Scroll Top

Adult Education

Lifelong learning is a cherished value and tradition here at Congregation B’nai Israel. Our adult education program engages our learners in a wide variety of formats and compelling topics, including Hebrew language, Jewish texts, tradition, values, music, ritual, Israel and contemporary topics.

We strive to offer single and multi-session courses that appeal to all ages and stages, at varied times during the week to enable everyone to participate. If there is a topic that interests you … or something you want to learn … please let us know!

Recurring Classes – Weekly

Modern Law for a Modern Rabbi

Thursday Mornings from 10-11 a.m. in the CBI Library and on Zoom

Join Rabbi Isenberg to study recent Jewish legal decisions that have come out of the Conservative Movement. From whether lab-grown meat can be eaten with cheese to the permissibility of driving electric cars on Shabbat, we’ll examine contemporary topics being discussed by our Movement’s Committee of Jewish Law and Standards.

Starting January 5:

Lifelong Learning

Monday Mornings at 9:30 am on Zoom

January 5: “A Talk on Israeli Current Events” with Lisa Friedman
January 12 and 19:  “Studying the Weekly Torah Portion Through the Lens of Mussar” with Rabbi Helaine Ettinger
January 26:  “Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the USA – The Impact of the 1776 Revolution on Judaism in the United States” with Nancy Weinstein

Starting January 5:

Talkin’ Torah

Monday Evenings at 7 pm on Zoom

Looking to deepen your understanding of the Torah? “Talkin Torah” is a weekly discussion group open to all levels – from curious novices to seasoned learners. To inaugurate the New Year and the Book of Exodus, our first session will focus on Parshat Sh’mot (Exodus 1:1-6:1).

Ongoing Opportunities

Hebrew‌ ‌Reading‌ ‌~‌ ‌At‌ ‌Any‌ ‌Level‌ ‌

Whether‌ ‌you‌ ‌want‌ ‌to‌ ‌learn‌ ‌the‌ ‌aleph-bet,‌ ‌become‌ ‌proficient‌ ‌in‌ ‌a‌ ‌particular‌ ‌prayer‌ ‌or‌ ‌a‌  few‌ ‌prayers,‌ ‌improve‌ ‌your‌ ‌Torah‌ ‌reading,‌ ‌or‌ ‌lead‌ ‌a‌ ‌service,‌ ‌contact Cantor Lorna Wallach ‌for‌ ‌individual‌ ‌30-minute‌ ‌sessions‌ ‌at‌ ‌a‌ mutually‌ ‌convenient‌ ‌time‌ ‌to‌ ‌study‌ ‌on‌ ‌your‌ ‌own‌ ‌terms.‌ ‌

Introduction‌ ‌to‌ ‌Torah/Haftarah‌ ‌Chanting‌ ‌ ‌

Reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌to‌ ‌Cantor‌ ‌Lorna‌ ‌Wallach‌ ‌to‌ ‌arrange‌ ‌a‌ ‌time‌ ‌for‌ ‌private‌ ‌lessons‌ ‌learning‌ ‌Torah‌ or‌ ‌Haftarah‌ ‌trope.‌ She‌ ‌will‌ ‌work‌ ‌with‌ ‌you‌ ‌until‌ ‌you‌ ‌are‌ ‌ready‌ ‌to‌ ‌confidently‌ ‌chant‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌Torah‌ ‌for‌ ‌Shabbat‌ ‌or‌ ‌a‌ ‌simcha‌.‌ ‌

Please contact Cantor Lorna Wallach to discuss your interests!