For more information on any of our classes, please click on individual links, check out our full calendar or contact our Community and Membership Engagement Director, Sarah Greenberg.
Empty Nesters, Endless Opportunities, and Food and Friends.
For more about Empty Nesters, please see Cybershul or the current Shavuon.
Current Endless Opportunities programs are listed here.
Food and Friends information can be found on our Social Groups page.
2018-19 Year-long Classes
Living Judaism – a basic introduction to Judaism, including holidays, texts, and home traditions and a Hebrew class (below). Living Judaism is our required course for conversion students. Please click here for more information and a registration form. A syllabus is available here. Class will be held on Tuesday evenings from September 25, 2018- April 30, 2019 with two High Holiday preparation sessions on August 28 and September 4.
Learners’ Minyan – This program is designed for those who are looking to understand parts of the Shabbat morning service. It is appropriate for complete beginners and is part of our Living Judaism class. It is also appropriate for those looking to deepen their learning. Learner’s Minyan takes place on Saturdays once a month, 10:30-11:30 am, in the Beit Midrash. There is no cost to attend. Click here for more information and a complete schedule.
Language and Leyning Classes, beginning this Fall. Click the links below for more information and to sign up. To contact the teacher for a class, click on their name.
- Hebrew I – Alef Bet basics with Talya McCurdy
- Hebrew II with Sharon Greenberg
- Beginning Modern Hebrew with Beth Broadway
- Intermediate Modern Hebrew with Beth Broadway
- Yiddish with Marianne Tatom
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Classes for Winter 2019:
To contact the teacher for a class, click their name.
Tuesday Learning:
Responding to Challenging Times in Constructive Ways with Beth Huppin
Our tradition has a rich history of dealing with challenging times. This text-based class will look at wisdom our tradition offers for responding constructively to communal and individual challenges. No prior knowledge is necessary. No charge. Everyone is welcome, including Drop-ins. Donations to CBS adult education are appreciated. Two class times:
–Tuesday mornings, January 8- April 9, 9:30-10:45am, No class January 15, February 19, or April 2 (11 sessions)
–Tuesday evenings, February 26-April 9, 7:00-8:00pm (7 sessions).
Technology and Jewish Law with Rabbi Rose
In preparation for the Bierman Scholar-in-Residence weekend (Feb. 8-9), we will study responsa written by Rabbi Daniel Nevins, one of the most creative halakhic thinkers of our time, especially on issues of science and Jewish law. Together we will explore his writings about modern halakhic questions: Is it ever permissible to use electricity on Shabbat? Is lab-grown meat kosher (and is it meat or pareve)? What does Jewish law have to say about GMOs? How is the moment of death defined by Jewish law? After studying these questions together, we will be better prepared to get the most out of Rabbi Nevins’ visit to our community. Join us! No charge. Donations to the CBS adult education fund are appreciated. Tuesday evenings, January 15- February 5, 7:00-8:00pm (4 sessions)
Wednesday Learning:
The Letters are Flying!: An Introduction to the Joy of Hebrew Letters and Lettering K’tivah with Rainer Adkins
K’tivah Tamah is Hebrew for ‘Calligraphy,’ and can be translated as ‘miraculous writing.’Why? We’ll search for an answer via a succinct exploration of the origins and history of Hebrew letters and Jewish scribal arts, a few of the remarkable midrashic tales of the Alef-Beyt, and how to build and write a Sefardi-style script. A third of the class will be hands-on practice, and there is a $10 materials fee payable to the teacher. Wednesday evenings, January 9-February 13, 8:00-9:00pm (6 sessions)
Two English Bible Masterpieces: KJV (King James Version) and Robert Alter with Rabbi Rob Toren
An eight-session exploration of two translation masterpieces of the Hebrew Bible aka Tanakh. With the original Hebrew as a starting point, we will note how these two artful translations wrestle with and attempt to resolve the daunting challenges of translation. Knowledge of Biblical Hebrew is not required though certainly helpful in appreciating both translations’ artistry and skill. Selections may include: Creation; Kayin and Hevel (aka Cain and Abel); Tower of Babel; Binding of Isaac; selections from the Jacob/Joseph cycle; Moses’ early life; David and Batsheva; 2-3 selected Psalms. Rob will provide texts, though students are welcome to purchase their own editions. A reminder that the KJV does contain the Christian Bible. Free of charge. Donations to the CBS adult education fund are appreciated. Wednesday nights, February 20-April 24 (no class March 20 or April 17), 8:00-9:00pm (8 sessions).
Shabbat Afternoon Learning: Saturdays at 1:15 PM following Kiddush Lunch. No charge
- January 19: Courage for New Beginnings with Rabbi Lisa L. Goldstein
- January 26: Refugee/Asylum Full Circle with Sebnem Pura
Scholar in Residence
Click here for information about our annual Scholar in Residence program.
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Technology Tip – Need to type in Hebrew? Installing a Hebrew keyboard on a smartphone.
Library Donations: The CBS Library is accepting donations!
If you want to donate books on Jewish topics, here are our guidelines.
- We do not take siddurim or machzorim unless they are the ones we are currently using in shul.
- We appreciate donations of modern Jewish fiction, biographies and lighter history, published since 2010 for the honor lending cart and newer books for the library on Jewish living, thought, and Bible for the library. Older Jewish fiction and general books on Judaism not more than 25 years old usually will go on the free book cart.
Thank you!
