MONDAY

Hebrew

Mondays | beginning October 2012 | $
More details and registration information to come.

Adult Bat Mitzvah

Mondays | continuing September 10 | 7:30 – 8:45 pm | $
Marga Hirsch
Few events move us as much as life cycle celebrations—moments in our lives that are imbued with personal, spiritual, familial and communal meaning. Our Adult Bat Mitzvah program is a year-and-a-half journey open to PAS women of all types of Jewish background who did not have the opportunity to experience a Bat Mitzvah and who would like to affirm and strengthen their commitment to Jewish growth and learning as adults. Together, we will explore Jewish issues from the unique spiritual perspective of American women in the 21st century, create new rituals, grapple with issues and texts, and develop synagogue skills—trope, prayers and blessings. Participants will celebrate their B’not Mitzvah on Shavuot 2013/5773. 
Continuing from spring 2012. Registration is closed. 

TUESDAY

Essential Essays

Tuesdays | ongoing | 8:00 am, after morning minyan
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove
Join in a discussion of Jewish philosophy, theology and thought. Pick up the essay for each week from the literature rack in the Main Lobby. The essay is also distributed via a weekly email; if you wish to be added to the distribution list, please contact the Rabbi’s office at 212-369-2600, x120.

Contemporary Jewish Thought

Tuesdays | ongoing | 11:30 am
Rabbi Steven Rein
“Adonai s’fatai tiftah, u-fi yaggid t’hilatekha.” God, open my lips so that my mouth may speak your praise. We recite these words every day at the beginning of the Amidah. What are the words that follow? Is anyone listening? Prayer is difficult—what will you do about it? We attempt to answer these questions as we read and discuss Rabbi Mike Comins’ book, Making Prayer Real. Together with over 50 spiritual leaders from all denominations we will join the conversation of why and how we pray.

WEDNESDAY

Context

Wednesdays | continuing October 10 | 6:45 – 9:30 pm | $
Context, the flagship adult education program of the Jewish Theological Seminary, offers an intellectual journey through Jewish history and thought. Taught by scholar-teachers with advanced academic training, the two-year program features four historically organized, text-based courses, exploring Jewish intellectual and cultural civilization in the biblical, rabbinic, medieval and modern periods.
Continuing from 2011-2012. Registration is closed. 

The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

Wednesdays | beginning October 10 | 6:45 – 9:00 pm | $
Marga Hirsch and instructor TBA
The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School program builds Jewish literacy through a sophisticated, intellectually stimulating, text-based curriculum for students of all levels and Jewish backgrounds. More than 18,000 adult learners have participated in this international program designed by expert educators at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The two-year course meets for 30 sessions each year. 
Click here to register for 2012-2013.

THURSDAY

The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

Thursdays | ongoing | 9:15 – 11:30 am
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Debbie Cosgrove
The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School program builds Jewish literacy through a sophisticated, intellectually stimulating, text-based curriculum for students of all levels and Jewish backgrounds. More than 18,000 adult learners have participated in this international program designed by expert educators at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The two-year course meets for 30 sessions each year.
Click here to register for 2012-2013.

Library Lunch & Learn

Thursdays | ongoing | 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Members of the Clergy and Senior Staff take turns leading an hour of study and discussion on topics ranging from the Holocaust in film to the history of cantorial music to Talmudic tales. Come one week or every week and join in.

FRIDAY

Talmud Torah: Capital Punishment in the Talmud

Fridays | ongoing | 8:00 am, after morning minyan
Rabbi Steven Rein
“You shall take the man or the woman who did that wicked thing out to the public space, carried out, every possible precaution is taken to prevent a miscarriage of justice.” We will study the sixth chapter of Massekhet Sandedrin, Tractate Sanhedrin, which devotes special attention to a description of these precautions. 

SATURDAY

Parashat HaShavua

Shabbat/Saturdays | ongoing | 8:45 am
Participate in a lively discussion of the week’s Torah portion for half an hour before the start of Shabbat morning services. Newcomers always welcome!