Adult Education

At Beth El, we have an expanding and eclectic series of classes, seminars and lectures to meet the diverse interests of our members. Think of our adult education program as being truly customer-driven. If we can get three to five people interested in a subject, we’ll form a class and find instructors.

There are classes in Torah, Talmud, learning to read Hebrew, Haftorah and Torah. Classes also include Jewish arts, and current issues facing Jews in the world. Some of our most recent lectures covered issues like Judaism and medical ethics, Jewish women in literature and Holocaust reparations.

The adult education program at Beth El also coordinates classes with other synagogues in the area, especially where those classes can be further enriched by a wider audience and broader dialogue.

Click here for Beth El’s Zoom link page.

Adult Programming

Please join us for one of the following programs.  Please refer to the website or the monthly Shalom newsletter for the current time and topics.

  • Torah and Tea – Come and enjoy a lively discussion of the Torah portion over a light lunch, dessert, coffee, and tea.
    Mondays, Lunch at 1:30pm, class from 2:00pm – 3:30pm
    In person and on Zoom
    • September 8 and 15
    • September 29 – Led by Rabbi Nover
    • October 20
    • October 27 – Led by Rabbi Nover
    • November 3, 10, 17 and 24
    • December 1, 8, 15 and 22
    • January 5 and 26
    Dates beginning in February will be announced at the end of 2025.
  • Shabbat Study Group – Meets every Saturday after Kiddush.
  • Exploring The Prophets – Who are the prophets, what do they stand for, and what can we learn from them? In this course we will examine the second part of the Tanach, the Prophets.

    Mondays, 8:45pm to 10pm

    • September 8 and 15
    • October 20
    • November 3 and 17
    • December 1 and 15
    • January 5 and 26

    On Zoom only

    Dates beginning in February will be announced at the end of 2025.

    ALL DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
    PLEASE CALL/EMAIL THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE FOR CONFIRMATION.

  • Liberal Zionism for the 21st Century – This course is dedicated to understanding liberal Zionism in this challenging moment. In this course, Hartman scholars offer frameworks to grapple with the contemporary challenges to liberal Zionism, including the dominant critiques against Israel and Zionism post-October 7. Learners will gain a deeper understanding of the key values that animate liberal Zionism and how to approach the core issues that have emerged during these many months of war. Topics include:

    • Understanding Liberal Zionism Today
    • The Challenge of Liberal Zionism
    • Responding to the Charge that Zionism is a Colonial Project
    • Grappling with the Charges of Genocide and Apartheid
    • Criticism and Solidarity: Liberal Zionism when Israel Offends
    • Compassion for the Other in a Time of War Each unit includes an article by a Hartman scholar and a podcast conversation between Tal Becker and the author. This class will meet on Sundays from 9:45 am to 11:30 am on the following dates in person and on Zoom: December 21 (10:15 am – 12 noon); January 4; January 11; February 1; March 15; March 29; April 12; April 19; May 3; and June 7.
  • The Rabbi’s Roundtable – Join Rabbi Kornsgold for a spirited monthly discussion on current events related to Jews and Israel. Thursdays, 10:30 am to 11:45 am In person only January 22; February 26; March 26; April 30; May14; and June 18.