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Additional Learning Opportunities |
Check back with us in late summer for information on more 2025-26 Language classes.
Exploring Jewish Living with Colin Coltrera
The Exploring Jewish Living class at Congregation Beth Shalom provides an opportunity to experience and learn about the Jewish calendar and holidays, examine Jewish life cycle rituals and meanings, and learn about numerous other aspects of Jewish life. The class provides space for the exploration of the meaning and wisdom behind this ancient tradition. You will explore Jewish living in a program designed with opportunities for you to connect with others on a journey of discovery. The class is for current members of the Beth Shalom community, those who aspire to be part of the Jewish community and anyone who is curious about Judaism and wants to learn more.
If you're interested in taking the Exploring Jewish Living class starting in Fall 2025, please complete this form.
Hebrew 1 (Aleph Bet) with Ellis Engbar - year-long course
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. This is a beginning level course; no prior knowledge needed.
More information and registration.
Hebrew II – Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way (1st semester) with Colin Coltrera
Improve your Siddur Hebrew and Tefillot reading fluency.
Do you know your alef-bet, but you’re ready to feel more comfortable in services? Can you sound out your prayers, but you want to know what they mean? In either case, this is the Hebrew class for you. We’ll be using Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way as our primary text.
More information and registration.
Intermediate Yiddish Fall Semester with Marianne Tatom
This class will help you develop intermediate Yiddish skills, including reading comprehension, conversation, and translation. We will be starting in chapter 6 of Motl Peyse dem Khazns Yiddish Edition (Motl the Cantor's Son by Sholem Aleichem, annotated with exercises by Sheva Zucker). Prerequisite: open to students who have previously taken Intermediate Yiddish at Beth Shalom OR to others with prior instructor approval.
More information and registration.
Additional Learning Opportunities:
CBS regularly offers new learning opportunities, often led by one of our committees or social groups. To connect with us about Adult Education, please reach out to our program coordinator.
Honi's Circle: a climate chevruta with Rabbi Paula Rose and Tamar Libicki
Our Podcast is Live! Catch the latest episode
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.
Teach Yourself Birkat Hamazon
Follow along in the B'Kol Echad bencher while listening to a slow version of Birkat Hamazon.
Food & Friends 5786
An annual CBS program with over 100 participants, Food and Friends consists of five monthly potluck meetings. Most groups meet for dinner, some meet for brunch, or some choose to meet for a mix of brunch and dinner times. Meetings are hosted in a rotating fashion at participants’ homes. Participants study using provided texts, as a foundation for conversation while sharing a meal. Groups are formed with a goal of individuals and families getting to know other congregants better and building bonds across neighborhoods within our CBS community. Since getting to know other Beth Shalom members is an important part of the program, participation is limited to Beth Shalom members (with the exception of the young adult group). Registration for 2025-26 is not yet open. Check back with us in Fall 2025 for the next session of Food and Friends.
Endless Opportunities
Endless Opportunities is a Jewish community-wide social & education program sponsored by the Stroum Jewish Community Center, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Kol Ami, Jewish Family Service, Kline Galland, Temple Beth Am and Temple B’nai Torah.
Upcoming EO events:
Protect Yourself: Fraud + Identity Theft
Tuesday, June 24, 10:30am-12pm at Temple B'nai Torah,
In person and on Zoom
Con artists steal billions from Americans every year. We’re fighting back with the AARP Fraud Watch Network. We’ll take an inside look at how scammers think, how to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud, hear from victims, and learn what to do if you or someone you know becomes a target. Register now.
Stroll to the Troll
Tues, July 8 | 10:30 a.m.
Issaquah Community Center - 301 Rainier Blvd S, Issaquah WA 98027
Meet Jakob Two Trees! Built entirely out of recycled materials, Jakob and the other six trolls in the region are large-scale public art installations that tell a tale of protecting nature and honoring the land and waterways.
We’ll meet at the Issaquah Community Center, grab coffee or a snack, and stroll and chat with friends. The trail is about 1/4 mile, is paved, is suitable for walking, and is ADA accessible. Free event. Register now.
Respiratory Health for Seniors with Dr. Vin Gupta
July 15 • 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Virtual Only
Join Endless Opportunities at the J for a special presentation by Dr. Vin Gupta, a leading expert in public health and respiratory medicine. Dr. Gupta has been at the forefront of health communication during the COVID-19 pandemic and brings deep insight into how we can protect our health, especially as we age. Register now.
Author Daniel Silva, “An Inside Job”
Thurs, July 17 | 7:00 p.m.
Herzl Ner Tamid – 3700 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040
NOTE: Adult + Senior Companion Tickets are sold out. To attend, please purchase a Book + Ticket Bundle.
Meet award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva, in conversation with his wife, CNN Special Correspondent Jamie Gangel, as they discuss his beloved series and new novel, “An Inside Job,” starring recurring character Gabriel Allon, a Mossad agent and art restorer who must solve the perfect crime in this dazzling new tale of murder, greed, and corruption. Register now.
Visit the SJCC's Endless Opportunities page for additional information.