ADULT EDUCATION

SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY

Every Shabbat at 9:00 to 9:45 am when Rabbi Koas leads Services

Rabbi Koas teaches this class which focuses on a thoughtful reading of the parashah of the week and explores the historical, ethical and spiritual questions raised by the text.

We explore Torah on three levels:
What meaning did it hold in its original ancient setting?
How have our sages and commentators understood the text over the centuries?
What personal and communal meaning does it hold for us today?

Every session offers learning, lively interchange and ample opportunity for questions and discussion. People of all levels and backgrounds are welcome. Hebrew knowledge is not required. No prior study of the Torah or Hebrew knowledge is needed. It is not necessary to read ahead or prepare. Although this is an ongoing class, drop-in attendance is welcomed. Be sure to stay after the service to continue the conversation with Rabbi Koas.

More classes and study sessions will begin in November.

ADULT B’NAI MITZVAH

Many of us have experienced our children going through their years of B’nai Mitzvah training, and we appreciate the amount of learning that is involved. We would like to share that experience. We are adults, and thus we bring a lifetime of experience to the rigor of learning Jewish skills. Doing so in a group can be a powerful means to explore our Jewish selves, and to form strong bonds within our community. Applying the discipline to learn Hebrew, study Torah, engage with our fellow students, and to see how it all fits into our 21st century lives is valuable to us as individuals, and to our synagogue as a vital Jewish institution.

And ultimately, participating in an adult B’nai Mitzvah group can allow us to wrestle with the central questions of being Jewish in the modern age. Does an understanding of Jewish ritual and ceremonial law bring us to an understanding of who we are, and the nature of humanity? Is the practice of Judaism essential to being Jewish? What, in fact, does it mean to be Jewish? Is the process of learning Hebrew and studying Torah still a path to understanding and growth?

Becoming a B’nai Mitzvah requires a significant commitment of time and effort, as well as a commitment to a group of peers. But with that commitment comes value and growth, for the individuals involved, and for Beth Ami as a community. If you want to explore this possibility, please contact the office and put your name on the list. It can be an exciting adventure.