Current Classes:
Jewish Life and Politics in the Interwar Period: Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa (1918-1939) with Adam Gaynor, Ph.D.
Thursdays 6-7 p.m., beginning 1/29 | Boardroom
This course will examine the dynamic and tumultuous two decades between the world wars that fundamentally reshaped Jewish communities across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Students will explore how Jewish life evolved during this period of unprecedented political upheaval, economic crisis, and rising nationalism. Register here.
Heschel’s “On Prayer” Study Group with Rabbi Timoner
Fridays 1/23, 1/30, 2/6 | 6 p.m. | Boardroom
Back by popular demand! Join Rabbi Timoner for this quick drop-in class before Kabbalat Shabbat services about how Jewish prayer can guide us through these challenging times. Open to all, no prep necessary.
The Judaism We Need For This Moment
Saturdays 1/24, 1/31, 2/7 | Noon | Boardroom
As a follow up to her Rosh Hashanah sermon, join Rabbi Timoner for a conversation about how Judaism can give us the very guidance and structure we’re looking for to make our way through this challenging time. The conversation will be grounded in the book The Triumph of Life by Rabbi Irving Greenberg. Please purchase (from our local independent bookstore, Community Bookstore!) or borrow the book now to prepare for our first session. On January 24, we’ll explore the Introduction and Part 1: A Vision of Life in a Redeemed World (pp 1-94). Register here.
Spiritual & Practical Preparation for End of Life with Lisa Grant
Sundays once a month, until 5/17 | 3:30 p.m.
Though most would agree in principle that it is important to talk about our needs and wishes as we approach the end of our lives, few actually have these conversations. This 8-part series offers the opportunity to explore both the practical and spiritual sides of preparing for death in a safe and supportive space. We will study Jewish traditions around death, dying, and mourning, share our wishes for end-of-life care and funeral planning, and hopefully find ways to articulate our values and the moral legacy we hope to pass on to those we love. Classes do not have to be attended sequentially. Register here.
Ongoing Classes & Series:
Drop-in Welcome: Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Matt Green
Every Thursday | 12:30 p.m. | Boardroom and Zoom
Rabbi Green’s beloved class will focus on prophetic texts from the Bible and rabbinic commentaries. Feel free to bring lunch with you. This is a hybrid class. You are welcome to join in person or on Zoom.
Drop-in Welcome: Chevrah Torah Study with Rabbi David Kline
Saturdays | 11:15 a.m. | Zoom
Following the cycle of the weekly parashah, we select passages from Torah/Pentateuch and Haftarah/Prophets. We do close reading and open discussion. Our object is to get acquainted with our earliest ancestors through their writings about the world, God, our people, and moral values.
Meditation Group
Thursdays | 7:30 p.m. | Zoom
CBE hosts a meditation class every week on Zoom. The group is open to people with all levels of experience and our participants span the range. Beginners will be completely comfortable. Those with experience will also enjoy our wonderful teachers. Email cbemeditationgroup@gmail.com to get on the mailing list for a once a week Zoom link notice. Open to members and non-members.
Mussar
Tuesdays | 7:30 p.m. | Zoom
Check our calendar for specific dates
Zoom links are updated weekly. For up to date information and links, please email Gary Shaffer at mussar@cbebk.org
Mussar seeks to improve our relations with others and ourselves. The class is discussion based and focuses on character traits, or middot, such as patience, generosity, gratitude, anger, and humility. The method is to study these traits and put into practice what we study. The goal is to make us not just more insightful, but to effect a change in behavior by making the heart feel what the mind knows. We draw upon both classic and modern Mussar writings, though no prior knowledge of Mussar or Hebrew is required.
Coming Soon:
- Spiritual Autobiographies with Rabbi Matt Green
- Hebrew 101 & 201 with Roz Koch
- Planning Your Own Seder