On Sunday, November 7th, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of Jerusalem, Israel, will complete 45 years of a groundbreaking initiative to translate and explain the entire Talmud, thus making it accessible to all. The Global Day of Jewish Learning will honor that achievement by bringing together over 300 Jewish communities from around the world in a historic, unifying experience - the simultaneous study of that week's Talmud tractate, Ta'anit. This specific tractate addresses itself, in remarkable ways some of today's most vexing issues.

In the Philadelphia area Or Hadash will serve as one of the registered sites, serving Montgomery and Bucks Counties. Of the seven themes identified in the tractate, two have been chosen as a focus: The Environment and God.

The Environment is particularly relevant as it is a congregational theme at Or Hadash this year. Organizers have created a program that is open to the public, and should prove both enlightening and provocative.

The schedle for the day will begin with an 11:00 am registration with coffee and refreshments. An overview and video in the Sanctuary will begin at 11:30. Discussions will begin at 11:45.

Discussions will continue, with a short break for lunch, followed by the Siyyum (the sign-off ceremony) live from Jerusalem and a presentation by Rabbi Steinsaltz via the InternetThere will be a small charge, about $4 per person to cover the cost of lunch, interested persons may register at office@orhadash.com or call the synagogue at 215-283-0276 for further information. Or Hadash is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington.