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Adult Education

Adult Education - Ongoing Programs

     Rabbi Chayva's "Praylist"

At the beginning of each month, Rabbi Chayva makes a little playlist, a praylist, of mostly new Jewish music. You can listen throughout Shabbat and/or anytime to bring the joy of Jewish music to everyday life. Some of these melodies may oneday be incorporated into services. All praylists can be found here.

     Weekly Torah Study

Join Rabbi Chayva for weekly study of the Torah portion.

First Saturday of the month is after Shabbat services at 1:30pm. All other Saturdays in the morning before Shabbat services, from 8:45am to 9:45pm. Check the calendar.

We meet in the Fireside Room and rotate bringing snacks to share. You can also join via zoom.  To receive the link, please sign up for our weekly newsletter or email the office.

     Rosh Chodesh New Month Learning

The Women of Am Tikvah gather monthly from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Fireside Room (and it is also available on Zoom) to learn together with Rabbi Chayva. Rosh Chodesh, meaning the beginning of the month, is a traditional opportunity for Women to spend time together and celebrate.  Catch up on previous learning sessions here.

Adult Education - Upcoming Classes

Torah Trope (Zoom Only)
Thursdays @ 7:00pm, Strting May 8th

Do you want to learn to leyn (chant) Torah and join the intrepid group of community members who read Torah? If you can read basic Hebrew, join the Torah Trope class to learn the symbols (trope marks) and melodies associated with them! You, too, can read Torah!

A Jewish History of World War I
Saturday, May 31, 1:30pm

World War I -- aka the "Great War" -- ended 107 years ago and has faded into the realm of distant historical memory. And yet, Jews fought on both sides of this war, and the end of the European empires and subsequent changes and disruptions had profound impacts on Jewish history through the rest of the 20th century, even up to the present time. This class will look at specific outcomes of the war that changed forever how Jews survived or were doomed in its aftermath.

Adult Education - A selection of recently past opportunities

     Judaism: The Big Picture in 16 Parts

Spring of 2024, Rabbi Chayva led a 16-part series covering "The Big Picture" of Judaism. Whether you're a newcomer to Judaism or have been a practicing Jew your whole life, you're sure to learn something new and fascinating. Each class can stand alone or be attended as a full series. Class dates and syllabus, click here. To watch all sessions, click here.

     

     Mimosas, Munchies, and Media:
     A conversation with author,
     Jonathan Branfman

 

A small group gathered in November of 2024 in a semicircle around Rabbi Chayva and author, Jon Branfman. He arrived joyfully on time and enthusiastic to tell us about the research that culminated in his new book, Millennial Jewish Stars: Navigating Racial Antisemitism, Masculinity, and White Supremacy. What a lot to unpack!

He spoke in his quick East Coast vernacular in conversation with Rabbi Chayva. She asked, "What makes millennial Jewish performers different from earlier stars like Jerry Seinfeld or Fran Drescher?" He explained that today they play up their Jewish lived experience and speak explicitly about it in their work onscreen. While we Jews understood the implicit Jewishness of The Nanny and Seinfeld characters, they never came out and stated explicit experiences of Jewish life like sitting shiva, observing Shabbat, and managing antisemitism. Stars like Drake, rapper Lil Dicky, actor Ilana Glazer, and actor Seth Rogan directly address experienced antisemitism and stereotypes on screen. For example, Glazer and her costar, Abbi Jacobson, confront a centuries-old steretype of the Jewess. You can still purchase a new copy of his book through Am Tikvah.

The Calligraphy of the Torah
Saturday, April 26, 1:30pm

Each week we read from our sacred scrolls--the Torah. Have you ever wondered how a Torah is made? Find out about the process of creating a Torah--the scribe, parchment, quill and ink-- and the secrets of the script--large, small, raised, stretched, broken and even upside down letters. Learn about what makes a scroll kosher and how to preserve them. Come discover the mysteries of the calligraphy of the Torah.

Check back for new educational opportunities!

Wed, April 30 2025 2 Iyyar 5785