Learning with Lox

Join us for lox, bagels and cream cheese, and stay for an informal conversation on current Jewish issues led by experts from the Jewish community. Come and be part of the group.

11:00 am - 1:00 pm                 $5 /session


October 5, 2008                        I.D. 112
Jay Footlik
Election Analysis: The Candidates and the Critical Issues Facing the Jewish Community As that fateful November Tuesday rapidly approaches, excitement, tension, and competition mount in one of the most monumental presidential election campaigns yet. Wondering how the country will be affected by the new president or where he’ll stand on important domestic and foreign policy issues? Then join us for an in-depth look at the 2008 presidential candidates and their impact on the issues important to American Jews.


January 25, 2009                       I.D. 113
Rabbi Matthew Kraus
The Blessings and Curses of Assimilation
Being Jewish in a non-Jewish world. Explore the relationship between Jews and non-Jews from the Greco-Roman period until today.

March 22, 2009                         I.D. 114
Israel—Where Are We Now?
Israel is in constant flux and it is our responsibility to keep current with what is occurring in our Homeland.

Jewish Enrichment

SHOTZ:  Shliach Tzibbur                                                         I.D. 100
Rabbi Jeffrey Weill                                                              No Charge

Sundays, September 21, 28, 2008        11:00 am – 12:30 pm         

This two-session class has a two-fold mission. First, we will discuss the basic structure of a Shabbat morning service. Next, we will “worshop” that service in order to provide each student with the skills to lead a Shabbat morning service. Each student will leave the class with a cue sheet. Everyone will have an opportunity to lead or co-lead a Beth-El Casual Shabbat service over the course of the year.

Stories from the Heart                                                            I.D 101
Rabbi Jeffrey Weill                                                              No Charge
Sundays, October 12, 2008 - May 17, 2009    9:15 - 10:30 am   

Join together to read and discuss stories, lore, poetry, and lyrics—straight from the Jewish heart. We will uncover Jewish and universal themes from our Biblical writers, Talmudic sages, medieval poets, Chasidic masters and modern Israeli writers. Hebrew knowledge is not necessary, but Hebrew words and turns of phrase will be pointed out each session.

Jewish Life: Lessons in Rabbinic Literature                            I.D. 102
Alissa Z. Levine                                                                   No Charge
Mondays, October 27, 2008 - April 27, 2009    l:15 - 2:30 pm   

In this class we will study from the best Jewish minds throughout Jewish history, and learn the ethical and spiritual lessons from the greatest Jewish writings. We will weave together the richness of our stories through lively discussions that help guide our lives .

Kabbalah: A Look Into Our Jewish Souls                                I.D. 103
Rabbi Victor Weissberg                 $50 - Members  $60 - Non-Members
Tuesdays, September 23, 2008 - May 26, 2009    9:30- 11:00 am

One of the greatest and most controversial literary treasures of the Jewish people is the Zohar—the study of Kabbalah. It has been a way of study that is creative and leads to heightened spirituality. Come and learn the importance of this way of looking at God, Torah and the Jewish people.


Learning with Lunch                                                              I.D. 104
Rabbi Victor Weissberg                                                        No Charge
Tuesdays, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

October 28, November 18, December 16, 2008
January 20, February 17, 2009 March 17, April 21, May 19, 2009          Once a month join in a discussion of current events, with a bit of Torah. Bring your dairy/ pareve lunch (drinks provided), and enjoy the company of fellow congregants. Discussions will be led by different people each month so we can learn from everyone.

Torah Journey                                                                       I.D. 105
Rabbi Sidney Helbraun                                                        No Charge
Tuesdays, October 28, 2008 - May 26, 2009   8:00 - 9:15 pm
The Torah is more than a collection of stories from our ancient past. It is also a time capsule, a repository of the wisdom of our sages for over 2,000 years. Through the lens of the modern Torah scholar Nehama Leibovitz z”l, we will listen to the words of our greatest thinkers, such as Rashi, Maimonides, Nachmanides and Ibn Ezra, and have a chance to add our own voices into their conversations about God, the nature of humanity and the special role of the Jewish people in the world. Join us on this exciting journey.

B’nai Mitzvah                                                                         I.D. 106
Cantor Kim Harris                                                                    $250
Tuesdays, October 28, 2008 - May 19, 2009   7:00 - 8:00 pm

This class is designed for those adults who have studied Hebrew and Judaism formally and wish to reaffirm their Jewishness on a higher level through the act of being called to the Torah as a bar or bat mitzvah. Students will apply their knowledge of Hebrew as they explore the Shabbat liturgy and a portion of the Torah. On May 22, 2009, as testimonial of their learning journey, students will participate in a Shabbat evening service during which they will lead the prayers, chant from the Torah scroll and
deliver a class d’var Torah. (The class d’var Torah will be a brief speech written as a class, affording students the opportunity to relate their learning journeys to the themes of the Torah portion.) To get the most out of the Adult B’nai Mitzvah experience, students should arrive with a prerequisite set of skills, most importantly, the ability to decode Hebrew with accuracy. Students are expected to know the alef-bet and the vowels well. Prerequisite courses in Judaic studies are also required, as the class will assume a certain amount of background knowledge. Therefore, the student must sign-up for one or more of the Jewish Enrichment courses.

Text in the City                                                                       I.D. 107
Rabbi Benay Lappe, Cantor Steven Stoehr, &                      No Charge
Rabbi Jeffrey Weill 

Wednesdays, 11:30 am– 1:00 pm 

November 5, 19 December 3, 17, 2008 January 14, 21

February 4, 18,25 March 18, 2009 April 22 May 6, 20, 2009                   Join this lively lunch discussion and explore various topics through open dialogue. This is a great way to study text in a casual environment. Bring your own dairy/pareve lunch. Drinks and dessert provided

 

Grief Support                                                                          I.D. 108
Noah C. Weinstein, MA, LCPC                                            No Charge

Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:15 pm

This grief and loss support group is open to all who would like to meet and talk with others who are experiencing loss in their lives, in a confidential and comforting setting. The group meets bi-monthly. Please check the Temple Bulletin Calendar for the dates.

Exploring the Days of Awe

September 9, 2008                                                                    I.D. 109
Rabbi Benay Lappe
September 16, 2008                                                                  I.D. 110
Cantor Kim Harris & the High Holiday Choir
September 23, 2008                                                                  I.D. 111
Rabbi Sidney Helbraun

7:00 - 8:15 pm                                                                     No Charge

As Jews we mark our year by the coming of the High Holy Days. We gather together for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and open our hearts in prayer. But what if one is serious about the prayers that we say on these days? What if one takes the themes of these days to heart? Is it really possible to make atonement, to start fresh, to be renewed in a couple of days of prayer? Not for most of us. This year we seek to engage each of us in opening our hearts to discover if we are living up to our own highest selves, to consider how we can improve our lives, and to discover some of the deeper meanings present in these days of awe. Join us as we explore the themes of T’fillah, Teshuvah and Tzedakah.