5778 winter/spring courses
Gertrude Lederman Family Continuing Education Program classes at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El offer a wonderful chance to deepen your understanding of Jewish thought, culture, and identity. Please contact Ali Drumm, Director of Informal Education, with any questions at adrumm@ nssbethel.org or 847-432-8126. North Suburban Synagogue Beth El's Continuing Education program is made possible through the generous gift of the estate of Gertrude Lederman. The value she placed on Jewish education became the cornerstone of her legacy of lifelong learning in our congregation. Registration, Tuition & Payment Information Trimester classes are $90, offered at a discounted $60 to NSS Beth El members. Pay for one trimester class and additional classes during the same trimester are included at no extra cost. Sisterhood Torah Fund classes require a minimum donation of $54 for the year. Check out all our classes and events by going to www.nssbethel.org/Continuing-Education, and register online by clicking on the Registration link on the page. You may also register by contacting Marcie Eskin, Informal Education Coordinator, at meskin@nssbethel.org or 847-926-7903. Scholars and Special Programs North Suburban Synagogue Beth El ShabbaTONE with Mati Lazar and the Bible Players Shabbat, February 9-10, 2018 Rabbi Zev Eleff Sunday, March 18, 2018 Rabbi Irving and Amy Frankel Memorial Lecture – Dr. Claire Sufrin Sunday, April 22, 2018 Tikkun Layl Shavuot/Rabbi Philip Lipis Memorial Lecture – Rabbi Dr. Noah Bickart Saturday, May 19, 2018 JTS Field Family Lecture – Dr. Shuly Rubin-Schwartz Sunday, June 10, 2018
5778 Winter and Spring Courses Raising Good Jewish Digital Citizens
Join us for three events to help navigate digital citizenship as a family and from a Jewish perspective.
Screenagers
facilitated by Marcie Faust Sunday, January 7, 10:00am This film takes a deeply personal approach into the vulnerable corners of family life, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Screenagers reveals how tech time impacts kids' development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance. Marcie Faust, Director for Innovative Learning for Deerfield Public Schools District 109, will frame our discussion after the film. Free copies of the book Screenwise will be given to the first 50 RSVPs to the Screenagers program.
Screenwise
Devorah Heitner Wednesday, February 21, 7:45pm Dr. Devorah Heitner will discuss her book, Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. Dr. Heitner founded the website “Raising Digital Natives” to serve as a resource for organizations and families wishing to cultivate a culture of thoughtful digital citizenship
Jewish Parenting Havurah
Hosted at the home of Danielle and Jonathan Pearl Saturday, February 24, 8:00pm Don't miss this social and educational opportunity to reflect on the triggers and challenges and personal success stories we have raising our kids to be good digital citizens. Reservations requested for each event. To RSVP or for more information, contact Marcie Eskin at meskin@nssbethel.org.
Linked Stories, Connected Lives: A Discussion of Bertrand Court by Michelle Brafman
Rachel Kamin Wednesdays, 8:00-9:30pm, January 10, 17, 31, and March 7, and Thursdays, 11:00am-12:30pm, January 25, February 8 and 22, and March 8 Bertrand Court is a collection of linked short stories about the secrets of an unforgettable cast of politicos, filmmakers, and housewives, all tied to a suburban Washington, DC cul-de-sac. Participants are encouraged to read the selected stories for each class and can attend the Wednesday evening sessions and/or the Thursday morning sessions. The course will conclude with a special discussion with the author, Michelle Brafman. Winter Trimester: $90; $60 for NSSBE members, including a copy of the book.
Lev Shalem: Praying with Our Whole Hearts
Hazzan Ben Tisser Mondays, 7:45-9:00pm, February 5, 12, March 5 and Wednesdays, 7:45-9:00pm, March 14 and 21 Be part of an exciting, meaningful, and honest conversation about prayer through the lens of our new Siddur Lev Shalem. We will discuss how we connect with each other, with God and with our tradition throughout all stages of life, and in many circumstances. Come to one or all five sessions. Comfort reading Hebrew is not necessary. February 5 – Praying with Full Hearts February 12 – The Wholeness of Our Tradition March 5 – Ancient and Modern, East and West March 14 – This Is My Prayer: Confronting Gender Identity, Family Configuration and the Reality of Life's Circumstances March 21 – Here We Stand: An Honest Theology Winter Trimester: $90; $60 for NSSBE members
Learn to Chant Torah (for Adults!)
Hazzan Barbara Barnett Thursdays, 6:30–7:30pm, March 15, 22, April 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, and 17 In this eight-week class, we'll unlock the secret of chanting Torah. We'll decode the melody patterns, and learn the “how” as well as the “why” of Torah cantillation. This is a perfect opportunity for parents with children in 2nd grade and up (especially those with children in Vav 6th Grade) to learn Torah for their child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This is also a lifelong skill! Register online or to Marcie Eskin at meskin@nssbethel.org Free Class
Moving Towards Sinai: How Our Relationships Carry Us From Pesach to Shavuot
Rebecca Minkus Lieberman Wednesdays, 10:00–11:00am, April 25–May 16 What does the Book of Ruth have to offer us about the challenges of being human? What does it have to teach us about the experience of Revelation at Sinai and receiving Torah at Shavuot? How might our human relationships help us discover what it means to have a relationship with God? The class will engage with the text in both Hebrew and English and will be accessible to all levels of learners. Spring Trimester: $90; $60 for NSSBE members and Orot members
Morning with Meaning: A Meditation Series
Erin Rachel Doppelt Wednesdays, 9:15am, February 7, 14, 21, and March 7 A quick de-stressing meditation session to increase the immune system, restore the physical body and shift into a healthier headspace. Practice light yogic movement, breath-work meditation, and mindfulness, and leave each class feeling calm, centered, restful and energized to take on the day and well informed on new age and ancient meditation practices. Winter Trimester: $90; $60 for NSSBE members
Germans and Jews Mini Course
In the season of Yom HaShoah, explore the changing relationship between Jews and Germans in a three-part free mini course.
Becoming a Jew in Post-World War II Germany with Author Annette Gendler
Tuesday, April 17, 7:45pm Annette Gendler will discuss her book Jumping Over Shadows and lead a discussion of Judaism and Zionism in Post-World War II Germany. A book signing will follow the program. Free and open to the community.
Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club: Jumping Over Shadows: A Memoir by Annette Gendler
Saturday, April 21, 12:30pm The Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club will discuss Jumping Over Shadows: A Memoir by Annette Gendler, facilitated by Rachel Kamin. When Annette falls in love with a Jewish man in Germany in 1985, history is repeating itself; her great-aunt Resi had been married to a Jew in Czechoslovakia before World War II.
Afternoon @ the Movies: Germans & Jews with Anette Isaacs
Thursday, April 26, 3:00pm Did you know that Europe's fastest growing Jewish population is in Berlin? Through personal stories, the documentary Germans & Jews explores Germany's transformation from silence about the Holocaust to facing it head on. Reservations requested for each event. To RSVP or for more information, contact Marcie Eskin at meskin@nssbethel.org.
The Bible Comes Alive!
Aaron Klein Thursdays 11:00–12:00am, February 1, 8, 15, 22 From high points to moments of critical decision, what were the challenges the nascent Israelite people faced? Watch the ancient stories come alive through decoded explication. Winter Trimester: $90; $60 for NSSBE members
Ezra, Nehemiah and the Return From Exile
Rabbi Steven Bob Mondays, 10:00–11:00am, April 30, May 7, May 14 The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell the story of the return from the first exile in ancient Babylonia. They contain the foundational ideas for our modern sense of Jewish identity. Living after the modern return from the second exile we will explore the meaning of Jewish existence in light of these texts from the early Second Temple period. Spring Trimester: $90; $60 for NSSBE members
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Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State: Questions, Explorations, and Implications
Keren Fraimen Wednesdays, 7:00pm, May 2, 9, and 16 Since its inception, Jewish and democratic values have served as the foundation for the State of Israel. As affirmed by Israel’s Basic Laws, these guiding principles continue to be at the heart of Israeli society and its governance. How are each of these values expressed in Israeli society? How do they exist together and interact with one another? NSS Beth El is pleased to partner with Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership on this program. To register and pay, please go to www.spertus.edu. $75; $60 for NSSBE and Spertus members
Engineering Evil
Dr. Robert Bernat Tuesdays, 7:45–9:00pm, June 5 and 12 Special screening of Engineering Evil, a History Channel special devoted to the details of how the Nazis carried out the Holocaust, framed in light of figuring out how to systemically prevent the demonization of the other and the calculus of looking the other way in the modern world. Spring Trimester: $90; $60 for NSSBE members
Artists Beit Midrash: Of the Body, In the Body: Torah and Art
Dr. Jane Shapiro and Judith Joseph Thursdays, 9:30–11:30am, beginning Summer 2018 Artists of all skill levels and working with any type of media – sculpture, oils, watercolors, photographs, fabrics, poetry, prose, music, theater and dance – are invited. Spring Trimester: $90; $60 for NSSBE members and Orot members
Ongoing Classes Hebrew Classes Hebrew Literacy
Silvi Freedson Sundays, 11:00 am–Noon, ends May 6 This Hebrew literacy class is designed for students with no prior knowledge of the language and no Hebrew reading skills. Students will learn the Hebrew alphabet and the mechanics of reading. At the end of the course students will be able to read short stories, and acquire a basic vocabulary on a range of topics. The course will focus on literacy rather than conversational Hebrew. Free babysitting available. Trimester Fee: Winter
Intermediate Conversational Hebrew
Edith Belkind Tuesdays, 6:15–7:30pm Build your conversational and reading Hebrew skills. Trimester Fee: Winter and Spring
Advanced Conversational Hebrew
Edith Belkind Wednesdays, 6:15–7:30pm Strengthen and retain your Hebrew skills from Intermediate Conversational Hebrew. Trimester Fee: Winter, Spring and special Summer session
Conversational Hebrew (Sisterhood Torah Fund)
Dr. Alicia Gejman Thursdays, 10:00–11:00am, year-round Designed for adults who have basic fluency in reading and writing Hebrew.
Open Conversational Hebrew
Sundays (ongoing) 10:00–11:00am Practice Hebrew conversation and reading informally with other participants. Free. For information, contact Judy Farby at judyfarby@yahoo.com or 847-372-1700.
Classic Jewish Text Conservative Judaism Looks at Modern Issues (Sisterhood Torah Fund)
Rabbi Vernon Kurtz Tuesdays, 10:00–11:00am Join a discussion of the principles of Conservative Judaism, its interpretation of Jewish law, and its response to modern issues, including ritual, ethics, sex and politics.
Parshat HaShavua through Midrash (Sisterhood Torah Fund)
Rabbi Michael Schwab Tuesdays, 11:00am–Noon Explore the depth of meaning in passages of the Torah via beautiful interpretations and engaging stories created by the rabbis, speaking to the core values of Judaism.
Talmud: Tractate Berakhot
Rabbi Vernon Kurtz Tuesdays, 8:30–9:30am Study Jewish law in the original text. Discussion and commentary are in English. We will study Berakhot Chapter 6. Trimester Fee: Winter
Jewish Laws of Daily Living
Rabbi Michael Schwab Wednesdays, 8:00–8:30am Join us for breakfast and study of the Shulhan Arukh – the basic code of Jewish law – to interpret it for our time. This is an ongoing class, but no experience is required and new members are welcome at any session. Free Class
Study in the Loop
Rabbi Vernon Kurtz Thursdays, Noon–1:30pm, January 11 and February 8 (note revised date) The Illinois Decalogue Society, 134 N. LaSalle #1430 Relying on source material from biblical and rabbinic texts, there will be discussion of the principles and interpretation of Jewish law over the centuries and how to apply these responsa to contemporary dilemmas. Fee: $12 per session to cover lunch. To register, contact Lennie Kay at 847-4328900 x210 or LKay@nssbethel.org.
Study in the Suburbs
Rabbi Vernon Kurtz Thursdays, Noon–1:30pm, March 22, April 26, and May 24 Board of Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago, 3320 Dundee Road, Northbrook. See course description and registration information above.
The Ethics of Jewish Living
Ali Drumm Sundays, 9:15– 10:15am How do Jewish teachings shed light on contemporary issues such as the environment, interpersonal relationships, end-of-life decisions, and stemcell research? Tuition including Sourcebook: $100 for NSSBE members, $240 for Melton Consortium members and $340 for non-Consortium members. Couples who sign up together will receive an additional $20 subsidy for the second partner's registration. Free babysitting available. To register for this Melton class at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, contact Rolly Cohen at 847-291-7788 x1304 or rolly@bjechicago.org.