Adult Jewish Growth

Jewish learning is a lifelong process and adult education is a tradition at Shaarai Shomayim.  Our Adult Jewish Growth program is multi-faceted, with a variety of classes meeting almost every day of the week.  It includes Hebrew study on two levels, ongoing Torah and Talmud Study, movie nights, Friday Forums, book discussions, and two series on Monday evenings.  This year, the first semester provided the Hineini series: guest speakers on a variety of topics such as “Words of Comfort,“ “Eating Disorders,“ and “Mingled Branches;“ followed by a nine week discussion with Rabbi Paskoff on our relationships with God.  In addition, we call on faculty at area colleges, some of whom are congregants, to share their knowledge in areas of Jewish life in a six week scholar series; and this year we are offering a three week Art and Music series.

Within the Adult Jewish Growth program, we also have opportunities for private lessons with Rabbi Paskoff.  This is an option for our non-Jewish members who are considering conversion, or for adults who didn’t have the opportunity to celebrate becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah at age 13, and want that opportunity as adults.

There are also opportunities for adults to participate musically in our congregation and community through Chavrai Zamir (our congregational choir), or our Klezmer Band, the Chopped Liver River Band.  Of course, for those who are into acting, our Purimshpiel is a cornerstone of our annual programming.

This year’s learning opportunities and activities include Talmud Study, Torah Study, Adult Family Education, Adult Night at the Movies, Rosh Chodesh Group, Scholar Series, Adult Retreat, Music Groups, and more.

To view a complete listing of our 2008-2009 Adult Jewish Growth offerings,
click here.  For further information, contact us.