spending some moments in quiet meditation. Bring your questions! This minyan is a perfect place to start if you are new to the Lev Shalem Siddur, or if you are a veteran looking for a chance to slow down and breathe for an hour on Shabbat morning.

    See more details

  • Conversation with Mayor Pro Tempore of Durham, Mark-Anthony Middleton

    Conversation with Mayor Pro Tempore of Durham, Mark-Anthony Middleton

    January 14, 2023  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
    Beth El Synagogue, 1004 Watts St, Durham, NC 27701, USA

    Rabbi Greyber and MPT Mark-Anthony Middleton will each discuss their recent trips to Israel.

    See more details

• • •
15
16
  • Office Closed

    Office Closed

    January 16, 2023

    See more details

  • Virtual Healing Yoga

    Virtual Healing Yoga

    January 16, 2023  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360231552?pwd=RE5EWFBTaDJLVWtwOW1sOEVKcUlQZz09

    See more details

• •
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18
19
  • Lunch and Learn

    Lunch and Learn

    January 19, 2023  11:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85274018059?pwd=eUJWRndITjlnZTdJdW1iQmhKb2NQQT09

    "Laws of Mukzeh: Creating a Sanctuary of Space During Our Sanctuary in Time"
    In this session, we'll look at a little known category of Shabbat observance - mukzeh - in which certain objects become untouchable! on Shabbat according to Jewish law

    See more details

  • Virtual Healing Yoga

    Virtual Healing Yoga

    January 19, 2023  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360231552?pwd=RE5EWFBTaDJLVWtwOW1sOEVKcUlQZz09

    See more details

• •
20
  • Scholar-in-Residence weekend with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    Scholar-in-Residence weekend with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    January 20, 2023 - January 22, 2023  

    See more details

  • Community Shabbat Dinner

    Community Shabbat Dinner

    January 20, 2023  7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

    Sign-up is required: https://betheldurham.shulcloud.com/form/community-shabbat-dinner-jan-2023.html

    See more details

• •
21
  • Scholar-in-Residence weekend with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    Scholar-in-Residence weekend with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    January 20, 2023 - January 22, 2023  

    See more details

  • Mishnah Study

    Mishnah Study

    January 21, 2023  8:45 am - 9:30 am
    Beth El Synagogue, 1004 Watts St, Durham, NC 27701, USA

    See more details

  • Shiur study with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    Shiur study with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    January 21, 2023  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    "Tearing and Sewing, Loss and Repair" Jewish tradition invites us to tear a garment (kriyah) when we hear about the death of a loved one. Less known, we are invited to sew the garment again in the year that follows. In this session, we'll reflect how our community did kriyah at Rabbi Sager's funeral and what it might mean for us to do the work of repair as we move forward with memory.

    See more details

• • •
22
  • Scholar-in-Residence weekend with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    Scholar-in-Residence weekend with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    January 20, 2023 - January 22, 2023  

    See more details

•
23
  • Yeshiva Week with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    Yeshiva Week with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    January 23, 2023 - January 25, 2023  

    Sign-up is required: https://betheldurham.shulcloud.com/form/yeshiva-week-2023.html


    "Zocher Hasdai Avot v'Imahot" / "Remembering the Love of our Ancestors"
    Thrice each day, we describe God as One who remembers the love of our ancestors. Who do we remember? What do we remember about them? How might these memories hold us back and how might they give us the strength to move forward?

    See more details

  • Virtual Healing Yoga

    Virtual Healing Yoga

    January 23, 2023  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360231552?pwd=RE5EWFBTaDJLVWtwOW1sOEVKcUlQZz09

    See more details

  • Rosh Chodesh Gathering with Eliana Light

    Rosh Chodesh Gathering with Eliana Light

    January 23, 2023  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Location: Private Home; email eliana@elianalight.com for the address if you'd like to attend.

    See more details

• • •
24
  • Yeshiva Week with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    Yeshiva Week with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    January 23, 2023 - January 25, 2023  

    Sign-up is required: https://betheldurham.shulcloud.com/form/yeshiva-week-2023.html


    "Zocher Hasdai Avot v'Imahot" / "Remembering the Love of our Ancestors"
    Thrice each day, we describe God as One who remembers the love of our ancestors. Who do we remember? What do we remember about them? How might these memories hold us back and how might they give us the strength to move forward?

    See more details

•
25
  • Yeshiva Week with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    Yeshiva Week with Melila Hellner-Eshed

    January 23, 2023 - January 25, 2023  

    Sign-up is required: https://betheldurham.shulcloud.com/form/yeshiva-week-2023.html


    "Zocher Hasdai Avot v'Imahot" / "Remembering the Love of our Ancestors"
    Thrice each day, we describe God as One who remembers the love of our ancestors. Who do we remember? What do we remember about them? How might these memories hold us back and how might they give us the strength to move forward?

    See more details

  • CANCELLED: Beginners Israeli Folk Dancing

    CANCELLED: Beginners Israeli Folk Dancing

    January 25, 2023  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    Freedman Center

    See more details

• •
26
  • Virtual Healing Yoga

    Virtual Healing Yoga

    January 26, 2023  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360231552?pwd=RE5EWFBTaDJLVWtwOW1sOEVKcUlQZz09

    See more details

•
27
28
  • Mishnah Study

    Mishnah Study

    January 28, 2023  8:45 am - 9:30 am
    Beth El Synagogue, 1004 Watts St, Durham, NC 27701, USA

    See more details

  • Family Service - Shira (song) Shabbat

    Family Service - Shira (song) Shabbat

    January 28, 2023  11:00 am - 12:00 pm

    See more details

• •
29
  • "From Bible to Mishnah" with Eric Meyers

    "From Bible to Mishnah" with Eric Meyers

    January 29, 2023  10:30 am - 11:30 am

    The purpose of this mini-course is to present the current state of research on Second Temple Judaism and how aspects of biblical law only came to be implemented in the late Hellenistic period. The Mishnah represents how the Tanach was finally interpreted to the Jewish community ca.200 under the leadership of Judah the Prince in Sepphoris.

    Alexander to Constantine, by Eric Meyers and Mark Chancey, is available from Yale University Press in hardback or softback or e-book.

    Topics:

    January 29:  Exile and Return, 586 to 515, and After
    Reading: Alexander to Constantine, pp. 1-50, and handout or online
    February 5:  The Advent of Hellenism
    Reading: Alexander to Constantine, pp.50-83
    Jewish Sectarianism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, etc.
    Reading: Alexander to Constantine, 83-174
    February 19: The Wars Against Rome, Early Christianity, The Mishnah
    Reading: Alexander to Constantine, 174-239
    February 26: Sepphoris and Multiculturalism (with Carol Meyers, illustrated)
    Reading: Alexander to Constantine, 203-238, 260-284


    Note: there is no class on February 12.

    See more details

  • Hebrew Classes with Donna Goldstein Begin

    Hebrew Classes with Donna Goldstein Begin

    January 29, 2023  10:30 am - 11:30 am

    Sign up here: https://betheldurham.shulcloud.com/form/hebrew-classes-with-donna-goldstein-winter-2023

    See more details

  • Lifelong Learning Book Presentation

    Lifelong Learning Book Presentation

    January 29, 2023  3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

    Sephardi Voices by Henry Green and Richard Stursberg

    Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsdOqhrzspHdK-o7HCfGDoPAiJQ_n40rBw

    See more details

• • •
30
  • Virtual Healing Yoga

    Virtual Healing Yoga

    January 30, 2023  5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

    Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360231552?pwd=RE5EWFBTaDJLVWtwOW1sOEVKcUlQZz09

    See more details

•
31

Additional Resources

Rabbi Sager's Teachings on YouTube

Rabbi Sager's Short Essays

Additional Resources for Doorways and Thresholds

Recording of Sicha's 9th Annual Hevra Kaddisha Day of Learning

Beth El YouTube Channel

Hebcal Shabbat and Holiday Times

Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times

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