The Schwarz - Kurz - Zeller Adult Education Institute Presents
Fall/Winter 2020 Classes Are Started!
As of August 14, 2020, all classes are virtual, there are no in-person classes.
Learning has no age limit. Something for Everyone!
This Fall & Winter, you can choose from a range of educational programs to fit your interest and your schedule. All of the programs below will be on Virtual Beth El. All classes use Virtual Beth El Icon link to Zoom on the website, unless noted otherwise. Click here to join virtually.
Weekly Classes
Inner Torah.
Traditional Torah study focusing on the weekly Torah Reading. Click here to join virtually.
Facilitator: Ruth Schapira Tuesdays, 10:00 am – 10:50 am (Starts Oct. 13 - Dec. 1)
We will journey through the Torah and discuss the ways in which the weekly portion (Parashat HaShavua) relates to our lives and thereby gain a deeper understanding of its messages. Ruth Schapira facilitates educational experiences that offer insight and meaning into our Jewish tradition. She leads online and in-person groups using creative and contemplative techniques for groups such as LimmudFSU Labs, The Mussar Institute, and synagogues. She has training as a counselor and Mussar facilitator and also writes a blog that has appeared on eJewishPhilanthropy and is listed among the top 50 Jewish blogs on Feedspot. She currently is completing research for her doctorate in Jewish education.
You call that a Shul? The History of Synagogues in America and the Evolving Art of Gathering.
Facilitator: Rabbi Weiss Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 10:50 am (Starts Oct. 21)
Since the spring of 2020, with the outbreak of the Coronavirus, American synagogues have found themselves in the thick of an existential identity crisis and forced to adapt in dramatic, new ways. How this identity crisis and the ensuing changes it has inspired will ultimately affect American Jewry remains to be seen, but a survey of the many ways American synagogues have redefined themselves over the years will help frame our understanding of the current moment. This mini-series will explore the development of the institution of the synagogue, with a special emphasis on the history of the American synagogue, beginning from the colonial period until today, examining the shifting priorities and social changes that propel key developments and their ramifications.
Current Events Discussion Group. Discussion group on current topics of interest.
Facilitator: Rotating Wednesdays, 11:00 am - 11:50 am (Starts Oct. 14)
Come and discuss the latest news with a Jewish slant in our weekly virtual discussion group. What will we talk about? Any topic that makes it to the front page of the Wednesday morning edition of The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (jta.org).The Jewish Telegraphic Agency news site can be found at jta.org. It is free, no subscription or sign-in required. The rules: Keep it interesting. Keep it civil. And end every session with a joke.
Teachings in Jewish Renewal.
Facilitator: Seth Fishman Thursdays, 9:00 am - 10:00 am (ongoing)
Join us for discussions of Reb Zalman’s writings and their relevance to Jewish life and spiritual growth. Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (1924-2014) was the founder of the Jewish Renewal movement. He was an integrator of many approaches to bring together Jews of all denominations, with a holistic view that Judaism should be accessible to all. ALEPH (the Alliance for Jewish Renewal) describes Jewish Renewal as a trans-denominational approach to revitalizing Judaism. It combines egalitarianism, the joy of Hasidism, the informed do-it-yourself spirit of the chavurah movement, and the accumulated wisdom of centuries of tradition.
Seth Fishman met Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi in 1989 and began working for him as a gabbai in 1990. He studied with him for 24 years, transcribed many of his articles, and served as webmaster for Reb Zalman’s blog. Visit Seth’s website at https://www.jewishrenewalhasidus.org/
Limited Series
MATERIALS FOR...Introduction to Hebrew reading with Rony Cohen can be found at the bottom of this page.
Dive into Davening.
Facilitator: Rabbi Weiss Meets the first Monday of the month at 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm (Oct. 5, Nov. 11, Dec. 7, Jan. 4 Feb. 1, Mar. 1, Apr. 5, May 6, Jun. 7)
Wondering about the meaning and significance of the prayers we chant? Curious as to why these particular words were chosen to be included in the service? Join Rabbi Weiss for a fast-paced, one-prayer-per-session dive into the story behind our davening. In English, all levels warmly welcomed!
Art of Inner Hebrew.
Facilitator: Ruth Schapira This series will be offered twice.
Part 1. Thurs., Jan. 7, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm; Part 2. Thurs., Jan. 14, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Part 1. Sun. Mar., 7, 10:30 am - 11:30 am; Part 2. Sun., Mar. 14, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Get creative in this hands-on workshop where Art and Jewish Spirituality meet up. (2-part series, Advanced RSVP required. Must sign up for both sessions).
Book Nosh.
Facilitator: Alex Geiger Sundays, 10:30 am – 11:30 am (Oct. 25, Jan. 10, Apr. 18)
Discussion group about all things cultural. Come and talk about books, art, music, film/tv, apps, and museum exhibitions – all with a Jewish themes. BYOB (bring your own brunch!)
Beth El Book Club
Discussion Leader: Rotating Thurs., 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm (Sept. 17; Nov. 19; Jan. 21; Mar. 18; May 20; July 15)
Book club is open to all adults. Books under discussion can be found on Virtual Beth El (click on the Book Club icon).
.
Special Events
Guest Speaker: We Share the Same Sky.
Speaker: Rachael Cerrotti Sun., Nov. 1 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Rachael Cerrotti is an award-winning and widely-published multi-disciplinary storyteller and educator. Her podcast, “We Share the Same Sky”, tells the story of her decade-long journey to retrace her grandmother’s war story. Rachael’s work explores the inter-generational impact of migration and memory.
Tu B'Shevat Seder.
Seder Leader: Judy Nussbaum Thurs., Jan. 28 [time & format TBD]
Tu Bishvat is sometimes known as the Jewish “New Year of the Trees.” It’s the holiday when we celebrate our connection to our planet and our environment. Come, learn, and celebrate with us at Beth El.
Stay tuned for additional events, still in planning mode:
Wellness Day (January 2021)
Tikun Leil Shavuot (May 2021)
We need your help! The Adult Ed Committee could use some help putting programs together. Are you good at Social Media? Do you have art, photography, or writing skills? Or maybe you enjoy planning events? All volunteers warmly welcomed! Please contact adulted@bethelyardley.org
As of August 14, 2020, all classes are virtual, there are no in-person classes.
Learning has no age limit. Something for Everyone!
This Fall & Winter, you can choose from a range of educational programs to fit your interest and your schedule. All of the programs below will be on Virtual Beth El. All classes use Virtual Beth El Icon link to Zoom on the website, unless noted otherwise. Click here to join virtually.
Weekly Classes
Inner Torah.
Traditional Torah study focusing on the weekly Torah Reading. Click here to join virtually.
Facilitator: Ruth Schapira Tuesdays, 10:00 am – 10:50 am (Starts Oct. 13 - Dec. 1)
We will journey through the Torah and discuss the ways in which the weekly portion (Parashat HaShavua) relates to our lives and thereby gain a deeper understanding of its messages. Ruth Schapira facilitates educational experiences that offer insight and meaning into our Jewish tradition. She leads online and in-person groups using creative and contemplative techniques for groups such as LimmudFSU Labs, The Mussar Institute, and synagogues. She has training as a counselor and Mussar facilitator and also writes a blog that has appeared on eJewishPhilanthropy and is listed among the top 50 Jewish blogs on Feedspot. She currently is completing research for her doctorate in Jewish education.
You call that a Shul? The History of Synagogues in America and the Evolving Art of Gathering.
Facilitator: Rabbi Weiss Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 10:50 am (Starts Oct. 21)
Since the spring of 2020, with the outbreak of the Coronavirus, American synagogues have found themselves in the thick of an existential identity crisis and forced to adapt in dramatic, new ways. How this identity crisis and the ensuing changes it has inspired will ultimately affect American Jewry remains to be seen, but a survey of the many ways American synagogues have redefined themselves over the years will help frame our understanding of the current moment. This mini-series will explore the development of the institution of the synagogue, with a special emphasis on the history of the American synagogue, beginning from the colonial period until today, examining the shifting priorities and social changes that propel key developments and their ramifications.
Current Events Discussion Group. Discussion group on current topics of interest.
Facilitator: Rotating Wednesdays, 11:00 am - 11:50 am (Starts Oct. 14)
Come and discuss the latest news with a Jewish slant in our weekly virtual discussion group. What will we talk about? Any topic that makes it to the front page of the Wednesday morning edition of The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (jta.org).The Jewish Telegraphic Agency news site can be found at jta.org. It is free, no subscription or sign-in required. The rules: Keep it interesting. Keep it civil. And end every session with a joke.
Teachings in Jewish Renewal.
Facilitator: Seth Fishman Thursdays, 9:00 am - 10:00 am (ongoing)
Join us for discussions of Reb Zalman’s writings and their relevance to Jewish life and spiritual growth. Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (1924-2014) was the founder of the Jewish Renewal movement. He was an integrator of many approaches to bring together Jews of all denominations, with a holistic view that Judaism should be accessible to all. ALEPH (the Alliance for Jewish Renewal) describes Jewish Renewal as a trans-denominational approach to revitalizing Judaism. It combines egalitarianism, the joy of Hasidism, the informed do-it-yourself spirit of the chavurah movement, and the accumulated wisdom of centuries of tradition.
Seth Fishman met Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi in 1989 and began working for him as a gabbai in 1990. He studied with him for 24 years, transcribed many of his articles, and served as webmaster for Reb Zalman’s blog. Visit Seth’s website at https://www.jewishrenewalhasidus.org/
Limited Series
MATERIALS FOR...Introduction to Hebrew reading with Rony Cohen can be found at the bottom of this page.
Dive into Davening.
Facilitator: Rabbi Weiss Meets the first Monday of the month at 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm (Oct. 5, Nov. 11, Dec. 7, Jan. 4 Feb. 1, Mar. 1, Apr. 5, May 6, Jun. 7)
Wondering about the meaning and significance of the prayers we chant? Curious as to why these particular words were chosen to be included in the service? Join Rabbi Weiss for a fast-paced, one-prayer-per-session dive into the story behind our davening. In English, all levels warmly welcomed!
Art of Inner Hebrew.
Facilitator: Ruth Schapira This series will be offered twice.
Part 1. Thurs., Jan. 7, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm; Part 2. Thurs., Jan. 14, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Part 1. Sun. Mar., 7, 10:30 am - 11:30 am; Part 2. Sun., Mar. 14, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Get creative in this hands-on workshop where Art and Jewish Spirituality meet up. (2-part series, Advanced RSVP required. Must sign up for both sessions).
Book Nosh.
Facilitator: Alex Geiger Sundays, 10:30 am – 11:30 am (Oct. 25, Jan. 10, Apr. 18)
Discussion group about all things cultural. Come and talk about books, art, music, film/tv, apps, and museum exhibitions – all with a Jewish themes. BYOB (bring your own brunch!)
Beth El Book Club
Discussion Leader: Rotating Thurs., 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm (Sept. 17; Nov. 19; Jan. 21; Mar. 18; May 20; July 15)
Book club is open to all adults. Books under discussion can be found on Virtual Beth El (click on the Book Club icon).
.
Special Events
Guest Speaker: We Share the Same Sky.
Speaker: Rachael Cerrotti Sun., Nov. 1 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Rachael Cerrotti is an award-winning and widely-published multi-disciplinary storyteller and educator. Her podcast, “We Share the Same Sky”, tells the story of her decade-long journey to retrace her grandmother’s war story. Rachael’s work explores the inter-generational impact of migration and memory.
Tu B'Shevat Seder.
Seder Leader: Judy Nussbaum Thurs., Jan. 28 [time & format TBD]
Tu Bishvat is sometimes known as the Jewish “New Year of the Trees.” It’s the holiday when we celebrate our connection to our planet and our environment. Come, learn, and celebrate with us at Beth El.
Stay tuned for additional events, still in planning mode:
Wellness Day (January 2021)
Tikun Leil Shavuot (May 2021)
We need your help! The Adult Ed Committee could use some help putting programs together. Are you good at Social Media? Do you have art, photography, or writing skills? Or maybe you enjoy planning events? All volunteers warmly welcomed! Please contact adulted@bethelyardley.org
MATERIALS FOR...
Introduction to Hebrew reading.
Get comfortable and confident decoding written Hebrew.
Facilitator: Rony Cohen
8 sessions. Tuesdays, 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm (Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24; Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22)
Introduction to Hebrew reading.
Get comfortable and confident decoding written Hebrew.
Facilitator: Rony Cohen
8 sessions. Tuesdays, 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm (Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24; Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22)
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