Temple Israel Adult Education

Note: The Temple Gift Shop will be open on Wednesday nights when classes are in session
(and Sundays from 10:00-12:00 AM when Religious School is in session).

All classes are free to Temple members except for materials fees or as noted.

Because the High Holidays occur in September this year, Adult Education classes will be kept to a minimum for the month. In preparation for the holidays, please join Rabbi Amy for Part II of her series “Preparing for the High Holidays” on Thursday, September 7 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

Hebrew Skills

Beginning Hebrew (alef bet)
Wednesdays at 10:30 AM & 5:30 AM using "Aleph Isn't Tough" for 20 sessions.
Schedule will be handed out at first class. Text available at Temple for $15.
Taught by Don Ross. No prerequisites.

Intermediate Hebrew
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM using "Aleph Isn't Enough". Text available at Temple for $15.
Taught by Chris King.
Prerequisite : Completion of Beginning Hebrew or comfortable reading Hebrew alphabet.

URJ 10 Minutes of Torah
Tuesdays at 9:30 AM
Taught by Don Ross. No prerequisites.

Modern Conversational Hebrew
Monday at 1:30 PM
Taught by ???. Prerequisites ??? (please send info. to webmaster)
Call Temple for Information 724 - 8857 or email Temple Israel Duluth

Synagogue Leadership Skills

How to Give a Tour of Our Synagogue
Twenty to thirty informal tours of our synagogue are given to groups every year. Learn more about Jewish symbols, sacred objects and our building and be able to help out with the mitzvah of welcoming guests (hachnasat orchim).
Monday, January 26 from 7-8 PM.
Taught by Chris King, Don Ross, Gary Gordon and Maureen O'Brien.

How to Write a Drash
Learn where to find the sources and how to put together a short dvar torah (AKA drash, sermonette, mini speech or talk.) Chris will also reveal non-coercive methods for getting a 13 year old to write a talk about his or her torah portion in hopes that we can provide our student with coaches.
Wednesdays, April 21 and April 28 from 6:30-8 PM.
Taught by Chris King, Don Ross, Gary Gordon, Deborah Petersen- Perlman and Rabbi Amy.

Jewish Studies

Music Appreciation : Klezmer
An introduction to a uniquely Jewish musical tradition for the layperson.
Monday October 27 from 7-8 PM.
Taught by Dr. Bob Goldish.

How to Talk About Hanukkah (or is that Chanukah?)
Are you willing to speak to a community group who has requested information about Hanukkah? Did your child's teacher ask you to do a program about Hanukah for the class (again) this year? Do your co-workers want to know what you're doing for Hanukkah? Does your non-Jewish family want to know why you don't have a Christmas tree? Come, learn and vent.
Monday December 1 from 7-8:30 PM.
Taught by Chris King, Don Ross and Holly Church.

Proselytizing to Jews is Still Alive : Responding to Fundamentalist Christian Ideas
Part I
Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 PM.
Taught by Trevor Swoverland.
Oct. 22 : Overview
Oct. 29 : The Jewish Idea of Messiah I
Nov. 5 : The Jewish Idea of Messiah 2
Nov. 12 : Why Jesus Wasn't the Jewish Messiah
Nov. 19 : Sin, Sacrifice, and Atonement in Jewish and Christian Traditions

Part II : Study of the most common Jewish texts
which are reinterpreted by Christians to fulfill Christian theology.
Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 PM.
Taught by Trevor Swoverland.
Jan.14 : Isaiah 3 : The Proof Text That Never Was
Jan. 21 : Other Proof Texts
Jan. 28 : Christian Sampling : Stolen Psalms
Feb.4 : Chinks in Missionary Armor
Feb. 11 : Follow-Up/Review
Drop in for one night or the whole series.

Jewish-Catholic Relations and the Origin of Christian Anti- Semitism
Monday February 23 from 6:30-7:30 PM.
Taught by Dr. Egal Feldman.

Pope Pius XII, the Holocaust and the Revolution in Catholic-Jewish Relations
Monday March 22 from 6:30-7:30 PM.
Taught by Dr. Egal Feldman.

Exploring Jewish Values
Thursdays March 18, April 15, and May 20 at Temple at noon.
What values do you want to pass down to your children from the Jewish tradition?
What guidance do our texts offer us to help us in our daily lives?
Bring your own lunch (if you wish) and your questions. Eat, smooze, learn.
Taught by Rabbi Amy.

Current Events and Issues

Our 1st Amendment Rights : Panel and Discussion
Sunday October 26 at 3 PM.
Moderated by Marsha Eisenberg. Co-sponsored by Hadassah.
Panel includes Kathryn Fuller, UMD librarian, Craig Grau, UMD political science department,
and Fred Friedman, St. Louis County Public Defender

Leading Expert on Israeli Politics and the Peace Process
Gadi Wolfsfeld to speak at Temple Israel at 7:30 pm on February 17
Topic: Myths and Realities about Peace in the Middle East

An internationally know expert, Professor Gadi Wolfsfeld is widely respected for his thoroughly researched and balanced insight of Israeli politics and the Middle East peace process, as well as the role of the press in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Professor Wolfsfeld holds a joint appointment in Political Science and Communications at Hebrew University.

Professor Wolfsfeld is the author of numerous articles and books including the recently published Media and the Path to Peace. He has served as a political commentator for both the Israeli and international news media including the New York Times, Newsweek, and CNN, and has been a media consultant for the Israeli Defense Force and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was born in Philadelphia and earned Ph.D. at MIT. Professor Wolfsfeld will speak on Myths and Realities about Peace in the Middle East at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, February 17, in the Overman Hall at Temple Israel. A question and answer session will follow. The event is free and open to the public and is co-sponsored by United Jewish Communities.

Presentations By Peace Project Founder
Two presentations will be given by Steve Lear, Peace
Project Founder of the Jewish Community Relations
Council on Sunday, February 29, 2004:

1:00 pm at Temple Israel, and 6:30 pm at the College of St. Scholastica, Somers Lounge

The objectives of the presentation, entitled "Understanding the Middle East Conflict: A Hope for Peace", are as follows:
1)To provide information about why this issue is important to every person.
2)To provide education-understand the historical timeline.
3)To share ideas regarding the creation of a Palestinian State and security for the State of Israel
4)To promote acceptance of religious differences
5) To create hope for a peaceful outcome to the Middle East situation
6)To provide information, answer questions, and allow for open discussion.
7)To learn how you might be able to help build a bridge.

Other of Steve's accomplishments have included: co-chairing the Minneapolis Federation Young Men's campaign during Operation Moses-the dramatic airlifting of Ethiopian Jews to Israel; teaching Ethics and Torah to students at Adath Jeshuran; and being the founder of Nechama-the Jewish Response to Disaster, which helps people and businesses prepare for, and recover from, natural disasters such as tornadoes and floods.

Steve will be returning from a trip to Israel with a Congressional delegation in January and is sure to bring fresh insight into the latest situations in the Middle East. We need your support. Come hear his presentation on "Understanding the Middle East Conflict" and stay for the discussion.

In addition, between the two presentations, at 3:00 pm at Temple Israel, Steve will train persons interested in becoming Peace Project Advocates-call John Sillanpa at 728-6233 if you are interested in the training session.

The event is co-sponsored by Temple Israel and the Lake
Superior Chapter of Hadassah.

Are the Evangelical pro-Israel position and support in Israel's best interests?
Sunday April 25 at 3 PM.
Panel and Discussion:
Should Israel accept help from any group that takes their side against the Palestinians?
What might be the short-term and long-term consequences for accepting the support of Evangelicals? What motives do Evangelical Christians have for their strong support for Israel?
Moderated by Marsha Eisenberg.
Panel includes Dr. Gary Gordon, Trevor Swoverland and Dr. Egal Feldman.
Each panelist will be asked to speak and be given an opportunity to respond to question from the attendees. Co-sponsored by Hadassah.
Refreshments will be served.

Enrichment

Jewish Cooking
Monday September 8, 7-8 PM
     Make kosher pickles with Dan King and Rob Leff
Monday October 13, 7-8 PM
     Make kichel with Janet Davis
Monday November 10, 7-8 PM
     Make borekas with Emma Ross
Monday February 9, 7-8 PM
     Make blintzes with Shirley Garber
Monday March 1, 7-8 PM
     Make hamentaschen with Cindy Seiler
$5 materials fee for each session

Israeli Folk Dance
"If you can walk, you can dance."
It’s healthier than sitting on the couch, watching TV.
Monday nights 7-8 PM : Nov. 3, Dec. 1 , Jan. 5, Feb. 2, March 8 and May 3
Taught by Sharon Marcovich and Judy Gordon.

Temple Choir
Wednesday nights from 7-8 PM.
Led by Casey Goldberg.

Early Childhood Jewish Family Education
Monthly support and learning group open to all parents of Jewish preschoolers.
Email or call Elyse Carter Vosen

Congregational Choir

Among the many great adult activities going on at Temple Israel is the Congregational Choir. This group of 12-18 sings both acapella and with piano or guitar accompaniment, in both English and Hebrew. There is no experience or knowledge of Hebrew required to join the choir, just a love of singing.

The Congregational Choir rehearses once a week on Wednesday nights from 7-8 PM and acts as representative of the Temple at community events throughout the year. The choir also provides music for the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah and several Friday evening services throughout the year.

For more information, contact Casey Goldberg

Coming Attractions

Torah Yoga
Combining Jewish spiritual practices with traditional yoga postures.
A fee will be charged to cover the cost of the instructor.
Taught by Rabbi Amy and a yoga instructor.

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class
Deepen your understanding and knowledge of the liturgy and bring your Hebrew skills to the next level. Please call office if interested.
Taught by Rabbi Amy.
Prerequisite : comfortable reading Hebrew.

Understanding the Middle East Conflict
Sponsored by JCRC.

Torah Trope
Please call office if interested. Taught by Linda Eason.
Prerequisite : comfortable reading Hebrew.

Jewish Cooking
Make bagels with Ben Levine

Technology Classes

Updated September 11, 2006