Jewish learning is at the heart of our communal and spiritual life at Beth El. We strive to provide enriching and inspiring educational opportunities, no matter your background or experience. Our adult education programs are facilitated by our clergy, fellow community members, and guest scholars from around the country. Learning opportunities include multi-session series and one-off classes to accommodate your schedule.
Our vision for adult education is to foster a culture of learning that enables every member of our community to become a seeker of Jewish wisdom. We create space to investigate pressing issues of our time through the lens of traditional Jewish texts. Our Open Beit Midrash Intensives, taught by our rabbis, and the monthly Scholar Series, funded by the Yvette and Herman Gordon Century Fund for Adult Education, helps us embody a practice of learning that has sustained the Jewish people for over 2000 years. To donate to the Yvette and Herman Gordon Century Fund click here.
Theology of Wonder: Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Vision for a Transformed World
Taught by Rabbi David Schuck
7:30-9:00 pm
May 2, 9, 16, 23
June 6, 13, 20
This course will explore the thought of the scholar, theologian, and activist Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Heschel’s thought is profoundly deep and resistant to simple explanation. This course will explore the radical nature of his theology by focusing on the major philosophical themes of his scholarship and writing. We will cover the topics of wonder, revelation and co-revelation, Divine silence, prayer, and moral activism. We will use Heschel’s writing as our primary sources.
Register here. Join online here.
Rabbi Ed Feld’s Masterful The Book of Revolutions: The Battles of Priests, Prophets, and Kings That Birthed the Torah
Taught by Rabbi Barry Kenter
12:00-1:00 pm
May 3, 10, 17, 23
As we approach Shavuot, the traditional date for the giving and receiving of the Torah at Sinai, we’ll explore a fascinating and masterful new book. Rabbi Ed Feld’s, The Book of Revolutions: The Battles of Priests, Prophets, and Kings That Birthed the Torah.
Register here. Join online here.
Looking for new ways to connect with your friends? Searching for new ways to engage with your Judaism? We have just the opportunity for you. Beth El is excited to offer the chance to learn Torah with your friends facilitated by our clergy. And the best part is that we come to you! You supply the wine and cheese and we’ll teach on topics relevant to our time.
If you are interested in hosting one of our small group learning cohorts, please contact Rabbi Sitkin at zsitkin@bethelnr.org. If you can’t host a cohort this year, please join us for one (or all) of our many adult education offerings over the course of the year. If you are interested but not sure you can put together a group, we’ll help put one together for you!
Parashat HaShavua (Weekly Torah Portion) with Jack Gruenberg
Thursdays at 1:30pm on Zoom
Join here
Daf Shevui (Weekly Page of Talmud) with Dr. Joshua Kulp
Sundays at 10:30am on Zoom
Join here
Contact David Horowitz at dbhlspc@aol.com
To learn more about upcoming adult education opportunities at Beth El or for resources and suggestions for your own course of study, please contact Rabbi Zachary Sitkin at zsitkin@bethelnr.org or 914-235-2700, ext. 338.