Education is a continuing commitment for persons of all ages. We sponsor a variety of introductory, intermediate and advanced courses in Hebrew Language and Jewish Studies ranging from a single session to a year-long commitment. We join with other Reform congregations in sponsoring an Introduction to Judaism course. We also host book discussions, guest lectures, scholar-in-residence and family workshops, as well as special events throughout the year, open to the community. Finally, we offer links to the many other institutions of Jewish learning throughout New York City.
To view the Spring 2010 Intro to Judaism Course Schedule, click here.
For more information and to view and print a course registration form, click here.
|
Curriculum
Chavurah (Service & Torah Study)
Saturday Mornings, 9:30 am
Shabbat morning Chavurah meets in our Library, led by Rabbi Hara Person, Rabbi Lippe, our Rabbinic Intern or one of several local rabbis. A brief prayer service is followed by an extended and spirited discussion of the weekly Torah portion. Coffee, juice, bagels and pastries are served.
The weekly Torah portion (parasha) is read in English, paragraph by paragraph, with many pauses for discussion. Everyone present is welcome to contribute questions, ideas, reflections, concerns. Discussion is varied and is driven entirely by those present. From the scholarly--the way a word is written in the plural when it seems as if it should be singular, a rabbinic commentator’s thoughts—to the political, including the power of contemporary political events to bring new meaning to an ancient text—to the personal— all discussion expands on the parasha’s theme. The atmosphere is one of camaraderie with everyone learning from Torah, and from each other. Bring your own favorite chumash (English Torah translation and commentary), or use one of ours, including the recently published URJ Torah: A Women’s Commentary.
Introduction to Judaism . . . for curious adults
In a warm and open environment, explore Jewish thought, prayer and practice, learn about Jewish history and holidays, wrestle with inherited texts and contemporary issues, discuss Jewish views of God, ethics, life and death in this seminar-style course. 20-session course beginning in the Fall, synagogue location TBA. This course is co-sponsored by: Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, Congregation Beth Elohim, Congregation Mt. Sinai, Kane Street Synagogue, Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives, Park Slope Jewish Center and Union Temple.
Women’s Study Group
led by Rabbi Hara Person
Our Women's Study Group, led by Adjunct Rabbi Hara Person, meets once a month from October through June, to read texts, discuss ideas, and learn more about the Torah, ourselves, and each other. We meet from 7:00-8:30 pm, usually on the third Thursday of each month—but check the BHS calendar to be sure. Please join us! This is a varied group of different ages and backgrounds. No prior knowledge is necessary. Our study is informed by The Torah: A Women’s Commentary, published in fall 2007 by the URJ Press and the Women of Reform Judaism.
BHS Congregational Retreat
Friday thru Sunday, Late Winter/Early Spring at The Glen Cove Mansion.
Members of the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue spend the weekend together focusing on community, studying and praying, eating and singing. Each year a special theme guides our studies and activities. The Mansion is beautiful, the recreation facilities are terrific. The best meals you’ve had on a retreat in years! Open exclusively to BHS members.
BHS Torathon!
A Saturday Evening, 7:30 PM
You’re invited to an exciting evening of adults-only socializing, study, and spirituality at BHS. We will begin the evening together with a nosh, study, havdalah and song. You will be able to choose two sessions from a wealth of offerings taught by favorite Brooklyn Heights Synagogue teachers as well as some special guests. We will end the evening back together again with dessert and wine.
Annual Interfaith Scholar-in-Residence Weekend
Late Spring - Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning
This event is co-sponsored by BHS and Grace Episcopal Church. Our guest scholar joins us for Shabbat evening worship and will deliver a lecture from the pulpit, followed by a community Shabbat dinner. Saturday, s/he joins us for lunch and a study session at Grace Church. On Sunday, s/he addresses us from the pulpit of Grace Church during morning worship.
List Family Lecture
An annual gift of learning to the Brooklyn Heights community in memory of Lawrence List, The List Lecture - sponsored by the List Family Fund for Jewish Culture - brings outstanding speakers of international acclaim to share their work with us. The Lecture is always followed by an elegant reception where you may meet our guest speaker. Free and open to the community. |
| |
Beginning Prayerbook Hebrew
All year (2 semesters) Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
Tired of reading transliteration? Eager to increase your comfort and ease when attending services? This course is for people with no prior knowledge of Hebrew. It begins with an emphasis on basic phonetic decoding skills. Reading drills and vocabulary acquisition will lead to insights into basic Hebrew word structure and the meanings of the major blessings and prayers.
Intermediate Prayerbook Hebrew
All year (2 semesters) Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
Want to move beyond decoding? This course, intended for graduates of the Beginning Hebrew course or similar, will focus on basic grammar mastery and will emphasize vocabulary retention and reading comprehension.
Conversational Modern Hebrew
All year (2 semesters) Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
Intended for those with a basic vocabulary of spoken Hebrew. Focused primarily on the situational dialogue one would encounter in Israel or among modern Hebrew speakers in America. This course will encourage use of vocabulary, dialogue and short oral presentations.
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Course
All year on Tuesdays at 7:30-8:30 PM,
RABBI SERGE A. LIPPE
Students will prepare for the roles of shaliach tzibur (prayer-leader), baal qorei (Torah reader), and darshan (sermonizer.) We will explore all aspects — spiritual and practical — of leading the community in worship. We learn the origins and customs of the prayer service and the themes of the prayers; blessings over the Torah; and the basics of divrei Torah and sermons. We will also study the traditional and modern ideals of what it means to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Prerequisite: Beginning Hebrew or equivalent. BHS membership is a requirement
Embarking on the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Journey: A Mini-Class for Parents
Two Sessions
Rabbi Hara Person
Maybe you went through it yourself as a child, or maybe this is your first experience with this significant Jewish life cycle event. You know that it’s a big event. You know there’s lots of studying and planning involved. But what is becoming a bar or bat mitzvah really about, on a deeper level? What does it really mean in Jewish tradition? What does it mean for us as parents? How can we help make this a meaningful time in the lives of our families, rather than just a cliché about coming of age, parties, and fountain pens? Let’s take this journey together and see what we can learn.
Especially Intended For Parents of Students in 6th or 7th grade.
Jewish Parenting
Two Sessions
What does it mean to be the parent of a Jewish child? In this two session class we will explore the unique responsibilities and challenges of what it means to be a Jewish parent. In the first session, we will look at what our tradition has to say about Jewish parenting, and how this applies to our own lives. In the second session, we will explore the specific challenges of raising Jewish children in an interfaith household. Both sessions are open to anyone parenting a Jewish child, regardless of the parent’s religious background. Feel free to attend one or both sessions.
What Exactly is Reform Judaism?
A One-Session Program Offered Twice!
Not a history course, but a description of the current principles, positions and practices that characterize the diverse movement known as Reform Judaism.
Navigating Shabbat @ Home
A class for the absolutely, totally, uninitiated and those who’ve forgotten everything they might have learned or observed. A step-by-step practice rehearsal and discussion of all the elements of observing Shabbat at home. Start with tzedakah and candlelighting on Friday night, learn the customs of making kiddush and motzi on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Finish up with S’udah Shlisheet and making Havdalah. A hands on class for those looking to do it themselves at home.
Leading Prayer
A Special Course for Potential ‘Shlichei Tzibur’ – Community Prayer Leaders
Are you interested in leading prayer services here at BHS during the summer, or for a shiva minyan, or for that cruise ship without a rabbi? Rabbi Lippe offers a one day, two-hour session in the sanctuary. You’ll receive your own annotated prayerbook, CD with prayers and melodies, and a guidebook to service leadership here at BHS. |
|
Certain courses require minimum prior registration.
Registration is REQUIRED one week prior to first class meeting -
Suggested Course Contributions:
• $25 single session course, $50 multi-session course
• $ 0 for high school & college/graduate students |
|
|
|
|
|
Keep up with the latest news and events from Brooklyn Heights Synagogue.
Sign up for the mailing list to receive up to the minute information.
|
| |
|
|
