Adult Learning
“It is a Tree of Life (Eitz Chayim) to those who hold it fast, and all who cling to it find happiness. Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.”– Proverbs 3:17-18
Lifelong Jewish learning is the best way of applying the Jewish values in our lives. Learning is about the knowledge we gain and how it guides our actions. Study enables us to think and to act in larger and deeper ways.
Adult Education Fall 2023
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Spiritual Journey Group - Conscious Community
Podcasts and previously recorded sessions
Other opportunities
Torah and Tefilah
Every Saturday on zoom, 8-9:30am (times vary at certain seasons)
Immediately after Simchat Torah we begin the cycle of weekly Torah portions from Genesis through to Deuteronomy again. All are welcome for these weekly conversations, with no prior knowledge or Hebrew required to participate. Learn about the foundational texts of our tradition through the eyes of history and scholarship, myth and narrative, psychology and social commentary.
Email Steve Winer to be added to our Torah listserv to receive occasional resources and schedule updates and to request the zoom link.
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Intro to Judaism - Begins December 3 (ends May 19, with some weeks off for holidays)
Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz is joining with Rabbi Valerie Cohen of Temple Emanuel Sinai in Worcester, to lead this 20 week Intro to Judaism class on zoom. Free to CBS members (contact the temple office if you missed the emails with the code) and $180 for non-members [but contact Rabbi Gurevitz if you need a scholarship to be able to attend]. Register at https://templeemanuelsinai.shulcloud.com/form/intro
Spiritual Journey Group - Conscious Community
Special opening session with scholar-in-residence Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener on Saturday November 11, 4-7pm
Monthly in person meetings, 7:30-9pm Dec 5, Jan 9, Feb 6, Mar 5, April 30, May 28.
This year in our monthly Spiritual Journey Group we will be studying the work of Rabbi Kalonymous Kalman Shapira whose writings, translated by Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener as 'Conscious Community' provide a guide to bringing mindfulness and spirituality into the sphere of building a community of faith together. We'll explore his writings and see how they might apply to the ways we create community together today. Rabbi Shapira's works were hidden in the Warsaw Ghetto and were discovered after his death in the holocaust.
If you have not previously attended the Spiritual Journey Group, sign up here to receive monthly reminders and materials for sessions. Back to top.
Online opportunities and Podcasts
A Dram & A Drash
Rabbi Gurevitz launched a podcast in September 2022, with new episodes each month. Through guest interviews she explores Jewish family stories, culture, ideas and beliefs over a 'wee dram' of whisky. The podcast is a little bit whisky education and a lot of Jewish culture. Learn more here and subscribe to the Youtube channel , apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. Back to top.
Coming Soon: Eitz Chayim Parent Podcast
It is hard to make time for life-long learning in traditional class settings when you are at the life-stage of supporting your children's learning and extra-curricula activities. So we're bringing the learning to you! This audio-only podcast series will cover topics that are taught in our Eitz Chayim Religious school curriculum in short bites that busy parents can listen to on a morning jog, walking the dog, or commute.
Previous adult learning programs
A number of previously hosted adult learning seminars, along with High Holy Day sermons, and other resources can be found on the playlists on the Congregation B'nai Shalom Youtube channel. Subscribe to the channel to receive alerts of new uploads.
Interested in something that you don't see? Be in touch!
Interested in celebrating an Adult b'nei mitzvah? Want to learn how to read Hebrew or brush up on your skills? Have an idea for a Jewish cultural learning events or short series? Drop Rabbi Gurevitz a line and help to shape the winter and spring season of adult learning. Back to top.