15 minute read
Adult Education Fall / Winter 2021-22
FALL/WINTER 5782 | 2021-2022
Lifelong learning is at the core of Beth Emet values. Beth Emet is a diverse community of individuals with diff erent viewpoints, backgrounds, and a broad range of Jewish learning experiences. The Beth Emet Adult Education Program off ers exciting possibilities for meeting new people, exchanging ideas, and embracing Jewish history, ritual, and culture. Our classes are taught by experienced teachers and lay leaders from Beth Emet and the larger Jewish community. Off erings range from one-time events to yearlong classes; some have fees and scholarships are available. The Fall | Winter 5782 term features a wide range of classes and special programs. This term will begin remotely, through Zoom, and continue in person as conditions permit. Links will be provided to those registered. Classes are listed and described by starting date. Everyone is welcome to listen, learn, contribute, and share new insights with other members of the Beth Emet community.
Helene Rosenberg, Adult Education Committee Chair Barbara Berngard, Reva Denlow, Nancy Fink, Douglas Hoff man, Barbara Linn, Jesse Rosenberg, and Barbara Schoenfi eld, Committee Members
Beth Emet Adult Education is supported in part by a generous grant from the David D. Polk and Marian Polk Fried Adult Jewish Studies Fund of the Beth Emet Foundation. This grant allows us to off er Beth Emet members all of the Friday morning 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. classes during the Fall | Winter 5782 term as a package for the reduced fee of $120. *Indicates presenters who are Beth Emet clergy, staff , or congregants The Fall | Winter term will begin on Zoom and continue in person as conditions permit. Registration is required for all classes, remote and in person. Weekly classes do not meet during Thanksgiving and winter breaks.
OCTOBER
Challenges and Possibilities for Faith Communities in American Public Life
A Webinar with Robert D. Putnam, Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University who achieved national recognition in 2000 for his groundbreaking book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, and Shaylyn Romney Garrett, writer and social entrepreneur Wednesday, October 20 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. As uncertain and unsettling as these times may be, they are not unprecedented — we have encountered them before and we prevailed. Conversation on the signifi cance of faith communities in American public life during these troubling times will be moderated by our own Rabbi Andrea London and Reverend David J. Wood, Senior Minister at Glencoe Union Church. No fee.
This program is sponsored by the Jewish Education: Lifelong Learning Opportunities (JELLO) Fund of the Beth Emet Foundation
Hinei Mah Tov: How Israeli and American Jews Have Viewed Each Other... and how liberal Jewish movements in Israel have made progress, faced opposition, and cooperated.
with Rabbi Naamah Kelman and Elan Ezrachi One program | two dates, both live, on Zoom Tuesday, October 26 | 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. or Wednesday, October 27 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Elan and Naamah will refl ect on their shared life journeys as an Israeli and an American who met 45 years ago: what Israel and American Jewry were like when they met; how each saw the other then; changes over the decades; their respective roles and activities; and the progress and collaboration of Conservative and Reform Judaism in Israel on issues of mutual concern. Two breakout sessions follow. Naamah will discuss the renaissance and challenges of Jewish life in Israel through her work as a rabbi and the dean of Hebrew Union College. Elan will focus on issues of Jewish peoplehood, IsraelDiaspora relations, and his work teaching Israelis about American Jewry. No fee.
A Close Look at Torah
with *Rabbi Andrea London Fridays, October 8 – May 21 9:30 – 10:35 a.m. There are many ways to interpret Torah and its nuances of meaning that are often overlooked. We will continue our learning from last year, reading and interpreting the text of the Book of Deuteronomy line by line. New learners are always welcome. No fee for members; non-member fee $100
with Rabbi Michael Balinsky Fridays, October 8 and 15 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. When we write checks or engage in other actions to directly help the poor are we really helping them, or do we want to look good in God’s eyes and our own? We will study some rabbinic passages to see how rabbis in Israel diff ered on this topic from their Babylonian colleagues. Member fee $25, or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35
A book discussion with *Ellen Blum Barish Monday, October 11 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. An automobile accident and its aftermath set a young girl on a twenty-year journey that resulted in her recent memoir, Seven Springs (published by Shanti Arts). Join the author as she reads excerpts from her memoir on themes of study, brokenness, and repair; and facilitates discussion about healing, writing, and faith. No fee
Adult Kabbalat Mitzvah
with *Marci Dickman Thursdays, October 14, November 11, December 9, January 13, February 17, March 17, April 28, and May 19 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Participants study as a small group to celebrate Kabbalat Mitzvah together at Beth Emet. (Kabbalat Mitzvah is a more gender inclusive way to refer to B’nai Mitzvah.) Please contact Marci Dickman, Director of Lifelong Education, for additional information.
Yad b’Yad | Hand in Hand: A Panel Discussion
Sunday, October 17 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Hand in Hand builds partnership and equality between Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens through a growing network of integrated Jewish-Arab schools and communities throughout the country. It impacts over 10,000 people every day, including 2,000 students in seven public schools from Jerusalem to the Galilee. The panel includes moderator Noa Yammer, International Engagement and Communication leader at Hand in Hand, and panelists representing program alumni from Arab and Jewish Israel. No fee
Conversations to Nourish our Souls
with *Marci Dickman Thursdays, October 21, November 18, December 16, January 20, February 24, and March 24 | 7:15 - 8:45 p.m. Explore your spirituality or connection to the mystery or the divine in the world. We will use the prayerbook, poetry, and ourselves as our texts, aiming to deepen our connections and discern meaningful paths in our daily lives. Our tools will include mindfulness practices, journaling, questioning, and conversation. Doubting God’s existence? Come explore. No fee
with Maayan Hilel, a Fellow at the Crown Center for Jewish and Israel studies at Northwestern University Fridays, October 22 and 29 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Explore the historical relations between Jews and Arabs in Palestine/Israel during the British Mandate (1918-1948), focusing on cultural and social perspectives that include daily encounters, collaborations in the education system, the business and labor market, political organizations, and leisure spaces. Member fee $25, or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35
NOVEMBER
with Dara Goldman, Associate Professor of Spanish at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Mondays, November 1 and 8 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Learn about the origins and development of Jewish communities in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic as compared to other Caribbean Jewish populations. Learn about the Jewish settlement in Sosúa, Dominican Republic from fi ctional and archival materials of the original settlers, their descendants, and from historians. No fee for members; non-member fee $10 each session
Rabbinic Inferno: Hell in Classical Judaism
with Dov Weiss, Associate Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Fridays, November 5 and 12 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. In argument against the American Reform Jewish stance of the 1885 Pittsburgh Platform that Gehenna (Hell) is an idea that is not rooted in Judaism, we will examine ancient Jewish discourse about Gehenna to unearth the distinctive values, aesthetics, fantasies, and hopes found within classical Jewish culture. Member fee $25, or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35
One Voice International
with Ezzeldeen Masri, U.S. Outreach Director born in Gaza, now living in the Chicago area Wednesday, November 10 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. This organization of Israelis and Palestinians — with active members in the U.S. and Europe — seeks a truly negotiated resolution of the Confl ict for a just and lasting peace for Israel and Palestine within their own communities; it provides programs to reduce hate, polarization, and racism. We will hear about issues for a twostate solution and growing up in Gaza. No fee
Current Politics
with *David Zarefsky, Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at Northwestern University Tuesday, November 16 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. A continuing lecture-discussion class on contemporary public issues of interest to Jews as citizens. Special attention will be given to the policy and political issues facing the Biden administration. No fee for members; non-member fee $10
DECEMBER
Not So Current Politics
with *David Zarefsky, Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at Northwestern University Wednesday, December 8 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Current policy and political decisions are often infl uenced by events from earlier historical periods. We will explore the confl ict between morality and self-interest as the basis for American foreign policy from the 1820s to American entry in World War I, with comments about the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. No fee for members; non-member fee $10
Q and A with Israeli Diplomat
with Daniel Aschheim, Consul For Public Aff airs at the Israel Consulate in Chicago. Wednesday, December 15 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. A briefi ng by an Israeli diplomat to give us clarity about positions of the Israeli government, and, for most of the session, an opportunity to ask questions and express our concerns to the Israeli government. No fee
JANUARY
Intimidation and Harassment of Jewish College Students and Faculty
with Rabbi Steven Resnicoff , co-founder and director of the DePaul College of Law’s Center for Jewish Law & Judaic Studies. Monday, January 10 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. The DePaul College of Law’s Center for Jewish Law and Judaic Studies that Rabbi Resnicoff directs includes as a focus combatting the scourge of antisemitism— Jewish college faculty and students too often face intimidation and harassment for being pro-Israel or sometimes just for being Jewish. This program will examine the challenges faced and available resources. No fee
Current Politics
with *David Zarefsky, Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at Northwestern University Wednesday, January 12 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. A continuing lecture-discussion class on contemporary public issues of interest to Jews as citizens. Special attention will be given to the policy and political issues facing the Biden administration. No fee for members; non-member fee $10
The Mishnah: Law as Literature
with Barry Wimpfheimer, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Law at Northwestern University Fridays, January 21 and 28 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. There is more to the Mishnah than meets the eye. We will discuss how it complicates our understanding of the nature of law and asks us to examine our expectations when reading what we consider to be good literature. This class is dedicated to the memory of Dan Cedarbaum, z”l. Member fee $25, or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35
FEBRUARY
with Rabbi Dr. Joseph Ozarowski Fridays, February 4 and 11 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. An in-depth look at some of the debacles during the Jewish people’s trek through the desert, including the stories of the Golden Calf, the Spies, and the Korach Mutiny. We will look at the narratives, text, philosophical issues, what they might say to us today, and compare to the way they were presented in the movie, The Ten Commandments. Member fee $25, or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35
Panel Discussion of Israel Current Events
Sunday, February 13 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Panelists from three major organizations — J Street, Partners for Progressive Israel, and AIPAC — will discuss signifi cant current events in Israel. No fee
Religion and Literature
with Claire Sufrin, Associate Professor of Instruction and Assistant Director of the Crown Family Center for Jewish and Israel Studies at Northwestern University Fridays, February 18 and 25 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. We will explore diff erent aspects of the relationship between religion and literature in contemporary novels and poetry, including rewritings of biblical stories, portrayals of religious life, and characters wrestling with religious ideas and values. Most examples will be focused on Judaism and Jews, though some may be drawn from other faith traditions. Member fee $25, or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35
MARCH
Israel’s Security Concerns
with Yossi Kuperwasser, a director of the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center and a Brigadier General in the IDF Reserves. Sunday, March 6 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Meir Amit is part of the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center, a national site dedicated to the memory of the fallen of the Israeli intelligence community. The Center collects, studies, and disseminates information about terrorism and intelligence. No fee
Hebrew is the language of the Torah and the prayer book, and the universal language of the Jewish people. For many, Hebrew is a gateway to Jewish community and study, empowering us spiritually, intellectually and socially, and connecting us with people in Israel, around the world, and fellow learners here at Beth Emet. Now is a good time to learn to read Hebrew or improve the Hebrew skills you already have. Hebrew classes meet weekly during the school year in a supportive and stimulating environment. (Scholarships are available.)
Hebrew 1
with *Bluma Stoller Sundays, October 10 through mid-May 10:15 - 11:45 a.m. Class time may change when in person. For learners with no or limited Hebrew language background. Master the Hebrew alphabet to read and understand Hebrew words and phrases in the prayer book and modern usage; connect Hebrew language with Jewish life, ritual, tradition, and Israel. Individual tutoring is also available — please contact Marci Dickman, Director of Lifelong Education. Member fee $220; non-member fee $270 (fi ve-student minimum for this class)
Hebrew 2
with *Nancy Fink Tuesdays, October 12 through mid-May 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. Class time may change when in person. For learners seeking more meaningful participation at services. Improve Hebrew reading fl uency while exploring the Shabbat morning worship service and its individual prayers. Learn key Hebrew prayer vocabulary and basic elements of Hebrew grammar. Member fee $220; non-member fee $270 (fi ve-student minimum for this class)
Hebrew 3
with Dorit Flatt Sundays, October 10 through mid-May 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Class time may change when in person. For learners able to sound out and print Hebrew words. Explore the grammar and vocabulary of modern Hebrew through a variety of reading, writing, and speaking activities. Member fee $220; non-member fee $270. (fi ve-student minimum for this class)
Adult Education at Beth Emet
FALL | WINTER 5782 | 2021-22 REGISTRATION FORM
Registration is required for each off ering, including classes without fees. Zoom links will be sent to those registered. You may register in print or online.
In Print:
Fill out this form and mail or bring it with your payment to the offi ce.
Online:
1. Check your email to use the Adult Education Registration link that will be sent to members. 2. OR, go to the website bethemet.org/learning and open the registration link.
Enter your zip code and your birth date, using the format mm/dd/yyyy, including the slashes. A pre-fi lled registration form unique to you will open.
If we do not have your birth date and zip code on fi le, a blank form will open that will allow you to register. Please register me for the following classes (check all that apply):
□ Friday Morning Packages: $120 M; n/a NM □ Does Charity Save From Death: What Do We Think We Are Doing When We Write the Check? ($25M; $35NM) □ Rabbinic Inferno: Hell in Classical Judaism ($30M; $45NM) □ Social and Cultural Contacts Between Jews and Arabs ($30M; $45NM) □ The Mishnah: Law as Literature ($25M; $35NM) □ Trouble on the Yellow Brick Road: What Went Wrong During Our Ancestors’ Sojourn in the Desert? ($25M; $35NM) □ Religion and Literature ($25M; $35NM)
NAME
ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP
DAYTIME PHONE EVENING PHONE
EMAIL ADDRESS
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM WITH PAYMENT TO:
Beth Emet The Free Synagogue ATTN: School Offi ce 1224 Dempster Street Evanston, Illinois 60202 Phone 847-869-4230, ext. 308 | Fax 847-869-7830
□ A Close Look at Torah ($0M, $100NM) □ From Brokenness to Healing: Making
Meaning through Memoir (No fee) □ Adult Kabbalat Mitzvah □ Yad B’Yad: Hand in Hand a Panel
Discussion (No Fee) □ Challenges and Possibilities for Faith
Communities in American Public Life (No Fee) □ Conversations to Nourish our Souls (No Fee) □ Hinei Mah Tov: How Israeli and American
Jews Have Viewed Each Other... and how liberal Jewish movements in Israel have made progress (No Fee) □ Tropical Zion: Jewish Settlements in the
Spanish-Speaking Caribbean ($0M, $10NM per session) □ One Voice International (No fee) □ Current Politics11/16/21 ($0M, $10NM) □ Not so Current Politics ($0M, $10NM) □ Q&A with Israeli Diplomat (No Fee) □ Intimidation and Harassment of Jewish
Students and Faculty (No Fee) □ Current Politics 1/12/22 ($0M, $10NM) □ Panel Discussion on Israeli Current
Events (No Fee) □ Israel’s Security Concerns (No Fee) □ Hebrew 1 ($220M, $270NM) □ Hebrew 2 ($220M, $270NM) □ Hebrew 3 ($220M, $270NM)
M = Member Fee NM = Non-Member Fee
MAKE A DONATION
TOTAL AMOUNT $_________________ Method of Payment: □ Enclosed □ Bill my Beth Emet Account (members only) Signature: _________________________________________
Your tax-deductible donation to the Beth Emet Adult Education Fund will go a long way in support of our program. YES, I want to make a donation of $____________
