Our adult learning programs bring together people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of Jewish life for meaningful conversation, exploration, and connection. Taught by clergy, educators, scholars, and community members, our offerings range from single-session programs to ongoing series and cover topics including Jewish text, history, spirituality, current issues, Hebrew, culture, food, film, and more.
Designed for today’s adult learners, our programs create space to ask questions, exchange ideas, and engage deeply with Judaism in ways that feel relevant and meaningful. Whether you attend one session or participate throughout the year, adult learning at Beth Emet is an opportunity to grow, connect, and learn alongside others in our community.
Members and non-members are welcome to participate. Registration is required for all programs, and Zoom links will be shared in advance for online or hybrid programs. Browse our calendar to explore upcoming opportunities and register.
Our upcoming classes and programs cover a variety of topics and meet at a variety of times and days. Look through the calendar to find what you’re going to learn with us!
Browse the adult programming calendar
Below are just a few examples of the kinds of classes, discussions, workshops, and special programs Beth Emet has offered in recent years.
“Poems of Love, War, and Peace” gave participants a taste of Hebrew poetry by reading various poems of Israeli poets about central themes in Israeli existence that are forever intertwined. Dr. Hanna Seltzer guided learners through reading and analyzing poems by prominent Israeli poets such as Yehuda Amichai and Dahlia Ravikovitch.
“Current Politics” is a congregational favorite. Professor emeritus David Zarefsky led a lecture series and discussion about contemporary public issues of interest to Jews as citizens.
“Reengaging Psalms” examined several psalm texts through close readings with Rabbi Michael Balinsky. Participants explored how our ancient texts nourish our contemporary sacred journeys, and what we experience when we study them as text and then use them for prayer.
“Out of the Narrows: The Artists’ Haggadah” gave participants the opportunity to look at this unique Haggadah with artists Carol Neiger and Beth Emet’s Jane Weintraub. Participants talked with them about what inspired them to create a new haggadah and how they collaborated to produce this liturgical text.
Series: Fridays, October 31 – June 12 | 9:30 – 10:30 am | In-person and Virtual
There are many ways to interpret our Tanach and its nuances of meaning that are often overlooked. Having completed our Close Look at Torah, we turn to N’viim / Prophets, beginning with Joshua. New learners are always welcome. If you are new, please register below. If you plan to participate online, you must register to receive a Zoom link. This class meets most Fridays during the program year.
Members Register Here
Guests Register Here
For many people, Hebrew is a gateway to community and learning, opening doors spiritually, intellectually, and socially. It connects us with people in Israel, Jewish communities worldwide, and fellow learners here at Beth Emet. Whether you’re starting from scratch or building on what you know, now is the perfect time to learn in our supportive, stimulating classes. Hebrew meets weekly during the school year (with breaks for Thanksgiving, winter, and Passover). Scholarships are available. You can contact Director of Lifelong Learning Lauren Reeves for more information about these classes or for help connecting with private instructors.
This beginner class is an opportunity for learners with no or limited Hebrew background to become familiar with the Hebrew alphabet, how to sound out Hebrew words, and begin to develop reading proficiency. You will also acquire some basic Hebrew vocabulary that connects us to Jewish life, ritual, tradition, and Israel. This class meets a requirement for Adult Kabbalat Mitzvah.
Members, click here to register.
Guests, click here to register.
If you’d like to participate more meaningfully at services, this class can help you continue to develop your Hebrew skills. Participants will develop Hebrew reading proficiency while exploring the vocabulary, structure, and themes of Shabbat worship services and prayers. This class meets a requirement for Adult Kabbalat Mitzvah.
This class uses an Ulpan-like immersive setting to teach modern conversational Hebrew. Participants will read news articles, discuss life and current events, and other basic conversations in Hebrew. The only prerequisite is basic Hebrew skills.
Beth Emet uses budgeted funds and fees to support our adult education program. This year, instead of individual registration fees for specific classes, our goal is to secure $4,000 in donations to cover our costs. Please consider an optional donation to the adult education fund when you register to help sustain our commitment to lifelong learning.
Beth Emet Adult Programming is supported in part by a generous grant from the David D. Polk and Marian Polk Fried Adult Jewish Studies Fund of the Beth Emet Foundation.
Beth Emet Adult Programming is also supported in part by the generosity of the Jewish Education: Lifelong Learning Opportunities (JELLO) Fund of the Beth Emet Foundation.
Reach out to Lauren Reeves, Director of Lifelong Learning.
Contact Lauren
