Beth Jacob & Community Education Offerings

For the Jew In The Pew with Rabbi Lynn Liberman

9:15-10:00 am in the chapel on Shabbat

1st, 3rd and the occasional 5th Shabbat of each month

Our exploration of the Psalms, largely as found in our siddur, will continue for the coming year! We will explore the Psalms that are widely used throughout the Shabbat service considering their meaning and wondering why and how these words are still part of our liturgy today. After completing texts found in the siddur we will then continue to encounter the remaining texts of the full Book of Psalms! No prior experience needed, texts are provided in Hebrew and English

Talmud with Rabbi Justin Held

Mondays at 7pm  

Begins October 16th 

Tablet Magazine Editor Liel Leibovitz recently wrote about the Talmud, “to the extent that the Talmud can even be called a book—it’s more accurately described as “a drift net for catching God”—it’s a truly magnificent one. Because in touching on virtually every human experience, from passing wind to losing a loved one, the Talmud is, arguably, humanity’s first, greatest, and still most astonishing self-help book.” Join Rabbi Justin Monday nights as we use Tractate Ta’anit as one of our vessels for “catching God.” Tractate Ta’anit (fasts) discusses fixed public fast days, facts decreed to avoid calamity, and individual fast days. No Talmud background or Hebrew fluency is required to join, and texts will always be provided in English and Hebrew. Come weekly or pop in and pop out. Your presence is always welcome. Reach out to Rabbi Justin with any questions: rabbijustinheld@beth-jacob.org

Foundations of Judaism – offered jointly with Temple of Aaron

3 Tuesdays a month 7:00-8:00 pm

Each month, we offer a three-part foundational dive into a different Jewish topic. Join us for one, or for all. Together with Temple of Aaron we will continually offer three-course “mini-units” on Tuesday evenings at 7:00, exploring a wide variety of essential aspects of living and being Jewish. Each three-class mini-unit on these subjects will be taught either by Rabbi Justin here at Beth Jacob or Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein at Temple of Aaron. The course teacher and location will alternate for each “mini unit.” The classes will always be offered  hybrid (zoom and in person). The course is intended both for Jews interested in deepening their knowledge of the foundations of Judaism and those who are interested in becoming Jewish and seeking a pathway toward conversion. Join on Zoom at beth-jacob.org/Foundations.

Upcoming Classes & Dates:

• Kashrut: Sept. 26, Oct. 10 & 17 with Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein at Temple of Aaron 
• The State of Israel/Zionism: Nov 7, 14, & 21 with Rabbi Justin Held at Beth Jacob 
• Biblical Holidays: Dec. 5, 12, & 19 with Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein at Temple of Aaron
• Holidays of History: Jan. 9, 16, & 23 with Rabbi Justin Held at Beth Jacob 
• Jewish History 1: Feb. 13, 20, & 27 with Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein at Temple of Aaron 
• Jewish History 2: March 12, 19, & 26 with Rabbi Justin Held at Beth Jacob 
• Jewish Theology: April 9, 16, & May 7 with Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein at Temple of Aaron 
• Tallit/Tefillin/Mezuzah/Head Coverings: May 14, 21, & 28 with Rabbi Justin Held at Beth Jacob 
• ​​Lifecycles Events June 11th, June 18th, June 25th with Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein at Temple of Aaron 
• Conservative Judaism & Jewish Denominations July 9th, July 16th, July 23rd with Rabbi Justin at Beth Jacob 
• Introduction to the Tannakh (Bible) Aug. 6th, Aug 20th, Aug 27th with Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein at Temple of Aaron 
• Rabbinic Literature Sept. 3rd, Sept. 10th, Sept. 17th with Rabbi Justin Held at Beth Jacob 

Morning Mishnah with Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm

Wednesdays at approx. 8am (after minyan) in the chapel and online at the minyan Zoom link

Ongoing

The Mishnah is an edited record of the complex body of halachic material transmitted in the aftermath of the destruction of the Second Temple. Its intention was to train the sages in thinking through the legal issues that inform Halacha. In encountering these texts together, we gain access to the conversations out of which developed the foundational principles that shaped Jewish law as we know it today. Classes are in the chapel at Beth Jacob and on Zoom at beth-Jacob.org/minyan (or just stay on Zoom after Morning Minyan.

Dirshuni: Contemporary Women’s Midrash with Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm 

Thursdays at 11am in the Beth Jacob chapel and online at beth-jacob.org/Dirshuni

Begins Thursday, Oct. 5th

Using the recently published English translation of Dirshuni as our main text, we will explore the sections of the Tanakh through the lens of contemporary midrash.  Employing classical forms developed by the ancient rabbis, the writers of these contemporary midrashim connect Scripture and contemporary issues in audacious and innovative ways.  This historic collection of midrashim composed by Israeli scholars has long been anticipated and is now available in English translation.  Purchase of the book is not required for participation in the class.