February 06, 2012   13 Sh'vat 5772
Bet Aviv, Columbia, MD
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About Adult Education  

Our adult education programs are interactive experiences between dynamic speakers and participants. Topics may focus on Jewish and world history, Biblical issues, and comparative religion among others, prompting discussions of social, cultural and political influences. Normally held as two hour sessions on Sunday, the programs are free and open to the entire community, not just members.  On those occasions when an optional brunch is offered, we charge a nominal fee to cover the cost of the food.

For additional information, please feel free to get in touch with Bob Rabinowitz or contact us.

Special Adult Education Programs  

Gene Klein Scholar in Residence Program

Bet Aviv's annual Gene Klein Scholar in Residence Program is an immensely popular program funded in memory of one our founding members. Our congregants are provided with several opportunities for learning about topics of interest to Reform Jews. Our first Scholar in Residence program featured Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, a former rabbi of Temple Isaiah in Howard County. A previous speaker was Rabbi Aaron Panken, Dean of the Hebrew Union College -Jewish Institute of Religion's New York School. An accomplished and delightful speaker, Rabbi Panken delivered a sermon at our Friday evening Shabbat service on the future of Reform Judaism and enlightened us on Saturday by illustrating the origins of Jewish beliefs on abortion and stem cell research. In 2006, our Scholar in Residence was Rabbi Larry Raphael, brother of Rabbi Marc Raphael and the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco. Larry Raphael spoke of his visit to Israel sponsored by the New Israel Fund, of the decision about Intelligent Design and regaled us with an anthology of Jewish mystery writers. To make the day even more festive, congregants enjoyed a community Shabbat lunch between the morning and afternoon sessions. In 2007 Julie Galambush, Assoicate Professor of Religion at the College of William and Mary spoke to us about on "Lady Widsom and How she Grew and The New Testament "Letter to the Hebrews".  In 2009, Rabbi Stephen Fuchs reprises his role as our Scholar in Residence and will offere a biblical and midrashic perspective on why God chose Abraham as partner and present a sermon on "Violence in the Media".

Florence and Harry A. Dobkin Book Review

Funded in memory of Harry Dobkin, a man who thoroughly enjoyed Bet Aviv's Adult Education programs, the purpose of this program is to review a new book of Jewish importance each year. For our 2006 book review, Rabbi Marc Lee Raphael led participants in a discussion of Jonathan Rosen's novel, Joy Comes in the Morning. A lively discussion followed.

Scholar in Residence Program - Rabbi Fuchs and Rabbi Raphael
Rabbi Fuchs and Rabbi Raphael speak at the Sholar in Residence luncheon.
Upcoming Adult Education Events  
February 2012
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
02/12 -  Hebrew Class
Rabbi Bernstein will offer a course on: “Reading the Prayer Book in Hebrew.” This informal class is geared to improve each student’s reading ability of prayer book Hebrew with the goal of becoming a more fluent reader and for the student to increase his or her prayer book vocabulary. The course will be held in the homes of participants.
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
02/19 -  Hebrew Class
Rabbi Bernstein will offer a course on: “Reading the Prayer Book in Hebrew.” This informal class is geared to improve each student’s reading ability of prayer book Hebrew with the goal of becoming a more fluent reader and for the student to increase his or her prayer book vocabulary. The course will be held in the homes of participants.
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
02/26 -  Adult Education
Please join us for our next Adult Education Session. Rabbi Bernstein will speak on "Reform Judaism: Origins, Beliefs and Contributions". What origins of Reform Judaism are most important to keep 200 years after its founding? What beliefs continue over time and how have Reform Jewish beliefs changed over the course of time and for what reasons? What has Reform Judaism bequeathed not only to the other branches of Judaism, but to religious thought and practice altogether? Contact Bob Rabinowitz to RSVP.
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
March 2012
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
03/11 -  Adult Education
Please join us for our next Adult Education Session. Rabbi Bernstein will speak on "Reform Judaism in the Context of other Jewish Movements and Traditions". Each stream of Judaism can be viewed as a stream or branch unto itself that develops, for the most part, quite separately from other branches. Is each of our streams a reaction to another? What have we taken from one another and what have we given? How does Reform Judaism “stack up” in comparison with the other branches these days? Contact Bob Rabinowitz to RSVP.
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
03/25 -  Adult Education
Please join us for our next Adult Education Session. Rabbi Bernstein will speak on "The Challenges Facing Reform and Progressive Judaism in the 21st Century". There are specific challenges facing all Jews? What might be some of the challenges and opportunities of Reform as it goes further into the 21st century? What of our past will help us navigate through those uncharted waters? Contact Bob Rabinowitz to RSVP.
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
April 2012
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
04/22 -  Adult Ed
Cantor Auerbach will teach a class on: “The Book of Psalms: Words and Music.” The Psalms have provided words of comfort and inspiration to Jews (and Christians) throughout the centuries. Learn about the history, theology and poetry of the Book of Psalms. We will focus on several beautiful Psalms, discussing their meaning and listening to different musical interpretations of the texts. Please contact Bob Rabinowitz to attend.
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
May 2012
An Introduction to Midrash and Jewish Legends. Beginning on Tuesday, January 3, in the Quad Room at the Meeting House, this ongoing course will be scheduled monthly until May. Rabbi Bernstein will lead a textual discussion on Jewish Legends about the Bible and holidays. The text for the class will be Sefer HaAgadah, (Book of Legends) originally written in Hebrew by Bialik and Ravintzky and later translated into English by William G. Braude. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch as we will discuss some basic legends about our Bible and holidays throughout the year. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein to participate.
Significant Jewish Books  

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