Adult and Family Education

Expand Your Jewish Education

At Beth El we provide a wide range of opportunities to expand your Jewish education.

Family education programs at Beth El bring family members together for various Jewish experiences. Programs include holiday celebrations, ethical discussions, and life cycle preparatory events.

These activities focus on transmitting rituals, traditions, ethics, and values, while increasing interaction among the generations and promoting a greater sense of community within Beth El.

Ways to Get Involved

Here’s a sample of our yearly Family Education activities:

  • Build the Joy Sukkot program
  • Mitzvah Day
  • Kindergarten consecration
  • Shabbat Across America
  • Tikkun Leil Shavuot
  • End-of-year picnic

For more information, you can contact Elisha Rothschild Frumkin, Education Director.

Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute

Formerly the Saul Bendit Adult Institute, this award-winning program has two six-week semesters each year. Jewish history, classic and contemporary Jewish literature, Israeli TV shows, ethics, and Torah are just a few of the many subjects you might find covered.

Find out more

Study the Torah with Rabbi Harris

Rabbi Harris leads a Parshat HaShavuah (the weekly Torah reading) study group on Wednesday mornings. This class meets weekly for three years and reviews each week’s reading following the triennial cycle. Texts are studied in English with reference to the Hebrew. Students of all experience levels are welcome. Classes are held each Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:00 am at Beth El.

Please contact Rabbi Harris at 301-652-2606, ext. 105 for more information.

Parashat Class with Marilyn Fine

Taught by scholar and Beth El Religious School teacher Marilyn Fine, this class meets most Thursday mornings from 9:45 am to 11:05 am. The text of the weekly parasha is studied in Hebrew and English through examination of classical and contemporary commentary, as well as midrash. Discussion and personal reflection are encouraged. A small fee is charged. For more information contact Marilyn Fine at jmrt@juno.com.

Rosh Chodesh: It’s a Woman Thing

Join Sisterhood/Zhava for this monthly program open to all women for learning, socializing, and discussion, led by adjunct clergyperson Rabbi Mindy Portnoy.  Sponsored by Sisterhood/Zhava. Check the Beth El calendar for dates and times.

Jews and Brews with Rabbi Harris

These monthly shiurim (lessons) are designed to let dads meet and complement what their children are learning in Religious School 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.

The no-cost class meets at the Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Bethesda from 9:00 pm to 11:00 once a month. For more information, please contact Rabbi Harris at 301-652-8569, ext. 105.

A Taste of Talmud

This class, taught by Adjunct Rabbi David Abramson, meets every Tuesday morning year-round at approximately 8:15 am following morning minyan. All are welcome. There is no fee.