Adult Education Opportunities
Adult Education is a central focus of Congregation Beth El’s programming and we would welcome your participation. If you have any questions regarding Adult Education opportunities at Congregation Beth El, including those described below, please send an e-mail to Congregation Beth El's Vice President of Education Jonathan Levy at: VPEducation@bethelmc.org or contact the Congregation Beth El clergy/staff representatives identified below.
Our award winning Saul Bendit Adult Institute, the Beth El Adult Academy, a number of other weekly and periodic offerings, including Parshat ha Shavuah (weekly Torah portion) and Talmud classes, as well as panel discussions and lectures, are described below. Our classes are taught by clergy and expert lay persons. Classes are free unless otherwise indicated.
Congregation Beth El also encourages members who have ideas for new course offerings to contact our clergy, our staff or the Education VP Jonathan Levy with suggestions so that we may work together to start a new class or to expand the topics covered by our existing programs.
Saul Bendit Adult Insitute
Beth El Adult Academy on Sunday mornings
Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class
Other regularly scheduled offerings are presented below by day of the week:
Talmud Class: Monday evening from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Zahler Social Hall
Led by Beth El's congregant Elliot Wilner, the class studies Tractate Brachot ("Blessings”) in English translation. This fascinating and inspiring Tractate, the first in the Talmud, deals with prayer and blessings. For those new to Talmud study, Brachot is a great place to jump in and start learning. There is no charge, all are welcome, and knowledge of Hebrew is not required.
A Taste of Talmud by Adjunct Rabbi David Abramson
Class every Tuesday morning year-round at approximately 8:15 am, following morning minyan. All are welcome; no fee.
Talmud Class by Rabbi Scolnic
Class on Tuesday morning from 8:30 am to 9:30am
Members or non-members attending the class generally come to the morning Minyan that starts at 7:30 am, have breakfast following the Minyan, and then go to class. Rabbi Scolnic, Beth El’s Rabbi Emeritus, goes over the text of a portion of the Talmud (currently the tractate Megillah), gives his interpretation of the text and invites people to participate in the discussion. There is no charge and advance permission to attend is not needed. You are encouraged just to show up and join the group.
Parshat ha Shavuah (weekly Torah portion) by Rabbi Rudolph
Class on Wednesday morning from 9 am to 10:30 am
This class is open to enrollment once every 3 years and continues for a 3-year period (corresponding to the triennial reading cycle) until the class graduates. The course is held on a weekly basis starting in September and continuing to the end of June. The class studies the Torah portion which will be read on the following Shabbat by using the Etz Haim Chumash translation and commentaries, to which Rabbi Rudolph adds his own commentaries and insights.
There is no charge but permission is needed to attend since the number of participants is limited. The next cycle will begin in September 2012.
Please contact Rabbi Rudolph wrudolph@bethelmc.org or 301-652-8569 x318 if you wish to put your name on a list for the next class.
Haftarah (weekly portion of the Prophets) by Rabbi Harris
Class on Wednesday morning from 9:30 am to 10:45 am
The haftarah (the weekly reading from the Prophets which is read following the reading of the Torah at the Shabbat morning service) and its connections to the appropriate Torah reading are examined. This class is taught on a 2 year cycle.
There is no charge but permission is needed to attend since the number of participants is limited. The next cycle will begin in September 2010.
Please contact Rabbi Harris at gharris@bethelmc.org or 301-652-8569 x305
Parshat Class by Marilyn Fine
Class on Wednesday morning from 9:30 am to 10:45 am
This class meets from September to June and studies the week’s parsha by focusing on a limited number of verses in Hebrew and English and discussing classical and contemporary insights on the text.
Conversational Hebrew Class by Yocheved Karlin
Class on Wednesday evening from 6:45 pm to 9:30 pm over two semesters -- Fall and Spring
The class holds conversations in Hebrew on various topics of interest and studies current Hebrew articles.
Prerequisite: Relative fluency in Hebrew since the entire class is conducted in Hebrew.
Young Dad's Night Out by Rabbi Harris
Class at Rock Bottom Brewery downtown Bethesda, once a month at 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm
These monthly shiurim (lessons) are designed to have Dad's meet each other and complement what their children are learning in Religious or Jewish Day Schools. Discussion topics change each month and include: challenges from the Torah and the Talmud, understanding the Jewish life cycle, current events, parenting issues, and more.
No cost for the class. Drop in once or each time.
Please contact Rabbi Harris at gharris@bethelmc.org or 301-652-8569 x305
Iyun T'filah (Penetrating Prayer) by Hazzan Lubin
On Shabbat Morning every other week from 8:30 am to 9:15 am in the Library
The class meets before the main service. It is designed to help the worshiper appreciate the order, content, history, theology and poetry of the Sidur (Prayer book). It prepares the student to gain a more meaningful and spiritual experience from the
worship experience.
No cost. For more information, please contact Hazzan Lubin at alubin@bethelmc.org or 301-652-8569 x317.
Shabbat Afternoon Study Group
Every Saturday at 12:40 pm to 1:40 pm, right after the Kiddush, in the Zahler Social Hall
All are welcome to attend this class, led by congregants; no prior knowledge is needed and each class stands on its own. Feel free to bring coffee, food, and a friend (or two!).
Other periodic offerings: the following courses are offered from time to time. Please consult the contact person below for specific dates and times.
Torah Cantillation Class
This class provides instruction in chanting from the Torah in six one-hour lessons. A CD and a manual authored by Hazzan Lubin are distributed to the attendees at a cost of $15. A basic ability to read Hebrew is essential. Chanting the Torah at a service is a most fulfilling and spiritually rewarding experience. Some years, this class is included in the Saul Bendit Institute program.
Please contact Hazzan Lubin at alubin@bethelmc.org or 301-652-8569, ext. 317.
Community-based Education and Speakers
Community Torah Institute
Each year, typically in February or March, Congregation Beth El hosts a panel of distinguished scholars who lead discussion on a wide variety of topics. Please check our website for further announcements on this event for 2008.
Scholar in Residence
Each year, Congregation Beth El hosts an invited scholar who presents a series of lectures during weekend events. Please check our website for further announcements on this year’s invited scholar.
Click here for more information.
Sunday morning Men’s Club Speaker series
After the Sunday morning Minyan, Mens Club sponsors a breakfast and a program of approximately one-hour.
These programs are generally on Jewish issues, science/medicine, politics/elections or other topics. They are intended for the benefit and participation of the entire congregation with notices to the general community. The programs have included speakers from the Israeli Embassy, Ambassadors, journalists, members of Congress, leading scientists, local officials, Rabbis and congregants who are experts in their fields such as taxes, immigration reform, litigation, women's health, or the liturgy. At times movies that have Jewish content are shown.
Another featured program is the Perspectives in Dialog in which outside high profile speakers address members and non-members on Sunday morning in lieu of the regular speaker program.
In addition, Hearing Men’s Voices is held the first Thursday of each month at the synagogue. Issues of concern to men are addressed (e.g. religious issues, personal histories, ethical wills, observing Jewish laws and traditions).
The Men’s Club participates in the Federation of Jewish Men’s Club programs such as the World Wide Wrap, which teaches congregants how to use Tefillin, and discusses the history and background of putting on Tefillin.
Finally, Men’s Club sponsors a Mincha/Seudah Shlishit/Havdallah on the third Shabbat of each month at which a D'var Torah lesson and discussion is usually held.
Click here for more information about Men's Club
Senior Caucus and Vattikim Programs
The Senior Caucus sponsors cultural programs and lectures which explore Jewish music and art, consumer affairs, ethical wills, journalist reports, senior issues, and subjects of interest at the monthly Round Table with the Rabbi.
Vatikkim meets weekly with lectures by Rabbi Rudolph, Rabbi Harris, Rabbi Scolnic, Hazzan Lubin, or members with special expertise.
For more information, please contact Ricardo Munster at rmunster@bethelmc.org or 301-652-8569 x316
Click here for more information about Senior Programs
Sisterhood Education Program
The Beth El Sisterhood usually sponsors two or three programs each year dedicated to Jewish learning.
For more information, click Sisterhood or Zhava
If you have any questions or require more information, regarding Adult Education opportunities at Congregation Beth El, including those described above, please send an e-mail to Congregation Beth El's Vice President of Education Jonathan Levy at: VPEducation@bethelmc.org