Adult Learning

Exploring Jewish Living

Exploring Jewish Living with Beth Huppin: A basic introduction to Judaism, including holidays, texts, and home traditions and a Hebrew class (below).  This is our required course for conversion students.  Registration deadline is 11/1.  Late registration is accepted only with permission of instructor.

Hebrew Classes

Hebrew 1 with Mihal Bat-Or: Eliminate angst and build confidence while learning the Hebrew alphabet and gaining Hebrew reading competence. Come prepared for energized, spirited practice guaranteed to lay the foundation for your love of Hebrew. 

Beyond the Aleph Bet 2nd Semester 2022-23 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. 

Prayerbook Hebrew & You, 2nd Semester 2022-23  with Sharon Greenberg: This class will increase your familiarity with the Siddur (prayerbook), building vocabulary, grammar, and understanding of the structure and meaning of prayers based on learning Hebrew roots. We will use the Siddur itself as our main textbook, with student interest informing the prayers we study.

Yiddish Classes

Beginning Yiddish, 2nd Semester 2022-23 with Marianne Tatom: Kum arayn (come in) – join the Yiddish revival! Marianne Tatom will help you develop basic Yiddish conversation skills. The course is a continuation of the fall Beginning Yiddish class and will use the textbook In eynem, available for purchase through the Yiddish Book Center. Must know the alef-beys!

Intermediate Yiddish, 2nd Semester 2022-23 with Marianne Tatom: This class will help you develop intermediate Yiddish skills, including reading comprehension, conversation, and translation.  Prerequisite: open to students who have completed Intermediate Yiddish at Beth Shalom OR to others with prior instructor approval.   

Text Study

Talmud as Philosophy with Rabbi Ira Stone: This class is intended to raise the question: What is the Talmud? And to propose as the answer to this question: a unique approach to philosophic thinking, different from the development of philosophy in the West, specifically, in the mode of Greek philosophy. Oct. 19, 2022 - Nov. 16, 2022 (5 sessions)

The Zohar: Deep Dives and Overarching Themes in our Most Foundational Mystical Text with Rabbi Fern Feldman
The Zohar, or Book of Splendor, a multi-volume work written in 13th century Spain and rooted in ancient traditions, is Judaism's foundational text of Kabbalah. We will study a range of passages that explore some of the Zohar's major themes, including Creation, the Sefirot (Kabbalistic tree of life), the Shechinah, the river flowing from Eden, G-d and Torah. We will read texts both in English translation and in the original Aramaic.  Jan. 18 – Feb. 1, 2023 (3 sessions)

Text Study of Bilaam - Loyal Prophet or Idolatrous Businessman with Rabbi Rob Toren: Close reading of the Bilaam (aka Balaam) from Parshat Balak (Number 20 ff), a unique narrative in Tanakh in presenting a non-Israelite nation and prophet, their understanding of G-d and their perceptions of Israel.  Including Bilaam’s four prophetic poems, unique as well, in both content, form and language.  Nov. 7, 2022- Dec. 12, 2022 (6 sessions)

Second Temple Judaism with Gus Feliu: Join us for a series of classes and discussions on Jews and Judaism during the era of the Second Temple (roughly 6th Century B.C.E. through the 1st Century CE), a seminal and transformative time in Jewish history. Nov. 30, 2022-Dec. 14, 2022 (3 sessions)

Food & Friends 5783
Join Food and Friends to connect with a small group (8-10 people) of Beth Shalom members during five monthly meetings on Sundays. Share a meal, along with studying a curriculum prepared by Rabbi Rose. This year, there will be both virtual and in-person groups, with in-person groups open only to those who are vaccinated and virtual groups open to everyone.  It is too late to sign up for Food and Friends 5783.  Please check back with us in Fall of 2023.