ADULT EDUCATION

We are committed as a Congregation to offer ongoing, engaging education for adults. Over the years, we have offered many classes, including:

  • Jewish History

  • Bible as Literature

  • Beginning Hebrew

  • Biblical Hebrew

  • Conversational Hebrew

  • Prayers and Ceremonies

  • Jewish Text

  • Torah Cantilation

  • Adult B’nei Mitzvah

Check back for a listing and description of current courses once registration is available for 5784.

NEW FOR 5784…

PLUS OUR YEARLY OFFERINGS

AM HISTORY CLASS

Teacher: Rabbi Edward Schecter

Texts of Jewish History
A study of the prominent texts of the Jewish Tradition (The Bible, Talmud, Codes of Jewish Law). Each text will be placed in its historical context with special emphasis on its applicability to modern Jewish life. 

Meets:
Wednesday mornings, 9:30-10:30 am, on Zoom 
beginning September 16

TORAH STUDY

Coordinators: Rabbi Schecter and Cantor Jospeh

Shabbat Morning Torah Study
This class will study the weekly Torah portion and commentaries with shared responsibility for leading discussions. 

Meets: 
Saturday mornings, 9:00-10:00 am, on Zoom
Start date TBD

PM HISTORY class: American Jewish thOUGHT in recent decades

Teacher: Rabbi Robert Seltzer

Judaism, like all modern religions, is a complex structure of belief (explicit and implicit), ritual, leadership, and organization affected by (and affecting) changing attitudes toward social and political issues. How has American Judaism been defined and re-defined during the last half century (that is, approximately since Beth Shalom was founded)? Drawing on a newly published collection of writings by religious and secular intellectuals, we will discuss a wide range of viewpoints from different rabbis, writers, and scholars. Topics include the impact of the Holocaust, new forms of prayer, the revival of Kabbalah, a new Hasidism, relevant new scientific paradigms, the impact of the State of Israel, and new views about feminism, gender, ethnicity, and covenant theology. Rabbi Schecter will participate in all of the sessions, as his schedule permits. (The text: “American Jewish Thought Since 1934” will be delivered to class members.)

Meets: 
Wednesday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 pm, on Zoom
October 14 and 28
November 11
December 2 and 16

BEGINNING HEBREW

Teacher: Rachel Gordon Bernstein

Introduction to the Hebrew alphabet and the main prayers of the Sabbath and festival services. 

Prayers & Ceremonies 

For those comfortable with Hebrew, learn special prayers like the Kiddush, Torah blessings and Shabbat songs as well as Passover Seder basics. 

Introduction to Biblical Hebrew 

For those who can read Hebrew and would like to understand it. 

Conversational Hebrew 

For those who would like to learn to converse in Hebrew. 

Meets: 
TBD — after High Holy Days. Please contact the Temple Office to register.