Adult Education

Women’s Torah Study

Saturdays, following Shabbat services
Dates for 2019-20: Aug 10, Sept 14, Oct 26, Dec 14, Jan 11, Feb 22, Mar 14 & 28, Apr 11 & 25, May 9 & 23
Meets in Room 111

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. Taught by Mel Berwin. Free.

Wise Aging Series

September Series:
Thursday, September 5, 12, 19, & 26
10am-12pm with Deb Freedberg & Barb Schwartz

January Series:
Monday, January 6, 13, 27, & February 3
10:15am-12:15pm with Deb Freedberg,
Barb Schwartz, & Rosana Berdichevsky

There are no set instructions for getting older. Our 4-week course was developed by the Institute of Jewish Spirituality and designed for people ages 55+ who want to enhance this stage of life with learning, growth, spirit, resilience and wisdom. Wise Aging is being offered twice this year, in September and January.

Students should purchase or borrow the book Wise Aging by Rabbi Rachel Cowan and Dr. Linda Thal. Limited space. $125 for the series. Limited scholarships are available.

To register, contact Deb Freedberg or Barb Schwartz.

Beginning Hebrew

This course (or its equivalent level of mastery) is a pre-requisite for all other Hebrew and synagogue skill classes, and acts as the first year of Machon Ivrit. 

Ease into Hebrew beginning with Alef-Bet letter recognition, vowels, and decoding skills, and move on to build a basic vocabulary.  Register online. For calendar and costs, click here.

Machon Ivrit – Modern Hebrew

Interested in learning Modern Hebrew?  Machon Ivrit offers three years of Hebrew study.  This once-a-week program brings learners to higher levels of speaking, reading, and understanding.

• Level One: Ready to Read & Speak
• Level Two: Advanced Hebrew
• Level Three: Conversational

For more information or to register, click here.

Siddur Basics

Wednesdays, 6:30-7:25pm
Begins Oct 23, Room TBD

Overcome the barrier to your Shabbat service participation. Join a small group and attentive teacher to focus on the “how” and “why” of the major prayers of the Shabbat morning service, prayer concepts and choreography, and practicing words and tunes until you are more comfortable joining in. Course fee $50. Register online.

Learn to Leyn: Chanting Torah for Beginners and Beyond

Wednesdays, 7:35-8:30pm
Begins Oct 23, Room TBD

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. Taught by Deb Freedberg. Course fee $50.  Register online

Synagogue Skills Private Tutorial

Work on meeting your goals and get one-on-one coaching with Deb Freedberg. Set up a few sessions or a full semester working towards a special event. Contact Deb for pricing.

Adult Bnai Mitzvah

Celebrate a new achievement and milestone! Contact Deb Freedberg for more information.

Sex, Beauty, War and Despair: Adult Themes in the Five Megillot with Rabbi Kosak

Sundays: Feb 2 – June 21 (12 weeks; full schedule available with registration), 9:45-11:15am

The five megillot are some of the enduring classics of world literature. Jews read these scrolls publicly on holidays throughout the year, but without the regularity with which we read the Torah. As a consequence, these important sections of the Bible are less familiar to the average synagogue goer. In this course, we will have an opportunity to examine the megillot, their deeply human themes, and the light they can shed on our own lives. Cost: $36 ($72 for non-members).

RSVP to Tori or register online.

Nosh N Drash with Rabbi Posen

Second Thursday of every month, 11:15-12pm

Join Rabbi Posen for a monthly discussion focusing on Jewish perspectives on current issues. Meet at Café at the MJCC. Walk in welcome.  No Charge.

“A la Carte” learning with Rabbi Posen

Have a topic you’ve always wanted to study in Judaism?  Wonder what the Jewish approach to … is? Reach out to Rabbi Posen and she’ll set up learning that works for you. You choose the location, and time, she brings the learning material. Contact: Rabbi Eve.

Rabbi Isaak’s Bible Study

Thursdays, 3:30-4:15pm
Year-round, Room 111

Weekly learning and discussion on a book in the Tanakh with Rabbi Emeritus, Daniel Isaak. Free. Drop-ins welcome. No need to register.

Rabbi Stampfer’s Talmud Study

Tuesdays, 5:00-6:00pm
Year-round, Call ahead for location

Join our Emeritus Rabbi for weekly study of our sacred texts. Currently this class takes place at Rabbi Stampfer’s home.  No cost to attend. Questions? Contact our receptionist.

Rabbi Isaak: One People, Two Worlds

Begins Thursday, Oct 17, 9:45-10:45am

Does God exist?  Did Moses actually lead the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage to the Promised Land? Does it matter whether I keep Kosher or not? I belong to a Conservative synagogue, but am I a Conservative Jew (religiously speaking)? Explore these and a myriad other issues as we read and discuss the book One People, Two Worlds, a fascinating confrontation between a Reform and Orthodox rabbi. What divides them?  Where do they agree? Where do you stand? Cost is $36 and includes the book.

Rabbi Stampfer Classes

Thursdays, 11:00am-12:00pm

CANCELED – Feminism in the Bible
canceled for fall

We’ll examine the lives of seven women in the Bible and their impact on the role of women in Judaism.

History of Jerusalem
January 9-March 12. $50, book included.

We will relive the extraordinary story of what is arguably the most meaningful city on earth.

Introduction to the Talmud
March 19-May 21. $50, book included.

We will study the system of Talmudic thought and effective Talmudic episodes.