A deeper, more spiritual experience of Purim, Passover, Shavuot and Shabbat is the focus of this four-part series sponsored by the Center for Adult Jewish Learning beginning in March. Guided by some of the community's leading scholars and teachers of Jewish spirituality, participants can explore Hasidism's mystical texts and teachings on holiday practices in three Sunday workshops and an evening of text study.

In a playful spirit, the series begins on Sunday, March 9, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., with What's in a Joke?, a workshop with Rabbi Moshe Waldoks, who examines the psychological and spiritual importance of humor in celebrating Purim. Discussing the Exodus story and its meaning in contemporary Jewish life, Rabbi Shai Held conducts a workshop on preparing for Passover, Out of Exile, on April 6, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. How kabbalistic teachings may enhance the celebration of Shabbat is the subject of Reclaiming Sacred Time, a May 18 workshop from 3:15 to 6:15 p.m., with Dr. Elliot Ginsburg of the University of Michigan. In Fragrances of Sinai, an evening focused on preparing for Shavuot, Dr. Nehemia Polen of Hebrew College will join Ginsburg for a lively, chevruta-style exchange on the meaning of the Torah text. This May 19 event, co-sponsored by the Hasidic Text Institute, begins at 7:30 p.m. with a lecture by Ginsburg, who explores the idea of using aroma to evoke deep memory of Sinai's sacred past. For full information, call 617-559-8709 or visit hebrewcollege.edu/cajl.

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