Adult Learning
"Let My People Know"
Mark your calendars and join us for another year of thought-provoking Adult Education classes at B’nai Sholom! Join us once again as we examine what our Tradition teaches about a wide variety of topics. From abortion to authorship of the Torah to drinking on Purim, we will delve into texts ancient and modern as we try to uncover what our Tradition has to say to us. Texts will be provided in Hebrew and English (no previous experience with Hebrew or Jewish texts required). All classes will be via Zoom.
What Does Judaism Teach About Abortion? Abortion is a very hot topic right now in America. People across the political (and religious) spectrum have been weighing in with their opinions. People draw lines between being “pro-life” and “pro-choice.” But is it so cut and dried?
November 7 at 3:00 pm
What exactly is a “Mi She’berach?” One of our most “requested” prayers is the “Mi She’berach,” often thought of as the prayer for healing. While one version of the prayer does ask for healing, there are other versions that have nothing to do with healing. You’ll be surprised by what this prayer says and doesn’t say.
Sunday November 14 at 3:00 pm
“Dreidle, Dreidle, Dreidle” and “The Rebbes’ Hanukkah”: This year we are blessed to have two Sundays of Hanukkah. On the first Sunday, we’ll look at the history of the dreidel. What’s its origin? Has it always been associated with Hanukkah? What’s with the letters? Then, on the second Sunday, we will learn some Hanukkah Torah from some Hasidic Rebbes who always have something inspiring to teach us!
Sunday November 28 and Sunday December 5 at 3:00 pm
Tu B’Shvat (with seder): Known as “The New Year for trees,” Tu B’Shvat is one of four new year celebrations on our calendar. Originally concerned with tithing, Tu B’Shvat has undergone a major shift in focus. Today it is seen as a way for us to reconnect with nature. Moreover, the mystics of Sfat saw Tu B’Shvat as a way of bringing divine goodness and blessing into the world via a seder they created.
Sunday January 16 at 3:00 pm
Who Wrote the Torah? This question has been asked for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Was it written by G!d and handed to Moshe? Was it written by committee? Is it a combination of the two? Do we have to believe in Divine revelation? What about “Progressive Revelation”? We’ll examine the Torah itself for clues, as well as modern scholarship as we wrestle with this important question.
Sunday February 13, 20, and 27 at 3:00 pm
Purim and Alcohol: A deadly combination? One of our best-known (and least understood) Purim customs encourages us to drink so much that we can’t tell the difference between “Blessed be Mordechai” and “Cursed be Haman.” Do the Rabbis actually expect us to get drunk during Purim? You’ll be surprised at what we uncover!
Sunday March 13 at 3:00 pm
Pesah Class
Sunday April 3 at 3:00 pm
TBA
Sunday May 15 and 22 at 3:00 pm
Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Join us for a mystical study session as we prepare ourselves for the festival of Shavuot. Topic to be determined.
Saturday night June 4 at 8:00 pm
___________________________________________________________________________________
Some of the Interesting classes that Rabbi Bob has led in the past year.....
What Judaism Teaches about Death and Dying.
We don’t like to talk about it, but it is something each of us will face. Our Tradition has practices that show respect for the dead and offer comfort for the living. You’ll be surprised at what you learn.
How the Rabbi(s) Saved Hanukkah, or the Hanukkah You Never Knew.
Battling Brothers: Family dynamics haven’t changed much in the 3500 or so years of our Tradition. Brothers have always been at each other’s throats, literally and figuratively. The stories of Kayin and Hevel; Yishmael and Yitzchak; Esav and Ya’akov; Yosef and his brothers can teach us a lot about how we interact with each other and the consequences of those actions.
Warring Women: It’s not only the men who are at odds with each other in the Torah.
The women can match the men in terms of fury. Chava and Lilit (Adam’s first wife!); Sarah and Hagar; and Leah and Rachel can give the “battling brothers” a run for their money.
A Taste of Talmud.
Rabbi Bob took participants on a journey through some of the most important/interesting sections of the Babylonian Talmud.
Let's Take a Deep Dive Into Genesis.
Please contact the B'nai Sholom Office for more information about these programs.
Phone: 304.522.2980
Email: bnaisholomwv@yahoo.com
