We offer a diverse range of Adult Education programs at Temple Beth El, including Shabbat morning Torah study, Breakfast lecture/discussion series, and a periodic Introduction to Judaism class. In addition, there is a book discussion group, and Adult Hebrew and cantillation classes. Text study programs are held on Shavuot, Tisha B'av and adult discussion takes place on the afternoon of Yom Kippur. We host a annual scholar-in-residence weekend in memory of our founding spiritual leader, Rabbi Manfred Swarsensky, in November. Earlier in the fall a local scholar is asked to speak on a topic related to the upcoming Swarsensky weekend. Check the Calendar section of our website for details about current offerings.

 Please join us on the following Sunday mornings for bagels, coffee and enlightening lectures and discussions.  This series is open to the entire community and meets at Temple Beth El.

Schedule: 11am, Bagels; 11:20am, Presentation; 12:30pm Adjourn

December 11: Tony Michels-- "Is America 'Different'? A New Perspective on an Old Question"
December 18: Bill & Bobbie Malone-- "Jews and Country Music" Both presenters are historians, authors, music collectors and performers
January 29: Henry Sapoznik-- "Yiddish Culture's Next Century"
February 26: Timothy Smeeding-- "Poverty, Inequality and the Great Recession: National, State and Local Perspectives"
March 11: David Newby-- "The American Labor Movement"
March 18: Linda Reivitz-- "Health Care Reform: What are We Reforming?"

Begins January 12, 2012, 7-9pm
Curious about Judaism? Want to refresh your knowledge? Wondering about conversion to Judaism?

The biannual Introduction to Judaism class begins on Thursday evening, January 12, and runs for seventeen weekly sessions through the middle of May. In addition to the Thursday class sessions, there will be a few special excursions around Jewish Madison.

Tuition, which does not include the cost of books, will remain: Members of a Madison synagogue: $100 per person, $175 per couple. Non-members: $150 per person, $250 per couple. Students: $50. There will be a ten student minimum for the class to take place.

This course is offered as a joint project of Beth Israel Center, Congregation Sha’arei Shamayim, and Temple Beth El, and sessions will be taught by local Rabbis and Educators. It can stand alone as education about Judaism, or it can serve as a pre-requisite for conversion to Judaism. Please call Rabbi Biatch 238-3123, for course and registration information.