Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.

Rabbi Shawna, left, and Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik hold their tools, a yad and an Exacto knife — as they prepare for a session of their Paper Midrash program. Photo courtesy of Paper Midrash.

SCHENECTADY–Isaac and Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik, a husband and wife team, will feature Paper Midrash at Temple Gates of Heaven, the weekend of Dec. 5 and 6. The free programs are open to the community, 18+ adults and teens over 16, and will be held at the temple, 852 Ashmore Ave., Schenectady. No experience or “artistic ability” is required, all materials are provided.

Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik adapts traditional Jewish concepts to a modern Reform context, and brings that synergy to students. She received a master of Hebrew Letters in 1998 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, and was ordained in 2002 as a member of HUC-JIR’s first Los Angeles class. The rabbi is adjunct faculty in the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Los Angeles campus, and is adjunct rabbi at Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas, Calif. Before starting Paper Midrash she served as an associate rabbi at a Southern California congregation for 15 years. She has been a member of the faculty of URJ Camp Newman since 2008 and was Porter Creek Site director in the summer of 2019.

The program, “An Erev Shabbat Visual Sermon” a Chanukah related program, will consider the Maccabees and other superheroes and isslated for Friday, Dec 5, at 7 p.m.

Isaac and Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik will lead the Torah study on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon in a program entitled, “Torah Study with Knives.”

Information may be obtained by calling 518-374-8173.