Adult Education

Wondering what to do now that the Fall holidays are over and before Hannukah arrives? This lull is perfect time to engage in Torah Lishma – Jewish Learning for Adults. Below are a variety of opportunities to engage with Jewish texts and learn together with others.

I look forward to learning with you in the months ahead.

B’vracha –

Rabbi David M. Eligberg

Perek Yomi – A Chapter a Day

Perek Yomi – A Chapter a Day kicks off on Simchat Torah, Sunday, October 8 during services as we read the first chapter of the Book of Breysheet/Genesis. Participants will receive questions for guided reading and have the opportunity to join together once a month to discuss questions prompted by the text. Click here for more details.

Art as Midrash – Sunday mornings at 10:15 AM

October 15, 22, 29      November 5, 12

We usually think of Midrash (interpretation of sacred text) as an activity engaged in by Cha”zal our ancient blessed sages, but artists have for centuries engaged in a visual form of creating Midrash as they depicted biblical scenes. Together we will explore at how artists through the ages have depicted five episodes from the Book of Breysheet/Genesis: Creation, The Deluge, The Banishment of Hagar, The Binding of Isaac, and Jacob’s Ladder.

Dialogues: 10 Talmudic Discussions Every Jew Should Engage In – Thursdays at 7:30 PM

October 19, 26     November 2, 9, 30     December 7, 14, 21     January 4, 11, 18, 25

The Talmud is central to shaping the Jewish thought process, our way of looking at the world, and the manner in which we approach, think about, and solve problems. This series will explore representative examples of important discussions on a variety of issues that offer a window into how our ancient sages thought and analyzed problems. As the title of this course suggests, the selection of the examples keeps in mind that there are certain classic Talmudic debates that are fundamental to Jewish identity, religious and moral meaning, and practice.  Click here for more details.

T3 – Talking Torah for Today – Tuesdays at Noon

Tuesdays at noon beginning October 10th in the Nachman/Levin Library & Learning Center

An exploration of Parshat Hashavua, the weekly Torah portion through the prism of ancient and modern biblical commentators with a focus on how the Torah’s teachings inform our lives in the contemporary world.

Global Day of Jewish Learning – 5 November 2023

This day-long event circumnavigates the globe presenting scholars from around the world and bringing the Jewish people together once a year to celebrate our shared Jewish texts through community-based learning. Classes offered are remarkably diverse so there truly is something for everyone. Most sessions are recorded so you can catch one from Australia or Israel or anywhere there is a Jewish community, that happened before you woke up. Watch the weekly message from the shul for more details as the event draws closer.

Jewish Book Month – 24 Cheshvan/November 8 – 24 Kislev/December 7

Jewish Book Month, which is the month prior to Hanukah, is a great opportunity to curl up with a good Jewish book. Visit the Jewish Book Council (https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org) for suggestions and reviews of current Jewish literature in all genres and for various age readers. They also offer a variety of lectures and presentations by authors and critics.

For families with younger readers, if you are not already signed up for PJ Library books (https://pjlibrary.org), I would encourage you to register, and your children will receive a new, age-appropriate Jewish book periodically throughout the year. You will also discover many fun Jewish activities that you can do together as a family.

Shabbat Lunch & Learn (Monthly)

Each month we will study a different topic, either a contemporary issue or an enduring curiosity. We will get things started with “Where Do We Go from Here? The Hereafter in Jewish Thought,” on Saturday, October 14.