Adult Education
Judaism values life long Jewish learning. In the Mishna it states, “Leave home and go to a place of Torah. Don’t say the Torah will come to you or that your companions will make it yours. Don’t depend on your own understanding.” (Pirke Avot 4:4)
The Torah is called- Etz Chaim — The Tree of Life. Torah nurtures and sustains us. As we grow into adulthood, our thirst for knowledge grows and changes. Our Torah and our tradition can be the root of our lives, grounding us and drawing us closer to our community, our family, and ourselves.
Temple Beth Ami offers a rich variety of Adult Learning Opportunities
Saturday Morning Torah Study from 9:00 am – 10:30am
Saturday morning Torah Study is open to anyone interested in lively discussion of our heritage and its roots. You are invited to join a verse by verse examination of the Torah, a close reading of the text where all opinions and commentaries are encouraged. There is no cost to participate and beginners are always welcome!
Beginning Hebrew
Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm; $50 per 5-class session; Sign up for one or for all! Hebrew classes will be taught by Cantor Eschler. Register for 1, 2 or all 3 sessions. Each session costs $50 per person.
- FALL: Aleph-Bet Decoding: 10/9, 10/23, 11/13, 11/27, 12/11; Register by 9/25
- WINTER: Hebrew Fluency & 1st 100 words: 1/8, 1/22, 2/12, 2/26, 3/12; Register by 12/21
- SPRING: Prayer Book Hebrew: 3/26, 4/9, 4/23, 5/7, 5/21; Register by 3/12
Introduction to Judaism
Are there questions that you have always wanted to ask, but have been afraid to? Are there missing pieces in your understanding about Jewish beliefs, practices and customs? Are you marrying someone Jewish? Jewish but never had much Jewish education? Raising Jewish children and want to know more? Studying to become an Adult Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
There are a lot of questions in Judaism, and in this ten-week class, we will start to find some of those answers as we explore Jewish identity, Shabbat and the Jewish Holidays, Jewish life cycle events, prayer, thoughts on God, Jewish history, the Holocaust, Israel and Torah.
Our 10-session course meets on Sunday mornings (11:00 am-12:30 pm) beginning on September 23 and culminates on December 16, 2018.
Taught by Rabbis Pokras and Weiss, the Intro to Judaism class is open to anyone as a stand-alone component of adult learning and is a component of the Adult B’nai Mitzvah class.
DATES: 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16
Minimum class size required
Cost: $100 per person; $150 per couple
Register online by 9/4
2018-2019 Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class
Taught by Rabbi Gary Pokras, Rabbi Baht Weiss, and Cantor Larry Eschler.
You are never too old to have your Bar or Bat Mitzvah!
Deepen your connection to Judaism while you work alongside others to learn Hebrew, explore your heritage, and prepare to read Torah and lead services at the Adult B’nai Mitzvah ceremony that will take place on Shavuot – Saturday, June 9th at 5:30 pm.
The adult B’nai Mitzvah class comprises all three Beginning Hebrew classes, the Introduction to Judaism class and additional work to prepare you for the ceremony on Shavuot.
Cost: $300; Minimum class size required.
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+ Export EventsMarch 2019
Hebrew Fluency and the 1st 100 Words
Start the conversation! Learn how to understand and make yourself understood in basic Hebrew.Taught by Cantor EschlerTuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pmClasses meet 1/8, 1/22, 2/12, 2/26, 3/12;Register by 12/21/2019 Register on Chaverweb
Find out more »
Live & Learn
Purim & Passover with Rabbi Jack Luxemburg
Tues, March 19 (10:30 am)While very different in tone and celebration, Purim (a minor holiday) and Passover (one of three major holidays) both recall moments of deliverance for the Jewish people. The different perspectives represented by these holidays establish a tension in Jewish history and communal response to danger which persists in modern times. We will study the holidays, consider surrounding commentaries and trace the impact of each model on the Jewish world of today. Generously supported by the Sally Kera Live & Learn…
Find out more »Live & Learn
Purim & Passover with Rabbi Jack Luxemburg
Tues, March 26 (10:30 am)While very different in tone and celebration, Purim (a minor holiday) and Passover (one of three major holidays) both recall moments of deliverance for the Jewish people. The different perspectives represented by these holidays establish a tension in Jewish history and communal response to danger which persists in modern times. We will study the holidays, consider surrounding commentaries and trace the impact of each model on the Jewish world of today. Generously supported by the Sally Kera Live & Learn…
Find out more »Understanding Jewish Prayer
Sun, March 31 (11 am)Join Rabbis Weiss and Pokras for a class to help you gain a more meaningful prayer experience. Let them help you unpack the powerful and even hidden meaning contained in the structure of the siddur (prayer book) through these 3 Sunday morning sessions. No charge, but please RSVP to Susan (SPN@bethami.org).
Find out more »April 2019
Live & Learn
Holocaust Education with Warren Marcus
Tues, April 16 (10:30 am)For over 35 years, Warren Marcus has taught on a variety of Holocaust-related themes and is senior educator - and TBA member - at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Join us for two 'on site' Live & Learn classes (4/16 & 4/30) and an OPTIONAL trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on 4/23 to see the "New Americans" exhibit. Sign up with Shelly Gordon (SLG@bethami.org) or 301.340.6818 x227 BY 4/18 to reserve your spot on the bus…
Find out more »Live & Learn
Holocaust Education with Warren Marcus
Tues, April 23 (8:30 am – 12 noon)For over 35 years, Warren Marcus has taught on a variety of Holocaust-related themes and is senior educator - and TBA member - at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Join us for two 'on site' Live & Learn classes (4/16 & 4/30) and an OPTIONAL trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on 4/23 to see the "New Americans" exhibit. Sign up with Shelly Gordon (SLG@bethami.org) or 301.340.6818 x227 BY 4/18 to reserve your spot on the bus…
Find out more »Live & Learn
Holocaust Education with Warren Marcus
Tues, April 30 (10:30 am)For over 35 years, Warren Marcus has taught on a variety of Holocaust-related themes and is senior educator - and TBA member - at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Join us for two 'on site' Live & Learn classes (4/16 & 4/30) and an OPTIONAL trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on 4/23 to see the "New Americans" exhibit. Sign up with Shelly Gordon (SLG@bethami.org) or 301.340.6818 x227 BY 4/18 to reserve your spot on the bus…
Find out more »May 2019
Live & Learn
Let’s Talk About Antisemitism
Tues, May 14 (10:30 am – 12 noon)Join veteran facilitator and teacher, Sharon Tash, for a two-part mini course looking at the disturbing rise of antisemitism in the world. We will explore the origins of historical antisemitism up to the shocking instances of the present. Participants are strongly encouraged to read Deborah Lipstadt's new book: Antisemitism Here and Now before the class begins.
Find out more »Prayer Book Hebrew
Go beyond the transliterations to start to start appreciating the deeper beauty of our liturgy.Taught by Cantor EschlerTuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pmClasses meet 3/26, 4/9, 4/23, 5/7, 5/14Register by 3/12/2019 Register on Chaverweb
Find out more »Live & Learn
Let’s Talk About Antisemitism
Tues, May 21 (10:30 am – 12 noon)Join Sharon Tash for a timely and relevant topic in May! This two-part mini course will look at the disturbing rise of antisemitism in the world. We will explore the origins of historical antisemitism up to the shocking instances of the present. Participants are strongly encouraged to read Deborah Lipstadt's new book: Antisemitism Here and Now before the class begins.
Find out more »
