Living Faithfully in Uncertain Times: Jews and Christians Reading Scripture Together

  • 📅Tuesday, October 13, 2026
  • 🕐12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  • 📍Zoom Only

Join us on Zoom as Father Chris Yaw of St. David's Episcopal Church and Rabbi Aaron Starr and Congregation Shaarey Zedek explore passages from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament that speak to fear, hope, justice, and faithful living in uncertain times. These conversations are an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Scripture, learn from one another's traditions, and strengthen the bonds of friendship between our communities. All are welcome. Registration is necessary to receive the Zoom link.

Featuring:

Father Christopher Yaw

Father Christopher Yaw
Speaker
St. David's Episcopal Church

Rev. Chris Yaw became the sixth rector of St. David's on October 1, 2007. Born in Detroit, Chris is active in parish outreach activities involving homelessness and poverty. He serves or has served on several diocesan boards, including St. Anne's Mead in Southfield, the Diocesan Board of Trustees, The Cathedral Chapter in Detroit, and the Diocesan Strategic Planning Committee. He is also President of Oakland Housing Dirarmory Ministries, and founder of ChurchNext (churchnext.tv).

Fr. Chris previously spent six years as Associate Rector at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in downtown Battle Creek, Michigan. He was ordained in the Diocese of Los Angeles where he worked as a television journalist. Fr. Chris holds MDiv and ThM degrees from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, and studied for one year at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, UK.

Fr. Chris has published several books and articles including the popular:
Jesus Was an Episcopalian (And You Can Be One Too!) in 2008, and Accidental Killing: A Survivor's Handbook in 2024.

Rabbi Rabbi Aaron Starr

Rabbi Rabbi Aaron Starr
Speaker
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Link in Bio

Curriculum

Our curriculum is written for our school by our Rabbis and Director of Youth and Family Learning. Each grade level has specific goals and learning targets that encompass the following areas:  

Learning and practicing Jewish rituals, holidays, and ethical actions, emphasizing how these observances connect individuals to Jewish tradition and community. 

Fostering a connection to Israel by exploring its geography, history, and significance as the Jewish homeland. 

Centering on learning and understanding Torah stories, characters, and teachings, and applying their lessons to daily life. 

Emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior, acts of kindness (Gemilut Chasadim), and fulfilling obligations like Tzedakah (charity). 

Exploring the meaning and practice of prayer, teaching students how to communicate with God and understand the significance of different prayers. 

Focusing on learning the Hebrew alphabet, vocabulary, and basic reading skills to engage with Jewish texts and prayers. 

Each grade level explores these themes through engaging and age-appropriate lessons. Teachers use a variety of teaching methods and resources, including the Chai Curriculum. 

Staff

We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of professional Jewish educators. Our teachers receive weekly planning time, during which they use our curriculum and learning goals to craft engaging lesson plans. They benefit from regular coaching and feedback from our Director of Youth and Family Learning and participate in ongoing professional development throughout the year. Our educators are passionate about their students and committed to their growth and success.

Family Programs

Throughout the year, we invite families to celebrate with us! Parents, grandparents, and siblings are welcome to join us for special Religious School mornings filled with music, food, and community celebration as we observe holidays such as Sukkot, Tu B’Shevat, and Passover as a school community. Families and students are also encouraged to attend our weekly Shabbat services, where we offer youth activities for children of all ages. Participating in Shabbat helps our students connect their learning and apply it in a congregational setting, fostering a deeper connection to our synagogue community.