Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley


2010-2011

Adult & Continuing Education

Weekly Torah Study

Rabbi Ben Shull

Mondays - after evening Minyan - 8:15 – 9:00 p.m.

In the Bet Midrash (study hall) Daily Chapel - Ongoing class

The sessions will consist of a review of entire Torah portion of the week followed by an in-depth look at one issue in the text.  We will study from texts in English translation with occasional reference to Hebrew terms.  We will begin each study session with each participant telling something about the loved one for whom their study is dedicated.

 

Survey Course - Year 1

Rabbi Ben Shull

Tuesdays from 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. Daily Chapel Bet Midrash

Beginning Tuesday, October 19, 2010

An overview of basic Jewish concepts, values, and traditions.  Open to all.  **Required course for Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah program.

 

Advance Course

Portraits of Jewish Inspiration

Rabbi Ben Shull

Every other Tuesdays from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Beginning Tuesday, October 19, 2010 

Together, we will study the lives and passions of great Jewish personalities from the Bible and other periods of Jewish history.  What fired the imagination of Abraham and Moses?  What issues dominated the lives of Rachel and Deborah?  In this course, we will be guided by the writings of Elie Wiesel, who is not only the pre-eminent voice of Holocaust survivors but a masterful interpreter of Jewish tradition.

 

Synagogue Skills

Cantor Mark Biddelman

Tuesdays from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Beginning Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Synagogue Skills is a two part course which will include:

Torah Cantillation - Participating in the weekly torah reading is a centuries old tradition.  The course will focus on cantillation (chanting) of the Torah texts according to the Taame Niginot, the ancient trope system.  This is a course for beginners and novices who would like to learn how to chant from the Torah as well as a refresher course for those who are rusty in their skills.  The only requirement is that you are able to read Hebrew at any level.  Pathways Through the Siddur - This course will explore the structure, translation, meaning and history of the prayers in our Siddur for Shabbat and weekday worship. **Required course for Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah program.

 

Advanced Course Synagogue Skills

Cantor Mark Biddelman

Every other Tuesdays from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.

Beginning Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Stretch your legs and become a Bibilical cantillation “maven” (expert). Become one of the elite who can chant from all the books of the Hebrew Bible.  This advanced course is for candidates with Torah reading skills and will focus on chanting from the Prophets (haftarah) as well as an introduction into chanting the five Megilloth.  This advanced course of study will cover weekday prayer skills that will prepare you to lead or actively participate in the evening minyan at Temple Emanuel or at house of mourning.  Reading Hebrew is a prerequisite for this course.

 

Beginning Hebrew Reading

Rabbi Shelley Kniaz

Monday evenings 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Beginning Monday, October 18, 2010  or

Tuesday mornings 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Beginning Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Learn to read Hebrew from Aleph!  If you are learning to read Hebrew for the first time or feel your skills are rusty, join us for the Beginning Hebrew Reading Class.  We will use the first level reading textbook  Shalom Aleichem.  By the end of the course, students will be able to read Hebrew AND understand the meaning of Shalom Aleichem, which we sing to welcome Shabbat at our tables on Friday nights.  An $18 donation is requested to cover the cost of the book.  Newcomers are welcome to join the class anytime throughout the year. **Required course for Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah program.

 

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Series

Rabbi Shull - Survey Course

Cantor Biddelman - Synagogue Skills Course

Rabbi Kniaz - Beginning Hebrew Reading Course

 

Sunday Morning Minyan Study Group

Rabbi Shelley Kniaz

Sunday mornings 8:15 – 9:00 am in the Daily Chapel

(when Religious School is in session)

Beginning Sunday, October 17, 2010

This year, the minyan study group will tackle Seder Nezikin, the Book of Damages in the Mishnah.  Looking at Jewish civil law can give us great insight into the Jewish approach to life.  It is also a wonderful intellectual exercise!  Non-attorneys are welcome . . .  We will use an English translation; the original Hebrew will be available.  No knowledge of Hebrew is required – just a lively interest! 

 

Advanced Course in Mishnah B’rachot

Rabbi Shelley Kniaz

Every other Tuesday mornings 9:15 – 10:15 am

Beginning Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The very first section of the Mishnah is B’rachot, “Blessings,” in the first book of the Mishnah, Zerayim (“Seeds”).  Studying this text will provide both a more detailed understanding of our liturgy and an introduction to the unique logic and rhetoric of the Mishnah.  It will also introduce the very beautiful Hebrew of the period.  We will use an English translation primarily while referring to the original Hebrew.  Basic Hebrew reading skills are preferable and a lively intellect and interest is required! 

 

Florence Melton Adult Mini-School 

Adult Learning for the Wondering Jew 

Monday evenings 7:00 - 9:15 pm for 29 weeks 

Beginning Monday, October 17, 2011

Discover what Judaism means to you at the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School.  Temple Emanuel is one of only three sites in North Jersey that is offering this internationally acclaimed innovative adult Jewish learning program.  Learn the 'whys' of everything Jewish from dynamic teachers and explore how Jewish texts  - both ancient and modern - speak to the realities of everyday life.   Click here to view a video about Melton: (http://www.facebook.com/fmams).

Pre-registration required at www.jfnnj.org/meltonschool; early-bird discounts are available.  Partial scholarship will be given to all Temple Emanuel congregants.