Adult Jewish Learning at CBE

We are called to foster three things on which the world depends, Torah, Worship, and Acts of Loving kindness; Learning leads to them all.

Winner of the 2007 Union of Reform Judaism Congregation of Learners Award, Congregation Beth Elohim offers a wide array of courses, lectures and study groups conducted at all levels, taught by our rabbis, members and rabbinic students. Together we learn everything from theology to Midrash to Jewish popular culture, alongside modern Jewish literature and Torah.

Weekly Shabbat Study

"Kings, Prophets and Priests--A Royal Mess: Explorations in the Biblical Books of Samuel and Kings
Join Rabbi Bachman for a weekly lesson. Currently under discussion: the Book of Samuel, from now until June 30. New students are always welcome!
Meets: Almost every Saturday, 8:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Rabbi’s Study

Chevre Torah Study with Rabbi Marc Katz
An engaging weekly discussion and exploration of the stories, themes and lessons from weekly Torah portion for adults. New students are always welcome!
Meets: Almost every Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Location: Room Zion

Hebrew through Prayer and Poetry with Cantor Josh Breitzer
Come each Shabbat and learn Hebrew through the ancient words of Hebrew prayer and poetry. Students will learn about the language, themes, and melodies of our ancient prayers.
Meets: Almost every Saturday, 11:30-12:30pm
Location: Meets in the boardroom

Ongoing Classes

Biblical Prophets with Rabbi David Kline (Starting March 19th)

Join us, starting March 19th for a ten-session course exploring the history and ideology of our Biblical Prophets: "Thus says the Lord. . ." Back in the days of the Tanach (Bible) few people could or would say those words. Those few were the prophets. We need to know about them: what was their thinking, their experience? How are they like us or different? Do they speak for God today? There were sharp minds and sensitive souls among the N'vi'im, the prophets. They were the moral and theological innovators and they did it in poetry. They also included wizards, storytellers, royal advisers, rabble rousers, and mystics among the prophets. How they heard God and what they heard are existential questions for us.
See the syllabus here.

Location: Congregation Beth Elohim Time: Tuesdays, 7:30pm-9:00pm.
Instructor: Rabbi David Kline Cost: $75 for members of CBE / $100 for non-members

Introduction to Conversational Hebrew (Starting March 16th)

This year we are offering an exciting and engaging class in conversational Hebrew. Taught by Avi Rubel, North American Director of Masa, this class aims to teach students the basic tools that they will need to begin to speak and understand modern conversational Hebrew.

Class beings on March 19 and will run for approx 10 sessions. (Breaking for Passover)

Materials Fee: $36. Any questions about the class can be directed to Avi at avirubel@gmail.com

Learn to Chant Torah (Starting March 19th)

Interested in learning to chant Torah this year? Starting on March 16th at 12:30pm Rabbi Katz will be kicking off a five session course in reading and chanting Torah. Here, students will learn to chant and will prepare together short Torah portions (3-4 verses) to be read later in the spring / summer. FREE. Requires familiarity with the vowels and letters of the Hebrew Alep-Bet. Register here.

Basic Judaism (Starting Fall 2012)

An Intro to Jewish Life, Text, and Ideas with Rabbi Marc Katz
Through ancient texts and modern media, participants learn to navigate Jewish tradition, holidays, history and life-cycle events while gaining tools for conducting Jewish ritual at home.

Meets: Wednesdays (starting 10/24 and going until April)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Congregation Beth Elohim

Registration is live for this event. Click here for more.

Hebrew Reading Boot Camp

Want to learn to read Hebrew? Tired of reading the transliteration of the prayer book? Come to one of four full-day Hebrew reading workshops. Taking place from 10am-5pm at CBE on select Sundays, come study with Rabbi Marc Katz and other special guest and leave having learned the Hebrew aleph-bet through our interactive program. (Cost: $35, includes lunch and supplies; needs 8 to run). Our next session will run on May 12th.

Rosh Hodesh Woman's Group

Rosh Hodesh, the holiday that celebrates the new moon, has traditionally been a special time for women to take a break from the hectic pace of their daily lives. Come study and celebrate with Rabbi Shira Epstein as we deepen our Jewish learning and spiritual growth.

The new dates for our Rosh Hodesh meetings this spring are:

Monday, March 11 7:30-9:00pm
Saturday, April 13 4:30-6:00 pm
Sunday, May 5 9:30-11:30 am WOMEN'S SEFER TORAH PROJECT EVENT
Saturday, June 8 4:30-6:00pm

Email Sepstein@cbebk.org for how you can take part

Mussar (Biweekly)

Mussar: A Guide to Spiritual and Practical Self-Improvement
With Gary Shaffer. Mussar is a traditional, Jewish approach to spiritual and practical self-Improvement, aiming to bridge the gap between thought and action and establishing ethical life-standards.

Cost: Free
Meets: Starts 9/24 and meets approx. every other week
Time: 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Location: Congregation Beth Elohim

Please contact class facilitator Gary Shaffer for additional information at gshaffer429@aol.com.