At CBS we seek to enrich Jewish life through adult education. We aim to provide learning opportunities of Jewish interest to all adult members of CBS.  Check out the CBS calendar and CBS Facebook group page for upcoming events.

Online Adult Hebrew Language Courses

Congregation Beth Shalom is offering adult Hebrew language courses during the coming Spring 2024 semester to teach reading, writing, comprehension, and conversation.

Preliminary (Alef-Bet), Basic, and Intermediate level courses are open to the entire local community and are designed for participants of all faiths. We are tentatively planning to teach our courses Sunday mornings, and Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, starting in February for the Spring semester, for a total of 21 hours per semester.  All classes are conducted remotely via Zoom. These classes are a great opportunity for students to take their Hebrew skills to the “next” level and learn more about this wonderful and holy language. If you would like to know more specifics about our courses and class times, or have other questions, including whether you meet prerequisites, please contact HebrewCourses@napershalom.org.  To register for a course, please send an email to this same email address. . Click here for a registration form.

Lewis Slawsky and Gary Raymond, Adult Hebrew Language Program Co-coordinators

Adult Bnai Mitzvah: First or Second Time Around

The ABM class of 5784 began on Sunday, September 10, 2023, and continues through June or July 2024 when the ABM class will lead a Shabbat Shacharit service. It is directed both to adults who had a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah as a child and would like to expand their Jewish knowledge as the members of the Jewish community and to Jewish adults who never participated in a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah service. Classes meet in person from 9:00 am to 11:15 am in the Library at CBS except during public school vacations or when the teacher or students are out of town, in which case some or all the participants will meet via Zoom.

New members to the current class would be considered if they have the requisite knowledge of Hebrew and are otherwise generally on par with the skills and knowledge of the current class. Otherwise, they would be welcome in September 2024 to the Class of 5785.

Saturday Morning Torah Study, Saturdays at 9am

Rabbi David will lead Torah study class on Shabbat morning at 9 am in person and online in the synagogue library prior to Saturday morning shabbat worship. 

Rabbi’s Study Group – Thursdays at 11:30 AM

Thursday Study Group with Rabbi David is at 11:30 AM. Whether you can come regularly or only drop-in occasionally, join us for the energizing discussions and the joy of learning.

Judaism Has the Answers 

This class is on Thursdays from 7:30pm – 8:30pm. This will be a bi-weekly study group led by Yonah Klem focusing on Torah commentary which will help each of us better understand how the Torah can inform our lives today. Yonah has been teaching topics on Jewish spirituality and Jewish meditation at CBS for over 20 years. For questions and answers about the grou and meeting location, please contact Yonah at yonahklem@gmail.com

Reflections on Jewish Themes

Please join us weekly for “Reflections on Jewish Themes,” moderated by Yonah Klem, from 4-5 pm on Tuesday afternoons. Email Yonah Klem for more information. 

Guest Speaker Program

The Adult Education Committee’s exciting guest speaker program continues. Expect to hear from more community leaders and academic scholars.  Check out the CBS calendar and CBS Facebook group page for upcoming events.

Other Events

We’d love to hear your ideas of an adult education class you would like to see or an activity you’d like to lead.  We welcome educational and experiential ideas for enhancing Jewish life.  Please contact Irwin Gaines, Adult Education Chair, with your ideas.