by Loren Salkin
When Rabbitzin Miriam mentioned to me in the fall that she would be holding classes which focus on Women and Judaism starting winter quarter, I quickly made sure to arrange my schedule so that I would have no conflicts during the dates she announced. Every Wednesday night at 8pm, Miriam and a group of young women gather together at Peet’s Coffee to sip hot drinks, enjoy delicious kosher baked goods made with love, and learn about Torah’s perspective on a wide array of topics.
Our first meeting of the quarter began with a discussion on sexuality and its origins in Torah. In weeks that followed, we learned about what Judaism has to say about intimacy and dating, love and finding one’s beshert (soul mate). Miriam thoughtfully combines Torah’s perspective with modern-day examples from within society and supported by science.
At these “Coffee and Conversations,” all who attend can be sure to find a comfortable, welcoming environment where no question is off limits and all are encouraged to participate in a dialogue. I certainly look forward to the Coffee and Conversations to come.