Adult Education

Philosophy/Purpose
The Tikvat Israel adult education program includes educational courses, workshops, lectures, and other learning opportunities to enrich the cultural and spiritual lives of our congregants. The classes are generally 3-4 sessions in length and are designed for members who are unfamiliar with traditional services and customs, as well as those who are well educated in and knowledgeable about Conservative Judaism. Single-day lectures and workshops are meant to appeal to all TI members.

Please contact Adult Education Committee Chairs Betsy Nahum-Miller and Susan Apter for further information. We welcome your suggestions and input.

Put these dates on your calendar, and join us for fun and learning:

• Sunday Morning Discussions. Topics are "Jewish Perspectives on Dissent," Dec. 16; "The Supreme Court Decision on Abortion," Jan. 13; and "Science and Religion," Feb. 10
• Israel at 60. Events related to Israel in celebration of Israel's 60th anniversary in 2008. Details forthcoming. Dates: Nov. 11, Feb. 3, Feb. 24, March 9, April 13 and a final date to be determined.
• Israeli Film Festival. Saturday evenings, Jan. 5, 12 and 19 (snow date Jan. 26). Refreshments and lively discussions following each movie. Film titles to be announced shortly.
• Classes led by Rabbi Howard Gorin.
  • "Jewish Literacy 101: Finding God in the Masterworks of Judaism's Library." Biblical Literature (Oct. 11), Rabbinical Literature (Nov. 8), Codes of Law (Dec. 13).
  • "Whither?/Wither? The Conservative Movement." Commitment ceremonies and the ordination of gays and lesbians -- their impact on the future of Conservative Judaism (10/30, 11/6, 11/20 and fourth session (TBA)
  All sessions with the rabbi begin after minyan.
• Scholar's Weekend. March 28 and 29. The visiting scholar this year is Rabbi Burton Visotzky from the Jewish Theological Society. Details on the topics he will address will be forthcoming.
• Kabbalah Discussion Group. 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Sessions led by Rabbi Yaakov Lipsky. Contact Louise Chatlynne for more information at 301-330-9349
• Sessions led by Rabbi Alana Suskin.
  • "Feminism and Liturgy Discussion Group." Next session - Monday, December 17, 2007.
  • "Chevruta B'kehila: Friendship in the Holy Community." Dates to be announced.
  For information, contact Rabbi Suskin at rabbi.al@gmail.com.
• Jewish Literacy 101. Four sessions to be offered in the spring, led by Rabbi Alana Suskin and Rabbi Moshe Faierstein.
  • "Mystical and Hasidic Literature," February 4, 2008
  • "Philosophical Literature," March 3, 2008
  • "Musar - Ethical Literature," April 7, 2008
  • "Reponsa," May 5, 2008
• Shabbat Study Group. A chance to study the weekly Torah portion with fellow congregants. Facilitators will rotate among members of the congregation. The group meets after Kiddush in the Herman J Flax Library for 45 minutes to an hour.
• Sunday Morning Chumash Study Dec 23 - "Biblical Archaeology", pages 1339-44 of Etz Hayim. The facilitator is Richard Stoll (301-946-8435 or rdstoll@aol.com).

  The next essay is titled "Ancient Near Eastern Mythology" and is on pages 1344-48. This discussion will take place on Sunday, Jan 27th at 10 AM. Tentative dates for the next three meetings are February 17, March 23, and May 4. the list of essays is found on page XIII of the Chumash. The office has offered to supply photocopies of the essays to synagogue members.

  For more information, contact Michele Eisenberg (301-774-0481 or michelebe@aol.com) or Richard Stoll (301-946-8435 or rdstoll@aol.com).

Other Events of Interest at Tikvat Israel:

• Discussion on Global Warming. Nov. 4. Led by Lisa Van Susteren, this session is sponsored by the Environmental Committee. For more information, contact Art Fabel at 301-460-5716 or artfabel@comcast.net.
• Shabbat with a Historic African American Jewish congregation in Philadelphia, Nov. 30. Rabbi Gorin will lead a group of congregants to spend Shabbat at Congregation Temple Beth El. Details forthcoming.
• Meditation. Weekly on Monday nights and Shabbat afternoons. Explore meditation using such techniques as silent meditation, chanting, walking meditation, and guided visualizations. Meditations are grounded in Torah study, and through contemplation, we seek a deeper understanding of Torah. Contact Janaki Kuruppu at jkuruppu@gmail.com or 301-509-1895.

If you are interested in planning programs or volunteering for individual events, please contact Betsy Miller at 301-279-0453 or bnahmiller@hotmail.com or Susan Apter at 301-460-9657 or skapter@comcast.net.