Adult Education: Spring 2013/5773
THE TALMUD TEACHES:
"These are the obligations without measure, whose reward, too, is without measure: to honor father and mother; to perform acts of love and kindness; to attend the house of study daily; to welcome the stranger; to visit the sick; to rejoice with bride and groom; to console the bereaved; to pray with sincerity; to make peace when there is strife.
AND THE STUDY OF TORAH IS EQUAL TO THEM ALL, BECAUSE IT LEADS TO THEM ALL."
Our Commitment to Lifelong Learning
Congregation B'nai Shalom is a congregation which values Torah and Jewish learning and maintains a unique commitment to the Jewish education of children and adults. Young adults, young couples, parents, mature adults, seniors – no matter what your life's experience includes, our Adult Education Program allows our members to discover the joy and excitement of Jewish learning. At Congregation B'nai Shalom, we believe that in the pursuit of Jewish wisdom an adult Jew must be exposed to Hebrew, Culture and Art, Prayer, Philosophy and
Course registration is now in progress! As a benefit of membership, all courses are offered to Temple members at no charge. For all courses requiring registration, please email or call 508-366-7191 to register! Finally, keep your eye on this page for further adult education information. We hope you will come and learn with us!
Our Faculty
Rabbis Gurevitz and Eiduson, and a notable group of lay instructors, comprise our talented faculty. Courses are developed around the areas of proficiency of our faculty and are well prepared sessions with significant substance and high energy discussions.
Courses for Beginners
Congregation B'nai Shalom offers a wide variety of courses for those in the early stages of Jewish learning. We especially encourage parents of religious school students and others who might want to strengthen their awareness of Judaism to participate. Of course, all classes are open to everyone regardless of background or experience.
Want to read Torah on the Bimah?
If you would like to participate in Shabbat Services by reading Torah for the Congregation, we invite you to contact Rabbi Gurevitz. Even if you have not read Torah since your Bar or Bat Mitzvah, reading Torah as an adult may be an exciting way for you to connect or reconnect on a deeper level to your Jewish heritage.
Congregation B'nai Shalom Membership
Do you have friends who are not members of Congregation B'nai Shalom? We take pride in our Educational Programs and hope that you will share the information below with your friends and invite them to join our family. For more information about membership, contact .
Here is a listing of our Spring 2013/5773 Adult Education Offerings
Into the Mystic: An Introduction to Mystical Traditions and Teachings in Judaism.
Sundays, 9:15 am – 10:15 am on March 3, 17, 24, 31, and April 7 (no class on March 10)
With Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz
Registration Required: contact
Jewish mysticism is a very old and very rich tradition that provides a window into ancient ideas about the creation of the Universe that are uncannily similar to what we have learned from some of the most modern scientific theories. It provides a language of metaphor that helps us to talk about ways of experiencing the world that elevate our sense of awe and mystery. It also offers an explanation for some of the rituals that have become embedded in Jewish practice and the real stories behind them. Step into this fascinating and often misunderstood realm of Jewish learning with Rabbi Gurevitz.
The Blessing of a B Minus: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Resilient Teenagers
Tuesdays, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm on April 2, 9, 23, 30 & May 7 (no class on April 16th)
With Rabbi Joe Eiduson
Registration Required: contact
A Yiddish proverb observes: “Small children disturb your sleep, big children disturb your life.” Wendy Mogel's sage advice on parenting has made her one of today's most trusted parenting authorities. In The Blessing of a B Minus, she addresses the problem of navigating the often rough journey through your child's teenage years. Talking about concerns and getting the perspective of peers can be cathartic, reassuring, and eye-opening so we will look at selected passages and discuss Dr. Mogel’s philosophy and suggestions. Participants will need to purchase a copy of the text prior to the first session and read the first two chapters.
Creating a Child-Friendly Passover Seder
Sunday, March 3rd 10:45 – 12:00
With Rabbi Gurevitz
Registration Required: contact
Join Rabbi Gurevitz for a Passover workshop to help families plan interactive and child-friendly Passover Seders! A Seder is a wonderful thing but the preparation can seem like a daunting task and we are not talking about the food! Whether you are planning a Seder for the very first time or for the tenth time, this workshop can help you. We will look at how to get started and how to balance all the pieces while keeping an eye on spirituality, practicality, fun and dealing with your family's situation. You’ll come away with planning guides, tips, and lists of resources.
Shabbat Morning T’Fillah & Torah
Saturdays, 8:00 am – 9:30 am
With Rabbi Gurevitz
We’ve been working our way from Genesis through the entire Hebrew Bible. We’ve reached Second Kings and we welcome everyone to jump in at any time! Kings David and Solomon and beyond – never mind ‘Dallas’ – these are the original Soap operas of our people. “Beginners” are welcome. All readings are in English.
Adult B’nai Mitzvah May 2014
Are you ready for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah you didn’t have when you were younger or perhaps you had such a wonderful experience as a 13 year old that you would like to do it again? We invite all interested teens and adults to prepare for a B’nai Mitzvah group ceremony and service to be held on Friday, May 16, 2014. Those interested should contact , to enroll in our Adult Hebrew Course offered on Sunday mornings and in other courses or individual programs of interest between now and January 2014. Beginning in January of 2014, participants will study together weekly with Rabbi Gurevitz for a semester, learning how to lead a worship service. Any teen or adult member of Congregation B’nai Shalom is eligible. We hope you will join us!
CBS Lunch and Learn Series
With Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz
Creation , Revelation, and Redemption
Selected Thursdays, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. 3/7/13 & 5/9/13
Note: All sessions will take place at B’nai Shalom
$10 per session – B’nai Shalom Members/$15 Non Members
Registration Required: contact
Drawing on the visual arts, biblical, philosophical and mystical texts, this series will explore three big ideas in Judaism that have parallels in most faith traditions: how we got here (Creation), how we understand what God wants from us (Revelation), and our hopes for the future (Redemption). An initial session will set the scene, and the remaining sessions will cover each of these topics in turn.
3rd Annual Sisterhood Shabbat & Women's Kallah
Saturday, February 2, 2013
11:00 am – 4:15 pm
Cinema B'nai Shalom
Saturday, March 9th 2013, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
B'nai Shalom Reads
Friday, April 26th, 2013, 7:30pm