Adult Learning

Upcoming Learning:

The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic: Rereading the Women of the Talmud
Book Talk | 7:30 pm on Wednesday, November 20th

Join us at CBS for an evening talk with Gila Fine, a lecturer of rabbinic literature at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, co-sponsored by Kavana. No registration required. 

The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic: Rereading the Women of the Talmud Book Talk
How does the Talmud portray its heroines? Why are they never as they first seem? And what does this tell us about the rabbis’ views of marriage, sex, childbirth, and what it means to be a woman in the world? Gila Fine discusses her new book on the six named heroines of the Talmud.

Beth Shalom will have around 30 copies of the book available for purchase at the event, on a first come-first served basis. Check only. 

Bio: Gila Fine is a lecturer of rabbinic literature at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, exploring the tales of the Talmud through philosophy, literary criticism, psychoanalysis, and pop-culture. She serves on the faculties of the Nachshon Project, Amudim Seminary, the Tikvah Scholars Program, and the London School of Jewish Studies, and has taught thousands of students at conferences, campuses, and communities across the Jewish world. As editor in chief of Maggid Books, Gila edited and published over a hundred titles of contemporary Jewish thought, including several bestsellers and eight National Jewish Book Award winners. Her work has been featured in the BBC, Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post, The Jerusalem Report, Tradition Journal, Jewish News, and The Jewish Chronicle (which selected her as one of the ten most influential Brits in Israel). Haaretz has called Gila “a young woman on her way to becoming one of the more outstanding Jewish thinkers of the next generation.”

Exploring Jewish Living taught by Gus Feliu (Full)

The Exploring Jewish Living class at Congregation Beth Shalom provides an opportunity to experience and learn about the Jewish calendar and holidays, examine Jewish life cycle rituals and meanings, and learn about numerous other aspects of Jewish life. The class provides space for the exploration of the meaning and wisdom behind this ancient tradition.  You will explore Jewish living in a program designed with opportunities for you to connect with others on a journey of discovery.  The class is for current members of the Beth Shalom community, those who aspire to be part of the Jewish community and anyone who is curious about Judaism and wants to learn more. Our 2024-5 class is full.  If you're interested in taking the Exploring Jewish Living class starting in Fall 2025, please let us know.

Fall 2024 Language Classes 

Intermediate Yiddish with Marianne Tatom | Register

This class will help you develop intermediate Yiddish skills, including reading comprehension, conversation, and translation. We will be reading Motl Peyse dem Khazns Yiddish Edition (Motl the Cantor's Son by Sholem Aleichem, annotated with exercises by Sheva Zucker). Prerequisite: open to students who have previously taken Intermediate Yiddish at Beth Shalom OR to others with prior instructor approval. The lowered tuition for this class for non-members is possible due to the projected class size.

Prerequisite: open to students who have completed Intermediate Yiddish at Beth Shalom OR to others with prior instructor approval. The lowered tuition for this class for non-members is possible due to the projected class size.  

Format: Virtual (on Zoom)
Time: Tuesday nights, 7:00-8:30pm
Dates: Oct 1 – Dec 17 (no class on 11/5, 11/26) (10 1.5-hour sessions)

Hebrew I with Ellis Engbar (Full)

Learn the Aleph Bet, Hebrew decoding and following/reading of liturgy with some vocabulary and context thrown in. Designed to help students feel more comfortable with Hebrew and able to increase participation in services. Recommended learning aides: Aleph Isn’t Tough by Linda Motzkin – available through Amazon or a number of other locations; Carddia Biblical Hebrew Alphabet Flash Cards (Including consonant, vowel, dagesh and final form) – sets of other consonant only packs can be found for much less expense (available on Amazon or through the Carddia Store). Our Hebrew I class is full.  To be put on the wait list please email Ellis.

Format: In-person 
Time: Wednesdays, 7:00-7:55pm
Dates:  October 30, 2024- May 14, 2025 

Beyond the Aleph Bet, 1st Semester, with Gus Feliu | Register

This class focuses on developing proficiency in reading and understanding Biblical Hebrew. Over the 12 weeks of class you’ll have the opportunity to practice sight reading, grow your vocabulary, become familiar with Hebrew grammar and develop your skills as a translator.  We will also spend some time learning to write in and read the cursive Hebrew alphabet.  We'll be using The First Hebrew Primer (Simon, Resnikoff, Motzkin) as our primary text.

Prerequisite: Knowledge of the alef-bet is required.  

Format: In-person
Time: Wednesdays, 7:00-7:55pm
Dates: October 30, 2024 - February 5, 2025

Hebrew III, 1st Semester, with Gus Feliu | Register

 Hebrew III continues the study of Biblical Hebrew begun in Beyond the Aleph-Beit.  The course is grammar and reading focused with a goal of increasing competence in reading and understanding the Hebrew of the Tanakh and Siddur. We will continue to use The First Hebrew Primer (Simon, Reznikoff and Motzkin; 3rd Edition).

For those interested in joining the class without having taken Beyond the Aleph-Beit, you will need to be able to read Hebrew in block/square script (i.e., as it appears in printed form) and should have (or be able to acquire) a working understanding of the following: The Perfect and Imperfect tenses of the Qal binyan, the functions of the Hebrew adjective, the Construct State (or Smichut), the direct object in Hebrew, and possessive noun endings.

Format: Virtual (on Zoom)
Time: Tuesdays, 7:00-8pm
Dates: Oct. 29, 2024–Feb 4, 2025 (no class on 11/26, 12/24, 12/31)

Back to Your Roots: Understanding Prayerbook Hebrew (1st semester)
with Sharon Greenberg | Register

We will  focus on less reliance on translations and more delving into the language itself, emphasizing meaning and context.  We will use the Siddur itself as our main textbook, with student interest informing the prayers we study.  In fall semester we’ll focus mostly on the Shacharit service.

Prerequisite: knowledge of the alef-bet and some reading skills are required.

Format: In-person
Time: Wednesdays, 6:00-6:55pm
Dates: Oct. 30, 2024–Feb. 5, 2025 (no class on 11/27, 12/25, 1/1)

More Fall 2024 Classes

Taste of Yiddish - Yiddish through Song with Marianne Tatom | Register

Come explore the gems of Yiddish song - everything will be presented in accessible transliteration, and we'll work through the translations together. We'll learn songs from the recently digitized Yosl and Chana Mlotek Yiddish Song Collection at the Workers Circle (yiddishsongs.org) on a variety of themes - Yiddish "chestnuts" (the ones that everyone seems to remember from childhood), family songs, lullabies, and "vocable" songs (yi-di-di, oy-oy-oy, and beyond). Suitable for all ages, no prior Yiddish experience necessary.
Format: Virtual (on Zoom)
Time: Monday nights, 7:00-8:00pm
Dates: Oct 14 – Nov. 4, 2024

Melton Course: Israeli Literature with Rabbi Joshua Mikutis | Register

This course takes you on a literary journey offering a fresh and fascinating examination of Israeli society since the rebirth of the State in 1948. Here you will encounter Israeli society through the pens of Israel’s leading writers discovering an Israeli society that is original, contemporary, honest, and proud. Great insights into the Israeli national psyche through reflections of the mythic Israel are matched by poetry and prose that is challenging and self-critical. To receive the special $50 rate, CBS members and those connected to our community can apply the coupon code ISRAEL50 at checkout.

Format: In-person at CBS
Time:  Tuesdays, 8:05 - 9:00pm
Dates: 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/17, 1/7, 1/14, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18

Bio: Rabbi Joshua Mikutis is the Director of Design and Jewish Learning at JDC Entwine. After nearly two decades on the East Coast, Josh is a recent Seattle transplant with his wife Anna Bennett and their kids, Teddy and Etta.

Winter 2025 Classes

Jewish Ritual Objects - A Window into Mitzvot | Register here.

The studio part of each class is limited to 6 students. Classes open to both folks with experience in ceramics and no experience. The learning sessions at CBS are open to anyone who would like to participate and are free of charge. 

First Class: Mezuzah and Candle Lighting taught by Rabbi Borodin and local ceramics artist, Jacquie Hill. Join us for a three-part class on the mezuzah and candle lighting.  The first class will be at Beth Shalom, and you will learn about the mitzvah of mezuzah including the writing of the klaf (the special version of the shma inside the mezuzah) and the history of the mezuzah.  The second two classes will be in a ceramics studio in the neighborhood, where you will get a chance to make your own ceramic mezuzah case and a set of travel shabbat candle holders, or a second ceramic piece of your choice.

Dates: Wednesday, January 15th (at CBS), January 22nd and 29th (at a local private neighborhood ceramics studio) , 7:30-9 pm.

Cost: $125 for the two weeks in the ceramics studio, including all supplies and the firing of your pieces. Studio address will be sent upon registration. 

Second class: Seder Plate taught by Rabbi Borodin and local ceramics artist, Jacquie Hill. Join us for a five-part class on the seder plate.  The first class will be focused on the history and theology of the seder plate and will discuss how the seder plate has changed over time.  The second through fifth classes will be spent in a local ceramics studio, making and glazing a personalized seder plate along with the ritual items of the seder. 

Dates: Tuesday, February 12 (at CBS) and Feb 19 and 26th, March 12 and 19th (at a local private neighborhood ceramics studio) from 7:30-9:00 pm

Cost: $240 for the four weeks in the ceramics studio, including all supplies and the firing of your pieces. Studio address will be sent upon registration. 

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