Weekly Learning Opportunities

Sichat Shabbat (9:00 am - 10:15 a.m. Saturday Mornings in the Library

  • January 31 - Presenter’s Choice, with Rabbi Burnstein

  • February 7 - Presenter’s Choice, with Rabbi Burnstein

  • February 14 - What is Something I Hold to be True? What if It’s Not True? , with Brendan Howard

  • February 21 - Monsters in Jewish Tradition, with Sherry Fritzshall

  • February 28 - The Elephantine Papyri and What They Reveal About Early Judaism, with Peter Pizor

  • March 7 - Presenter’s Choice, with Rabbi Aaron Nielsenshultz

NOTE THIS UPCOMING EVENT: March 14 & 21, Modern Jews Engage the New Testament, with Jim Appelbaum (You may wish to purchase the book with the same title, by Rabbi Michael J. Cook PhD.)

Upcoming Beit Midrash

Beit Midrash with Rabbi Burnstein
Friday, February 6 (following worship): My Grandfather’s Rocks: The Centrality of Israel in Jewish Life

We will explore the many meanings of Israel through narrative of my Zionist grandfather in Kansas City, my father-in-law who was a crew member on the Exodus – and stories about my adopted Israeli children of Ethiopian Jewish descent. Through their experiences we explore our own connections to the Land of Israel as well as the centrality of Israel in Jewish life.

Join us for worship, then stay for dinner and an educational program with Rabbi Steve Burnstein.

More Adult Learning Opportunities

Visit often to learn about upcoming Adult Education opportunities

Adult Ed Opportunities with Rabbi Burnstein
Monday, January 5 (7:00 p.m.): October 7th and Beyond: Israel Through the Eyes of My Children & Community
Rabbi Burnstein will discuss the impact of the atrocities of October 7th on Kehilat Birkat Shalom and Kibbutz Gezer and their responses. He’ll also give us a personal window into the Israel he knows through the eyes of those he loves.

Sunday, January 18 (3:00 p.m.): Progressive Judaism in Israel: Our Successes and Challenges
In this session we explore current events and issues in Israel specifically related to the Progressive Judaism. We’ll include Jewish-Arab relations, women’s issues, Israel-Diaspora relations, Women of the Wall, the Israel Religious Action Center and more!

Friday, February 6 (following worship): My Grandfather’s Rocks: The Centrality of Israel in Jewish Life
We will explore the many meanings of Israel through narrative of my Zionist grandfather in Kansas City, my father-in-law who was a crew member on the Exodus – and stories about my adopted Israeli children of Ethiopian Jewish descent. Through their experiences we explore our own connections to the Land of Israel as well as the centrality of Israel in Jewish life.

Location: Beth Torah

Natives, Invasives, and Jewish Values - A Nature Walk with Sarah Shaw
Sunday, March 29 (10:30 a.m., rain or shine)
Location: Meet at Beth Torah in the ulam, walk out back

Outdoor Professional Sarah Shaw joins us again for a walk in the woods behind Beth Torah. Sarah will teach us about the plants we share this space with.

Ongoing Opportunities….

LEARN TO READ BIBLICAL HEBREW, FOR FREE AND ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN SCHEDULE:

From Jill Maidhof, Chair of the Adult Education Committee:

I highly recommends an online program called Aleph With Beth. https://freehebrew.online/how-it-works/
DO read how the program works and how you can access resources.

Two notes:
1) It looks at first glance like a child’s program. IT IS NOT!
2) It’s produced by a Christian couple, revealed by their use of the term Yaweh instead of the Adonai. I’ve watched over 100 lessons and “Yaweh” is the only Christian reference in the program. I just substitute “Adonai” as I watch.

Lunch & Schmooze with Rabbi Burnstein
(12:00-1:00 p.m. 2nd Thursday of the Month) - PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE FROM OUR TYPICAL SCHEDULE
Location: Beth Torah Library
Next meeting: February 5 - PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE FROM OUR TYPICAL SCHEDULE

Bring a lunch and your questions for a round-table conversation with Rabbi Burnstein.

Jewish Journeys: The Stories We Tell
7:00 p.m.-8:30p.m., 2nd Thursday of the Month - Beginning November 13
Location: Beth Torah Library

Join us for lively sharing and exploration about the conversations we have with ourselves and with others over the course of our lives. This class is for the women of Beth Torah and their (female identifying) friends, facilitated by Jill Maidhof.
(For Questions & Registration, contact Jill: jill.maidhof@gmail.com)

All women in the Jewish community are warmly invited. | Attend as consistently as your life allows. | Add your voice to our conversations.

Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class

This year’s enrollment is closed. Please email Jill Maidhof with questions.

—> Questions about or ideas for Adult Ed at Beth Torah? Contact jill.maidhof@gmail.com