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
LEARNING DURING ELUL
Conservative Judaism Explained
with Mel Berwin
Thursday, Sept 12, 7pm
Cost: Free
Whether you’re a new member or simply seeking greater clarity, you’re invited to attend this engaging opportunity to learn about our movement’s name, values, and distinguishing features. Open to all. No registration required.
Note: in person only, no zoom option.
High Holy Day Musical Workshop
with Cantor Eyal Bitton
Sunday, Sept 15, 4pm
Cost: Free
The melodies of the High Holy Days are among the most beautiful and powerful in the Jewish tradition. Join Cantor Eyal Bitton as he presents new and traditional High Holy Day melodies. Cantor Bitton invites you to learn and to sing along in this engaging and interactive workshop.
Teshuvah: How We Repair and Repent
with Rabbi Eve Posen
Wednesday, Sept 25, 7pm
Cost: Free
Join Rabbi Posen to delve into the steps identified by Maimonides, the medieval rabbi and philosopher, in order to fully engage in repentance. In this 1-hour class, we will break down the text into usable steps. No Hebrew or text experience necessary.
Q&A for Upcoming Classes
Q&A for Beginning Hebrew & Machon Ivrit
with Hebrew Teachers
Tuesday, October 15, 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.
Q&A for Synagogue Skills
with Synagogue Skills Teacher
Tuesday, October 30, 7:00pm
Cost: Free
Orientation to our Synagogue Skills classes. Meet the teacher,
learn more about the classes, and get help with registration.
Note: in-person only, no zoom option.
JUDAISM IN OUR LIVES
Women’s Torah Study
with Mel Berwin
Saturdays at 12:30pm, Room 102
Sept 14, 28, Oct 26, Nov 9, 23, Dec 14, 28, Jan 11, 25, Feb 8, 22, Mar 8, Apr 26, May 10
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
Nov 6, Dec 4, Jan 8, Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, May 7
Time TBD
Cost: Free
Drop In Grief Group is 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. Email Rabbi Posen with questions or for more details.
Midrash, Poetry, and the Creative Process
with Brian Rohr
Winter 2025
Calling all poets, writers, and those who are curious: let’s delve into the creative process! Together we will explore and interpret a collection of sacred texts, learn about the midrashic (creative, interpretive) process, and then join the conversation by writing our own unique poetic midrash. Brian Rohr is the author of the book Shaken to My Bones: A Poetic Midrash on the Torah. Email Brian Rohr for more details.
HEBREW
Beginning Hebrew
Tuesdays, 7-9pm
Beginning October 29
Teacher: Hani Yovel
24 sessions
Cost: $560 CNS members/$610 non-members
Ease into Hebrew beginning with Alef-Bet letter recognition, vowels, and decoding skills, and move on to build a basic vocabulary.
Note: this course, or its equivalent level of mastery, is a pre-requisite for all other Hebrew and synagogue skills classes.
For more information or to register, click here.
Machon Ivrit – Modern Hebrew
Tuesdays, 7-9pm
Beginning October 29
24 sessions
Cost: $720 for CNS members/$800 for non-members
Financial aid available
Year-long classes to learn Modern Hebrew, with engaging teachers and a specially designed curriculum. 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.
Machon Ivrit – Graduate Hebrew Group
Tuesdays, 7-9pm
Beginning October 29
Teacher: Maya Varon
24 sessions
Cost: $720 for CNS members/$800 for non-members
Financial aid available
Teacher Maya Varon will select a series of short stories, music, poetry and current events for discussion with this group.
Note: This class is for those who have completed Level Three of Machon Ivrit or have equivalent fluency.
For more information or to register, click here.
SYNAGOGUE SKILLS
Tefilah: Discovering Judaism’s Core Spiritual Practice
with Rabbi Devin Villareal
Wednesdays, 6:30-7:25pm
Nov 6-Jan 29 and Feb 5-May 14
(10 weeks each)
Cost: $80 CNS members/ $95 non-members
Tefilah is often translated as “prayer” but what is it really? Our siddur (prayerbook) presents us with examples of request, moral reflection, communal song instructions, meditation guides and more. In this class we will explore how these various strands emerged and were collected together. Most importantly, we will delve into how tefilah and the siddur, belong to each of us. Sign up for fall or spring session or both—different topics are covered in each.
Practicing Tefilah
with Miles Hochstein
Wednesdays, 7:35-8:30pm
Nov 6-Jan 29 and Feb 5-May 14
(10 weeks each)
Cost: $80 CNS members/ $95 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. Sign up for fall or spring session or both—different topics are covered in each. Hebrew decoding skills required for this class (Beginning Hebrew or equivalent.)
LEARN WITH OUR RABBIS
Did Jew Know?
Taught by our Clergy
Autumn, winter, and spring dates, starting in Oct.
Cost: free
Join your CNS Clergy to explore the basics of Jewish living and learning. Each module of this series will be taught in 5-unique lessons and is a standalone experience. Pick any module that interests you or sign up for them all!
For the schedules and registration, click here.
Have you ever wondered what happens AFTER the Israelites enter the Land of Israel?
with Rabbi Eve Posen
Mondays, beginning Oct 28
12:00-1:00pm on Zoom
Cost: free
Continuing from last year, new participants welcome
Join Rabbi Posen every Monday at 12pm as we delve into the works of Ketuvim, Writings, the last section of the Bible. Each week we’ll discuss 3-5 chapters of text and discover the rich and interesting continuation of our core story. No Hebrew language required.
Rabbi À La Carte: As Associate 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.
To register, please contact Shaina by email or call 503-246-8831 x100.
The Portland Torah Times: Contemporary Issues Informed by Jewish Wisdom– A Lunch & Learn
with Rabbi David Kosak
Watch for dates in CNS eblast.
Cost: free
Discuss current events while applying Judaism’s often counter-intuitive perspectives to help us move beyond the headlines.
Questions? Please contact Shaina by email or call 503-246-8831 x100.
Listening to Both Sides: Israelis and Palestinians Share Conflicting Perspectives
with Rabbi Emeritus, Daniel Isaak
Thursdays, beginning September 12
10am-11am, On Zoom
8 sessions
Cost: $30, book not included
What does the history we think we know sound like when told by the
other side? How differently do Palestinians view the same events from their viewpoint?
From the 1917 Balfour Declaration to recent peace initiatives, we will read the history as described separately by Israeli and Palestinian historians, using the book Side By Side: Parallel Histories of Israel-Palestine.
Please acquire the book prior to class.
Questions? Please contact Shaina by email or call 503-246-8831 x100.
