Adult Education Classes at CBS

Save the Date:

 Shavuot Lail Tikkun, May 26. 2012.  All night learning to celebrate the Giving of the Torah. Click here for details. 

New class: What's a Piyut & How Do I Make One?

Instructor Pat Hurshell.  June 7, 7:00pm.

“For Beth Shalom’s poets, aspiring poets and anybody else who wants to join us:  Come and check out some background on piyut beginnings, its evolution, and its contemporary popularity.  After listening and discussing, each of us will pick a subject  and take 30-45 minutes to see if we can do one. Who knows, maybe you’ll want to submit yours for our High Holiday booklet, or maybe you’ll just want to enjoy. No tests! And no critiques -- unless some or all in the group want group critiques or suggestions.”  No charge. RSVP here.

Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Me’am Lo’ez, Instructor: Yiscah Smith

Avoth (Pirkei Avot – The Ethics of the Fathers) is the one Talmudic tract that explores the very roots of Judaism.  It has long been regarded as a rare treasure of our Torah tradition. Pirkei Avot, as contrasted with the Talmud’s discussions around Jewish law, centers our attention directly on the Jew’s efforts to improve one’s relationship with G-d and fellow human being.  Of all the many commentaries written on Avoth, perhaps the clearest is that published in 1747 by Rabbi Yitzchak Magriso of Constantinople , as part of the famed Me’am Lo’ez series.  His commentary was written in Ladino and was translated into English in 1978 by David N. Barocas, a Sephardic scholar from Rodesto, Turkey and then edited into a contemporary idiom by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan.  Rabbi Magriso  ferrets out the root meaning of the text, and presents it in clear, unambiguous language.  Stories, parables and ethical discussions round out his commentary to produce a clear and highly inspirational teaching.

Time: All classes held on Tuesday nights, 8:15—9:15PM
We're offering a Spring Supplement for Pirkei Avot. Click here to register.
Pair this class with the Spring Extension of Siddur Hebrew for a discount.
Dates: April 24– June 12 (7 weeks) NO CLASS ON MAY 15
Cost: $70/Member; $105/Non-member

Siddur Hebrew - the Amidah, Instructor: Yiscah Smith

For students with basic Hebrew grammar/vocabulary knowledge, this class will focus on understanding Siddur Hebrew. We will look at both literal and theological ways to understand and translate the t'fillot. Basic grammar rules and vocabulary will be reviewed and expanded throughout the year. The use of words in modern Hebrew as well as the echoes from Biblical Hebrew will be explored. Learn Hebrew, discuss theology and understand what you're saying when you're davening in Hebrew.

Time: Tuesday nights, 7-8:00pm
We're offering a Spring Supplement for Siddur Hebrew. Click here to register.
Pair this class with the Spring Extension of Pirkei Avot for a discount.
Dates: April 24– June 12 (7 weeks) NO CLASS ON MAY 15
Cost: $70/Member; $105/Non-member  

Learner's Minyan

Ron Schneeweiss is offering a year-round Learner's Minyan on the second Saturday of the month, 10:30-11:15am. Click here to RSVP and find out topics for the year.

Beth Shalom Beit Midrash moves to Shabbat afternoons

Please join teachers Joel Goldstein and Stuart Light for a weekly Talmud class covering the second chapter of Bava Metzia. This class meets every Shabbat after kiddush and will include in depth exploration of the laws of returning lost objects. We will look not only at the Talmud in Bava Metzia but at other connected pieces of Talmud and the opinions of commentaries ranging from Rashi, Tosefot, Rambam, Ramban, and Shulchan Aruch. No Talmud experience is necessary, nor is knowing all the terms in this class summary; all you need is an open mind and willingness to engage the text. Class meets after Kiddush lunch, about 1pm every Shabbat.
Cost: No charge.

Beginning Israeli Dancing with Rhona Feldman

Adult Beginning Israeli Folk Dancing will now begin at 6:45pm on Wednesdays.  The first half hour we'll learn and review the steps that are the basic building blocks for many dances.  This is a great time for beginners to join the class.  Please wear shoes that slide easily.  Tennis shoes are not recommended. Older teens and all experience levels are welcomed. Mark your calendars for every Wednesday.
Time: Wednesdays 6:45 – 8:30PM
Cost:  5-Session Punch Card— $30/Members; $40/Non-members.
To register, click here.

Rosh Chodesh Chavurah

The new moon is an important Jewish symbol of the Divine feminine. To greet it at its time is like having an audience with the Shechinah, welcoming the in-dwelling presence back from the realm of death and exile into the realm of light (Sanhedrin 42a.) The new month – Rosh Chodesh – is a time for female spiritual renewal, for re-creating, re-newing, re-vitalizing our lives. At Beth Shalom we meet monthly, on or near the new moon, in the evening. Each month we plan a different program, organized and often led by members. We explore women’s roles in the holidays, Torah study, the place of singing in the service, book review, teshuvah, and we celebrate and create ceremonies to mark important occasions in our lives. Our meetings are open to all adult women of the congregation.  The next meeting is Sunday,May 20, 2012.  For more information on the next Rosh Chodesh gathering, click here.

Sunday Torah Study

The Northwest's feistiest Torah study group wrestles with the text of the upcoming parashah every week in a member-led medley of laughter, challenge, and insight. High-energy participation is strongly encouraged; no prior study is necessary.
Time: Weekly on Sunday, 10:15-11:15am
No charge.

Join other Knitters and Crocheters on the first Sunday of the month (usually) for a fun morning of conversation and relaxation. Any level of knitting, crocheting, or other handwork is invited. Kids are welcome. The next Stitch and Schmooze meets June 3, 11am-1pm.  Location tbd.Contact Carol Benedick for the address of this month’s Stitch and Schmooze. Please let her know if you would like to host the next one. 

Living Judaism

This year-long course serves as both an introduction to Judaism for Jews looking to deepen their knowledge, non-Jewish partners of Jews, and as the required course for conversion students. It lays the foundation for participants to build a strong personal Jewish identity.  The main teacher is Jason Kintzer with some classes also taught by Beth Huppin and Rabbi Borodin.  We will study the essential spiritual, religious, ethical, legal, historical, and cultural elements that inspire a commitment to Jewish life and involvement. Participants will be encouraged to explore various forms of Jewish identity through practice.  For more information, contact the rabbi's assistant.

Hebrew Classes

Beth Shalom offers multiple levels of year-long Hebrew classes. Most classes begin in October.  If you're interested in finding out more, please contact Carol.

Adult Ed Class Dates for 2011-12. Click here to find out vacation dates, etc.

Not able to take Rachel Jacobson's class on festival davening? 

You can still learn the material.  Audio files are available here.  (Scroll down until you see Festival Davening.) Click on each topic to see handouts for: Shacharit; Hallel; Torah Service and Musaf.  Note that page numbers refer to the Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals, C. 1998.