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

Jewish Knowledge College

We have received much interest from congregants looking to deepen their Jewish knowledge and participation.  Despite the fact that many of us here at Beth El attended Religious School as children, our Jewish education may not have continued in parallel to the rigor of other subjects.  As our congregants often lament that they wished they knew more about Jewish history, text, and rituals; we members of the Beth El clergy seek to fill this need.  We are excited to do so!
 
In response, we are proud to kick off our new program, “The Jewish Knowledge College”.  Open to all Beth El members, this program will feature both a monthly core curriculum of Jewish foundations, as well as weekly small-group “electives” for those who wish to deepen their experience in a select area of expertise.    

The core monthly series is squarely aimed at those who wish to approach their Judaism from an informed perspective and hope to deepen their level of Jewish observance.  Each month, a member of our clergy team will teach about a broad topic, with plenty of time for questions.  Topics will include:
 
   1. Jewish History: Who and What are the Jews and Where Did They Come From? Click here to RSVP
   2. The Jewish Calendar: The History and Practices of Jewish Sacred Days Click here to RSVP
   3. The Jewish Library: What are the Core Volumes and Who Wrote Them? Click here to RSVP
   4. The Promised Land: What is the History of Israel and Why is it so Important? Click here to RSVP
   5. The What, How, and Why of Jewish Prayer Click here to RSVP
   6. Ideas Towards Observing Shabbat as a Regular Spiritual Practice Click here to RSVP

Click here for full details of the Jewish Knowledge College.

Beth El Mini Courses

Swimming in the Sea of Talmud
with Rabbi Jaffe

Encompassing centuries of transmitted knowledge and interpretation, the Talmud expounds upon the Hebrew Bible and early legal works to provide a dizzying array of commentary, debate, history and teaching.  Join Rabbi Jaffe in an introductory exploration of the discourse and stories which bring Jewish law to life in ways that continue to impact and inform our Jewish identity today.  Neither Hebrew nor previous work with Talmud are a prerequisite—simply come with a passion for interpretation and discussion.

Dates
Sunday, October 26, 9:15–10:30 am 
Sunday, November 9, 11:30 am–12:45 pm
Sunday, December 14, 11:30 am–12:45 pm

Windows to the Soul
with Rabbi Londy

An introduction to Hasidut is a gateway into the spiritual teachings and worldview of spiritual Judaism (including Kabbalistic thought) and sacred texts. Through core concepts such as joy, divine presence, and the soul’s longing for connection, this course introduces students to the transformative ideas of early Hasidic masters like the Baal Shem Tov and his disciples. We’ll explore how Hasidut challenges intellectual elitism, elevates everyday life, and invites us to experience Judaism as an intimate, heart-centered path. Come with curiosity and an open heart.

Dates
Sunday, January 11, 11:30 am–12:45 pm
Saturday, January 24, 11:45 am–1:00 pm
Saturday, February 7, 11:45 am–1:00 pm

Biblical Monster Mash
With Rabbinic Intern Margeaux Dressner-Wolberg

Calling sci-fi lovers, amateur artists, and those who are neither (but a bit monster-curious)! We find all kinds of fantastic and mythical creatures throughout Tanakh: giants, angels, ghosts, sea monsters, and more. Some are scary, some bizarre, and all defy the imagination. With Rabbinic Intern Margeaux Dressner-Wolberg, we’ll learn about these monsters as described in our texts, create our own depictions, and wrestle with the place of the otherworldly, both in our tradition and our modern lives. 

Dates
Saturday, March 7, 11:45 am–1:00 pm
Sunday, March 22, 11:30 am–12:45 pm
Sunday, April 12, 11:30 am–12:45 pm

Torah Circles Informal Jewish Learning

We realize that many barriers often exist to Jewish learning, especially meeting in the synagogue at a specific time.  It is for this reason that we have introduced the Torah Circles Program.  For any congregant who brings together at least 10 adult learners, we members of the Beth El clergy will come to you and lead a study or discussion.  You name the time, place, subject and frequency and we will bring the learning directly to you.  To begin a Torah Circle, we work with you to set up an initial session at the time and location of your choice.  We can then discuss the interest in possible future meetings.  So if you want to host a few Beth El friends for wine and cheese at your home and talk about a Jewish topic of interest, we will happily come to you and provide the learning component.  If interested, please reach out to Jaclyn Dubray at jdubray@bethelnw.org. 

Click here to view Israel Based Programming

Previous Events

The Resnick Fund Presents 
Lunch and Learn: From Isaiah to Jeremiah: How Jerusalem Became So Important to the Jewish People
Thursday, September 4 at 1:00 pm
with Daniel Ehrlich, Israel Educator

Step back with Daniel Ehrlich (Keshet Israel Tours’ Educational Director and leader of Beth El’s Spring 2025 Europe Trip) 2,500-3,000 years to the days of King David and the First Temple. This will be a 45-60 minute learning session combining pre-recorded video guiding in the Old City of Jerusalem, music, PowerPoint with maps, texts, and timelines with live narration and teaching followed by Q&A. Lunch will be provided.

Beth El Lecture Series

The Bader Lecture Series Presents 
Jewish Council for Public Affairs CEO Amy Spitalnick
Tuesday, December 2 at 7:30 pm

We are thrilled to welcome Jewish Council for Public Affairs CEO Amy Spitalnick to Beth El through the Bader lecture series.  A nationally recognized leader on countering antisemitism, hate, and extremism and protecting democracy, Amy previously served as Executive Director of Integrity First for America, which won its groundbreaking lawsuit against the neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and hate groups responsible for the Charlottesville violence.  

Amy has extensive experience in government, politics, and advocacy, including as Communications Director and Senior Policy Advisor to the New York Attorney General and spokesperson and advisor to the New York City Mayor. She serves on the Boards of Directors of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Tufts University Hillel, and the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University, as well as on Tree of Life’s Academic Advisory Council and Bedrock’s National Leadership Council.  As a leading advocate for the inherent link between Jewish safety and stronger democracy, we look forward to welcoming her to our congregation.

New Program!

Observing Holidays and Commemorations Through Art and Text
With Beth El clergy and ceramic artist Yael Frenkel-Jaffe

We look forward to preparing for upcoming holidays through the marriage of text and art.  We will begin with a textual setting with our clergy before creating a ritual item that can be used for the observance.  Specific projects will be communicated in advance. Save the date for our first program which will focus on Chanukah on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. More details coming soon!