Adult Learning

"Inspiring Jewish Learning Connections" is the goal of Adult Education at Temple Beth Tikvah. Throughout the year, we offer a variety of educational opportunities ranging from classical Jewish themes to contemporary enrichment activities. Programs like Scholar in Residence, Lunch and Learn, Shabbat and Sunday morning study sessions and topics of special interest are featured. We also invite learners to expand their Jewish awareness through activities such as yoga, meditation and art. Those of all ages, from young adults to seniors, are encouraged to attend.

Summary of Adult Learning Catalog  2012-2013

(A complete catalogue in pdf  format is to the right of this page)

Joshua ben Perachyah said:
Find for yourself a teacher and get yourself a friend; and judge every man towards merit. Pirkei Avot 1

Jewish Learning is a lifelong endeavor. While many might focus on Jewish education for your children and youth, Jewish learning isn’t just for kids, but for every individual of every age.  Our clergy, community partners, and many volunteers have worked hard to provide many opportunities for us to explore our Judaism along with our fellow congregants. We hope that this Catalogue will have something of interest for you.

We hope that you will journey with us…

Please note: for class participation, please register your attendance before the class starts. For all TBT classes, let us know which class you are attending at rsvp@bethtikvah.com. For Melton classes, please contact the MJCCA directly

New Addition to Adult Ed on Sunday Mornings
starting in January of 2013

Examining Familiar Biblical Stories

January 13th, January 27th, February 10th, February 24th, March 10th

Taught by Rabbi Pamela Gofffried

Description:

Looking at familiar biblical stories, we will examine how the early sages communicated their ethical concerns through storytelling. Each session will include the careful reading of a biblical text and a sampling of rabbinic literature related to that passage. Our discussions will center on essential questions related to the human condition. 

1. The Tower of Babel:  God v. Humanity
Essential question: Are human beings inherently creative, destructive, both or neither?

2. Reuven: The Struggles of the Eldest Sibling
Essential question: To what extent do parents’ and siblings’ expectations of roles within the family dictate the attitudes and behaviors of individual family members?

3. The Burial of Jacob and Esau: Whoever Heard of Hushim ben Dan?
Essential questions:  To what extent does grief affect our ability to control impulsive behavior?  How do authors restructure historical facts to include moral lessons within their narratives? How do narrative accounts of historical events reflect the biases of the storytellers?

4. Moses Strikes the Egyptian: Was Moses a Champion of Justice or a Vigilante?
Essential question:  Do the ends justify the means?

5. Pinchas ben Elazar: Zealot or Thug?
Essential questions:  To what extent is zealotry motivated by personal gain?  How do authors restructure historical facts to include moral lessons within their narratives? How do narrative accounts of historical events reflect the biases of the storytellers?

Short Biography of Rabbi Gottfried -

Pamela Jay Gottfried is a rabbi, parent, teacher and the author of Found in Translation: Common Words of Uncommon Wisdom. Since her rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1993, Gottfried has taught students of all ages in synagogues, churches, JCCs, day schools & colleges. She prefers to teach Melton courses at The Brill Institute and ceramics at Camp Ramah Darom. Gottfried is an alumna of Clal's Rabbis Without Borders and a volunteer at North Fulton Community Charities.