Adult Education
Learning is a life-long endeavor. The questions and interests may changeas people become adults, but according to the wisdom of our tradition,the process remains the same. Therefore, our religious school offers opportunities for Jewish learning for adults. Some classes meetduring religious school on Sundays and during the evening on a weeknight.A separate course catalogue is available describing class options.
As Rabbi Hillel said, “When I have leisure I shall study, perhaps you will never have leisure.” Whether you are interested in joining our adult choir, becoming an adult B’nai Mitzvah or joining us on a spiritual retreat in the desert, come make the time to join us as we learn and grow as a community.
CLASSES CURRENTLY BEING OFFERED:
For the complete brochure with a full list of all courses and class descriptions, please click here.
Click here for the registration form.
Back to the Sources: The Hebrew Prophets
Instructors: Rabbi
Sarah Hronsky and Rabbi Joshua Samuels
Sundays: 10:30 – 11:45 am
14 Sessions:
October 30, November 20, December 4, 11, 18, January 8, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 26, March 4, 18, 25
Join our rabbis as we learn about those men and women in our tradition, who: spoke out against injustices, modeled compassion, reason, and leadership and were the mouthpiece for God! This course will be a survey of the Hebrew Prophets where we will explore all of these themes while looking at sections from the second book of the TaNaCH (Hebrew Bible) called Nevi’im or Prophets. The text for the course, along with the Bible, will be Victor Matthews’ Social World of the Hebrew
Prophets. This book provides an excellent background into the social and historical milieu from which these ambassadors to God came from. The Hebrew texts will be in translation.
Course Fee: Temple Members $36 Non Members $60
Basic Judaism: Basic Judaism – Basic Questions
Instructors: Rabbi Sarah Hronsky and Rabbi Joshua Samuels
Sundays: 10:30 – 11:45 am
15 Sessions:
October 30; November 20; December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 26; March 4, 18, 25; April 1
What’s the deal with black hats, long sideburns, braided bread and eco-kashrut? This class is an excellent introduction to Judaism or the perfect refresher. The course will answer the questions above as well as cover the following topics: Who is a Jew? What is Torah, Midrash and Talmud? The many Jewish views of God; The Jewish approach to life and death; The Jewish calendar and festivals; Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism; Israeli history; Jewish life-cycle events; and more. The fee covers the cost of the primary text, Settings of Silver and other texts.
Fee: TBH Members: $75 Non-Members: $175
Outreach Presents:
Darchei Noam—Pathways Program: Welcoming and Learning for Interfaith Families and Jews by Choice
Sundays: 3:30 – 5:30 pm
Pathways enables individuals to learn about Judaism, explore issues of Jewish identity, and address challenges unique to interfaith families. Participants attend thirteen Sunday afternoon sessions spread over two years, facilitated by Rabbis Hronsky and Samuels. Children participate in some sessions; child care is provided for the other sessions. Pathways’ session focus on raising children in interfaith households, practical and emotional issues, extended family concerns, and values and practices you may wish to adopt in your home within the framework of Reform Judaism.
October 23 Sukkot Wine and Cheese Experience: Follow up to the High Holy Days.
November 20 December Dilemma: Practical spiritual and emotional issues linked to Winter holiday observances.
February 5 Tu B’shvat—New Years for the Trees: Family friendly outing.
March 4 Case Study—Extended Family Issues: Discussions of sample family situations and their challenges.
April 1 Passover: Explore and learn about Passover seders, taking home new ideas for your home observance.
May 6 Shabbat Workshop: The Shabbat home ritual and celebration.
Pathways enrollment is ongoing. For a full brochure and to register, please call (818) 763-9148 x106.
Course Fee: $85 per family (includes all materials and babysitting)
Torah Tuesday: A Weekly Mid-Day Torah Study and Discussion
Instructors: Rabbi Hronsky, Rabbi Samuels, Susan Levin, Dr. Erica Rothblum
Tuesdays: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
November 1 through August 14
Judaism offers many paths to modern spirituality, but the weekly study of Torah is the foundation. Come study the Torah in translation in a relaxed and friendly environment. No prior Torah or Hebrew knowledge required; just a desire to learn Torah for the sake of learning.
Fee: Free
Are You Interested in Adult B’nai Mitzvah?
Instructors: Rabbi Sarah Hronsky and Rabbi Joshua Samuels
Sundays: 9:00 – 10:15 am
October 30; November 20; December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 26; March 4, 18, 25;
April 1, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20
We are looking forward to starting the Adult B’nai Mitzvah class who will be called to Torah in the Spring of 2013. This is a two year spiritual journey that meets on Sundays during the academic year. During the first year, students learn to read Hebrew and begin a journey of exploring the prayers in our siddur, prayer book.
Not sure: Have a few questions? Join Rabbi Sarah and Rabbi Josh for an orientation meeting on October 23 at 10:00am.
Fee: $300 for 1st year classes, books and materials. A similar fee will be charged for the second year coursework. Temple membership is required.
Trails and Torah
Guide: Rabbi Joshua Samuels
Who says getting together and learning has to happen inside? Come join Rabbi Samuels (an outdoor enthusiast) for a monthly hike, enjoying and exploring the many wonderful trails surrounding Los Angeles. This is a great way to spend a Shabbat morning with friends and new faces. Requirements: water bottle, sun-screen, and good shoes.
Saturdays: 9:00 – 11-ish am
November 19: Fryman Canyon – Studio City (dogs allowed)
December 10: Franklin Canyon – Beverly Hills (dogs allowed)
January 21: Runyan Canyon – Hollywood (dogs allowed)
February 25: Mount Lee – Hollywood Sign (dogs allowed)
March 10: Oakmont Loop – Glendale (dogs allowed)
April 21: Temescal Canyon – Pacific Palisades
June 30: Solstice Canyon – Malibu (dogs allowed)
Fees: Only parking fees apply
In the Belly of a Great Fish: Jonah in Depth
Instructor: Barbara Singer
Sundays: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
3 Sessions: October 16, 30; November 20
The Book of Jonah has all the ingredients of an action-packed story—a fugitive on the high seas during a raging storm, a man thrown overboard, and a land filled with people you would never dare bring home to your mother! Jonah is certainly one of the most unique characters in our sacred literature and his story is one not to be missed. Come join Barbara Singer as she guides you through this incredible adventure and into the mind of our prophet as we attempt to understand Jonah’s thoughts and actions. All texts will be in translation.
Fee: $18
Yoga with a Taste of Judaism: Nurturing Your Body and Soul
Instructor: Yulia Gurevich
Sundays: 9:00 – 10:15 am
Experience yoga through Torah-centered mind and feel the wisdom of Judaism through yoga-centered body. This Kundalini based yoga class focuses on creating a deep connection between our spiritual Jewish identity and our physical yoga practice. Please bring a yoga mat and water. A light blanket and/or pillow are optional. All levels of yoga/Torah practitioners are welcome.
Please choose your registration option for the course:
October 23, 30; Dec 4
December 11, 18; Jan 8
January 22, 29; Feb 5
Any 3 sessions Fee: $36
Any 6 Sessions Fee: $70
All 9 Sessions Fee: $90
Questions? Email Yulia: yogawithyulia@live.com
Beginning Trope
Instructor: Cantor Shana Leon
Sundays: 12:30 – 1:30pm
9 Sessions: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 26
Have you ever wondered how the B’nai Mitzvah students know how to chant the melody of the Torah? Would you like to experience the magic of bringing the Torah’s words to life? Then this class is for you. If you know the aleph-bet, you can learn the notes called “trope” that lift the ancient words off the page and into our hearts. Cantor Shana has been teaching trope for 14 years and would be delighted to share this exciting skill with you. You’ll learn how to break down a text into friendly, bite-sized pieces, and everyone will have the opportunity to chant a little piece of Torah in the Shabbat morning minyan. This is a unique and meaningful way to connect to Judaism.
A GOOD SINGING VOICE IS NOT REQUIRED!
Fee: $75
Jewish Home Cooking
Saturdays: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Spend an evening learning how to cook Jewish foods in the comfort of the chef’s home. Each chef(s) will share some of their favorite recipes while you have the opportunity to mingle with friends over wine and cheese. Sign up with your friends for a memorable night out.
Head Chefs (Dates and Menus):
Heidi Miller—November 12:
Jewish Foods with a Twist (Sauerbraten: not your mother’s brisket!, brussel sprouts, gluten-free side dish/dessert)
Evelyn Drapkin—December 3:
Chanukah themed meal
Steve & Leslie Rouff—February 25:
Shabbat (Puree of vegetable soup, whole roasted chicken, with a special marinade, roasted baby potatoes, mushrooms, onions and baby carrots; salad with pears, candied pecans; and apple galette for dessert)
Alon and Sigal Barr—April 28:
A Taste of Israel (Modern twists on the “traditional” Middle-Eastern salads)
Marcia and Audrey Friedman—March 24:
Passover (Haroset, matzah-ball soup, matzah kugel)
Rabbi Jim and Sue Kaufman—Friday, May 25th:
Shavuot (A dairy Shabbat Dinner. Good food, good wine and a little learning too)
Location: At the chef’s homes. Directions will be given after your RSVP is received.
Fee: $18 per evening
*Each evening is limited to 8 people. You may sign up for one or multiple evenings. This is a first come first serve registration, so
talk to your friends and sign up now.
Beit Midrash
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
December 14; January 11; February 15; March 14; April 11; May 9; June 13
Have you ever wanted to learn some Mishnah, Talmud and Midrash? Now you can. Get ready to argue over their teachings and make sense of this complicated tradition of ours while studying in a chevruta (small study group). Come to the Kaufman Beit Midrash (which will be open one evening a month) for some guided text study. No Prior Hebrew or text skills required, just a desire to enter in the age-old activity of dissecting our sacred Jewish texts in a friendly and supportive community. Please RSVP to rabbisamuels@tbhla.org prior to the classes so he knows how many materials to distribute.
Fee: Free
TBH Jewish Book Club (Sponsored by the Temple Sisterhood)
Thursdays: 7:00 pm
October 27; February 2; April 12; June 14
The TBH Jewish Book Club will meet every other month, discussing books with a Jewish theme and/or author. Some of the previous books discussed are: Behind Enemy Lines, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, and The Chosen Peoples. We will also discuss a current, Jewish themed movie. Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay will be discussed on October 26th.
Fee: Free
COMING THIS SPRING
Hebrew of the Siddur (Prayer book)
Instructor: Rabbi Faith Tessler
Sundays: 9:30 – 10:30am
9 Sessions: March 4, 18, 25; April 1, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20
Do you ever feel lost during Shabbat services? Is the transliteration oftentimes difficult to pronounce? Then this is the class for you. By the end of the course, Rabbi Tessler will have given you the skills and confidence to follow along in Hebrew during Friday night services. This course will most benefit people with very basic Hebrew knowledge. If you know the aleph bet, you’ll be in the right place.
Fee: $75
Medical Ethics
Instructor: Stuart Finder, Ph.D
Tuesdays: 7:00 – 8:15 pm
March 13, 20, 27
Scientific technology and medical successes continue to advance and increase and yet, modern medicine risks losing sight of its
primary mission – the care of the whole patient as a unique person. Medical ethicists address this by respecting the dignity of patients, their personal values and goals, and their place within family, community, religion and culture. In this mini-course, Dr. Finder (a TBH member) will discuss some hot button issues in the field of medical ethics, such as: end of life decision-making (withholding and withdrawing life support, the use of artificially-provided food and hydration, assisted suicide and euthanasia), genetic testing, and stem cell research. Accompanying him each session will be one our rabbis as they take us through the Jewish
perspective on these issues by looking at various texts within our tradition.
About the instructor:
Stuart G. Finder, Ph.D., is Director of the Center for Healthcare Ethics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he also serves as a Clinical Ethics Consultant and co-chair of the Bioethics Committee. He is also an Associate Professor at Cedars-Sinai and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and he teaches a course in Clinical Ethics for students from American Jewish University. He has lectured extensively at professional meetings locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, and has also authored or co-authored dozens of articles, book chapters, commentaries, and reviews. His academic interest is in exploring the complexity and implications of moral experiences in healthcare contexts.
Fee: Free
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