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Adult Education

Adult Education

Adult Learning Opportunities
At all ages and stages, shared Jewish learning offers us intellectual challenge, moral guidance, spiritual enrichment, and the opportunity to form deep and sustaining friendships. Beth Am’s learning opportunities are designed to build relationships, helping us connect more deeply with our history, with the traditions of the Jewish people and with one another. Learning at Beth Am is structured as a journey that is both accessible and challenging, inviting those at every level to progress and grow in their Jewish knowledge and practice. Our learning is a Jewish spiritual path, leading us to explore sacred questions of meaning and purpose, our place in the world, our relationship to a Power beyond ourselves.

There are numerous learning opportunities at Beth Am, from drop-in classes to more formal courses. Many of our offerings are free and open to the general public; others have a fee or are meant specifically for Beth Am members. If you are interested in attending a course but need help with the fee, please don’t hesitate to contact Rabbi Sarah Weissman — we will work something out. And if you have a great idea for a new class or speaker, let her know that too. We are always working to expand and improve our adult learning opportunities.

Please scroll down to view our NEW LEHRHAUS PROGRAMS, MULTI-SESSION CLASSES and ONGOING CLASSES. Please check the calendar for dates and links to class pages.

Please consider making a donation to support Beth Am's adult education programming. Learn more.

NEW LEHRHAUS PROGRAMS:
Additional information about Lehrhaus programs is available online. Click on the plus symbol to reveal a description for each class.


A screening of selections from renowned Israeli Filmmaker Yair Qedar’s Gay Days. Qedar will be in conversation with Arthur Slepian, founder of “A Wider Bridge,” exploring media as a window into Israeli society and culture and the LGBTQ movement in Israel and the Bay Area. Learn more and register.
 

The relationship between the Chinese and Jews, ancient civilizations with many shared values, evolved in San Francisco’s second century to one of mutual support. Learn more and register.
 

MULTI-SESSION CLASSES:
Click on the plus symbol to reveal a description for each class.


This course, taught by the Beth Am clergy, is for anyone who wishes to learn (or re-learn) more about Judaism. Tuition: $180 for Beth Am members and full-time students; $270 for non-members | 21 sessions. Learn more and register by October 2.
 

This course is taught in Hebrew and is aimed at experienced Hebrew learners. Students will bring current events or good news to discuss in class. We will read articles that will help us practice conjugation and enrich our vocabulary. Tuition: $200 | 8 sessions. Learn more and register by October 26.
 

Back by popular demand, Stanford PhD student Ariel Horowitz will teach on a selection of novels and short stories by Israeli and American Jewish writers. The syllabus will be available online soon. Tuition: $120 | 8 sessions. Learn more and register by October 12.
     

It’s not too late to start from the beginning! Hebrew teacher/tutor Lisa Rauchwerger will teach students to read Hebrew, starting with the Alef Bet. Tuition: $500 | 25 sessions. Learn more and register by October 5.
 

ONGOING CLASSES:
Click on the plus symbol to reveal a description for each class.


We focus on a thoughtful reading of the weekly Torah portion, exploring the historical, ethical and spiritual questions raised by the text. Every session offers learning, lively interchange and ample opportunity for questions and discussion. People of all levels and backgrounds are welcome, and Hebrew knowledge is not required. Learn more about Torah Study.
 

Slow Torah is a lay-led class that continues the Beth Am tradition of studying the Torah verse by verse. The class rotates discussion leaders (on a volunteer basis) each week, and participants are encouraged to share sources or insights related to the verse(s) we're studying. All are welcome, whether you’re new to Torah study or a longstanding member of the Shabbat morning Torah Study class. Just bring your curiosity, yourself and your love of learning and studying Torah, real slow.
 

The Philosophy Minyan is a monthly lunchtime series on Zoom. All are welcome to join in an interactive and thought-provoking exploration of topics at the intersection of philosophy, Jewish thought and contemporary issues. No advance reading is required and participants will receive online access to all the class materials following each session.
 

Come study selections from the Talmud and other rabbinic sources. The focus is on understanding what the texts meant to our ancestors and what they might mean to us today. No prior Talmud experience is necessary. The class is designed to allow participants to drop in and study whenever they can. Join in person or via Zoom. Check the calendar for links to class registration pages.
 

This lay-led group is an outgrowth of the longest running, continuous study group at Beth Am. We choose a book, read it aloud and discuss it. For the Zoom access link, please contact Joan.


Support Adult Education

Please consider making a gift to one of these funds in honor or memory of a loved one.

The Lori Levinson Luft Adult Education Fund supports lifelong learning programs, provides scholarships for congregants in need of assistance and helps Beth Am to develop and launch new programs.

The Rabbi Akselrad Lectureship Fund supports lecturers and programs that focus on social justice, ethics and/or human relations.

The Saxe Family Scholar-in-Residence Endowment Fund supports an annual scholar-in-residence program at Congregation Beth Am.

The Susan Gaskill Adult Jewish Learning Fund provides scholarship assistance as needed to any adult member of Congregation Beth Am for the purpose of participating in Jewish study opportunities outside of congregational programs. The fund also supports professional development for Beth Am teachers.

Mon, October 2 2023 17 Tishrei 5784