Ongoing Adult Education Classes:
The Agus Academy
Adult Education at Beth El offers a variety of courses, teachers and topics to choose from. Please select the day and time that best fits your needs:
Monday Morning | Monday Afternoon | Tuesday Evening
Wednesday Morning | Wednesday Evening | Saturday Morning
Monday A.M.
Title: Our Prayers - Where They Came From/ What They Mean
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Instructor: Sandy Winters
Dates: October 10, 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14, 28; December 5, 12, 19
2012: January, 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13, 27; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 16, 23, 30
Room: Agus Library
Description: We will examine the origins of the synagogue service and the Siddur, which, in one form or another is used in every synagogue. We will look at the wording of our prayers and how the Siddur has changed over the many years of our history.
Adult B'nai Mitzvah Classes
Instructor: Sandy Winters & Rabbis
If interested please call Sandy Winters for dates and times of classes.
Monday P.M.
Title: Agus Academy (Fall)
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Session I: November 14, 21, 28, Dec 12, 19 - Rabbis will be teaching.
Session II: 2012: January 9, 16, 23, 30 Sandy Winters will be teaching.
Session III: February 13, 20, 27; March 12, 19, 26 Rabbis will be teaching.
Room: Agus Library
Description:
The Beth El Board of Directors recently changed the congregation's mission statement so that it would include the phrase "affiliated with the Conservative Movement." What does it mean to be a "Conservative Congregation?" For that matter, what does it mean to be a "Conservative Jew?" Does it mean we think about God in a particular way? Does it mean that we practice our Judaism in a particular way? Or learn, or pray, or celebrate in a particular way?
Our ongoing Monday evening Agus Academy learning series continues in the 2011-2012 calendar year with an in depth exploration of Conservative Judaism. In the course of the year, we will learn about what the Movement has to teach us regarding theology, halachah (Jewish law), and ritual practice. We will study the history of Conservative Judaism and some of its most influential thinkers. Throughout the year, we will continually come back to the question “Why Conservative Judaism,” asking it about our congregation, and our individual Jewish selves.
**** Session II with Sandy Winters will include “Art as Midrash” on January 9 with New York artist Fran Medoff . The remaining three sessions are titled “Our Prayers- Where They Came From/ What They Mean”. See Monday Morning for course description.
Agus Academy (Spring)
Institute for Jewish and Christian Studies
Title: Reclaiming the Center - Discovering Our Common Ground, Exploring Our Differences: Interfaith Conversations
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Refreshments, 6:45 p.m.)
Instructor: ICJS Staff and Rabbis
Dates: April 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21; June 4
Description: “Reclaiming the Center” is a new adult education initiative that explores not only what Jews and Christians have in common, but what is distinctive and particular about each tradition. This fall the Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies launches this program that brings together Jews and Christians from churches and synagogues across Baltimore. Beth El is excited to host the spring session. The program, entitled “Encountering our Sacred Texts,” takes place in two six-week sessions: one in the fall, and one in the spring. Each class will include text study, small group discussion, and lecture by the staff of the ICJS.
The fall portion of this program is being held at Chizuk Amuno Congregation on September 10, 12 and October 17 and at Brown Memorial Church on September 26, October 3 and 10. For more information on the fall session contact Mary Krastel, ICJS, at (410) 494-7161
Costs: $60 for Fall Session and $60 for Spring Session
Title: Jewish Short Stories
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Instructor: Gail Lipsitz
Dates:
November 7; December 5; January 3 [Tuesday]; February 6; March 5; April 2
Room: Agus Library
Description:
Enjoy reading selected short fiction by contemporary Jewish writers of note, and participate in lively group discussions led by Gail Lipsitz. A copy of each story will be provided one month in advance to allow for leisurely reading.
Costs: Material fee: $15 for Beth El members; $20 for friends and guests.
Title: Intermediate Siddur Hebrew
6:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.
Instructor: Wendy Farley
Dates: November 21, 28; December 12, 19, January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 13, 20, 27; March 12, 19, 26; April 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21; June 4
Room: Schuster Library
Description: Wendy’s Intermediate Hebrew reading class resumes in the Kreitzer Memorial Room. The class is focused on accuracy and fluency in Siddur reading.
Tuesday
Title: Baltimore Board of Rabbis Adult Institute
7:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
Instructor: Baltimore area clergy and academics
Dates: October 18, 25; November 1, 8
Description: The oldest cross-congregational learning experience in the Baltimore Jewish community. There will be 2 sessions each evening. Choose from over 15 different courses taught by Baltimore area rabbis and academics. Brochures will be mailed in the beginning of September.
Wednesday A.M.
Title: Yours, Mine and Ours - A Jewish/Christian Conversation about Sacred Stories
9:30a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Instructor: Dr. Rosann Catalano, Rabbi Schwartz & Rabbi Saroken
Dates: Session I:October 26; November 2, 9, 16, 30; December 7, 14; January 4, 11, 18, 25;
February 1
Session II: February 22, 29; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23
Room: Agus Library
Description: Jews and Christians share a significant biblical heritage that is often understood in radically different ways. Begun last year, this course continues the study of sacred texts and the variety of ways in which they both challenge and give meaning to our lives. Our study will be led by Rosann Catalano, Ph.D., Staff Scholar at the Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies, and a rotation of the Beth El rabbis. NOTE: While the format for this class will be similar to last year’s, we will be studying texts.
Cost: Beth El Member General Community
Session I $100 $150
Both Sessions $150 $200
Wednesday P.M.
Title: Baltimore Hebrew Institute – Hebrew Classes
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Instructor: BHI Faculty
Dates: Fall Semester: September: 14, 21; October: 5, 26; November: 2, 9, 16, 30; December: 7, 14Spring Semester: January 25; February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; March 14, 21, 28; April 4, 18, 25;
May 2, 9, 16
Description:
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew - Introduces students to the basic skills needed for reading and understanding the Hebrew Bible in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Focus on grammar and translation will provide the fundamentals necessary to explore the Biblical text, and guide students on an exploration of the linguistic connections, deeper meanings, and subtle humor too often lost in translation. No previous Hebrew experience necessary.
Modern Hebrew Ulpan – Absolute Beginner- Study with experienced professional Israeli Hebrew educators. Learn to read, write and speak using an innovative multimedia approach. No previous knowledge of Hebrew is required.
Modern Hebrew Ulpan – Advanced Beginner - this beginner level is for students with basic knowledge of Hebrew. Students will see improvement in Hebrew reading, writing and speaking skills, and increase their Hebrew vocabulary and grammar skills. Pre-requisites: able to read and write block and script Hebrew font. Modern Hebrew Ulpan – Intermediate - Increase your spoken fluency with an emphasis on vocabulary, grammar, and conversational Hebrew. Appreciate Israeli life and culture with new multimedia materials. Pre-requisites: familiarity with Hebrew vocabulary and grammar, and the ability to read and write block and script Hebrew font.
Modern Hebrew Ulpan – Advanced - this course will focus on conversational Hebrew and reading comprehension. In addition to new multimedia materials, students will be learning from Hebrew language newspapers and literature. This is an immersion class. Pre-requisites: Have some fluency in Hebrew speaking, able to read and write script Hebrew font.
Costs: $180/course Beth El members get $15 discount
>>>A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH CHIZUK AMUNO<<<
Title: From Golden Age to Expulsion: History, Society and Culture of Medieval Sephardic Jewry
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Professor Jonathan Ray
Dates: October 26; November 2, 9, 16, 30; December 7, 14, 21; January 11
Description: The history of the Jews of Spain represents one of the most varied and remarkable chapters in the history of the Jewish people. This course will provide an overview of the nature and development of Sephardic (Hispano-Jewish) history and culture between Late Antiquity and the expulsion of 1492. We will explore the major social, cultural and intellectual trends of Jewish civilization in the Iberian Peninsula through secondary readings and the analysis of medieval religious, legal, and literary texts. A central theme will be the analysis of the conflict and cooperation between the Sephardim and the two major religious systems of the medieval and early modern Mediterranean: Christianity and Islam.
Location: Chizuk Amuno
Cost: $295
Saturday
Title: Parashah Study
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Instructor: Rabbis, Sandy Winters
Dates: Saturday Mornings
Room: Agus Library
Description:Our Rabbis and Sandy Winters lead an informal group study of the weekly Torah portion. Everyone is invited to join in this casual and interactive session. Refreshments are available before and after class.