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Mikraot Gedolot, the Commentator’s Bible with Rabbi Fern Feldman 

We will explore Mikraot Gedolot, the Commentator’s Bible, which collects the Torah commentaries of some of our greatest medieval sages. We will become familiar with the thinking of three of the most foundational of these—Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Nachmanides/Ramban— and get little tastes of a few others, looking at each individually, as well as in relation to each other. These commentaries are the basis of much of how we still understand Torah, as well as themselves being shaped by Talmud and midrashic sources. We will find literary analysis, cultural awareness, (and the lack thereof), psychological insights, spiritual depth, and quite a bit of humor. Sitting in conversation with these ancestors ultimately will deepen and enrich our relationship with Torah. Texts will be presented in Hebrew and English. This course will be in-person, in the CBS Beit Midrash. 

Time: Wednesdays, 7-8pm 
Dates:  2/28, 3/6, 3/13 

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Purim is Coming! Pesach is Coming!? Passover without eggs?
Monday, March 18, 2024, 7:00-9:00pm

Come bake Vegan Hamentashen in the CBS kitchen! Learn how to make these planet friendly Purim treats with our own expert Shabbas Chef, Tamar Libicki, followed by a learning session:  In this session we will look at the how and why to make the transition to a vegan life, including a focus Jewish values in regards to animals and factory farming, environment and health and human rights. We will also talk about the substitutes for dairy and eggs and share recipes and cooking techniques. Passover without eggs? Absolutely. 

Register here.

Sacred Cycles of Time: Hasidic Teachings on Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot with Rabbi Fern Feldman

Reading Hassidic texts, supplemented with background from Tanakh, Midrash, and Kabbalah, we will explore how to ride the waves of sacred time through the major spring holidays, allowing us to interweave our own journeys with the journeys of our people, the earth, and the flow of divine presence. This course will be in-person, in the CBS Beit Midrash. 

Purim: Wednesday, 3/20, 7-8pm 
Pesach: Wednesday, 4/10, 7-8pm 
Shavuot: Wednesday, 6/5, 7-8pm  

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Seder Leading Workshop
Wednesday, March 27
7:30-9:00pm

Whether you are leading a seder for the first time, are a long-time seder leader looking to mix things up, or anywhere in between, join us for this workshop. CBS members (and superstar seder leaders) Karin and Michael Madwed will be sharing their tips and tricks leading a meaningful and engaging seder for participants of all ages and backgrounds. We hope that you'll leave this session with new and creative ideas, and with the confidence that you're ready to lead a great seder!

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Poems for our Days with Rachel Korazim
Monday, April 15
8-9pm on Zoom

The calamity of October 7th and the war that followed, had left Israel and the Jewish world in shock and despair. The unimaginable became our reality. As more details of the horror unfold, as we are facing the painful daily losses in battle and above all the plight of the hostages and their families, we find ourselves less and less able to talk about it. The expression most commonly used is אין מילים ein milim – No Words!

And yet – there are those who struggle and find words to express pain and anger, despair and abandonment.

In our sessions we will read and discuss poetry written these very days. The poems are often raw and painful, while at the same time full of love and even hope. Some are written in forms of prayers such as a new “Kadish”, many reference biblical motifs such as the Akeida or Joseph. Others address the new “correct” language, since one cannot say any more simple things like “I am Okay”, or the two most horrible words in Hebrew nowadays: הותר לפרסום “released for publication” that precede the names of the fallen soldiers on Israeli media. The poems come from different parts of Israeli society and reflect a large variety of voices, new ones are added weekly.

Register here.

Forks Over Knives Movie Night & Vegan Dessert
Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Join us for a community movie night, followed by vegan dessert and discussion about how animal welfare and animal rights intersect with Jewish values. This year, the CBS Social Action Committee sub-committee Ahavat v'Avodat HaAdamah is embracing the challenge of integrating vegan learning and food into certain Beth Shalom programs to encourage our community to think consciously about food choices and their impact on the environment, thanks to a grant from the Jewish Animal Advocacy Group, SHAMAYIM.

Register here.

Pre-Yizkor Cemetery Visit
Sunday, April 28, 2024
10:30-11:00am

Join Rabbi Borodin at the Beth Shalom Cemetery (3601 Alaska Road, Brier) for a very brief service in memory of loved ones before Yizkor at the end of Passover.  There will also be a chance to learn about Jewish cemeteries in general, and how to read a gravestone.  This program is intended for folks visiting loved ones buried in the Beth Shalom cemetery, thinking of loved ones buried elsewhere, or just interested in learning more about Jewish cemeteries (and Beth Shalom's in particular).

More information and registration here.

2nd Semester Classes

Beyond the Aleph Bet with Gus Feliu

This class focuses on developing proficiency in reading and understanding Biblical Hebrew. Over the 12 weeks of class you’ll have the opportunity to practice sight reading, grow your vocabulary, become familiar with Hebrew grammar and develop your skills as a translator.  We will also spend some time learning to write in and read the cursive Hebrew alphabet.  We'll be using The First Hebrew Primer (Simon, Resnikoff, Motzkin) as our primary text. Prerequisite: Knowledge of the alef-bet is required.  

Format: In-person
Time: Tuesdays, 7:00-7:55pm
Dates: Jan. 23, 2024–Apr. 16, 2024 (12 sessions no class on Feb. 20)

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Intermediate Yiddish with Marianne Tatom

This class will help you develop intermediate Yiddish skills, including reading comprehension, conversation, and translation. We will use a variety of textbooks and supplementary materials. Prerequisite: open to students who have completed Intermediate Yiddish at Beth Shalom OR to others with prior instructor approval. The lowered tuition for this class for non-members is possible due to the projected class size.  

Format: Virtual (on Zoom)
Time: Tuesday nights, 7:00-8:30pm
Dates: Jan. 23 – Apr. 2, 2024 (10 1.5-hour sessions, no class on Feb. 20

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Exploring Jewish Living

Taught by Gus Feliu. A basic introduction to Judaism, including holidays, texts, and home traditions and a Hebrew class (below).  This is our required course for conversion students. 

Our Exploring Jewish Living has reached capacity and registration is now closed.  If you're interested in conversion and/or want to inquire about class for next year (2024-25), please contact our rabbi's assistant, Ellis Engbar.

Tune In

Honi's Circle
Ḥoni's Circle is a climate chevruta (partner text study), in which Rabbi Paula Rose and Tamar Libicki explore Jewish texts from the Torah, the Talmud, and Commentaries to grapple with climate change. Every two weeks, we will release a new 15-minute episode with its own source sheet, allowing listeners to study along with the discussion. This Podcast is a project of Congregation Beth Shalom and Ahavat V'Avodat HaAdama, our community's environmental group. 

Follow along with the source sheet here.

Our Podcast is Live! Catch the latest episode

Additional Learning Opportunities

ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES

FOOD & FRIENDS

COMMUNITY SCHOLAR

ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES
EO is a Jewish community-wide social & education program sponsored by Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Kol Ami, Jewish Family Service, Kline Galland, Temple Beth Am and Temple B’nai Torah.

Please see our Adult Social Groups page for more information.

Mon, March 18 2024 8 Adar II 5784