Adult Education

At B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation we believe that Jewish learning is a lifetime project.

Please join us at any one of our course offerings this year. Membership is not required, and many of the classes have a nominal charge, suggested donation, or are free!

Contact us to sign up or with any questions!

Adult Education Programs

Torah Study (Via Zoom) – Saturdays, Open to all

Join our study group at 10 am Saturdays for a continuation of our 20-year tradition of sacred text study. We closely examine the weekly Parashat with the first Shabbat of the month devoted to the Prophets and the Writings. On Saturdays where there is a Shabbat Service at B’nai Sholom, we meet at 9:30 am.

All are welcome to participate and learn, reading sections aloud (if you desire) and discussing the context of the history of the Bible, including the sociology, archaeology, and politics of the land. No prior registration or experience is necessary! Sessions generally last 90 minutes with the Prophets and Writings often taking 2 hours.

These sessions are open to all on a drop-in, occasional, or regular basis. BYOB – Bring your own Bible (Having a variety of translations/interpretations increase the scope of our discussions.) Contact the office to receive the ZOOM link.

Layers of Learning – Once a Month on Thursday evening via ZOOM

Join Rabbi Weisbrot on Zoom for a monthly “sideways dive” into other facets of Torah study – midrashic interpretations, Talmudic commentary, and whatever other thoughts and insights come up in the group as we look at the weeks Torah portion. No prior registration or experience necessary. The next session is scheduled for Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Three Views of Jewish History – Professor Paul Finkelman

7:30 pm to 8:45 pm. IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL. $25/$20

May 1 – Jews and the Black Death where we will discuss the horrific bubonic plague of the mid 14th century, and explanations for the Jews’ relative immunity based on genetics and not the cultural myths attributing this to cleanliness and kashrut.
May 8 – Jews and Slavery which will start with the biblical context and update the story to America through the 19th century as we learn about Jews as both slave owners and abolitionists.
May 15 – Jews and the American Revolution will examine how the presence of Jews and their active participation in the Revolution changed the United States.
May 22 (rain date)

Registration Form