Rabbi Kaufman's Understanding The World

Looking at the history of the Jewish calendar as well as other calendars.

I discussed what happened during the elections based on the information that I had at the time. While some details changed in regard to which candidate won certain states, I discussed the elections as if what ended up happening, would. So the conclusions are accurate.

I discussed Israel's agreements with the UAE and Bahrain, Israeli-Arab peace generally, the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, and discussing Turkey and Iran in the region.

I discussed the long term impacts of COVID 19

Rabbi Kaufman's presentation about the Origins and History of Antisemitism.

Interview by Rabbi David Kaufman along with Michael Wolnerman of David Wolnerman, a survivor of the Holocaust, who spent time at a number of camps including Auschwitz and Dachau. He was liberated by General Eisenhower's forces from Dachau. The interview took place at the Des Moines Jewish Community commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz.

This class looks at the origins of rabbinic Judaism and the early rabbinic period.

A look at the evolution of the concept of the messiah in the Jewish tradition. What was expected and is expected?

Looking at the how the concept of God changes from ancient times going forward. And then looking at how the concept of forgiveness, achieving purity, and later the concept of salvation, being saved from a status of sinfulness.

Looking at the History from the 2nd Century BCE and the Origins of the festival of Chanukah.

A basic introduction to life cycle events in Judaism.

My class for the Ray Society of Drake University on current events, December 2019. Looking at Rabbi Mirvis' letter before elections in Britain. Discussing impeachment. Rising Antisemitism, including on college campuses.

I explain how we got the calendars that we have today and offer a basic outline of the Jewish holidays through the calendar year.

This is part of an ongoing class for the Ray Society of Drake University on current events. I began with the conflict between the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Israel which broke out the night before. Then I spoke about the Whistleblower law and need for it. I also spoke about the killing of al-Baghdadi, the impact of the killing on ISIS, and new US-Syria policy in light of the President's press conference about the killing of al-Baghdadi.

My class for the Ray Society of Drake University in October 2019. I primarily spoke about events in Syria, explaining who is who and what is going on. This class took place five days before the killing of al-Baghdadi and was at a time of grave concern about Turkey's invasion of northern Syria and an anticipated complete withdrawal of US forces from Syria.

A realistic assessment of where relations between Israelis and Palestinians and between Jews and Arabs are in May of 2019 and possibilities for improvement in those relationships leading to "peace" and resolutions that could lead to the development of a Palestinian state or states of some sort alongside Israel.

Background of Zionism and then a discussion of early Immigration to Ottoman and British Mandate Palestine followed by the birth of the modern nation of Israel and issues related to divisions between American and Israeli Jews.

Part of my Introduction to Judaism class series discussing the concept of Philosemitism, love of the Jews, and Modern Antisemitism particularly in relation to Anti-Zionism. If you're interested in the latter concept, please also see my May 2019 Understanding the World Class in which I discussed Soviet Anti-Zionism and it's fostering of left wing Antisemitism.

Looking at the foundations of Social Action in the Jewish tradition, the concepts of Justice (Mishpat), Righteousness (Tzedek), and Kindness (Chesed) in the Jewish tradition.

During my May class for the Ray Society, I discussed: •Background on ISIS Anti-Christian terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka •Soviet Anti-Zionism as the origin of Left Wing Antisemitism •Targeting and Intimidating Jews during Apartheid Week on Campus •Issues of Holocaust Memory in relation to Palestinians – Tlaib’s "Calming Feeling" and in relation to Poles – Restitution is a "Posthumous Victory for Hitler" •Rejoin the JCPOA? •What is this Economic Summit in Bahrain? •Life in Israel when under attack.

In my April Class for the Ray Society, I discussed Ambassador Dermer's visit to Iowa, Upcoming Israeli Elections, The recent Ukrainian Elections, The ousting of Omar Bashir in a military coup in Sudan, The response to the Notre Dame Cathedral fire, and a bit about the Mueller Report.

In my March 2019 class for the Ray Society, I briefly talked about the initial implication of the Mueller Report concerning collusion, then I spoke more extensively about the "Hate is Bad" resolution in Congress, about Nationalism and Nativism and where they cross into Ethno-Nationalism and Supremacism, a bit about AIPAC and a bit about the recognition of the Golan Heights.  

The background and origins of Antisemitism.

Discussed the Covington Catholic Kids, racism, and misplaced anger. The issue of "White Jews", and the Antisemitism in the UK's Labour party among other issues.

I discuss the multitude of views within the Jewish tradition about the Afterlife. Yes, Jews not only believe in one, but have a wide variety of views about it.

Part Two of Rabbi Kaufman's Class on Angels in the Jewish Tradition

The first part of Rabbi Kaufman's Introduction to Judaism class on Angels in the Jewish Tradition.

Rabbi Kaufman's class explaining the development of the concept of the messiah, mashiach, and messianic age in the Jewish tradition.

Beginning with polytheism and discussing developments of primalatry (the worship of one god primarily or first while also worshiping other gods) and monolatry (the worship of one god while believing in the existence of others), before moving on to monotheism. Later, discuss the impacts of these concepts on attaining forgiveness and meriting blessings.

This is the second class dealing with the foundations and development of Reform Judaism as part of Rabbi Kaufman's Introduction to Judaism Class at TBJ.

Rabbi Kaufman's Introduction to Judaism Class discussing the history from the Plague to the beginning of Hasidism, the middle of the 14th Century through the 17th Century. Featuring specific discussions of the impact of the Plague and the story of Shabbatai Tzvi, the most important history of the Jewish community that you probably never heard.

The last portion of the December 2018 class including a discussion of the aftermath of the Khashoggi execution and a discussion of an ancient meteor strike that could be the origin of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Rabbi Kaufman discussed The origin and meaning of Chanukah Antisemitism in Europe Immigration - Both Border Security and Immigration Reform Meteor Strike and Sodom and Gomorrah Among other Issues

Rabbi Kaufman's class on the Jewish Calendar and Jewish Holidays taught as part of the Taste of Judaism class at Temple B'nai Jeshurun in October, 2018.

Discussed -The pipe bombs mailed to progressive political figures and organizations -War almost started by Gazan Rockets caused by Lightning -Kavanaugh Hearings -How Should We Judge -Presumption of Innocence -Khashoggi Execution -US - Saudi Arabia Relations

This is a class in Rabbi Kaufman's Taste of Judaism series on Shabbat practices and Jewish prayer, taught at Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Des Moines, Iowa in October, 2018.

This is a class in the Rabbi Kaufman's Taste of Judaism series held in October, 2018 on the different streams of Judaism with a bit of explanation about who the Jews are today. Taught at Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Des Moines, Iowa.

Discussed several issues in detail: -25th Anniversary of The Signing of the Oslo Accords -Closing of the PLO Office in DC -Defunding of UNRWA -UNRWA to UNHCR -Antisemitism in Europe – The Case of Yitzhak Melamed -Corbyn and Labour in the UK -Nation State Bill – Arabic and the Druze

I discussed issues related to Iran including the US withdrawal from the JCPOA and events in Syria, and then issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict focusing specifically on the US Embassy opening in Jerusalem and the March of Return in Gaza.

A class taught by Rabbi David Kaufman explaining the history and development of the calendar, outlining the Jewish holidays, and discussing the festival of Passover and the Passover Seder specifically.

Discussed the water situation in Cape Town, South Africa in the context of BDS efforts vs Israel and antisemitism. Offered a brief overview of the primary conflicts in the Middle East. Discussed in detail the attack by Wagner against the oil fields held by forces allied with the United States and the massive US response.

Rabbi David Kaufman's class on Modern Antisemitism beginning with a bit of the history of antisemitism and traditional antisemitism and then moving forward into modern times with a focus on the morphing nature of antisemitism and Israel related antisemitism.

This is a recording of Rabbi Kaufman's current events class, Understanding the World, for the Ray Society of Drake University on February 8, 2018. A number of different issues related to current events were discussed including the situation in Syria, but the a focus was on several speeches given by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in response to President Trump's statements about Jerusalem.

This is a recording of an introductory class on Midrash taught by Rabbi Kaufman looking at some selections from Midrash Tanhuma on Genesis.

This is a recording of Rabbi David Kaufman's January 18, 2018 class on the concepts of the Messiah and Messianic Age in the Jewish tradition.

This is a recording of a class taught by Rabbi David Kaufman on January 11, 2018 on the evolution of the concept of salvation and atonement in the Jewish tradition. How do people achieve purity in the tradition? How do they merit the best of the afterlife?

This is a recording of Rabbi Kaufman's class Understanding the World taught for the Ray Society of Drake University in November of 2017. The focus was on Rabbi Kaufman's understanding of a reasonable and realistic resolution for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.

This is a recording of a class taught by Rabbi David Kaufman on Shabbat Practice and Prayer that is part of the Adult Education Program at Temple B'nai Jeshurun.