Mondays, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (ongoing beginning October 15)

We will study the events and challenges faced by Moses and the Israelites during their wilderness experience.  This course is conveniently scheduled for parents waiting for their children studying in our Hebrew School.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (4 Mondays beginning October 15)

How does Jewish law (halacha) relate to such topics as: tattoos and permanent and semi-permanent makeup; vaccination in Jewish law; Kohan marrying the daughter of a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father. Discuss these and other topics of interest from a halachic perspective. There is no charge for this class.

Tuesdays, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm  (ongoing beginning October 16)

Jewish music offers a rich selection of choral music that can greatly enhance our spiritual experience. After strengthening our group sound through listening and vocal exercises, the choir will begin to tap into some of this music in a manner that is accessible for participants with advanced or no musical background. The choir will also have opportunities to perform this music for the community throughout the year, performance dates TBD. Our congregational choir is open to everyone at all levels of experience. There is no charge for this class.

Tuesdays, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (6 Tuesdays beginning October 16)

Pirkei Avot (literally, “Chapters of Our Fathers”), a section of the Mishna which was compiled in the third century C.E., is devoted exclusively to the ethical statements of the Sages. We will study these sayings in light of both traditional and modern commentaries,

including a recent edition published by the Conservative Movement of Judaism.

Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (7 Wednesdays -- October 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, with a  snow date of December 4)

Cost: $200

Join historian David Kaufman in an exploration of the past and present of ‘the greatest Jewish city in the world,’ New York. Themes include the extraordinary contributions of Jews to the popular culture of the city (and beyond); and the equally impressive record of communal infrastructure and religious institutions that Jews have built in their ‘promised city,’ rightly called ‘the Jerusalem of America.’ Throughout, we will examine the remarkable convergence between age-old traditions of Jewish life and the modern urbanism of NYC in forming the culture of the ‘New York Jew.’ Classroom learning will be supplemented by selected readings (optional).  Dr. David Kaufman is a lifelong New Yorker and Jewish educator. A graduate of the Yeshivah of Flatbush (H.S., 1977), Columbia College (B.A., 1982), The Jewish Theological Seminary (M.A., 1986), and Brandeis University (Ph.D., 1993), he has enjoyed a successful career as a professor of American Jewish History, serving on the faculties of Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles and Hofstra University on Long Island. His publications include, Shul with a Pool: The “Synagogue-Center” in American Jewish History (Brandeis, 1999), and Jewhooing the Sixties: American Celebrity and Jewish Identity (Brandeis, 2012).  With expertise on the history and architecture of the American Synagogue he has also published articles on the synagogues of New York City.

Wednesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 pm (8 Wednesdays beginning October 17)

This class will serve as an introduction to ta`amei ha-mikra (aka trope), the ancient system of musical notation that guides us in our ability to chant Torah, Haftarah, and megillot. No experience with chanting required, but a familiarity with the Hebrew alphabet is suggested. Though not required, those wishing to chant Torah and/or Haftarah will have the opportunity to do so at synagogue services.