Adult Education

Adult Education at Temple Beth El is designed to create a center for Jewish learning in Northern Westchester that is relevant and meaningful. Our intent is to provide temple members and members of the community with the opportunity to participate in programs and courses on a variety of Jewish topics that are infused with excitement and diversity.

Click here to view Israel Based Programming

Click on each event below for additional program details and registration information.

Upcoming Programs

Guest Speaker: Shabbos Kestenbaum
“Why I am Suing Harvard University”
Thursday, May 16 at 7:00 pm

Shabbos Kestenbaum is one of six students suing Harvard University for its failure to protect Jewish students from campus antisemitism.  He has been featured in Newsweek, the New York Post and Fox News, among other outlets.  Please join Rabbi Jaffe in conversation with Shabbos Kestenbaum around the current lawsuit, as well as the broader issue of hostility towards Jews on college campuses. Click here for more information.

Lunch and Learn with Amit Grinfeld, CEO of We Walk Together
Thursday, May 23 at 12:00 pm

We are excited to welcome Israeli historian, tour guide and advocate Amit Grinfeld to Temple Beth El.  Amit’s organization, We Walk Together, seeks to strengthen the bond between Israelis and American through Zionist education and experiences, while fighting Israel's hardest war – that of public relations.  Drawing from his extensive experience as an Israeli educator and on the battlefield during a recent three-month deployment, Amit provides unique insights into the current situation in Israel.  As a seasoned officer in the Homefront Command, he witnessed firsthand the challenges and complexities faced by Israel in its ongoing struggle for security and survival.  Please join us for this opportunity to hear a firsthand account of the current situation in Israel.

Lunch will be provided. Click here to register for this program.

Jewish NYC Walking Tours
with Rabbi Jaffe

Join Rabbi Jaffe, alongside Beth El friends and neighbors, in exploring NYC through food and Jewish heritage.  Each tour will include historical perspective, food and time for schmoozing - three of our favorite things!  

Lower East Side Jewish Food Tour
Saturday, June 1 at 2:00 pm             
RSVP coming soon! 

Introduction to Judaism
with Rabbi Londy

One of the more inspiring responses to the tragedy of October 7 and subsequent rise in antisemitism is the increasing feelings of Jewish identity and engagement.  Due to popular request, we are thrilled to offer complimentary experiences for those seeking to explore or deepen their connection to Judaism. Rabbi Londy’s Introduction to Judaism class will take place on select Friday morning from 10:30 am-12:00 pm. Class dates and topics are listed below. Click here to register for this series.

This series will take place in person. For those who are unable to attend at the temple, there will be a Zoom option, as well.

Topics:
February 2 – Israel 
March 1 – The Siddur and Public and Private Prayer
March 8 – The Jewish Life Cycle
March 15 – Heaven, Hell, Afterlife and Divine Judgment
March 29 – Shabbat
April 12 – Jewish Calendar and Holidays
May 3 – An Overview of Jewish History
May 17 – Denominations and Reform Judaism
May 24 - Antisemitism, The Holocaust and Where we are at today
June 14 – The American Jewish Community

Raising Humanistic Questions in Midrash Sefer HaYashar 
with Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Norman Cohen, Ph.D.

Sefer HaYashar provides an engaging rendering of Genesis, the beginning of Exodus, along with the books of Joshua and Judges.  This midrashic collection seeks to further develop biblical characters from a modern perspective, especially the female characters, which become more fully emotive, human and strong.  These dynamic characters speak to us as modern readers and challenge us in a myriad of ways. 
Sponsored by the Resnick Fund.

The Early life of Abraham and Sarah; in Egypt and in the land of Israel
Sunday, April 14 at 12:00 pm
Click here to register for this event

A Rewriting of the Akedah (Binding of Isaac), especially the role of Sarah and the personality of Isaac
Sunday, April 21 at 12:00 pm
Click here to register for this event

The Seduction of Joseph by Potiphar’s Wife, as found in Genesis 39
Sunday, May 12 at 10:00 am
Click here to register for this event

Previous Programs

The Lost Books of Tanakh
with Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney

We often study Torah and hear it chanted in the synagogue, but what about the other books of Tanakh? Many of them hold surprises and treasures that you may not otherwise have an opportunity to learn about. Together we will uncover the richness of some of the lesser-known books through an exploration of Job, Jonah, and Judges. Come along on our journey as we examine themes of divine justice and suffering, prophecy and repentance, sinning and redemption. We will go deep into the belly of Jonah’s whale, through Job’s haunted visions, and more.
Sponsored by the Resnick Fund.

Job – An Exploration of Divine Justice and Suffering
Saturday, January 27 at 12:00 pm
Click here to register for this program

Jonah – Prophecy and Repentance from the Belly of the Whale
Sunday, February 4 at 11:30 am
Click here to register for this program

Judges – The Cycle of Sinning and Redemption
Saturday, February 10 at 12:00 pm
Click here to register for this program