Jewish education isn’t just for kids.
ONGOING CLASSES
Learner's Minyan Classes
With Rabbi Michelle Robinson
11 Shabbat mornings at 9:30 - 11:15 AM
2 Sunday mornings, 10:15 to Noon
** See below for specific class dates **
Have you felt awkward, frustrated or overwhelmed in a synagogue service? Now is your chance to make yourself at home with the beautiful and inspiring liturgy of our tradition. Come join us as we unravel the structure, choreography, and meaning of the Shabbat morning service as we pray together. No previous background in Hebrew or Jewish education is necessary, just the desire to learn. At the conclusion of each session of the Learner’s Minyan, we will join the Sanctuary for the last third of the service.
- CLASS 1 (Sunday October 29, 9:00 – 10:45 a.m.)
Map Anyone? Navigating the Siddur and Ma Ha Avodah Ha Zot: Why do we pray? A look at Birkot HaSchachar
- CLASS 2 (Shabbat November 4, 9:30-11:15 a.m.)
Boker Tov! Waking up with Psalms: A look at Pesukei D’Zimra
- CLASS 3 (Shabbat November 18, 9:30-11:15 a.m.)
All You need is Love: The blessings before the Shema
- CLASS 4 (Shabbat December 2, 9:30-11:15 a.m.)
Hear O Israel: The Shema
- CLASS 5 (Shabbat December 16, 9:30-11:15 a.m.)
Give Praise to the Lord! Hallel for Hanukkah
- CLASS 6 (Shabbat January 13, 9:30-11:15 a.m.)
“Redemption, Revelation and Relationship: Confronting God in Prayer” The Shacharit service as a whole
- CLASS 7 (Sunday January 21, 9:00 – 10:45 a.m.)
The God who brought us out of Egypt
- CLASS 8 (Shabbat January 27, 9:30-11:15 a.m.)
Stand and Deliver: The Shabbat Amidah
- CLASS 9 (Shabbat February 10, 9:30-11:15 a.m.)
Feel the Rhythm move you: The Shabbat Amidah Continued
- CLASS 10 (Shabbat March 17, 9:30 – 11:15 a.m.)
Torah, Torah, Torah! Torah Service
- CLASS 11 (Shabbat March 24, 9:30 – 11:15 a.m.)
Why, I’d be happy to lift the Torah: Mastering Torah Honors
- CLASS 12 (Shabbat March 31, 9:30 – 11:15 a.m.)
“I do not want your sacrifices” So why do we still pray about them??The Musaf Service and concluding prayers
- CLASS 13 (Shabbat April 21, 9:30 – 11:15 a.m.)
Putting it all together: The entire prayer service
Please pre-register by contacting Rabbi Robinson at mrobinson@templeemanuel.com or (617) 558-8139.
INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
With Rabbi Michelle Robinson
Wednesday evenings
7:00-8:00 PM Introductory Hebrew for those who do not yet read Hebrew
8:00 -9:45 PM Intro to Judaism coursework.
Beginning on Wednesday evening October 25th.
A man once stood outside the Jewish study hall. When asked why he did not come in, he replied, “The gates are locked, and I do not have the key.” Join us as together we discover the keys to open the gates of Jewish history, theology, lifecycle, prayer and ritual. This course aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to Judaism for those interested in filling in the gaps in their basic Jewish education and those who are considering choosing Judaism.
We will meet every Wednesday evening, aside from holiday breaks throughout the year. An introductory Hebrew class with Carl Frutkoff is included as part of the course work from 7:00 – 8:00 PM for those who do not yet read Hebrew. For those who wish to work towards conversion, the course will also involve monthly meetings with the rabbis, participation in the Learner’s Minyan and attendance at Shabbat services. Non-Temple Emanuel members are welcome.
Contact Rabbi Robinson at mrobinson@templeemanuel.com or (617) 558-8139 for more information.
INTRODUCTORY HEBREW
With Carl Frutkoff
Wednesday evenings, 7:00-8:00 PM
Beginning Wednesday night October 25th.
Have you ever sat through services staring at a book whose letters do not make any sense? Have you ever felt like an outsider looking in when everyone else was reading along? Tried and tried before to learn Hebrew but are still struggling with putting it all together? Now is your chance to come and learn Hebrew with a true master. Carl Frutkoff has been teaching Hebrew to Temple Emanuel members with patience, persistence and grace for over 20 years. There is no fee for this course which will turn you into a confident Hebrew reader in just 25 weeks.
Contact Rabbi Robinson at mrobinson@templeemanuel.com or (617) 558-8139 for more information.
Make Your Mark and the 70/70 Challenge
This year our congregation will celebrate its 70th anniversary. We are hoping to celebrate by bringing 70 people that have never read from the Torah to read for the first time. With that in mind, Dan Nesson, our Ritual Director, will be offering a class in reading from the Torah.
The sessions will begin on Sunday, September 11 and will meet from 9:30am to 10:30am.
Please contact the Temple office to sign up!
How to be a Gabbai
If one is reading from the Torah and makes an error - is the reader to be corrected?
If so, how should the correction be made?
If an error is found in a scroll, how do we determine if the scroll is still usable?
When two scrolls are taken from the Ark, which one is returned first?
If you have thought about these questions this is you chance to learn the intricacies of acting as a Gabbi.
Ritual Director Dan Nesson will offer a series of sessions beginning September 11th. The classes will meet Sunday mornings from 11:00 to 12:00. Contact the Synagogue office to sign up.
Building Siddur Fluency
Have you ever wished that you could keep up with reading prayers in the siddur? Would you like to understand and appreciate those prayers more fully? This ongoing weekly class is comprised of enthusiastic adult learners who have already mastered basic Hebrew reading and have basic knowledge of Jewish prayer but wish to improve fluency and comprehension. Learning the meaning of key Hebrew words and phrases in our prayers and understanding the background to each prayer will give you some keys to unlock their meanings in new ways. We welcome newcomers throughout the year and encourage interested learners to stop by.
We meet on most Sunday mornings from 9:15 AM-11:00 AM in the main office conference room: consult the Temple calendar.
Instructor: Anita Redner, 617-469-4295
Shabbat Talmud Study
With Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz
Begins This Shabbat, September 10, at 8:30am
in the office Conference Room in the Office
This year we will study the 5th chapter of Berachot, which deals the issue of intensity in prayer (kavannah), always to be desired but hard to attain.
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What if we can't concentrate?
Should we pray anyway?
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What if we are angry, confused, or distracted (e.g., by events in the world).
Should we pray anyway?
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What if we are exhausted or not in physical conditions that are conducive to prayer?
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Is there a value in going through the motions--namely, establishing a fixed pattern of prayerful conduct (kevah), even if our heart is not on fire?
In life, as in prayer, there can be a tension between intensity and consistency, between passion and predictability. We will see how our wise sages help us navigate this tension so that we live mindfully all
our days.
Sisterhood's
Rabbi's Study Group
With Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz
Tuesdays from 9:30 - 10:30am in the Chapel.
Beginning October 17
This year’s study will be “The Book of Judges: Stories of Rough-Hewn Leaders in a Turbulent Time.” The Jews are surrounded by hostile enemies who seek to do them harm. They suffer from the loss of life and hope and the burdens of war and economic strain. When will it ever end? Will peace ever be possible? This is not only a modern dilemma, it is also an ancient dilemma.
In our Sisterhood class, we will plumb the ancient texts for insights desperately needed in our world today.
Questions? Contact Eleanor Andler at 617- 969-0868.