Adult Education

Programs

Are you looking for Jewish adult educational opportunities that are interactive, challenging, and rewarding? Do you want to learn with others who are also serious about Jewish ideas, texts, and practice? Do you want to involve your body as well as your mind? Do you want to expand your creativity? Do you want to make new friends and deepen your connection with people you already know by studying together? Do you want to study with our Rabbi, who is based in Jerusalem and is a source of special knowledge about Israel?

If so, Congregation Bet Shalom Adult Education is the place for you.

Torah, Talmud, Jewish practice and thought, Hebrew, arts and crafts, creative writing, and yoga are among the courses that have been offered recently. (Not all classes are offered at all times.)

Ivrit La Hadassah - Co-Sponsored by Hadassah and Congregation Bet Shalom

February - March 2010 - Classes are held on Thursday afternoon

Classes will be held at:

The curriculum is Modern Hebrew:  Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.  There is a materials charge for replication of the text and the Aleph CD.

To sign-up for the class OR to come and observe one of the levels, please contact:  Sylvia Winner at aswinn2@comcast.net or (520) 760.8995

Rabbi David Ebstein’s Classes

Our Rabbi, David Ebstein, teaches classes based on in-depth study of various texts and interactive discussion by all class participants. We have studied such topics as developing our personal theologies and the nature and process of halachic decision-making. Last year’s topic of “growing in mitzvot,” is finishing in early September, to be followed with attention to particular mitzvoth beginning with Rabbi Ebstein’s visit to Tucson during the High Holy Days.

If you are not already enrolled as a participant in the class, please contact Lynn Saul at lynnsaul@cox.net or the Bet Shalom office, betshalom@comcast.net to get more information and to make arrangements to receive your username and password so you can participate.

Shabbat Discussion Group

After Shabbat services and Kiddush, an informal but serious discussion group meets. Currently we are studying the Talmud tractate Berhakhot, which deals with prayer. Our study emphasizes the methods of reasoning found in the Talmud. No previous knowledge or regular attendance needed—please join us any Shabbat for a fascinating and lively discussion.

Prayer Book Hebrew Class

Prayer Class

The prayer class is not currently meeting but will probably resume in January 2009. If you are interested in learning more about the historical, theological and literary background of our liturgy and in discussing our own experiences of prayer, watch for notice of this class restarting or contact the Bet Shalom office, 577-1171. Lynn Saul facilitates.

Creative Writing Group

The creative writing group, led by Lynn Saul, is a workshop to explore our personal experiences and responses to the themes of the Jewish year and life cycle. We experiment, draft, give feedback, and revise to produce work suitable for publication in holiday and other anthologies. We read our work at High Holy Day services, during Passover Seders, and on other occasions. No previous writing experience is necessary. Contact the Bet Shalom office, 577-1171, or Lynn Saul at lynnsaul@cox.net.

Jewish Yoga

Shell McCallum teaches Jewish Yoga every Monday and Thursday evening at 7:00. Join this relaxing class for physical and spiritual connection. There is a nominal fee.