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 we offer this year.
How do we talk to our kids about antisemitism in ways that are honest, age-appropriate, and empowering? This session offers tools and opportunities to help each other navigate these difficult but necessary conversations. Participants explore how to respond in the moment, how to build resilience, and how to support each other and our children.
“Current Politics” is an ongoing lecture series on contemporary public issues of interest to Jews as citizens. Professor emeritus David Zarefsky will turn his analytical lens to the aftermath of the November 2026 elections and what they mean for our political landscape. This thoughtful, nuanced conversation helps us make sense of the moment in which we are living.
Rabbi Simcha Bob looks closely at key verses from Ezra and Nehemiah which reveal the birth of Judaism as we know it to explore how Isaiah’s vision that Torah would come forth from Zion unfolded in these days. Participants explore the shift from Paleo-Hebrew to today’s Hebrew script, the start of public Torah reading, and the emergence of the Jewish calendar.
“Biblical Stories in Conversation with Hebrew Poetry” explores how modern Hebrew poetry engages with biblical narrative by pairing a biblical story with a Hebrew poem (in English translation) that echoes, reinterprets, or wrestles with it. Northwestern University professor Hanna Seltzer explores how our oldest stories keep finding new life.
Series: Fridays, October 9 – June 4 | 9:30 – 10:30 am | In-person and Virtual
Join Rabbi Immerman each week to study our weekly Torah portion and uncover the many layers of meaning for both our ancient ancestors and us today. As we engage with our sacred text, we will also explore other writings, both ancient and modern, to provide expand our understanding while providing insight and clarity. Whether you’ve been studying Torah for decades or are new to regular study, our rich discussions will be sure to inspire.
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 alphabet, how to sound out words, and begin to develop proficiency. You will also acquire some basic Hebrew vocabulary. This class meets a requirement for Adult Kabbalat Mitzvah. Cost is $360.
Member registration
Guest registration
If you’d like to participate more meaningfully at services, this class can help you continue to develop your Hebrew skills. This class is for participants who know how to decode Hebrew letters and vowels to sound out words. Participants will develop reading proficiency while exploring the structure and themes of prayers. This class meets a requirement for Adult Kabbalat Mitzvah. Cost is $360.
Take your Hebrew to the next level in an immersive, conversation-driven class inspired by the Ulpan approach. Using Hebrew as the primary language of instruction whenever possible, you’ll strengthen your speaking, listening, and comprehension skills through engaging discussions, real-life scenarios, and authentic materials. Cost is $360.
Tikkun Middot is the Jewish practice of cultivating our inner lives through intentional work on our values and character. A focus on middot (values and character traits) emerges from the traditional Jewish practice of Mussar. Each session focuses on a single middah (character trait) through text study, meditation, guided reflection, and meaningful sharing. Whether you’re new to Tikkun Middot or returning to the practice, you’ll find a supportive community for growing ourselves with intention.
How can you be your best self? Tikkun Middot is a Jewish practice of intentional personal growth. Through guided reflection and supportive community, you’ll build practical habits for responding to life’s challenges with wisdom and compassion. Congregants have found that Tikkun Middot groups have strengthened their relationships to others, deepened their connections to Beth Emet, and been a source of friendship.
Contact Director of Lifelong Learning Lauren Reeves or Tikkun Middot coordinator Marci Dickman to express interest.
New group forming! This ten session group offers a welcoming space to slow down, reflect, and engage deeply with Jewish wisdom and community. Small groups, guided by trained facilitators using the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s Tikkun Middot curriculum, explore qualities such as patience, compassion, gratitude, trust, forgiveness, humility, and mindful speech. Through Jewish texts, meditation, reflection, and honest sharing, we develop practical tools for responding to life’s challenges with greater wisdom and intention. Between gatherings, participants continue the practice through personal reflection and conversations with a chevruta (learning partner), discovering how we can deepen our exploration of ourselves and develop practices that can lead to meaningful transformation This Va’ad (group) will meet monthly beginning in December.
Tikkun Middot Through the Senses will explore the power of creativity as a tool for our own personal renewal and spiritual connection. Using writing, image making, music, movement and prayer, we will delve into how opportunities and obstacles present in our lives impact our choices and actions. Whether or not you’ve practiced Tikkun Middot or have experience in the arts, this group is open to those seeking new avenues of expression.
We will meet once a month for six months beginning in November in person at Beth Emet on Sundays, 1:00–3:00 pm. The group will be limited to twelve participants. As you consider joining us, please take a look at your calendar to make sure of your availability.
Rooted in Jewish ethical wisdom, this program, Fight for Democracy Like a Mensch (FLM), supports those who feel the heartbreak in our current political environment and want to respond—not with despair, but with grounded action. This program helps us face what’s happening with courage, clarity, and compassion, offering tools to metabolize fear, stay in relationships across differences, and act with integrity amidst rising injustice. Fight for Democracy Like a Mensch is a small-group (12 or fewer) Jewish learning journey, using a curriculum designed by Kirva, that helps participants respond to this moment with courage, clarity, and compassion, so as to ensure a thriving democracy. This Va’ad will meet every two to three weeks beginning in January for eight sessions in total.
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
