3:36 PM EST, February 1, 2010

The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute will launch a new course: "Portraits in Leadership: Timeless Tales for Inspired Living" beginning Tuesday.

The interactive series examines the inspiring life stories of six key figures in a pivotal point of Jewish history. Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky, director of the JLI, said that by examining history, biographies and narratives, "we will see how vital decisions made 2,000 years ago continue to shape our contemporary lives."

"Portraits in Leadership" will be offered in three locations: Glastonbury, West Hartford and Simsbury. Once registered, participants may choose to attend at any location or any of the three. 

In Glastonbury, the course will be offered on six Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday. The series will take place at the Benet Rothstein Chabad Jewish Center, 25 Harris St. The series will be also be held on six Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. beginning Feb. 3 at West Hartford's Chabad House, 2352 Albany Ave. Simsbury will host the series on Thursday evenings from 7:45 to 9 p.m. beginning Feb. 4. It will take place at Chabad of the Valley, 140 Hopmeadow St. 

Fee for the entire course is $120. There is a 15 percent discount for "double bookings," and anyone involved in public service or in Jewish communal institutions will be offered a discount of 50 percent. "Portraits in Leadership" is designed for people at all levels of Jewish knowledge. The series is open to the public; attendees need not to be a member of any particular temple or organization.

For more information, please call Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky at 860-659-2422 or [email protected], or log on to www.ChabadER.com.

— Peter Marteka