On Sukkot, Purim, Pesach, Shavuot and Tisha b’Av, we read special megillot connected to the themes of the holiday. In this new monthly Community Beit Midrash, we’ll dive into these megillot with the help of midrashim in preparation for their corresponding holidays. Whether you’re new to these megillot or you want a chance to dig deeper through midrash, everyone is welcome regardless of background.

The series will be taught by Rabbi Avi Strausberg, Senior Director of National Learning Initiatives at Hadar. Rabbi Strausberg served as Director of Congregational Learning at Temple of Aaron in St. Paul, Minnesota, studied at Hadar as a year fellow, and served on Hadar’s summer faculty. She received her rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College in Boston and is a Wexner Graduate Fellow. She also holds a Masters in Jewish Education. While pursuing her studies, Rabbi Strausberg served as a rabbinic intern at Kehillath Israel and Temple Sinai. She also worked as a chaplain intern at Hebrew Senior Life and organized an anti-trafficking campaign as a rabbinic fellow at T’ruah.

Energized by engaging creatively with Jewish text, she has written several theatre pieces inspired by the Torah and maintains a Daf Yomi haiku blog in which she writes daily Talmudic haikus.

Organization: Hadar DC

Livestream or Virtual: No, it’s not