Tbe adult education catalog 2013 2014

Temple Beth El

Adult Education & Program Guide 2013-2014 5774

Temple Beth El Stamford, CT 06905 203.322.6901 www.tbe.org

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TBE ADULT EDUCATION CLASS REGISTRATION

Please enjoy our 2013-2014/5774 Temple Beth El Adult Education and Program Guide .

Unless otherwise noted, all questions should be directed to Dana Horowitz, Interim Director of Community Engagement at danahorowitz@tbe.org or 203.322.6901 ext. 311.

Some classes are free and others require a fee.

Please complete the form in the back of the brochure to register for classes.

M=Member N=Non-member

Thank you to our clergy and other instructors who are giving their time to teach and enrich the lives of those who study with them. They are truly making a difference.

Name(s): Address: Phone: Email:

_____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________

The following programs require you to register in advance.

Please indicate your selection(s) by checking the appropriate box: 

Hebrew Reading Crash Course 1

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Judaism and the Environment

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It’s Not Your Bubbie’s/Zaide’s Judaism

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The Bible as Literature

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Jewish Fairy Tales

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Tradition in the Kitchen (indicate class[es]) _____________________________________

Pricing: M=Member NM=Non-member Class registration checks must accompany this form and be made payable to Temple Beth El. Mail to:

Temple Beth El 350 Roxbury Road Stamford, CT 06902

Please note that undersubscribed classes are subject to cancellation.

Temple Beth El

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Learn how you can GET FRESH SAVE THE DATES

Temple Rock Café Saturday, February 1, 2014

with TBE’s CSA*!

Temple Beth El is excited to become a part of Tuv Ha’Aretz: Hazon’s *Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program which brings the FRESHEST organic vegetables right to our door! Tuv Ha’Aretz means both “good for the land” and “the best of the land.”

Ultimately, it also means: The best for you and your family.

Join us for an informational meeting at TBE Shabbat Across America Friday, March 7, 2014

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. to learn more about how you can be a part of this special program!

As a Tuv Ha’Aretz member of Temple Beth El, you’ll know where your food is coming from and enjoy:

Purim Carnival Sunday, March 16, 2014

~ a variety of fresh, organic vegetables at competitive prices ~ weekly produce delivery to TBE ~ supporting local farms, a healthy environment, and strong community ~ connecting in new ways to values and traditions ~ a weekly newsletter

Lag B’Omer Family Cookout Sunday, May 18, 2014

~ delicious recipes, farm trips, and inspiring education classes including cooking classes using your produce delivery.

Questions? Call Susan and Bob Friedman-203.569.7200

Temple Beth El

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Hyacinthe and Harold E. Hoffman Memorial Lecture “Israel’s Dangerous Neighborhood: Can Peace Talks Succeed with the Middle East in Flames?”

Special guest speaker, Jeffrey Goldberg Jeffrey Goldberg is a national correspondent for The Atlantic and a recipient of the National Magazine Award for Reporting. Author of the book Prisoners: A Story of Friendship and Terror, Goldberg also writes the magazine's advice column.

Before joining The Atlantic in 2007, Goldberg was a Middle East correspondent, and the Washington correspondent, for The New Yorker. Previously, he served as a correspondent for The New York Times Magazine and New York magazine. He has also written for the Jewish Daily Forward, and was a columnist for The Jerusalem Post.

His book Prisoners was hailed as one of the best books of 2006 by the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, The Progressive, Washingtonian magazine, and Playboy. Goldberg was the recipient of the 2003 National Magazine Award for Reporting for his coverage of Islamic terrorism. He is also the winner of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists prize for best international investigative journalist; the Overseas Press Club award for best human-rights reporting; and the Abraham Cahan Prize in Journalism. He is also the recipient of 2005's Anti-Defamation League Daniel Pearl Prize.

Date: Thursday, October 3 Fee: FREE and open to the community Reception following program

Time: 7:30 pm

Lecture Sponsored by the Hoffman Family

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SCRIP

Change the way you pay for groceries and make money for TBE without it costing you a penny!

Buy your scrip at Temple Beth El. Available from the office during the week and at the Sisterhood Gift Shop on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Sold in $100 increments. Send us a check and for $300 or more WE WILL DELIVER THEM TO YOU! For further information contact Steven Lander 203-322-6901, ext 304

Temple Beth El

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TRANSFORMING CONFLICT BECOMING INTERFAITH PEACE BUILDERS Keynote Speaker – Ingrid Stellmacher Director of International Affairs of the Montage Initiative Friday, October 4, 2013 at 5:30 p.m.

Ingrid Stellmacher will speak about her work in conflict transformation internationally, especially with reference to interfaith work. She has a wealth of experience, and is on the board of the Council of Christian and Jews in England, the oldest interfaith organization and one of the biggest in England.

A reception and Q&A will follow.

Kabbalat Shabbat Services begin at 7:30 p.m.

Co-sponsored by Interfaith Council and Temple Beth El

Men’s Club Monday Night Football

Hebrew Reading Crash Course 1 Participants in the free Hebrew Reading Crash Course will learn to read Hebrew in eight, 1 hour weekly sessions. Designed for Jews with little or no background in Hebrew, it concentrates on teaching the Hebrew alphabet and reading skills. Each participant will receive a free Hebrew primer.

Instructor: Sue Shapiro Dates: Oct. 10, 17, 24 Nov. 7, 14, 21 Dec. 5, 12

Time: Thursday, 7-8 pm Fee: FREE and open to the public

Shal-Ohm Yoga This innovative class will begin and end with Cantor George Mordecai leading us in a beautiful chant and the middle portion will be a gentle Vinyasa sequence (the union of breath and movement). All levels are welcome and if you cannot sit on the floor you are welcome to come and do chair yoga and enjoy this exciting new class. Please bring a Yoga mat, a water bottle and a towel. Feel free to bring a friend and all religious orientations are welcome!

Instructor: Pamela Tinkham, LCSW, RYT with Cantor George Mordecai Dates: First class is Oct. 9

The TBE Men’s Club will be getting together to watch the NY Giants take on the Minnesota Vikings. The event will be hosted at a member’s home. Food and refreshments will be served. There will be a small fee to help cover the costs.

Contact keith Friedman at keith.friedman@fbostrategies.com Date: Oct. 21

Time: Monday, 8:15pm Fee: To be determined Location: To be determined

Time: Wednesday, 6:00-7:15 pm Fee: M $10/NM $12 per class Location: Social Hall

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Judaism and the Environment

Family Apple Picking

Learn how environmentalism and Jewish values are connected and how the trend to be more “green” is an initiative that can easily be brought into your own spiritual and daily life.

Grab your kids and join TBE families for some fun as we head to Silverman’s Farm for an afternoon of hay rides and apple picking.

Everyone is welcome!

Topics to be covered include: 

The Web of Life: Creation and Interconnectedness

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No Waste in Nature (the principles of Bal Tashchit)

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Environment and Social Justice

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Sustainable Energy and Jewish Values

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Renewing Creation Daily: The Power of Blessings and the Path to Mindfulness

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Shabbat and Shmita: A Pause in the Cycles

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The Festivals as Celebrations of Nature

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Agricultural Mitzvot: Pe’ah, Leket and a Just Food System

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“Kosher” Re-examined – Is Vegetarianism the Jewish Ideal?

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Bread and Technology / Food and Place

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What is a Jewish CSA – and Why?

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Health, Bodies and Nourishment

Instructor: Rabbi Joshua Hammerman Dates: Oct. 10—Dec. 19 No Class on Nov. 28

Time: Thursday, 8-9 pm Fee: M FREE/NM $18

Sunday, September 29 Provide own transportation leaving TBE parking lot at 12 (after Religious School) Carpooling encouraged Bring a bagged lunch Minimum purchase at farm is one $8 bag of apples per person

TBE Young Jewish Professionals Sangria in the Sukkah Come by and shake your lulav and etrog while having a nice glass of sangria

Date: September 23 SPECIAL GUEST FIRST SESSION The Inside Story: TBE’s Solar Panels Special guest Elliot Isban, CEO, American Solar & Alternative Power and TBE member sharing all you ever wanted to know about solar energy and the new TBE solar panels.

Time: Monday, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm Location: TBE Sukkah

$15 in advance ($20 at the door) PRICE INCLUDES SANGRIA, BEER AND LIGHT FARE RSVP: online at https://yjpsangriainthesukkah.eventbrite.com YJP at TBE is a group for Young Jewish Professional in their 20s and 30s—both singles and couples are welcome! To find out more and learn of all future events, including monthly happy hours, join this Facebook page: Fairfield County YJP at TBE or email Dana Horowitz, danahorowitz@tbe.org

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Sukkah Swing Join parents of children ages 10 and younger in the first adults-only event of the New Year!

Saturday, September, 21 8:00 pm

$25 a person ($30 at the door) includes dinner, drinks & entertainment

Reservations at http://tbesukkahswing.eventbrite.com/ or mail a check to TBE office (reference Sukkah Swing)

Sukkot for Kids

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Introduction to Judaism This class is designed to give students (both Jews and non-Jews) an opportunity to learn about the history, culture and religious practices of the Jewish people. Topics include an overview of the history of the Jewish people, how and why Jews pray, a review of life-cycle events and holidays, an explanation of the written and oral law, basic Jewish beliefs, Holocaust and Israel. The class will run weekly for 20 weeks.

What is Judaism - Introductions The Written Law Oral Law: Midrash & Talmud Jewish History Part I Jewish History Part II Lifecycles I Lifecycles II Calendar Shabbat Ethics

Comparative Liturgy History of Non Orthodox Judaism Branches of Judaism Mitzvot Kashrut - Animals & the Environment Anti Semitism & the Holocaust Zionism/State of Israel Prayer Spirituality Session with the Rabbis - Wrap Up

*Classes are subject to change

Thursday, September 19 10:30am-12:00 noon A fun morning for kids (ages 3-7) that offers: Stories ď‚Ľ Sukkah Decorating Songs ď‚Ľ Edible Sukkah Making 3-4 year olds: Double Classroom K through 2nd grade: Room 5

Instructors: Rabbi Joshua Hammerman (of Temple Beth El) and Rabbi Jay TelRav (of Temple Sinai) with occasional guest presenters.

Dates: No Class :

Oct. 9 - Mar. 12 Nov. 27 Dec. 25 Jan. 1

Time: Wednesday, 7:30-9:00 pm Fee: $180 per student or $280 per couple and includes all materials.

Location: Temple Sinai (first half) Temple Beth El (second half)

In partnership with United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien

For more information or to register, please contact Jayne Vasco at (203) 322-1649.

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Temple Beth El

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It’s NOT Your Bubbie’s/Zaide’s Judaism (Lunch & Learn) We read in the Torah that we have a blueprint for our Judaism. We will journey through time and space to meet ten people who have made changes—large and small—to make their Judaism relevant and meaningful to them. We will examine when and where they lived, how they lived, and how they responded to the challenges they faced. Hold on to your hats, it will be a wild ride! In addition, we will think about our own Judaism. In each class we will ponder two questions: How can I be a better Jew? And how can I change my Judaism so that it is meaningful and relevant for me?

A fun and festive Kabbalat Shabbat with music, stories and song led by Cantor George Mordecai & Rabbi Joshua Hammerman followed by a light dinner

Bring a bag lunch to enjoy while learning.

Instructor: Dr. Elissa Kaplan Dates: Oct. 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18

Time: Mondays, 12-1 pm Fee: M-FREE/NM $18

The Bible as Literature (Lunch & Learn) The Bible is the story of the Jewish people. How we tell the story is almost as interesting as the story itself! Some of the most powerful ideas in Western literature and thought, and the famous quotes that support these ideas, originate in the Bible. We will put on our literary kippot to discover poetry, short stories, plays and novellas. In each class, we will seek the beauty and force of the words that make up the Tanach, the Hebrew Bible.

Geared for children 5-years-old and younger accompanied by an adult (older siblings are welcome.)

(Please contact Dana Horowitz if you’d like to sponsor.)

Dates:

Sept. 20 (Sukkot) Oct. 11 Nov. 1 Dec. 6 (post Hanukkah) Jan. 10

Time: Fee:

Fridays, 5:30 pm FREE

Bring a bag lunch to enjoy while learning.

Instructor: Dr. Elissa Kaplan Dates: Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24

Time: Mondays, 12-1 pm Fee: M-FREE/NM $18

Feb. 7 Mar. 14 (Purim) Apr. 11 (Passover) May. 2 June 13

Temple Beth El

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The Shabbat Morning “Sitch” Torah for Tots, Adat Shabbat & Jr. Congregation (Each service ends at 12 and is followed by a communal Kiddush)

Torah for Tots (ages 0-5) 11:15 am An interactive service with stories, prayers and songs creating a wonderful, fun atmosphere for all.

(10/26, 11/16, 12/14, 1/25, 3/22, 4/5, 5/17)

 Adat (Community) Shabbat (grades K-2) 11:00 am In this service, children are exposed to the sights and sounds of Shabbat in a lively manner. The service follows the outline of a standard Shabbat morning service, supplemented with fun and engaging stories and songs.

(10/26, 11/16, 12/14, 1/25, 3/22, 4/5, 5/17)

 Jr. Congregation (grades 3-6) 10:30 am Junior Congregation is a participatory program involving prayer, stories, songs, and activities designed especially to serve as a meaningful Shabbat worship experience for children in 3rd-6th grades.

It’s a great segue to participation in the main service for Bar and Bat Mitzvah age students!

(9/21, 10/12, 10/26, 11/16, 12/7, 12/14, 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 3/8, 3/22, 4/5, 5/3, 5/17, 6/14)

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An Interfaith Discussion The Role of Religion in a Secular Society

CENTER FOR JUDAIC & MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES University of Connecticut, Stamford

The 2013 Louis J. Kuriansky ANNUAL CONFERENCE Scholar In Residence The Most Reverend Monsignor David M. Jaeger Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Attend the conference and enjoy this interfaith discussion with the Monsignor and other religious leaders moderated by Dr. Fred Roden (UConn, Stamford) 8:15 pm—9:30 pm Msgr. Stephen DiGiovanni Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist, Stamford Rabbi Joshua Hammerman Temple Beth El, Stamford The Rev. Kate Heichler Interfaith Council of Southwestern CT, Church of Christ the Healer, Stamford Dr. James Jones Manhattanville College

Please register in advance by contacting the center at (203) 251-9525/0184 or stamfordjudaicstudies@uconn.edu

Temple Beth El

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Lower Fairfield County Jewish Film & Art Festival Nicky's Family Czech Republic, 2011 Documentary, 96 minutes English In 1939, Sir Nicholas Winton personally, and by his own initiative, saved the lives of 669 children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and brought them across Hitler’s Germany to Britain. For nearly 50 years, he kept secret how he rescued these children. His wife would not have known anything about it if she hadn’t found a suitcase in the attic, full of documents and transport plans. Dozens of Winton's "children" have been found and to this day his “family” has grown to almost 6,000 people, many of whom have gone on to achieve great things themselves. It is incredible that all these people live due to the heroic deeds of one man. Knighted by Queen Elisabeth II and with over 120,000 children in the Czech Republic signing a petition to award Nicholas Winton the Nobel Peace Prize, Winton is an immensely compelling symbol of how the caring of one man can truly make a difference. Winton's story is a very emotional one, igniting thousands of children in many countries to follow in his footsteps and do something important.

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Beth El Cares...About Reyut/Friendship The Ethics of Cheerfulness Presented by Rabbi Joshua Hammerman Wednesday, October 9 8:00 pm TBE Lobby Please join the meeting and consider becoming a volunteer in this sacred service.

This event is FREE and open to the public.

For additional information, please contact: Melanie Massell at reyut@tbe.org

CLOSING NIGHT with “Movie Coffee Talk” Sunday, November 3 7:00 p.m.

The Garden Cinema, Norwalk

Finding Your Inner Mensch.

This group is designed to give men an opportunity to connect to other members of the congregation. Discussions focus on our roles as fathers, husbands, and Jews. We welcome differing opinions and beliefs.

Followed by Q & A with Ivan Backer, a child of Nicky’s Family.

Date: Oct. 15 Co-sponsored by TBE and The Stamford Chapter of Hadassah Tickets: $15 (To purchase tickets go to http://www.jewishartsandfilm.org/ )

Time: Tuesday, 7:30 pm Location: To be determined

For more information contact Keith Friedman at keith.friedman@fbostrategies.com

Temple Beth El

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The Compromised Land Recent Photography and Video from Israel TBE Sisterhood is extremely pleased and excited to invite you to a unique Jewish-themed art exhibit. The Neuberger Museum of Art, on the campus of SUNY, Purchase College in NY ,is now exhibiting “The Compromised Land: Recent Photography and Video from Israel” by up-and-coming Israeli artists.

The Compromised Land offers a look at Israel through the intellectually and emotionally invested eyes of some of its remarkable artists. Their work gives voice to a sense of unsettlement and existential threat, through the experience of internal and external discord, as the artists look at Israel and Israeli politics and culture with urgency, criticality, questions, and an abiding, if complicated love for the land.

Date: October 20

Time: Sunday, 1:00 pm Fee: Adults $5, Seniors and Students $3 (Fee includes docent-led tour, nosh and time to explore the museum’s permanent modern and African collections )

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Israeli Dancing Have fun learning Israeli dance! Connect with Israel! Reap the physical and mental benefits of dancing. No prior experience necessary.

The only Israeli dance class offered in Fairfield County - at Temple Beth El in Stamford, Connecticut! 

Beginner’s class: Learn basic Israeli dance steps

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Open session: For all levels of dancers (circles, lines, partner dancing)

The instructor, Leng, has been teaching Israeli dance for over 20 years.

She teaches children at various Hebrew schools in addition to Solomon Schechter High School and middle school students in Hartsdale, New York.

Leng also teaches the only session in New Haven county, at Yale University on Tuesday evenings and a session in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday evenings at the Flatbush Jewish Center. Leng has coordinated various Israeli dance events in the tri-state area for holidays and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.

Instructor: Leng

Volunteers needed for carpooling (13 mile drive from TBE) Please RSVP to Beth Silver, 203-249-7046, or beth@silverconsulting.net

PlayDates PlayDates is a new class for Stamford’s littlest kids and their most trusted adults. Join Joan, a family therapist and Sarah, a Jewish educator, for an hour of music, stories, mat time, playing and snack. We welcome children ages one to two and half years old. Kids are never too young to learn at PlayDates. Feel free to bring a friend.

Date and Time: To be determined

Fee: FREE

For more information contact Ronnie Brockman at 203.322.6901 ext. 315

Dates: Begins October 10 (no classes on holidays)

Time: Thursday Beginners’ Class: 6:45 pm— 7:30 pm Open Session: 7:30 pm— 10:00 pm Fee: M $10/NM $12 per adult FREE for teenagers Location: Social Hall

Temple Beth El

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Jewish Fairy Tales (Lunch and Learn) Is the Jewish fairy tale a bedtime story? Is the Jewish fairy tale old or new? Is the Jewish fairy tale a trip to exotic lands both real and fantastic? Is the Jewish fairy tale fun and intriguing? Is the Jewish fairy tale a way to impart ancient wisdom? The answers to all these questions is “Yes!” We will read and experience Jewish fairy tales in each class. Come and explore the wild side!

Bring a bag lunch to enjoy while learning.

Instructor: Dr. Elissa Kaplan Dates: Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23

Time: Monday, 12-1 pm Fee: M-FREE/NM $18

Synergy Shabbat Mornings

9:30 –10 am Rotating topics include: Torah Study: Portion of the week Exploring the psalms Shabbat meditations and melodies

Led by Rabbi Hammerman, Cantor Mordecai and special guests

Watch E-nnoucements for date details

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Temple Beth El Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Jeremy Benstein is the deputy director of The Heschel Center for Sustainability* in Tel Aviv, and directs their Environmental Fellows Leadership program. He holds a master's degree in Judaic Studies from the Schechter Institute and a doctorate in environmental anthropology from the Herew University of Jerusalem. He works extensively in leadership development and capacity building with environmental activists and educators in Israel, and has lectured widely (US, Canada, England, Italy, Spain, Turkey) on Judaism, Israel, and the environment. Jeremy's interests focus on the interplay of religion, culture and values with the environment, topics he explored in his book The Way Into Judaism and the Environment (Jewish Lights Publishing, 2006). Jeremy, his spouse, Dr. Annabel Herzog, and their five children live in Zichron Yaakov, Israel.

*The Heschel Center for Sustainability is dedicated to building a sustainable future for Israeli society - environmentally, socially, and economically - through education and reflective activism. Our strategies include leadership development, education, working with government and non-government organizations, and fostering activism and community-based projects across all sectors of Israeli Society.

Temple Beth El

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Temple Beth El Scholar-in-Residence

Sustainability as a Jewish Issue with Scholar-in-Residence

Dr. Jeremy Benstein  November 15-16, 2013

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Tradition in the Kitchen TBE Adult Education and the Beth El Sisterhood are co-sponsoring a series of Sunday mornings in the kitchen that will enable you to work closely with a primo chef or baker. These classes will provide an opportunity not only to recreate an ageless recipe, but to produce a masterpiece that you can share with your entire family. There will be limited spaces (eight) for each session and they will be apportioned on a first-come, first-served basis until all spaces are filled.

Date

Workshop

Instructor

Oct 6

Vegetarian Dishes

Fran Ginsburg

Nov 24 Gourmet Latkes

Lieba Lander

Sustainability as a Jewish Issue: Putting the Olam Back Into Tikkun Olam

Feb 2

Sephardic Cooking

Violet Tehrani

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Mar 9

Hamantaschen

Barbara Brafman

Apr 6

Passover Desserts

Jill Teich

Friday Night (Following services at 7:30 pm)

Shabbat Morning (Services begin at 9:30 am)

Tzedek and the City: Urban Issues, Jewish Values, and Israeli Reality

Q & A at Sit Down Lunch

 Havdalah (7 pm at a private home) Shmitah – A Radical Vision for a Social “Reboot”

Time: Sundays, 9:30 am Fee: FREE and for Members Only Location: Dairy Kitchen Maximum of 8 students per class

Temple Beth El

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Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class Temple Beth El is offering an adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class for those who never had one as a child. The class will prepare you to read from the Torah and Haftorah and chant portions of the service if time permits.

This is a two-part class. The first part takes place this year and the second part takes place in the fall of 2014 leading to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the spring of 2015.

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Join us for the Temple Beth El Cuisines from “Around the World”

PART 1: Introduction to Judaism and Hebrew Reading Crash Course PART 2: Learning trope and reading from the Torah and Haftorah as well as chanting portions of the Shabbat morning service if time permits.

Saturday, November 2

B’nai Mitzvah Scheduled for spring 2015 Special consideration to only take PART 2 is on a case-by-case basis.

Please call/e-mail Cantor Mordecai for more information at 203-322-6901 x 303 or cantormordecai@tbe.org.

Sacred Encounters This year we continue our in-depth look at Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s story of the Lost Princess and will explore the Kabalistic imagery in the heart of the narrative. This course has already begun but additional students are always welcome to join.

Instructor: Cantor George Mordecai Time: Tuesday, 7:30 pm Fee: FREE and open to the public Location: Library Please call/e-mail Cantor Mordecai for more information at 203-322-6901 x 303 or cantormordecai@tbe.org.

6:30 p.m. Havdalah at Temple Beth El with Cantor Mordecai and Rabbi Hammerman 7:30 p.m. Cocktails and dinner at hosts’ homes, then join us at one last stop for dessert to cap off the evening. $36 per person RSVP at https://tbeprogessivedinner.eventbrite.com