Lifelong Learning Opportunities
It’s never too late to learn! Whether we’re new to Judaism or have been learning all of our lives, we all need to be inspired and to evolve in our beliefs and practices. Neveh Shalom offers opportunities to deepen our connections to each other, to our language, our texts, and our traditions.
All classes meet in person unless otherwise noted.
Class Categories
JUDAISM IN OUR LIVES
Why the Golem?
with Leora Troper
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30pm
10 weeks beginning Feb 4
(no classes Mar 25, Apr 1, Apr 8)
Cost: $50 CNS members/$60 non-members. Financial Aid available.
Join this course to explore the golem story – it’s roots and how and why it has resonated so strongly in the modern imagination. With brief lecture, chevruta (paired learning), whole group discussion, and even a golem craft project during the last weeks, we will explore a wide variety of sources.
Introduction to Talmud
with Rabbi Emily Kapor-Mater
Sundays, 9:30-10:30am
10 weeks beginning Feb 1
(no classes Feb 15, Mar 22, Mar 29, Apr 5)
Cost: $60 CNS members/$72 non-members. Financial Aid available.
We will learn about the history and structure of the Talmud, explore how Talmudic arguments work, and meet the rabbis whose voices continue to resonate in Jewish tradition today. All material will be taught in English translation, with the original Hebrew and Aramaic available for those who wish to engage them.
Women’s Torah Study
with Mel Berwin
Saturdays at 12:30pm, Room 102
Cost: Free
An uplifting hour of study on Shabbat! Delve into biblical and midrashic text, (Hebrew and English text available) with a group of other women to find meaning from our traditions that relate to our lives. All levels of experience welcome.
Email Mel Berwin for specific dates and topics.
Drop-In Grief Group
Led by our CNS clergy on an alternating basis
Wednesdays, 1x/month
7-8:15pm, Zidell Chapel
Nov 5, Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4, Mar 4, Mar 25, May 6
Cost: Free
A place for you to be with, share, and learn about your grief in warm and supportive community. Jewish learning about death, grief, and bereavement, as well as support for the journey. Come every month or just when you can. Led by our CNS clergy on an alternating basis.
HEBREW
Q&A for Beginning Hebrew & Machon Ivrit
with Hebrew Teachers
Tuesday, October 21, 7:00pm
Cost: Free
Orientation to our Hebrew classes and levels. Meet the teachers,
explore the syllabus, and get help with registration.
Note: in-person only, no zoom option.
Fall Class
Beginning Hebrew
Tuesdays, 7-9pm
Oct 28, 2025 – May 12, 2026
Ease into Hebrew beginning with Alef-Bet and move on to build a basic vocabulary.
This course (or its equivalent level of mastery) is a pre-requisite for all other Hebrew classes.
For more information, click here.
Fall Classes
Modern Hebrew
NEW–four levels of Modern Hebrew
Tuesdays, 7-9pm
Oct 28, 2025 – May 12, 2026
Join us for a year-long course in Modern Hebrew. This once-a-week program offers learners four levels to choose from.
For more information, click here.
SYNAGOGUE SKILLS
Beginning with “Why?”
with Rabbi April Villarreal
Mondays, 6:30-7:30pm
Oct 27-Feb 23 (12 classes)
Cost: $80 members/$120 non-members
The “why” in any major project has gained renewed attention in recent years. The mitzvot/commandments, one of Judaism’s central projects, elicit profound Jewish wisdom on the question of “why?” and what it means to live with purpose. In this class, we will explore this wisdom through study and conversation, developing our own wisdom for the moment we are living in now.
Siddur Basics
with Meg Bernstein
Mondays, 7:30-8:30pm
Oct 27-Feb 23 (12 classes)
Cost: $80 members/$120 non-members
Feel lost in the service? Join us to learn the prayers of Shabbat services! Together we will learn the most common Hebrew vocabulary words used in our prayerbook, and spend time practicing reading and chanting in order to gain practice and confidence. Hebrew decoding skills are a prerequisite for this class (Beginning Hebrew or equivalent).
Learn to Leyn: Chanting Torah for Beginners and Beyond
with Rabbi Shanee Michaelson
Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30pm
Oct 22-Jan 28 (11 classes)
Cost: $80 members/ $110 non-members
Learn to chant Torah—you can do it! We cover the names and tunes of the cantillation symbols, and then work on a short Torah reading for a future service of your choice.
Adult Bnai Mitzvah
Celebrate a new achievement and milestone! For anyone who did not have the opportunity to celebrate a bar/bat mitzvah at age 13, or would like to “update” that experience by celebrating as an adult, on your own or with a cohort! Contact Mel Berwin to register your interest.
LEARN WITH OUR RABBIS
Did Jew Know? Na’aseh V’Nishma:
Doing and Understanding our Jewish Practice
Led by our CNS clergy on an alternating basis
Sunday Mornings, 9:15-10:15am
Nov 2, Dec 7, Jan 4, Feb 8, Mar 15, Apr 12
Cost: Free
Join your CNS Clergy to explore the basics of Jewish living and learning, rituals and practice. These stand alone sessions will explore Shabbat, Jewish Death rituals, broad holiday practices and every day blessings.
Parshat HaShavuah: Weekly Torah Portion Study
with Rabbi Eve Posen
Mondays, 12:00-1:00pm on ZOOM
Start date: October 13, 2025
Cost: Free
Join Rabbi Posen every Monday at 12pm as we dig into the Torah portion of the week. Together we’ll question and connect with the words of our ancestral narrative. No Hebrew language required.
Rabbi À La Carte: As Senior Rabbi at Congregation Neveh Shalom, I am here to learn with you based on your learning needs and interests. Consider me the rabbi with an à la carte menu of learning options. You name the time, place, and subject matter and invite your group to learn with me in any setting.
