Adult Education

Adult Education Classes

Adult Learning at Beth Judah is a year-round endeavor and Rabbi Gaber Leads a thought-provoking curriculum.

“These courses are for the young or old, rich or poor, those who have time or not. They are designed to be thought provoking and informative, and I expect that they will generate much spirited discussion,”
–said Rabbi Gaber.

Jewish learning at Congregation Beth Judah is for all ages. Rabbi Aaron Gaber has coordinated a dynamic, fun and stimulating Adult Jewish Education program that is accessible to all who would like to add to their knowledge of Judaism.

As we evolve, so too does our relationship with God and Jewish text. We create and provide opportunities for continued spiritual nourishment, exploration of text and expansion of horizons through a vast range of ongoing and new classes. Whether it is the Rabbi’s bi-weekly Talmud class or weekly Bible class, Hebrew 101, guest lecturers or the Kulp Scholar-in-residence, just to mention some of our offerings, we offer a range of alternatives for all tastes.

Rabbi’s Bible Class

Rabbi Gaber teaches Tuesdays from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. is dedicated to Bible study. The only requirement for this course is a willingness to learn and to explore Torah from many points of view. We are learning together the many different Psalms which are part of daily lives and Shabbat lives. The text for this year’s class was created by Professor Nehama Leibowitz, a noted Bible scholar and teacher of Torah from Israel. She created a series of teaching guides to the weekly portion that were studied by thousands of people around the world through the World Zionist Organization. The classes begin on September 16.

Talmud Havurah Class

Tuesday and Thursday mornings following Minyan is a class studying the weekly Torah readings. The topics include areas of civil law, disposal of found items, the definition of custodial obligations, sales and acquisitions, the prohibition of taking interest on a loan and rules of evidence. There is no Hebrew or background necessary; all the material is presented in English.

BETH JUDAH, VENTNOR, TO BEGIN FALL ADULT ED CLASSES

 

Beginning Monday, October 29, 2012, Rabbi Aaron Gaber will begin teaching a year long course called Conservative Judaism at Its Best.  Rabbi Gaber will explore with students the nature of Conservative Judaism and what it means for us today as individuals and as a community.  What was once a movement of NOT THIS and NOT THAT has become a Movement of the Center offering a traditional understanding of Judaism with a focus on modernity and the future.  We plan to look at the theological, philosophical and historical underpinnings of the Movement so we will understand where North American Judaism may be going in the future.  Rabbi Gaber plans to bring some of today’s Conservative Judaism’s top leaders and great thinkers in through interactive video discussion.  Speakers to include, so far, Rabbi Steven Wernick, CEO of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Dean of the Ziegler School for Rabbinic Studies and Vice President of American Jewish University.  Specific dates for speakers will be announced.   We hope you will join Rabbi Gaber for this fascinating exploration of Conservative Judaism approximately twice a month at Congregation Beth Judah, 700 N. Swarthmore Avenue, Ventnor, beginning October 29, 2012, at 7:00pm.  The cost of the entire course will be $36 to cover the course materials.  There may be an additional donation requested for the speaker programs.  For more information, please contact Congregation Beth Judah at 609-822-7116 and Rabbi Gaber at Rabbi.Gaber@BethJudah.org

 

Beginning on Thursday, November 1, 2012, Rabbi Aaron Gaber of Congregation Beth Judah will teach a yearlong class called, “Walking with History.”  The curriculum, produced by the American Jewish University and the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, is meant to provide high quality, stimulating and challenging materials to help adult learners.  “Walking with History” will expand your understanding of the basic concepts and tenets of Conservative Judaism by exposing you to thinkers, texts and ideas which underpin our tradition.  “Walking with History” provides the learner with an overview of Jewish history from a distinctly modern Jewish understanding of who we are as the Jewish people.  We will explore the major periods of Jewish history from the Biblical to Medieval to Modern periods of time.  We will look at texts which tell a story about where we came from and it will help us understand where we are going as Modern  Jews.

The classes will be held at Makom Mainland, 303 Central Avenue in Northfield, beginning November 1, 2012 at 7:00pm and will meet approximately every other week.  Please contact the synagogue for specific dates.  The cost of the entire course will be $36 to cover the cost of materials.  For more information, please look at www.BethJudah.org or contact Rabbi Aaron Gaber at 609-822-7116 ext 103 or Rabbi.Gaber@bethjudah.org

 

Rabbi Aaron Gaber of Congregation Beth Judah will be continuing his successful summer series called “Expressing Your Spirituality.”  This monthly session will take an intimate look at the prayers contained in our weekday and holiday services.  These classes are meant to help us understand the framework of Jewish prayer by helping us to enhance our relationship with God through daily and weekly prayer.  Rabbi Gaber will explore various parts of the weekday morning service and as well as the special inclusions for the holidays thus forming a rhythm for our lives.  Rabbi Gaber will be teaching on Tuesdays, once a month on the following dates: November 6, December 4, January 8, February 5, April 9 and May 7 following Beth Judah’s Mainland Early Morning Minyan at 6:30am.  Each session will run from approximately 7:30am to 8:00am so you can go work.  Each session is free of charge.  Please contact Beth Judah for more information at www.bethjudah.org or call 609-822-7116.  You may reach Rabbi Gaber at Rabbi.Gaber@BethJudah.org.  All three courses are open to registration from the community.