BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:icalendar-ruby CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20261014T222824Z UID:76-578@seekthepath.org DTSTART:20261111T000000Z DTEND:20261111T010000Z CLASS:PUBLIC CREATED:20261001T150949 DESCRIPTION:This is a virtual offering.\nWhat do Jews believe? How is Judai sm practiced today? And what are some of the most common misconceptions ab out Jewish life and tradition?\nThis three-session introductory course led by Andrea Gorton offers a welcoming exploration of Judaism through the le ns of understanding rather than stereotypes. Participants will gain a basi c familiarity with Jewish beliefs\, practices\, values\, and community lif e. No prior knowledge is required.\nJoin us virtually November 2\, 10\, an d 16 at 6 pm.\nSession 1 (November 2): Dispelling Myths about Judaism\nExp lore common misunderstandings and stereotypes about Jews and Judaism. Lear n about Jewish identity\, core beliefs\, and sacred texts.\n\n\n\nSession 2 (November 10): Pillars of Judaism\nDiscover the rhythms of Jewish time t hrough the weekly Sabbath and major holidays. Learn how rituals\, celebrat ions\, and traditions help shape Jewish spiritual and family life througho ut the year.\n\n\n\nSession 3 (November 16): Community &\; Life Events\ nExamine the role of community in Judaism and explore life-cycle events fr om birth through adulthood\, marriage\, and mourning. Learn how Jewish tra ditions mark important milestones and foster a sense of belonging across g enerations.\n\n\n\nAbout the Facilitator:\n\n\n\n\nAndrea Gorton was born and raised in St . Paul\, MN in an ELCA family\, where she was active in her local youth gr oup. During her study of anthropology at the University of Puget Sound (Ta coma\, WA)\, she discovered her love of international travel. Upon graduat ion\, she worked in Public Health Awareness in a rural community of Guyana \, South America as a Peace Corps volunteer.  \n \nShe joined the US St ate Department in 2016. Andrea and her spouse\, Jacob\, have served as Ame rican Diplomats in New Delhi\, India\; Accra\, Ghana\; Guangzhou\, China\; Tel Aviv\, Israel\; and are currently living and working in Shanghai\, Ch ina. They are joined by their three daughters\, Evelia (9)\, Malala (6)\, and Millie (4).\n \n\nThroughout their tours in Delhi\, Accra\, and Guang zhou\, Andrea and her family regularly attended Christian services. Howeve r\, when studying Hebrew they felt compelled to explore Judaism. Since tha t time\, they have completed a reform Jewish conversion\, and are nearly f inished with a two year orthodox conversion.\n\n LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T150949 LOCATION: SUMMARY:Beyond Stereotypes URL;VALUE=URI:https://www.seekthepath.org/events/beyond-stereotypes/2026-11 -10 ATTACH;FILENAME=challah-four-strand-braid-straight-candles.jpg;FMTTYPE=imag e/jpeg:https://dq5pwpg1q8ru0.cloudfront.net/2026/06/09/20/56/31/4cdfe049-0 c03-403f-ac55-247f9affede9/challah-four-strand-braid-straight-candles.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR