Adult Education 2020-2021
Congregation Emanu-El Adult Education & Events team has arranged an interesting mix of ongoing and one-off sessions for the coming fall-winter term. Of course, the COVID pandemic has made the process a bit more challenging since most of what will be taking place will be on Zoom for the foreseeable future. See below for information about our ongoing sessions.
Mystic Moka
Grab your favorite mug and fill it with your favorite caffeinated beverage and join Rabbi Harry Brechner and an eclectic crew of seekers and learners as they delve into Kabbalistic and Ḥasidic texts in a quest for insight and understanding into self and our relationship with Divine Source. Participation: by voluntary donation to Adult Education payable on line or through the office at info@congregationemanuel.ca.
Weekly on Fridays, 12:30 – 1:30 pm on Zoom, beginning October 23, 2020.
- Join online: CLICK HERE…
- Regular Dial-in: Call: 1 778 907 2071
- Meeting ID: 826 5893 2465
Please check weekly newsletter for class confirmation.
Brown Bag Beit Midrash
The Brown Bag Beit Midrash crew has completed Pirkei Avot, an important ethical work containing rabbinic lore from the second century BCE to the second century CE. The work is full of ethical and spiritual gems that serve as intellectual seeds for some fulsome and enlightening dialogue and reflection.
In our upcoming session, we will study the Sefer HaAggadah, aka the Book of Legends—a compilation of tales/lore assembled and edited by Hayim Nahman Bialik and Yehoshua Hana Rawnitzki in the early 20th century. It is a collection of rabbinic teachings and stories that fall into the category of “aggadah,” tales, legends and stories that are like spiritual rebar serving to strengthen our attachment and love of Judaism and Divine Source. The group will work through the book with the intention of building skills, knowledge and personal insight. We hope that those who join will become regulars; however the class is always open to drop ins. Participation: by voluntary donation to Adult Education payable on line or through the office at info@congregationemanuel.ca.
We will begin with a consideration of Aggadah and Halakhah and move on to The Work of Creation.
Weekly on Tuesdays, 12:30 – 1:30 pm on Zoom, beginning October 27, 2020.
- Join online: CLICK HERE
- Regular Dial-in: Call: 1 778 907 2071
- Meeting ID: 849 4761 5582
Shiur al haTanakh
The subject for the Shiur al haTanakh for this year will be the books of Samuel, covering the stories and narratives of Samuel, Saul, and David, and the transition from a tribal society to an embryonic kingdom. Our focus will be on the literary quality of the narrative, which is both comic and tragic.
Weekly on Tuesdays 7:00 – 8:30 pmon Zoom beginning October 20, 2020. Participation: voluntary donation to Adult Education (suggested amount: $50) payable on line or through the office. For information or registration, please contact the shul office: info@congregationemanuel.ca
Ḥug Ivrit
Conversational Hebrew with native Hebrew speaker Dahlia Beck
If your Hebrew is well beyond the beginner level, but you require more practice speaking to improve your listening, comprehension and vocabulary skills—Ḥug Ivrit may be for you. We meet with native speaker Dahlia Beck, on Zoom for now, and, under her careful guidance, immerse ourselves in Hebrew conversation and culture.
Weekly on Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:30 pm on Zoom beginning October 14, 2020 Participation: voluntary donation to Adult Education payable on line or through the office at info@congregationemanuel.ca. For more information email Dahlia.
Play Club
COVID-19 has resulted in the members of our Play Club ascending from seats in the audience to a place on the stage. With expert direction provided by Rachel Ditour, we will read aloud and discuss three plays during the upcoming season; our schedule of Plays & Discussion Dates for the 2020/2021 season is the following:
East of Berlin by Hannah Moscovitch
Monday Oct. 26: 7-9 pm: Group reads aloud
Thursday Oct. 29: 7-9 pm: Discussion
Burning Vision by Marie Clements
Monday Jan. 18, 2021: 7-9 pm Group reads aloud
Thursday Jan. 21, 2021: 7-9 pm Discussion
The Blue Light by Meiko Ouchi
Monday April 19, 2021: 7-9 pm Groups reads aloud
Thursday April 22, 2021: 7-9 pm Discussion.
For more information email Rachel.
