Adult Education/Lifelong Learning

Our community hosts an invigorating series of education and enrichment programming for adults. With input from temple members, our committee puts together an annual calendar of events to which everyone is invited.
The following activities are led by Rabbi Benjamin:

• Lunch & Learn – A Deep Dive into the Amidah – led by Rabbi Benjamin.
  2 Thursdays/month 12:30 – 1:15ish! Via Zoom or in person.  All are welcome. Check the synagogue calendar and weekly email for schedule and Zoom link or call the office.
• The following are the dates for the classes:
• Oct 14 & 28 2021
• November 18 2021
• Dec. 2 & 16 2021
• Jan 6 & 20 2022
• Feb 3 & 17 2022
• March 10 & 24 2022
• April 7 2022
• May 12 7 26 2022
• June 9 & 23 2022
  
   

  Learning Service, Torah Study w/ Breakfast – One Shabbat morning a month Rabbi Benjamin leads an education oriented Shabbat service. At this service the entire congregation uses the Eit Ratzon prayer book that has full transliteration along with English translation, the Hebrew text and commentary.  There are three stages to this service and people are welcome to attend any or all parts:

  • Part 1: 9:30 – 10:15 – Shabbat Morning Service where the focus is on explanation and participation. Q&A encouraged.
  • Part 2: 10:20 – 11:15 – Breakfast followed by in depth study of the Torah portion.
  • Part 3: 11:20 – 12:30 – Torah Service followed by an abbreviated Musaf (concluding service).

• Parent Education Sessions – In preparation for the High Holidays and Pesach, RabbiB meets with parents of our Religious School students to discuss and present practical ways to make celebrating the holidays more relevant and child friendly. Check the calendar.

In addition to the events conducted by the Rabbi, our adult education program also includes a number of other activities.

• Sunday Brunch & Speaker Series – Enjoyable and informative speakers make thought-provoking presentations throughout the year. Talks are on Sundays and begin with a delicious brunch: 10:00 – 11:45. A $5:00 donation is requested from those who join us for the brunch. Check the calendar.
• Friday Evening Speakers after Shabbat Services – 6:30PM when dinner is served. 7:45 when the speaker follows services.

• Book Club – The “People of the Book” are alive and well at our congregation! The Book Club has been demonstrating our commitment to reading “Jewishly” for several years.  Our book choices have ranged from biography to spy thrillers, from stories set everywhere from Tel Aviv to Teheran, from historical novels to personal memoirs. What these books have in common is that they have something within them that we have identified as Jewish using the definition that we designed at the beginning of our adventure. We invite all to join our group. We read one book each month, and meet monthly. Differing views on the subject and a variety of backgrounds of the participants results in lively discussions. We learn from each other and from the books we read.  The book choices are made by the members so you will have input into what you will be reading. For any other information please call Francine Weistrop at 617-910-9492.
• Miscellaneous Educational Opportunities – Our congregation offers a variety of additional educational events and opportunities, including movies, Sisterhood Events, community programs and an annual community Holocaust program. For details check our monthly calendar  or our weekly “This Week” email.

Questions, Ideas, Suggestions? Contact the office or Rabbi Benjamin at office@BethShalomBlueHills.org.

Additional Adult Ed. Resources:

JTS Torah Online

Free Online Jewish Enrichment Videos from The Jewish Theological Seminary