Adult Education Programs

Adult Education 2019-2020 -- The Talmud of Relationships and Weekly Torah Study

The Talmud of Relationships – The Talmud is the basis for Rabbinic Judaism. Compiled over the course of six centuries, it has been the center of Jewish study for 1400 years.  It is the Oral Torah, interpreting the laws of the Written Torah into a new setting, which we still find relevant today. Even more significantly, it gives us the model of learning and inquiry that has allowed Judaism to respond to change across millennia. It teaches us a way to engage with our faith, our families, our communities, and our world. Inspired by Rabbi Amy Scheinerman’s book, which you can find on Amazon, we will study sections of the Talmud and discuss how they can inform our lives and relationships today.  Each session will look at a different sugya (passage) from the Talmud. We will look at its context in the Talmud and in the historical context. We will also reference later commentaries on the passage and its Biblical connections.

Tuesdays – 7:30-9:00 p.m.: 11/12, 11/19, 12/10, 12/17, 1/21, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/17, 3/24, 5/12 & 5/19 (No Classes in April in observance of Pesach)

Wednesdays – 4:30-6:00 p.m.: 11/13, 11/20, 12/11, 12/18, 1/22, 1/29, 2/12, 2/26, 3/18, 3/25, 5/13 & 5/20 (No Classes in April in observance of Pesach)

Weekly Torah Study – We are known as the People of the Book. Learning and studying Torah is an essential component of a rich and meaningful Jewish life. It connects us with our past and gives us perspective on the future, while helping us make decisions in the moment. This is why the Rabbis decreed that we should read the entire Torah every single year, and that every Jew should read the weekly portion three times.  We will study the weekly portion using the Commentators’ Bible (link here), a translation of Mikraot Gedolot, some of the most influential and famous commentaries on the Torah. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary.  You do not need to attend weekly to participate in this class.

Fridays – 9:00-10:00 a.m.: Classes will begin on November 15th and meeting dates will be determined thereafter.

Hebrew Classes -- Hebrew is the language of our Torah, of our people and of our prayers. Learning Hebrew is a lifelong endeavor, as the language continues to evolve in Israel. Now that we know there is interest for these classes, we are exploring offerings in both conversational and reading.  Stay tuned!

To access a copy of the Adult Education course information sheet, please click here.  To register, contact Julia Coss in the PJC office.