Sign In Forgot Password

Curriculum

Beth Am’s Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning offers courses in a wide range of topics. From history to Hebrew to Torah and so much more, you are sure to find a class that’s of interest.

YEAR-ROUND COURSES

Beit Midrash Program
Led by Rabbi David Kornberg
Mondays 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Location: Beit Midrash
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation
Rabbi Kornberg’s Beit Midrash class has been a pillar of learning here at Beth Am for nearly 20 years.  In it we open ourselves to the wisdom and depth of Rabbinic Texts, reflecting on topics relevant to today’s world.  No previous experience is necessary, and all our texts are in English.  Join us!

Co-Ed Book Club 
4th Thursday of the month
7:00 pm
$35 / $30 CBA Member
Read and discuss an assortment of works of fiction and non-fiction. This is an enriching opportunity to share your love of reading and our commitment to the Jewish people we explore some “hot” topics together.

Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Earne
Wednesdays 12:00 - 1:00 pm
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation
Location: Liber Family Board Room
Nourish both the body and mind as you learn the weekly Parasha with Rabbi Earne. Bring your lunch and see what this week’s Torah reading has to teach us.   No previous experience is necessary, and all our texts are in English. Bring your own dairy lunch.

Shabbat Learning
Saturdays 12:15 - 12:45 pm (Beginning October 13th)
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation
Location: Beit Midrash
Over the Holy Days, Beth Am will receive a sourcebook called A Celebration of Study.  This collection of Jewish texts is meant to be learned together with family and friends, bringing the community together in exploring the basic, and not so basic, texts in our Tradition. Each Shabbat, after the chance to pray together and eat together, we will also have the opportunity to learn together.  Every week Rabbi Kornberg will lead a discussion on the next unit in the sourcebook and delve even deeper into the texts within.

CBA Talks
Our members are quite extraordinary!  Come and hear the experience they have to offer.  CBA Talks is a series of conversations with CBA members who have done, or are doing, some fascinating things. We have 3 Talks this year, starting at the Labor Day Picnic with Rabbi David Kornberg, and fellow CBA Member, Eric Finklestein with the topic: Organ Donations & The Jewish Perspective. Keep a look out for the other 2 talks that will happen throughout the year.

Beth Am Café
Saturday, October 20th | 7:00 pm: The Wedding Plan
Saturday, January 26th | 6:30 pm: Keep The Change
Saturday, April 6th | 8:00 pm: Three Identical Strangers
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation
Location: Hassman Family Social Hall
Movies have always been a media which not only entertain, but can reflect the values and social challenges of our time.  Beth Am Cafe brings you films that will make you laugh, cry and think. Discussions follow the films and “movie snacks” keep us going while we watch.


TRIMESTER I COURSES

Basic Judaism I - Practical Judaism
Led by Rabbi David Kornberg
Tuesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
(October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11, 18)
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation.
Following on the theme of Back to Basics, this series of classes offers all of us the opportunity to remember where we come from and experience the fundamentals of our Tradition as adults.  These courses are ideal for both those looking to convert to Judaism as well as those who want to reconnect with the wisdom our Tradition offers. This section examines how we live as Jews.  We will look deeply into the life cycle events, holy days and calendar, that shape the rhythms of our lives, as well as the mitzvot such as Shabbat and Kashrut that allow us to live our values.

Learn with Jenni - How am I Supposed to Pray?
Led by Jenni Greenspan, Rabbincal Student and Intern at CBA
Thursday October 11th | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation.
In this shiur, we will explore how to pray. What do I do with my body? What do I say? How do I say it? And, perhaps most importantly, How should I be affected?

The Magic of Music - The Songs of Naomi Shemer
Led by Elisheva Edelson
Thursdays | 7:00 - 8:00 pm
(October 11, 28, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 29, December 6, 13, 20)
$36 CBA Members | $50 Non CBA Members
Music is a integral part of who we are as Jews and how we express ourselves.  In these classes with our very own Elisheva Edelson you will be able not only to learn about Jewish music through the ages, but sing it as well! This session is devoted to Naomi Shemer. Naomi Shemer is widely considered the first Lady of Israeli Song. With her song Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) and many others, she connected Jews to their roots and brought together past and present. Let’s bring her back to life as we go over her words and melodies and discover the treasure she left for us all.

 

Learn with Jenni - Private Spaces, Public Spaces & Thanksgiving
Led by Jenni Greenspan, Rabbincal Student and Intern at CBA
Thursday November 8th | 7:00 - 8:00 pm
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation.
Often, we think we know what space is our own, and what spaces are shared. Is it that simple? As Jews, we both respect one another’s privacy, and live with one another close by, caring for one another, and showing up for one another in pain. We will explore some Torah, Talmud, and commentaries to think about what spaces we share, and what spaces we hold as private we prepare to host and be guests. 

 

Meaning of Psalms
Led by Rabbi David Kornberg
Tuesdays | 7:30 - 8:30 pm
(November 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18)
Free of Charge to CBA Members | $18 Non CBA Members
Psalms have always been a fundamental way that we use choose expressed a variety of ideas and feelings. Throughout the ages we found great meaning and wisdom in this biblical book. What is most fascinating about them is that Psalms are able to express nearly every human emotion and put words to so many things that are difficult to describe. In this class, Rabbi Kornberg will lead us on a journey through Psalms and help us find ways to connect spiritually to our tradition. No previous experience is necessary, and all our texts are in English.


TRIMESTER II COURSES

Basic Judaism II - What We Believe
Led by Rabbi David Kornberg
Tuesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
(January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5)
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation.
Following on the theme of Back to Basics, this series of classes offers all of us the opportunity to remember where we come from and experience the fundamentals of our Tradition as adults.  These courses are ideal for both those looking to convert to Judaism as well as those who want to reconnect with the wisdom our Tradition offers. In this section we will focus on the Jewish Tradition which provides us not only with a pattern for life but also purpose and meaning.  These classes will examine our fundamental belief in God and how we differ from other religions as well as the other denominations of Judaism. 

The Magic of Music - Old Texts, New Songs
Led by Elisheva Edelson
Thursdays | 7:00 - 8:00 pm
(January 10,17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14)
$36 CBA Members | $50 Non CBA Members
Music is a integral part of who we are as Jews and how we express ourselves.  In these classes with our very own Elisheva Edelson you will be able not only to learn about Jewish music through the ages, but sing it as well! One of the ongoing challenges we face as Jews is to find ways to make our ancient texts relevant to today.  Music has done just that, bring words written long ago new meaning and new feeling as they are sung by a new generation. Come and discover how music is renewing our Jewish heritage.

 

Learn with Jenni - From Hanukkah To Purim
Led by Jenni Greenspan, Rabbincal Student and Intern at CBA
Thursday February 7th | 7:00 - 8:00 pm
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation.
Ever notice that Hanukkah and Purim seem to have some common themes? They’re both about an outside empire attempting to wipe us out, they both have a hero who rallies us together, and they both celebrate our survival as a people. This month, while we’re sitting between the two holidays, we’ll compare and contrast the two, and explore: Why did Purim’s story make it to our Tanach when Hanukkah’s didn’t? 


TRIMESTER III COURSES

Basic Judaism III - Jewish History
Led by Rabbi David Kornberg
Tuesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
(March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21)
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation.

Following on the theme of Back to Basics, this series of classes offers all of us the opportunity to remember where we come from and experience the fundamentals of our Tradition as adults.  These courses are ideal for both those looking to convert to Judaism as well as those who want to reconnect with the wisdom our Tradition offers. There is no doubt that who we are is, to some degree, a product of what has happened to us throughout the ages.  By learning Jewish history we learn what makes us Jews.  These classes will start with our biblical history and look at what has occured all the way to today’s new reports.

The Magic of Music - Eurovision and Israel
Led by Elisheva Edelson
Thursdays | 7:00 - 8:00 pm
(March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16)
$36 CBA Members | $50 Non CBA Members
Music is a integral part of who we are as Jews and how we express ourselves.  In these classes with our very own Elisheva Edelson you will be able not only to learn about Jewish music through the ages, but sing it as well! Jewish music is no longer limited to the synagogues and summer camps. Modern, vibrant music is being written every day, and some of it has become internationally known. Eurovision, a European Song Contest has been a platform for many countries to share their Music with the entire world. The State of Israel has been a participant and a winner at this festival, and has brought to the world many messages through song. Let’s learn and sing the songs of Eurovision! By the way this international festival will take place in Israel in 2019.

 

Learn with Jenni - Whom Do We Carry?
Led by Jenni Greenspan, Rabbincal Student and Intern at CBA
Thursday May 9th | 7:00 - 8:00 pm
No charge, compliments of the Mizel Family Foundation.

This time of year, we are in transition—we are counting from Passover to Shavuot, but haven’t gotten to Mt Sinai yet. We’re getting ready for graduations, summer breaks, family vacations, camp…and some of us just know that our lives are always in flux, even when we aren’t planning a big change right now. What do we carry with us as we walk through the journeys of life? Whom to bring along on the journey? 

 

 

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784