Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning at Kesher Israel-A Journey

Yes, we have changed our name…but only to serve YOU better! We are planning a wider array of programs and opportunities to enhance and educate our community. Look for more dates and details to follow on flyers, in The Link and the Weekly E-mail. Our emphasis this year is to build community and understanding within the full spectrum of our congregational community through learning and enjoying together.

Engaging Israel: Jewish Values and the Challenges of Nationhood Lecture & Study Series by the Shalom Hartman Institute

Through video lectures, text study, and lively group discussion, we are pleased to bring the world-renowned faculty of the Hartman Institute into the Kesher Israel community this year. Going deeper than the political issues of the day, the course re-frames and elevates the discussion about the enduring significance of the State of Israel for contemporary American Jews by rooting it in Jewish values and ideas rather than in a response to crisis. We will explore questions such as: What are the benefits of Jewish sovereignty? How should a Jewish state exercise military power ethically? How do we create and maintain a Jewish democracy? Why should American Jews care about Israel? What values should a Jewish state embody? What can Israel offer the world? In this way, Engaging Israel will equip participants with a quintessentially Jewish values-based vocabulary to define and articulate why Israel and Zionism can and should be fundamental to our Jewish identity. Rabbi Rosin will facilitate. Sunday Mornings 9:45 -11:45 a.m.  Dec. 4, 11, 18, Jan 8, Feb. 12, 26, March 11, 18

This is a FREE opportunity for KI members.  Non-members $50; course book for all $20.  Sign up in the KI office.

Rabbi Rosin Classes

Sunday, Nov 6   9:45-11:00 a.m.  "What to say (and not say) in a House of Mourning"

Wednesday, Dec 7  5:00-6:30 p.m.   Title- Discussion: "Raising Children in an Anxious World

Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Rosin

Thursdays 12:30 p.m.: Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17  

Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies “Walking with God” series. Bring a dairy or vegetarian lunch and come to learn.."

First Fridays at Kesher Israel

Enjoy a relaxing Friday night service on the following dates followed by a stimulating speaker. There will be a special oneg to top off the evening. Friday nights: Dec. 2, 2011  Jan. 6  Mar. 2  June 15, 2012

Friday Night Dec. 2  - our own Stew Feinberg will speak after services on “Gunfight at the Star-of-David Corral”  After you have to get out of Dodge for killing someone, even accidentally, where shall you go?  What shall you do?  Frankly my dear, the Torah does give a damn.  Find out about Cities of Refuge and your protection from revenge.

Friday Night Jan. 6-"Opening to the Mysterious Unfolding of Life"    This class will explore the intersection between and Jewish tradition and mindfulness practice with a focus on how we can best meet the blessings and challenges of our lives.   Rabbi Yael Levy is the Rabbinic Director of Spiritual Development at Mishkan Shalom Synagogue and the Rabbi of A Way In Jewish Mindfulness Center.

Prayer Bites 2011-2012

“Prayer as the Springboard for Repairing the World” with Rabbi Kravitz, Shabbat mornings 10:15-10:45 a.m.

Sep. 24 "Praying...Bringing the words into the Streets" (Siddur as a guide for Social Action)

Oct. 22 "Morning Prayers...Beginning our Day with a Call to Action" (Birchot HaShachar)

Nov.19 "Awakening our Souls to the Challenges of Living" (Nishmat Kol Hai) 

Dec. 17 "Standing with Others to Repair the World" (The Barechu, the Call to Action)

Jan.21"We're Not Alone In this World"  text: The Shema

Feb.25 "Accepting Personal Repsonsibility"  text: The Amidah

March 17 "The Prophets: A Call to a Higher Standard"  text: The Haftarah and Blessings

April 28 "Dancing and Crying Together---Building a Community"  text: Mi Shebayrach Blessings

May 19 "Our Past as an Inspiration for Future"--text: Mourners' Kaddish/Yizkor

Beginner Hebrew for Adults

Eight Wednesday afternoons 5:20-6:20 p.m. with Scott Kawalek. Oct.  26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21

Are you the parent of a 3rd grader? While everyone is invited, this course is especially for you. This is a class designed for adults to help you learn the letters, put the letters together and begin reading. Whether you have no Hebrew knowledge or it has been many years since you took Hebrew and want to re-learn the letters and begin reading readiness. The class is eight, one hour sessions in a friendly, non threatening and fun environment (just ask some of the folks who were students last year).  The class is being offered at a time that can work for you. While your son/daughter is in Religious school or is not in class, you can bring them along and they can sit in the back of the class and draw, read, play etc. Cost: $50, min. of 8 participants.  Sign up in the KI office.

Global Day of Jewish Learning  Yes, back by popular demand! Rabbi Alan LaPayover guiding us through the Global Day of Jewish Learning  on Sunday, Nov. 13 & 20,  9:45 -11:45 am 

Shema -- God Is One
A 2-session study of the Shema -- Judaism's fundamental affirmation -- in which we will examine its role in Jewish life and tradition and explore its meaning(s) in our own lives.
Session 1: Shema -- Listen Up!  An introduction and overview of the text and its place in Jewish life, especially in prayer and life cycle moments.
Session 2: Adonai Ehad -- The Big Deal About Oneness: polytheism and idolatry vs. Jewish monotheism; what does the Oneness of God mean to us?

Basic Bimah Skills 

Oct. 30, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary with Dan Winicur &  Susan Grumer

Does the thought of being called up for an Aliyah cause sweaty palms? Come to this low key participatory course on how to do an Aliyah  (Blessings before and after the Torah readings), dress and lift the Torah, open the Ark, and how to feel comfortable doing so.

Developing a D’var Torah

Learn to develop themes from the text leading to presenting a five minute D’var Torah. Maury Hoberman, MD will facilitate the three  sessions using the parsha of the week as the class source.  Sunday mornings Nov 6  11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. (after the Rabbi's class) & a second and third date to be decided by the class.

Movie Nights at KI co-sponsored by Lifelong Learning and Synaplex

Sunday Evening:  Nov. 13 2011  6:30 p.m.  Have a lite bite at home then come for an early movie.

"Live and Become"  Shlomo, an Ethiopean boy, is placed by his Christian  mother with an Ethiopean Woman whose child has died.  This woman, who will become his adoptive mother, is about to be airlifted from a Sudanese refugee camp to Israel during Operation Moses in 1984.  His birth mother, who hopes for a better life for him, tells him "Go, Live, and Become," as he leaves her to board the plane.  The film tells of his growing up in Israel and how he deals with the secrets he carries: not being Jewish and having left his birth mother.

Future dates--Saturday Evenings: Jan. 7  "Nora's Will"            March 17, 2012  

There will be discussion/schmoozing after the movies. 

Coming in the Spring:

Meditation

One Book/One Jewish Community  The List  by Martin Fletcher , Brunch and lecture

Israeli Independence Day roundtable for Adults