GERTRUDELEDERMANFAMILYCONTINUING EDUCATION

Community Learning

Opportunities

See page 2 for more details

2012/2013

GERTRUDELEDERMANFAMILYCONTINUING EDUCATION

Jewish Laws of Daily Living Bible with CommentaryHebrew Crash CourseAdvanced Conversational HebrewAdvanced Beginning Conversational HebrewTorah CantillationBeginning Conversational HebrewShalom Hartman Institute Beit Midrash Discussion Series

Wednesday

2 Lifelong Learning

Welcome to a new year of learning with the Gertrude Lederman Family Continuing Education Program! Continuing Education classes at Beth El offer a wonderful chance to deepen your understanding of different aspects of Jewish

thought, culture, and identity. Check out all our classes and events by clicking on “Continuing Education” on the synagogue website at www.nssbethel.org; go there to get the latest updates and detailed information and to register for classes and events. Please contact Ali Drumm, Director of Informal Education, with any questions at adrumm@nssbethel.org or 847-432-8900 x218.

Classes and Events at a Glance

Tuition and Payment InformationSingle Class: $18 per session for members; $25 per session for non-membersSemester Tuition: $60 for members; $90 for non-membersYearlong Tuition: $120 for members; $180 for non-members

Tuition will be billed to you directly – as part of your regular synagogue bill for members and to your home for non-members.

*Sisterhood Torah Fund classes have a separate fee of $36 for the entire year, made payable to Sisterhood Torah Fund. For registration and further information, contact Marilyn Lewis, Torah Fund vice-president, at 847-433-3506 or marilynllewis@yahoo.com.

Torah Fund Book Club

Shabbat

Study in the SuburbsStudy in the LoopConversational Hebrew

ThursdayTalmud: Tractate Rosh HashanaConservative Judaism Looks at Modern Issues Midrash for the Modern WorldLimitless Possibilities

Tuesday

Monday Morning at the MoviesIntermediate Conversational HebrewDemystifying Kabbalah: A Text Based Approach

Monday

Open Conversational HebrewLiterature Class

Sunday

Continuing Education 3

Community Learning OpportunitiesFlorence Melton Adult Mini-School - Limud North BranchA 2-year program of Judaic Studies developed at Hebrew University; this year’s locations are Anshe Emet in Chicago and Temple Jeremiah in Northfield. For further information, contact Rabbi Yehoshua Ben-Avraham at yben@cfje.org.

Note from Rabbi Kurtz: I want to recommend this wonderful opportunity for Continuing Education in our community. We are very proud to be part of a consortium sponsoring the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. We are pleased that so many members of our Congregation have graduated from this program of serious on-going Jewish study. It has made them more knowledgeable and involved Jews. If you have not already signed up, I encourage you to do so and make Continuing Education a priority in your life. You will gain from the experience and be pleased with the results.

North Shore KallahTuesdays, 7:00 – 9:15 pm; February 5, 12, and 19. Location to be determined.This annual learning experience, presented by the North Shore Fellowship of Rabbis, has a wide variety of classes led by various community rabbis, cantors and educators so you can experience Jewish learning from a variety of viewpoints. For further information, please contact Cheryl Swenson at 847-432-8900 x222 or cswenson@nssbethel.org and sign up for the class of your choice.

Limmud ChicagoSunday, February 17, 2013UIC Student Center EastFor information, contact cochairs@limmudchicago.org.

NSS Beth El and CAMERA presentYoram HazonyTuesday, September 11, 2012

A Special Shabbat Weekend with Rabbi Arthur KurzweilFriday, October 19-Sunday, October 21, 2012

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Central District Scholar Dr. Shoshana CohenShabbat, November 3, 2012

AIPAC ProgramWednesday, November 28, 2012

Irving and Janet Robbin Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Jeffrey SalkinFriday, December 14-Sunday, December 16, 2012

Tu B’Shevat Seder/Beth El ShabbatonFriday, January 25, 2013

Rabbi Irving and Amy Frankel ScholarDr. Avivah ZornbergSunday, April 14, 2013

Tikkun Layl Shavuot/Rabbi Phillip Lipis Memorial Lecture followed by all-night study and sunrise ShacharitTuesday, May 14, 2013

Scholars and Special Programs

4 Lifelong Learning

Hebrew LanguageStudy the Language of Our People

Hebrew Crash CourseWednesdays, begins August 15, 8:00–9:30pm (5 sessions)>Dov KahanaBefore the High Holidays, learn to read Hebrew in 5 easy lessons and feel more comfortable with the prayer service.

Open Conversational HebrewSundays, begins September 9, 10:00–11:00am (follows the Cohen Religious School calendar)Practice Hebrew conversation and reading informally with other participants.

Intermediate Conversational HebrewMondays, begins October 15, 6:30 –7:30 pm>Edith Belkind Improve your conversational and reading Hebrew skills. New students are always welcome!

Advanced Beginning Conversational Hebrew Wednesdays, begins October 17, 6:30–7:30pm>Dov KahanaBuild on your beginning conversational Hebrew skills.

Beginning Conversational Hebrew Wednesdays, begins October 17, 8:00–9:00pm>Dov KahanaStudents will gain an understanding of Hebrew grammar and vocabulary; emphasis in this class is on speaking and comprehension.

Advanced Conversational Hebrew Wednesdays, begins October 17, 6:30–7:30pm>Edith BelkindStrengthen and retain your Hebrew skills from Intermediate Conversational Hebrew.

*Conversational Hebrew(Sisterhood Torah Fund)Thursdays, begins October 18, 10:00–11:00am (follows the Cohen Religious School calendar)>Alicia GejmanThis class is designed for adults who have basic fluency in reading and writing Hebrew. The focus of the class is to engage students in simple conversation using real life situations. Classes include the use of props, songs, dialogues and readings.

Continuing Education 5

Jewish Life and CultureLive a Little!

Shalom Hartman Institute Beit Midrash Discussion Series:Peoplehood and Its Role and Significance in Jewish LifeWednesdays, 7:00 – 9:30 pm; once a month (9 sessions; dates to be determined)>Rabbi Vernon KurtzA series of nine lectures and conversations with Hartman Institute scholars led by Donniel Hartman that delve into the idea of Jewish Peoplehood – its complex origins, its implications and how it might be sustained. Lecture and discussion participants include Prof. Israel Knohl, Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, Dr. Micah Goodman, Rabbi Dr. Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, and Dr. Melila Hellner-Eshed. *There will be an additional $25 fee for class materials.

Great Short Stories: Exploring Individuals, Relationships and CommunitiesSundays, 11:15 am – 12:45 pm; Fall dates are October 7, October 28, and November 18 >Lillian MillerReading classic authors and modern works, these stories illuminate the human condition. The assigned story for each class is to be read before coming to class. Several stories will be provided as part of the class and available to be picked up in the Maxwell Abbell Library by September 5th, but some books may need to be purchased. Books on Vernon in Glencoe will provide a ten percent discount if the purchaser mentions that the books are for Ms. Miller’s class, and the books can also be purchased on Amazon.

*Torah Fund Book Club(Sisterhood Torah Fund)Saturday afternoons, 12:30–1:30pm; October 13 and December 15, 2012; January 12, a March date to be determined, and May 4, 2013.>Rachel Kamin 5 sessions to stay and chat after Shabbat Kiddush

*Monday Mornings at the Movies! (Sisterhood Torah Fund)Mondays, 10:00 – 11:00 am; begins October 15 >Hazzan Larry Goller Through the viewing of some of Hollywood’s finest productions, explore how Jews and Jewish values influenced the American film industry, and, through film, American culture. Popcorn will be provided!

Exploring Jewish ArtWednesday, 8:00-9:30 pm; begins November 7 (4 sessions)>Lilach SchragThis monthly class will look at the Jewish experience through Judaica and fine art, and will expose you to treasures of ritual objects, paintings, sculptures, installations and architecture.

Classic Jewish TextBible with Commentary Wednesdays, begins October 10, 10:30–11:30am>Aaron KleinExplore the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) with commentaries in English, as we connect the text in its historical context to our own experiences today.

Torah Cantillation Wednesdays, begins October 10, 7:45 –9:00pm (8 sessions)>Hazzan Larry GollerStudents learn the history and function of cantillation (trope), how to recognize, sing and apply them to Torah text. Students prepare a Torah portion for chanting.

Talmud: Tractate Rosh HashanaTuesdays, begins October 16, 8:30–9:30am >Rabbi Vernon Kurtz Study Jewish law in the original text. Discussion and commentary are in English. New participants are always welcome!

*Conservative Judaism Looks at Modern Issues (Sisterhood Torah Fund)Tuesdays, begins October 16, 10:00–11:00 am>Rabbi Vernon KurtzJoin a discussion of the principles of Conservative Judaism, its interpretation of Jewish law, and its response to modern issues, including ritual, ethics, sex and politics.

*Midrash for the Modern World (Sisterhood Torah Fund)Tuesdays, begins October 16, 11:00–Noon>Rabbi Michael SchwabExplore the depth of meaning in passages of the Torah via beautiful interpretations and engaging stories created by the rabbis, speaking to the core

values of Judaism. Learn the text and discuss its meaning and relevance to us today.

Limitless PossibilitiesTuesdays, October 16 – December 18, 8:00 – 9:00 pm>Rabbi Michael SchwabJoin this lively discussion group to learn how the great wisdom and insight of the weekly Torah portion can be applied to your life! No prior knowledge or skill set is required.

Demystifying Kabblah: A Text Based ApproachMondays, begins November 12, 8:00–9:30pm(6 sessions)>Rabbi Avi FeingoldExplore the major themes within Kabbalah and gain an understanding of the mystical tradition’s significance in Jewish life by examining the Zohar and other classic Kabbalistic texts.

Pray-er: Exploring TefillahWednesdays, begins January 16, 8:00–9:00pm(6 sessions)>Merle TovianExploring the keva (how) and kavanah (why and with what intention) of Jewish prayer – we will look at the siddur but also at other forms of spontaneous and personal Jewish spirituality.

Eicha Cantillation Wednesdays, begins February 2013, 7:45–9:00pm (9 sessions)>Hazzan Larry Goller

6 Lifelong Learning

Jewish Laws of Daily LivingWednesdays, 8:00–8:30 am (this class is year-round and is free)> Rabbi Michael SchwabJoin us for breakfast and study of the Shulhan Arukh – the basic code of Jewish law. Each week we read and translate a short chapter, exploring its impact on our lives and on the way we, as Conservative Jews, interpret it for our time. This is an ongoing class, but no experience is required and new members are welcome at any session.

Study in the LoopThursdays, Noon–1:30 pm, at the Illinois Decalogue Society (3 sessions)> Rabbi Vernon KurtzA study session in the Loop, centered around the ethical issues of our lives. *Advance reservations are necessary; lunch is provided for a nominal fee. Registration for the entire series is encouraged; please contact Lennie Kay at 847-432-8900 x221 or lkay@nssbethel.org

Study in the SuburbsThursdays, Noon –1:30 pm, at BJE (the Board of Jewish Education), 3320 Dundee Rd, Northbrook (3 sessions)> Rabbi Vernon Kurtz A study session in the suburbs, centered around the ethical issues of our lives. *Advance reservations are necessary; lunch is provided for a nominal fee. Registration for the entire series is encouraged; please contact Lennie Kay at 847-432-8900 x221 or lkay@nssbethel.org.

Continuing Education 7

1175 Sheridan RoadHighland Park, IL 60035

Name:

Address:

A class will run only if there are at least 10 students registered in advance.

Complete this registration form. Indicate whether you want to register for a single class, semester, or the entire year. If you have any questions about registration, please contact Marcie Eskin, Informal Education Assistant, at meskin@nssbethel.org or 847-432-8903 x234. You may also register online by clicking on the Registration link on the Lederman Continuing Education page of the synagogue website.

NSS Beth El Continuing Education Registration Form

Email:

Primary Phone: Additional Phone:

Beth El Member?   Yes    No   Female  Male Date of Birth:

I am registering for: Single Class ($18 per session for members; $25 per session for non-members)

Fall Semester 5773 ($60 for members; $90 for non-members)

Spring Semester 5773 ($60 for members; $90 for non-members)

Full year tuition 5773 ($120 for members; $180 for non-members)

I am registering for the following classes: