The Schwarz - Kurz - Zeller Adult Education Institute Presents
Adult Education at Congregation Beth El
2019 - 2020
Learning has no age limit. Something for Everyone!
Jewish Learning for Grown-ups at Congregation Beth El! Looking for ways to expand your knowledge or make your connection to Judaism more meaningful? Whatever your interest area – from sacred texts to current films, from Jewish history to modern takes on spirituality and wellness – Beth El offers topics to pique your interest.
This year we will be experimenting with new ways to make learning available when and where you want to learn. Look for daytime courses; Off-site lunch-and-learn programs, evening short-courses, Shabbat and Holiday learning
experiences, Sunday lectures, book events, and workshops. Even distance learning opportunities for those who prefer to learn at home.
Here is just a sampler of programs that are planned so far. And stay tuned for more learning opportunities as they
become available.
Davening and Sacred Texts
Bible BaBoker (Bible in the Morning)
Drop-in before the Saturday Morning Service to study the weekly Parsha with Rabbi Weiss. No prior Torah knowledge required. Oneg Room. Saturdays, 8:45 am - 9:15 am.
Teachings in Jewish Renewal
Text study and chavruta-style discussion based on the teachings of Reb Zalman. Discussion leader: Seth Fishman.
Drop-ins welcome. Oneg Room, Thursdays, 8:30 am - 9:30 am (after morning minyan).
Dive into Davening
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! First Monday of the month, 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm. In person or via Zoom distance learning. Begins Monday, November 4, 2019.
Jewish History and Culture, The Sephardi Experience
A survey of Sephardi communities around the world from 1391 to 1950. Explore the lives of Sephardim, whether Jews, New Christians (Conversos), or Anusim (Crypto-Jews), after they left the Iberian Peninsula and settled in the Mediterranean world, Western Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America and North America. Includes historical development, religious culture, economic growth and social context in each community, comparing the Westerners and Easterners. Instructor: Harriet Freidenreich. Drop-ins welcome, no previous reading required. Join us in the Oneg Room on Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 10:45 am. Class runs Oct. 23, 2019 through Dec. 4, 2020.
Jewish Women: A Historical Perspective
This course will survey the history and changing role of Jewish women, throughout our history. Instructor: Harriet
Freidenreich. Drop-ins welcome, no previous reading required. Note: Both men and women are actively encouraged to attend! In the Oneg Room on Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 10:45 am. Class runs Jan. 8, 2020 through Apr. 1, 2020.
It Doesn’t Look Jewish
What makes an image “Jewish”? What do so-called “Jewish images” tell us about who we are, what we value, and the secular culture that surrounds us? Join Rabbi Weiss to explore Jewish visual culture, then and now. In the Oneg Room. Weekly on Wednesdays from 11 am - 12:00 pm. Class runs Oct. 23 - Dec. 18, 2019; Jan. 8 - Apr. 1, 2020.
Book Nosh
Wondering what to read next? Need to know what’s binge-worthy on Netflix this month? Join us for bagels and good conversation about Jewish books, Jewish movies, and Jewish popular culture. Here’s how it works. Have you read or watched something by a Jewish author, something that has a Jewish character, or something with a Jewish theme? Spend a few minutes telling us why you loved it or hated it – and why. Then sit back and let the conversation flow. Everyone gets a turn to share their recommendations. Discussion leader: Alex Geiger. 10:30 am -12:00 pm. Session Date: Feb. 23, 2020.
Beth El Jewish Film Festival
Judy Nussbaum screened a great selection of Jewish Films again this year. Save the date for Dec. 7, 2019. Walk-ins welcome.
$10 members; $12 non-members. Click on the Film Festival icon on the website for more information.
Spirituality, An Introduction to Jewish Spiritual Practices
Jewish spiritual practices have ancient roots, dating from the 11th century. Discover how Jewish mindfulness,
visualization, meditation, and chanting were tools used centuries ago. In these sessions, you will practice a ‘small taste’ of these methods by experiencing them in the course. Instructor: Ruth Schapira. Ruth is a member of Beth El and is a Jewish Educator, trained Mussar facilitator, and blog writer (top 50 Jewish Blogs). Note: We are introducing a new Brown Bag Lunch-and-Learn format for this program. Bring a dairy or pareve lunch and meet others to share a journey of learning. This mid-day opportunity will bring you a sense of calm and inspiration. Meets 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm; Session Dates: October 31, Nov. 4, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, 2019.
Hebrew Reading Skills Class
If you are interested in learning the Hebrew alphabet and how to read basic Hebrew (for example, to enable you to follow along in the prayer book during services), our new member Rony Cohen, a longtime Hebrew educator in the Philadelphia area, will be teaching a weekly course, 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm, Monday nights for two months. Note: We are introducing a new Brown Bag Dinner-and-Learn format for this program. Bring a cold dairy or cold pareve dinner. November 4, 11, 18, 25 & December 2, 9, 16
Please RSVP www.bethelyardley.org or call the office 215-493-1707 x4.. The minimum participants in the class will be 5; the maximum will be 16.
Future Programs
May 3 (Full day) Beth El Day of Wellness. Mark your calendars now for a full day of workshops, book talks, lectures, and
teach-ins on Wellness. Topics will cover Meditation and Mindfulness to techniques for promoting overall physical, mental, and
spiritual health. Interested in shaping this program to meet your needs? Call the Beth El office to volunteer for the planning
committee!
2019 - 2020
Learning has no age limit. Something for Everyone!
Jewish Learning for Grown-ups at Congregation Beth El! Looking for ways to expand your knowledge or make your connection to Judaism more meaningful? Whatever your interest area – from sacred texts to current films, from Jewish history to modern takes on spirituality and wellness – Beth El offers topics to pique your interest.
This year we will be experimenting with new ways to make learning available when and where you want to learn. Look for daytime courses; Off-site lunch-and-learn programs, evening short-courses, Shabbat and Holiday learning
experiences, Sunday lectures, book events, and workshops. Even distance learning opportunities for those who prefer to learn at home.
Here is just a sampler of programs that are planned so far. And stay tuned for more learning opportunities as they
become available.
Davening and Sacred Texts
Bible BaBoker (Bible in the Morning)
Drop-in before the Saturday Morning Service to study the weekly Parsha with Rabbi Weiss. No prior Torah knowledge required. Oneg Room. Saturdays, 8:45 am - 9:15 am.
Teachings in Jewish Renewal
Text study and chavruta-style discussion based on the teachings of Reb Zalman. Discussion leader: Seth Fishman.
Drop-ins welcome. Oneg Room, Thursdays, 8:30 am - 9:30 am (after morning minyan).
Dive into Davening
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! First Monday of the month, 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm. In person or via Zoom distance learning. Begins Monday, November 4, 2019.
Jewish History and Culture, The Sephardi Experience
A survey of Sephardi communities around the world from 1391 to 1950. Explore the lives of Sephardim, whether Jews, New Christians (Conversos), or Anusim (Crypto-Jews), after they left the Iberian Peninsula and settled in the Mediterranean world, Western Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America and North America. Includes historical development, religious culture, economic growth and social context in each community, comparing the Westerners and Easterners. Instructor: Harriet Freidenreich. Drop-ins welcome, no previous reading required. Join us in the Oneg Room on Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 10:45 am. Class runs Oct. 23, 2019 through Dec. 4, 2020.
Jewish Women: A Historical Perspective
This course will survey the history and changing role of Jewish women, throughout our history. Instructor: Harriet
Freidenreich. Drop-ins welcome, no previous reading required. Note: Both men and women are actively encouraged to attend! In the Oneg Room on Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 10:45 am. Class runs Jan. 8, 2020 through Apr. 1, 2020.
It Doesn’t Look Jewish
What makes an image “Jewish”? What do so-called “Jewish images” tell us about who we are, what we value, and the secular culture that surrounds us? Join Rabbi Weiss to explore Jewish visual culture, then and now. In the Oneg Room. Weekly on Wednesdays from 11 am - 12:00 pm. Class runs Oct. 23 - Dec. 18, 2019; Jan. 8 - Apr. 1, 2020.
Book Nosh
Wondering what to read next? Need to know what’s binge-worthy on Netflix this month? Join us for bagels and good conversation about Jewish books, Jewish movies, and Jewish popular culture. Here’s how it works. Have you read or watched something by a Jewish author, something that has a Jewish character, or something with a Jewish theme? Spend a few minutes telling us why you loved it or hated it – and why. Then sit back and let the conversation flow. Everyone gets a turn to share their recommendations. Discussion leader: Alex Geiger. 10:30 am -12:00 pm. Session Date: Feb. 23, 2020.
Beth El Jewish Film Festival
Judy Nussbaum screened a great selection of Jewish Films again this year. Save the date for Dec. 7, 2019. Walk-ins welcome.
$10 members; $12 non-members. Click on the Film Festival icon on the website for more information.
Spirituality, An Introduction to Jewish Spiritual Practices
Jewish spiritual practices have ancient roots, dating from the 11th century. Discover how Jewish mindfulness,
visualization, meditation, and chanting were tools used centuries ago. In these sessions, you will practice a ‘small taste’ of these methods by experiencing them in the course. Instructor: Ruth Schapira. Ruth is a member of Beth El and is a Jewish Educator, trained Mussar facilitator, and blog writer (top 50 Jewish Blogs). Note: We are introducing a new Brown Bag Lunch-and-Learn format for this program. Bring a dairy or pareve lunch and meet others to share a journey of learning. This mid-day opportunity will bring you a sense of calm and inspiration. Meets 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm; Session Dates: October 31, Nov. 4, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, 2019.
Hebrew Reading Skills Class
If you are interested in learning the Hebrew alphabet and how to read basic Hebrew (for example, to enable you to follow along in the prayer book during services), our new member Rony Cohen, a longtime Hebrew educator in the Philadelphia area, will be teaching a weekly course, 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm, Monday nights for two months. Note: We are introducing a new Brown Bag Dinner-and-Learn format for this program. Bring a cold dairy or cold pareve dinner. November 4, 11, 18, 25 & December 2, 9, 16
Please RSVP www.bethelyardley.org or call the office 215-493-1707 x4.. The minimum participants in the class will be 5; the maximum will be 16.
Future Programs
May 3 (Full day) Beth El Day of Wellness. Mark your calendars now for a full day of workshops, book talks, lectures, and
teach-ins on Wellness. Topics will cover Meditation and Mindfulness to techniques for promoting overall physical, mental, and
spiritual health. Interested in shaping this program to meet your needs? Call the Beth El office to volunteer for the planning
committee!
