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, Congregaion 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 offered.
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. Currently, he is conducting classes dealing with “growing in mitzvot,” a topic he introduced with two classes during the days of awe.
The class with Rabbi Ebstein meets on alternate Sunday mornings at 10:00 for about 1 ½ hours. Whether the classes are in person when Rabbi Ebstein is in Tucson or via our innovative, internationally recognized webcam technology between here and Jerusalem, we benefit from the deep intellect, warm humor, and challenging discussion facilitated by Rabbi Ebstein.
The Rabbi's Webcam classes use a password-protected website to allow participants in the classes to receive materials and information and participate in interactive discussions of the materials being studied in advance of the in-person classes. Use this link to access the site.
If you are not already enrolled as a participant in the class, please contact Lynn Saul at lynnsaul@theriver.com 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 baba metzia using the Steinsaltz edition. 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 Class
The prayer class will begin to meet on October 11 at 7 pm and will meet on the second Thursday evening of each month thereafter. Please join us 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. 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. Meetings are scheduled on Tuesday evenings.
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.
Biblical Hebrew
Nathan Frankenberg’s Biblical Hebrew class will begin meeting again soon. Students read Torah and discuss the vocabulary and grammar of the passages they are reading.
Melechet Yad - Art Class
Cards for Jewish Holidays and other Jewish crafts taught by Anne Low
It's a Mitzvah to bring joy into the lives of others. In this day of e-mail and cyber space, wouldn’t it be wonderful to receive a hand-made greeting card in the mail? Send them to your friends, relatives, and co-workers for New Years, get well wishes, birthdays or anniversaries – or maybe just to say, “I’m thinking of you today.”
Anne Lowe, our talented member who has taught crafts classes at Michael’s and elsewhere, began a new art class called “Melechet Yad”—hand work — which will meet on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm at the shul. The class will do tea bag folding cards.
The cost is $8 per person and includes all supplies. An RSVP to Anne would be appreciated so she will know how much to prepare. Anne Lowe 744-3454 or 481-3934 (cell) or loweflyingbooks@juno.com
