
Adult Education
Classes, events, and programs are open to Temple members and the community at large. It is Temple Emanu-El policy to make it possible for anyone to attend, regardless of financial situation. Call the Temple Office to make arrangements; your privacy will be respected.
Look for fliers, Ha-Sofer bulletin articles, and on the website for announcements with updated information about our programs.
New people bring new and interesting ideas. If you have suggestions or Jewish-related instructional talents you’d like to share, or if you would like to join the committee, which meets once a month, contact Adult Ed Co-Chairs, Madelynn Micon or Laurie Baron at adulted@teesd.org.
Some of our learning opportunities include….
5784 Adult Education Calendar
Mini Course—The Multi-Vocality of the Bible
October 8, 22, & 29 and November 5 – 1 pm
Taught by Rabbi Benj. Cost $10 for the course. Attend in person or on Zoom. Watch for classes by Rabbi Lawson
this winter, and by Charlie Jirkovsky in the Spring. In this four week course, we are going to look at the multi-vocality of the Bible. Many people say “The Bible says…” but the reality is that the Bible is made of many different books with many different authors. By focusing on two books that are diametrically opposed—Deuteronomy and Job—we are going to discover the theological and political consensus that the Bible seems to create and then analyze the ways that the lived experience of the Israelites undercuts that orthodoxy.
Introduction to Judaism
Sundays, starting October 8, 10 am
This 22-session course is open to all interested in exploring Jewish life through a Reform lens. Cost is $200 for
members, $250 for non-members. Classes will be held on Zoom, taught by Rabbi Devorah, Rabbi Benj, Rabbi Yael
Ridberg and Rabbi Cookie Lee Olshein.
Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class
$360 or Adult Hebrew Class $100
Those who did not have the opportunity to become Bar or Bat Mitzvah at a younger age can join this group who will study together for a year. Rabbi Benj will teach the class. Please contact him by Sunday, October 1, for more details.
Adult Ed Movies
September 20, October 14,
November 18, December 16,
January 13, February 24,
March 16, and April 13
The Adult Education Committee presents “Diverse Jewish Encounters in Film. Movies are shown one Saturday
evening a month, 7 pm, at the Temple starting with “Crossing Over” on October 14. Laurie Baron will introduce
each film and lead the discussion afterward. There is no charge, and no sign up is needed. November Tahara,
December, Simchas and Sorrows, January Abe, February Everyday People, March The Wedding Song,
April The Jewish Cardinal.
Torah for the Table: The Musicals
October 25, November 15, December 6, January 17, February 21, March 6, April 17, and May 15
Jewish learning meets culinary school. We welcome the return of this popular program, taught by Barry Lander and
Rabbi Devorah. Classes are scheduled once a month, beginning on Wednesday, October 25, and continuing through
May. Cost is $180 per person. Classes will be held at the Temple. As Sir Robin carols merrily to King Arthur in
Monty Python’s Spamalot, “In any great adventure, if you don’t want to lose…you won’t succeed on Broadway if
you don’t have any Jews.” We’ll explore musicals created by Jewish composers, lyricists, and book
writers…some with obvious Jewish themes – others not so much – but all with a Jewish food history that matches the
locale.
Climate Resilience
Wednesday, November 1, 7 pm
This experiential program on exploring the climate crisis through Jewish tradition and teaching. Rebecca Joy
Fletcher of Coastal Roots Farm will teach in person at the Temple Cost is $10 per person.
Time to Prepare
November 4, 12pm-2:30 pm
December TBD, 2pm-4 pm
This two part series will help you start thinking about how to prepare for end of life. Part one will deal with the
medical side of preparing as we view the documentary Last Flight Home and witness one person’s journey with
medically assisted suicide. Part two will have us consider the legacy we wish to leave behind as we think about trust
and legacy planning.
Shabbaton
December 2 and March 9
Have lunch with your Rabbi and do some deep learning with friends after Shabbat services.
Adult Ed Website Streaming Resources
Jewish institutions, organizations, and synagogues have been streaming Jewish classes, concerts, films, lectures, museum tours, and podcasts ever since the pandemic began. You can find calendars for much of this programming at:
• Laurie Baron (weekly posted on Thursdays), “Streaming Jewish Programming,” San Diego Jewish World.
Sources of Recorded and/or Streaming Jewish Programming:
• Alan Leve Center for Jewish Studies, UCLA: https://www.cjs.ucla.edu/podcasts/ and https://www.cjs.ucla.edu/past-events/
• Association for Jewish Studies
• Center for Jewish History: https://programs.cjh.org/tags/livestreams https://www.cjh.org/calendar/past-programs
• Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
• Holocaust and Humanity Center
• Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
• Jewish Women’s Archive https://jwa.org/events
• Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust
• Near Eastern and Jewish Studies, Brandeis University
• Orange County Community Scholar Program
• Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
• Program in Jewish Studies, University of Colorado
• San Diego Center for Jewish Culture
• Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership
• Tam Institute for Jewish Studies, Emory University
• Taube Center for Jewish Studies, Stanford University
• Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center