Why do Jews say mazel tov and l'chaim?

The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will present The Jewish Course of Why, the institute's new six-session winter 2016 course that will begin during the week of Feb. 8, 2016. Partnering with JLI is the Jewish National Fund of Orlando. Mention JNF when registering and 10 percent of your tuition will be donated to the Jewish National Fund helping build a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people while nourishing your soul with some Torah study.

The course will be offered in 4 convenient locations in metro Orlando:

Nate's Shul

Rabbi Yanky Majesky

1701 Markham Woods Rd in Longwood

6 consecutive Mondays starting Feb. 8

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Chabad of Orlando

Rabbi Shalom Dubov

708 Lake Howell Rd in Maitland

6 consecutive Wednesdays starting Feb. 10

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Chabad of O'Town

Rabbi Levik Dubov

333 North Rosalind Avenue in Orlando

6 consecutive Mondays starting Feb. 8

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Chabad of South Orlando

Rabbi Yosef Konikov

7347 W. Sand Lake Rd. in Orlando

6 consecutive Tuesdays starting Feb. 9

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

"No religion is known for its rational basis and its welcoming of questions and intellectual debate quite like Judaism" explained Rabbi Zalman Abraham of JLI's headquarters in Brooklyn.

The Jewish Course of Why spans a diverse range of topics, from fun, light, and off-the-beaten-track questions, to more complex and controversial issues. Some of the course's 50 questions include: Why are there so many Jews in Hollywood? Why do Jews eat gefilte fish and cholent and wish each other mazal tov and l'chaim? Why does the Bible sanctions slavery and animal sacrifices? What is the cause of antisemitism? What does Judaism say about Christianity and about the role of women in Jewish life? In addition to the above, the course offers insight into mysterious Jewish practices, strange biblical narratives, and enigmas of Jewish identity.

"We're excited to be offering this fun and dynamic learning experience here in Lake Mary," said Rabbi Yanky Majesky, one of the local JLI instructors in the Orlando area. "The Jewish Course of Why gives our participants the opportunity to expand their Jewish knowledge and intellectualize their Judaism by exploring rational insights into the most intriguing questions that Jews have today."

Like all previous JLI programs, The Jewish Course of Why is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

For registration and other course-related information, interested students may visit http://www.myJLI.com or call in Lake Mary: 407-636-5994, Maitland: 407-644-2500, Downtown: 321-385-7697 South Orlando: 407-354-3660.

JLI courses are presented in Metro Orlando in conjunction with Chabad of Orlando.