Beth Jacob & Community Education Offerings

How Jewish Rituals Transform Our Liveswith Rabbi David Thomas

Tuesdays–Starting September 10, 6:30 pm, Saide Chapel

Adult Ed at Limudim: Our Learning Community brings you this 7-part course. All are welcome to attend.

Rituals, whether Jewish or otherwise, not only give meaning to life’s transitions, they also effect changes in our status as we move from childhood to adolescence and from youth to old age. These rituals ease life’s transitions, imbuing them with meaning and instilling within us a sense of holiness.

In this series, we will learn what modern anthropology teaches about how rituals facilitate changes in our lives. We will explore traditional and modern Jewish lifecycle rituals surrounding birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, marriage, and death to see how they conform to universal patterns. Through the sacred texts of our tradition and by sharing personal experiences of life changes, we will discover how lifecycle rituals bring meaning and holiness into our lives.

For more information, click here.

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

*Temporally on hiatus*

Online at: Beth-Jacob.org/Talmud

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.

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

Thursdays at 11 am in the Beth Jacob chapel

Online at: beth-jacob.org/Dirshuni

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.

Practical Teshuvah

With Pam Winthrop Lauer & Rabbi Debra Rappaport

During the month of Elul leading up to Rosh Hashanah and the 10 Days of Awe connecting the Jewish new year with Yom Kippur, we have a special call to take the time to reflect. The primary work of the season is teshuvah, turning and returning to the best we can be. But how do we really do teshuvah? These three sessions will give participants knowledge, practice and tools for teshuvah that connects us more deeply with the people we care about.

Session 1: The Tool Set: Jewish Texts and Nonviolent Communication foundations.

Session 2: Practicing Teshuvah: Participants will work with an NVC process, developing practical skills for apologies that reconnect.

Session 3: “What about when I’m the one who needs an apology?” This session will touch on questions including, How do I ask for an apology? How do I loosen a grudge without an apology – or when I’m not ready forgive?