Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 8:30-10:00 pm ET | 7:30-9:00 pm CT | 5:30-7:00 pm PT
Come study the piyyut “Edut Hashem,” written by Rav Abdallah Hanin, 19th-century Iraqi liturgical poet, with a new English translation provided by Rabbi Sass Brown. We'll encounter fire breathing angels, and find out why Torah is better for humans than heavenly beings.
Piyyutim are a unique Jewish genre of poetry, often written to elevate the themes of our holidays or prayers. They are composed of quotations from Torah, a collage of our ancient texts read in a new way. In this session, we'll learn about the genre, study an example, and practice making our own.
About the teacher:
Rabbi Sasson Brown (they/them) is the incoming Program Director for Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy. Sass wants Jews and their loved ones to feel that they are inheritors of Torah, stories, poetry, and music that they can use to experience and express their spirituality. Sass teaches with a strong sense of identity and ancestry, and believes Torah is enriched when interpreted through the many cultures and backgrounds that make up Jewish community.
Sass was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2025. They hold an MA in Spiritual Care and Counseling (JTS), an MFA in Creative Writing (NCSU), and BA in Communications (UNC Chapel Hill). They currently live in Raleigh, NC.
Registration is sliding scale/pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $18 to support our programming. We are accessible to all Jews of Color regardless of payment, so if finances are a barrier, please continue to registration without making a payment through the Free Ticket option.
For Ammud's operations to run smoothly, registration closes 2 business days before the class begins. Register today and make sure your spot is reserved!
Registering for a course makes you an Ammud member, where you can access all of our membership perks.
Please note: Ammud is a space that centers Jewish people of color, something so rare and special! This particular program is an affinity space for JOCs. If you are an Ally who is not a JOC, we have this same class open to JOCs and Allies, please register for that class here! If you have more questions, feel free to visit our FAQ page to learn more. When you sign up for a class you become either a JOC member or Ally Member. We are so happy to have you!