Congregation Beth El

Beth El's Adult Education program has a large variety of offerings that bring excitement, depth and diversity to Jewish learning. There are learning opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds from Torah study every Shabbat morning to Rabbi Roston's weekly Psalms class, to Hebrew classes at all levels plus our newest offerings featured below.

All texts will be provided for any course and are, except as otherwise noted, in English and Hebrew. No previous study is required. Each session of any course may be attended as a stand-alone or as part of the series. Most courses are free to all who want to participate and may be joined at any point in the year or series. On Sunday mornings, come in for coffee and a bagel at 9:15am before the classes start.

Torah Talk
9:00am – 9:30am
Every Saturday
Every Shabbat preceding services, Torah Study on the weekly portion led by the clergy & guest teachers. All are welcome.

Talmud Study
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Every Saturday
Every Shabbat following services and a kiddush lunch, a group of congregants sit and study Talmud. All are welcome. Instructor: Mark Chodrow.

Winter/Spring 2010 SERIES

Sunday, March 7, 9:45am at JTS
Tour the JTS Rare Book Room
Our Jewish heritage contains a vast treasure of literary works. Many of these special collections are housed in the Rare Book Room at the Jewish Theological Seminary in Manhattan. Join us on Sunday, March 7 for a tour of JTS plus a special presentation in the Rare Book Room. Some of the special collections are various Passover haggadot, Cairo Genizah fragments and the Rothschild Mahzor. Like our great trip to Ellis Island last fall, this excursion is another opportunity to meet fellow Beth El congregants and enjoy a remarkable experience! Don’t miss it!
RSVP to Sherri Morris, smorris@bethelnj.org or 973-763-0119 by February 15.

Sunday, March 7, 2:30pm
An Interfaith Community Exploration:
Sacrifice of the Sons — Isaac, Jesus and Ishmael
At the South Orange Public Library.
We’ll bring together members of our local multi-faith community for a fascinating discussion on this intriguing common thread in the great western monotheistic religions. Panel discussion led by Rabbi Alan Brill, Paster Rick Boyer, and Imam W. Deen Shareef. Location to be announced; event is free and open to the community.

Advanced Hebrew
Thursdays, 8:00pm
March 11, 25; April 8,22; May 6,27; June 10,24
This class is conducted only in Hebrew. Among other things, we will discuss poetry, newspaper articles, and short stories. You should be able to converse comfortably in Hebrew, as well as comprehend at least 80% of what you read. Instructor: Morah Miki Fine.

Hebrew Bootcamp
Sundays 9:40am-10:40am
Full year course - meets whenever JLC is in session.
You know how to read the words in the siddur; but do you ever wonder WHAT those words mean? Hebrew Bootcamp may be for you. In this "basic training" course, we exercise our language skills, flex our vocabulary, and whip ourselves into shape to appreciate the rich and beautiful language of liturgy. Instructor: Nikki "Morah Nehama" Pusin.

How Beth El’s Chevra Kadisha Responds at Times of Loss and Grief: A Learning and Information Session
Sunday, 10:30am-12:00pm
DATE TBD
Our Beth El Chevra Kadisha is now a little over a year old and is hosting this session to share how they help congregants with preparing their loved ones for burial and comforting the mourners. Join us for an information and study session with our clergy as we explore the sources that detail the traditional duties of the Chevra Kadisha. Members of the Chevra and congregants will also share their personal stories describing their experiences, with an open dialogue on death and bereavement in the Jewish tradition, and how the Chevra can be of further service.

Next Steps on your Jewish Journey
Thursdays from January 7 - May 19,2010, 8:00pm
Instructors: Rabbi Roston, Cantor Fine,Sherri Morris and Rabbinic Intern Micah Liben
This year-long program is for those who are actively seeking the next step in their Jewish journey, both practical and spiritual. The diverse, in-depth curriculum will include training for those wishing to celebrate adult b’nai mitzvah. For those who have already celebrated b'nai mitzvah, this course will also provide the “next steps” to enable you to learn new synagogue skills, adopt the practice of additional mitzvot or learn more about Jewish law, as well as conversations that allow us to explore Jewish beliefs and practices. We will conclude our year of study with a joyous Shabbat celebration on December 18, 2010 which will provide us the opportunity to share our newly acquired skills and learning! In order to actively participate in this concluding service, you need to attend a minimum number of classes in specific areas, but we also encourage others to drop in for as many sessions as you wish.

Chairpersons Erika & Bill Gold (be1111@comcast.net); or any member of the Adult Education committee: Rabbi Francine Roston, Cantor Perry Fine, Sherri Morris (Director of Congregational Learning), Janet Easterling, Joel Friedman, Marilynn Jacobs, Rabbi Len Levin, Nikki Pusin, Joel Rublin, Shelley Slafkes, Mel Zwillenberg, Susan Zwillenberg.