Hillel, a renowned rabbi and teacher who lived two thousand years ago said: "Do not keep aloof from the community .. and do not say: "When I have leisure I shall study; for you may never have leisure." (Sayings of the Fathers, Pirke Avot 2:5)
At Etz Chayim, we are committed to life-long learning.
Whether you're new to Judaism or Jewish concepts, or grew up in a household steeped in Jewish practice, there is always more to learn. Our approach to Adult Education is to meet people wherever they are and help them on the next steps in their Jewish journey.
When we study together, we benefit from the experiences that each individual brings to the discussions. To paraphrase the words of Joshua Ben Perakhya in Pirkei Avot 1.6, Etz Chayim is a place where you can:
Find a teacher to challenge your answers
Acquire a friend to challenge your questions
Allow everyone room to doubt and challenge opinions, even your own.
Come learn with us!
An Introduction to Talmud
Instructor: Dr. Ilana Goldhaber-Gordon, Etz Chayim Rabbinical Intern
Class times: Thursdays at noon, February 2, 9, 16, 23 & March 1 (bring your own lunch) 2012
"Don't let (your children) study too much Scripture, because it will draw them in." Sound like the words of an anti-religious paranoid? Guess again. That was Rashi, the great medieval Torah & Talmud commentator. Ironically, though they read from a Torah scroll four times a week, lifted their eyes to it and declared it an "Etz Chayim/Tree of Life", pre-modern Jewish scholars believed that studying too much Bible was a waste of time. Real truth lay in Talmud.
Come get a taste of what our ancestors valued so much in Talmud. We'll look at "Tractate" (the treatise on) Brakhot (Blessings) to discover how Talmudic rabbis dealt with prayers that felt false or shallow (sound familiar?) We'll read some of their thoughts on the tough philosophical question of free will. We'll encounter heart-wrenching folklore about the words of a teacher on his deathbed. Ultimately, we will see our own selves in the pages of the Talmud.
All texts will be made available in the original, but we will be working from translations and no Hebrew is required.
Join other women, Jewish or not, to examine interfaith marriage in relation to culture and gender. What are the unique expectations and responses that a woman encounters as she creates a home and builds a family life in which her religion is not that of her partner? Join a multi-generational discussion about the assumptions and possibilities surrounding our roles as sustainers of the family.
This is the first workshop in a four-part series, continuing in the fall of 2012 at Etz Chayim.
Conversational HebrewNew this year!
Instructor: Joanna Zimmerman
Learn the basics of engaging in a modern Hebrew dialogue, emphasizing vocabulary, useful phrases, practical grammar, and trying to acquire an “Israeli accent.”
Weekly on Monday nights, 7-8:30 p.m.
Class length and curriculum will be determined by the interests of the attendees.
Moderators: Alternating between Rabbi Cartun and Hanoch Eiron
CJDF’s intent is to be a vibrant forum for discussing issues of the day, ethical and historical issues and other topics chosen by the participants. The discussions will be moderated, open and respectful. Experts may be invited to provide expert views on some topics. For some meetings suggested readings will be provided in advance. Jewish aspects will be explored in the discussions, although Jewish studies is not the focus of this Forum.
Monthly, the 2nd Sunday evening, 7-8:30 p.m.
Torah Study: Weekly Discussion of the Torah (or Haftarah) Portion
Leaders: Rabbi Cartun, Guest Rabbis, and Lay Leaders
No experience or preparation necessary. Coffee and Tea are ready for you when you arrive.
Encounter the stories, ethics, and history through the weekly texts, and discuss their meanings.
We offer a variety of translations (English, Spanish, Russian) and commentaries (Modern, Traditional, and Scholarly) for you to choose from. Try a different one each week and see their differing points of view.
Saturday mornings, 9-10:00 a.m.
People of the Books (Book Club)
Coordinators: Linda Wittlin and Susan Gold
Join us for noshes and discussions of the month’s chosen book. The books are by Jewish authors or with Jewish themes.
Monthly, mostly the 3rd Sunday morning, 10:30 a.m. to Noon.
February 19: Man in the White Sharkskin Suitby Lucette Lagnado
March 18This Book Will Save Your Life by A.M. Homes
Join Rabbi Cartun and interested Etznikim for Jewish-themed film viewing preceded by a light dinner. Sometimes we screen movies at Etz. Sometimes we go out to see first-run movies of Jewish interest, especially to the Jewish Film Festivals. Bring yourself, friends, and your questions. Let Rabbi Cartun know if you wish to participate in selecting films.
Monthly, usually the 2nd Tuesday evening
February 14 Crossing Delancey
For Valentine’s Day: Try as she might, career woman Izzy Grossman can't escape her family's belief that she needs a man to be happy.
March 13 The First Basket
Special for March Madness and those mourning the NBA:Filmmaker David Vyorst examines the link between basketball and Jewish culture.
April 10 Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story
Special for baseball season: Actor Dustin Hoffman narrates this decade-spanning documentary that highlights the contributions of Jewish Americans to the all American sport.
Immun (What You Can Affirm) Class for AdultsEnrollment closed for this year
Instructor: Rabbi Cartun
Immunmeans Affirming, and is what we do when we say, “Amen!” This is an opportunity to encounter traditional concepts which you may believe and redefine classical Jewish concepts you cannot affirm in line with your beliefs.
Monthly on Tuesday nights, 7:30-9:00 p.m. from October to May
10/08/11 Yom Kippur Afternoon Introduction to the range of topics:
Saturday morning, June 2, 2012: Adult Immun Service.Each person introduces a prayer with a short personal statement of how they have found or made the topic of a prayer meaningful to them.
