Traditional Classes
Continuing the Traditions of Our People, From Generation to Generation. New classes are entered throughout the year, so please check back.
Year Round Courses:
Beit Midrash Program
Led by Rabbi David Kornberg
Mondays 6:30 - 8:00 pm
No charge, compliments of Congregation Beth Am
Location: Zoom Classroom | Password Protected
Contact Bonnie Cohen for Zoom information.
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!
Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Earne
Led by Rabbi Matthew Earne
Wednesdays 12:00 - 1:00 pm
No charge, compliments of Congregation Beth Am
Location: Zoom Classroom | Password Protected
Contact Rabbi Earne for Zoom information.
Nourish both the body and mind as you explore the weekly Parasha with Rabbi Earne. Bring your own dairy 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.
Trimester I Courses
Basic Judaism I - Practical Judaism
Led by Rabbi David Kornberg
Tuesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
(Sept. 9, 16, Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4, 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23)
No Class: Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14, Nov. 11, 25
No charge, compliments of Congregation Beth Am
Location: Beit Midrash Room
Zoom Classroom | Password Protected
Contact Bonnie Cohen for Zoom information.
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 to 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.
Trimester II Courses
Basic Judaism II - What We Believe
Led by Rabbi David Kornberg
Tuesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
(January 6, 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, March 3, 10, 17, 2026)
No class February 24
No charge, compliments of Congregation Beth Am
Location: Zoom Classroom | Password Protected
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 to 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 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.
Mussar Movement
Led by Rabbi Robert Friedman
Wednesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
(March 11, 18, 25, April 15, 22, 29, 2026)
No classes April 1st & 8th
No charge, compliments of Congregation Beth Am
Location: Zoom Classroom | Password Protected
We’ll look at how the Mussar movement came about, its goals, and some of the central values/middot of the Mussar tradition: seder (order); metinut (deliberation); savlanut (patience); anavah (humility); and hakarat hatov (gratitude). In the 19th century, Orthodox Jews in Lithuania came to the realization that one of the most important aspects of Judaism is how we engage with each other. In order to do that, they understood that first we must focus on our own spiritual decluttering, removing the things that cause us to focus on the self as opposed to the other. This practice, known as Mussar, is built around ethical self-improvement so that we can help bear the burden of the other.
Trimester III Courses
Basic Judaism III - Jewish History
Led by Rabbi Matthew Earne | Rabbi David Kornberg
Tuesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
(March 24, April 7, 14, 28, May 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9, 2026)
No classes: March 31st, April 21st, May 5th
No charge, compliments of Congregation Beth Am
Location: Zoom Classroom | Password Protected
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 to 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 occurred all the way to today’s news reports.
Congregation Beth Am | 5050 Del Mar Heights Road | San Diego, CA 92130
858.481.8454 | welcome@betham.com
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