New Adult Education Classes at B'nai Emunah! Judaism University: Opening the Doors
Congregation B'nai Emunah is extremely pleased to present Judaism University: Opening the Doors -- ten courses designed to provide educational enrichment for members, non-members, members-to-be, and the intellectually curious. Spread out over the next four months (from February to early June), the courses run the gamut of Jewish education. Choose from such topics as an introduction to Judaism, scholarly text study, life cycle events, synagogue ritual and practice, and many more! A description of the courses being offered follows below: check our calendar as well for more information, and don't hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions, or to sign up!
For the Love of Hebrew: Hebrew (Levels I and II)
Trope: The Joys of Chanting Torah
Advanced Torah Reading: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Torah Reading (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Parshat Hashavua—The Week’s Torah: Searching for Meaning in our Ancient Sources
Talmud: An Eye for an Eye, Cucumber Guards, and Other Embarrassing Tales: Come One and All, No Experience Necessary
Musar (Jewish Ethical Teachings): More True Joy
Adult B’nai Mitzvah: It’s Never Too Late
Jewish Spiritual Direction: Where Am I Going, How Am I Getting There?
Dealing with the Inevitable of Life: The Spiritual Management of Loss and Healing
An Introduction to Judaism: Beginning at the Beginning
For the Love of Hebrew: Hebrew (Levels I & II)
Time: Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00; 6 sessions: March 12, 19, 26 and April 2, 23, 30
Instructors: David Goldstein and Frank Kurtz
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: $18
An introduction to reading and understanding prayer book and Modern Hebrew. The goal is not only to be able to read the prayers and/or modern texts, but also to wrestle with the content as well. Level I is intended as an introduction for those who are at a basic level or who would like a review. Level II will be a follow-up to Level I. The courses will be offered back-to-back so that they can be taken consecutively.
Trope: The Joys of Chanting Torah
Time: Tuesday evenings, 7:00 -9:00; 6 sessions: May 5, 12, 19, 26 and June 2, 9
Instructor: Cantor Linda Semi
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: $27
An introduction to the musical system used to chant Torah. The goal is to empower each person to be able to chant Torah and to understand the cantorial trop marks.
Advanced Torah Reading: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Torah Reading (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Time: Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00; 4 sessions: May 6, 13, 20,27
Instructor: Jeff Dielle
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: $18
The goal of this class is to help Torah readers improve their pronunciation and phrasing and possibly reduce the time required to learn a new reading. Students will acquire an understanding of the trope system as well as the historical background and halakhic basis of Torah reading. Note: Those enrolled should already have the ability to sight-read vowelled Hebrew and have a basic knowledge of Torah or possibly Haftorah trope.
Parshat Hashavua—The Week’s Torah: Searching for Meaning in our Ancient Sources
Time: Shabbat afternoon, 1:00; 4 sessions: March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6
Instructor: Rabbi Mark
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: Free
Using ancient, medieval, and modern commentaries, as well as our own personal insights and experience, we will delve into the Torah portion of the week. We will consistently ask, “What meaning does this week’s Torah reading have for our lives?”
Talmud: An Eye for an Eye, Cucumber Guards, and Other Embarrassing Tales -- Come One and All, No Experience Necessary
Time: Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00; 4 sessions: February 5, 12, 19 and March 5
Instructor: Hayley DeLugach
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: $18
We will spend some time learning the eighth chapter of Bava Kama (“First Gate”), which focuses on how to deal with severe personal injury cases. The discussion ranges from addressing physical and monetary needs to meeting emotional needs, and what that means for us as a society. As an introduction, we will look at the Mishna, and then more specifically at the Gemara on the topic of embarrassment. Basic concepts of Talmud will be addressed as needed. Depending on the skills of the participants we will work in English or Aramaic. We will use a group chevruta style of engaging the text together and in pairs.
Musar (Jewish Ethical Teachings): More True Joy
Time: Monday evenings, 7:00-9:00; 4 sessions: March 23, 30 and April 6, 27
Instructor: Rabbi Mark
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: $18
An introduction to studying and putting into practice in our lives such concepts as patience, order, and honesty. This will be part study of Jewish ethical sources and part personal reflection and practice. The underlying concept is that the more we can hone our way of being good and helping others in the world, the more true joy we can bring to ourselves and to others.
Adult B’nai Mitzvah: It’s Never Too Late
Instructors: Rabbi Mark and Cantor Linda
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: Free
Ever wanted to become a bar or bat mitzvah but didn’t have the opportunity? This class will be a preparation for this important rite of passage. Note: Bar and bat mitzvah invitations will not be sent out until the class feels ready. This may be one year or more.
All interested students are encouraged to take Hebrew, Trope and/or Introduction to Judaism, plus meet once a month alternately with Rabbi Mark and Cantor Linda in beginning the process of preparing to become a bar/bat mitzvah (the 'once a month' meeting will be determined based on interested participants’ schedule).
Jewish Spiritual Direction: Where Am I Going, How Am I Getting There?
Time: Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00; 4 sessions: February 4, 11, 18 and March 4
Instructor: Rabbi Mark
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: $18
Meeting as a group, I will accompany you on your past, present, and future spiritual journey using reflection techniques. For example, I may ask you, “What are you asking of G-d today?” Or, “What is G-d asking of you today?” Or, “Can you remember the first time you had what you might call a ‘spiritual experience’—what was that like?” Group sessions will be supplemented by at least one one-to-one meeting by appointment with Rabbi Mark.
Dealing with the Inevitable of Life: The Spiritual Management of Loss and Healing
Time: Monday afternoons, 1:00-2:30; 2 sessions: March 30 and April 6
Instructors: Rabbi Mark and staff members from the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: $18
As a group we will talk about and process what it is like to deal with the inevitable: losses such as death, divorce, health, and security. We will turn to Jewish resources for guidance and support, as well as bringing our personal insights to the group. This will require that we lift up the “doormat” and shed light on topics and emotions that often get shoved beneath the surface.
An Introduction to Judaism: Beginning at the Beginning
Time: Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00; 4 sessions: May 7, 14, 21 and June 4
Instructor: Rabbi Mark
Location: Congregation B’nai Emunah
Course Donation: $18
An introduction to the very full cup of Judaism’s lifecycle, year-cycle, and basics. Great for a review or for those wanting to learn and connect to Judaism’s foundations.