Adult Engagement

Programs 5778

Introduction

We have now had several years in our new building, enjoying and making good use of our Lipsey Family Adult Wing and learning spaces: the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning, and Conference Center, the Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash and the Frank Nathanson Adult Lounge. This year we offer an equally stimulating and wide range of adult courses and programs designed to appeal to anyone with a curious and open mind, from Jewish thinkers of the 20th Century to an exciting author series; from introductory Judaism and prayer to parenting support; from spiritual discovery to interfaith exploration; poetry, film groups, book clubs, and much more…

Our excellent congregational staff, other recognized experts and fellow congregants with specialized knowledge and experience teach all of the classes. We wish to thank Dr. Arnold Brenner, Michael and Barbara Erlichman, Derek Fields, Phil Kruger, Dara Horn, Max Kleinman and others for volunteering their time and teaching talents to our program. Please note that the time frames for classes vary; some are ongoing, some are a full academic year, some are limited sessions, and some are just one semester – either fall or spring.

We need a minimum of four people to provide a class. No CAI member will be denied participation in CAI classes due to financial concerns. Please speak to Rabbi Silverstein about financial aid opportunities.

We invite you to choose something from this brochure and join us for an exciting and involved year as we continue to take full advantage of our Adult Learning Center. We seek to make new friends and expand our individual and group understanding of relevant issues and topics. If there is something else you would like to see included, please let us know.

We look forward to a great year!

Shana Tova,

Rabbi Alan Silverstein and Susan Werk, Education Director

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Courses

Talmud Class Jewish Second Temple Literature Discussion

This is a lively, interactive, and insightful Reading scripture and other sacred literature in discussion of the Talmud, in English. No prior Second Temple Times: Congregant Phil Kruger knowledge needed to share and learn. leads a discussion of the Books of Enoch, the Book

Instructor: Dr. Arnold Brenner of Jubilees, the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Time: Saturdays at Mincha, candle lighting time the Gospels and other Second Temple literature and Location: Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash/Toby how these writings relate to the Jewish sacred Shapiro Library canon. The class takes place each week, starting one half hour after the beginning of the Shabbat Instructor: Dr. Arnold Brenner Kiddush; is open to all and no experience or Time: Sundays at 8:15 am familiarity with the material is required. The Location: Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash/Toby discussions are held in the Sidney Feinstein Beit Shapiro Library Midrash/Toby Shapiro Library, unless Phil is away or there is a specially scheduled lunch and learn. The class is presently completing its study of the Torah Study Class First Book of Enoch early this fall and will begin its How does the weekly Torah portion relate to our study of First and Second Maccabees thereafter. All lives today? Study the meaning behind the are welcome to join. weekly Torah reading with other adults. Lively conversation and meaningful insights occur each Instructor: Phil Kruger week. Time: Every Saturday, one half hour after services end/Kiddush begins (held every week unless there Instructor: Susan Werk is a scheduled lunch and learn) Time: Saturdays at 9:00 am Location: Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash/Toby Location: Sidney Feinstein Beit Midrash/Toby Shapiro Library Shapiro Library

The Ethical Life: Jewish Values in an Age of Choice A Turnkey Curriculum in Jewish Ethics from JTS

From political and financial scandals to rapid progress in biomedical science and technology, the complex issues of modern society are, at their core, issues of ethical and moral concern. Now more than ever, we require a solid understanding of how Jewish ethics can inform our discussions and decisions about the critical questions of the day. Judaism has a long history of wrestling with moral questions, responding to them in a way that considers all sides of an issue.

Instructor: Rabbi Michael Jay Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Dates: October 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20, 27; December 4, 11, 18 and January 8, 22, 29 Location: Frank Nathanson Adult Lounge Cost: $120 CAI member, $240 non-member

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Courses Continued

Shabbat Meditation

Shabbat Meditation - Begin Shabbat in stillness. Shabbat is the time for quieting, stepping back from the hectic workday world, and entering a time of peacefulness and communion with nature and spirit. Begin your Shabbat with meditation on ten Saturday mornings this year. You will feel a sense of peace, tranquility, and awareness that will enhance your Shabbat experience.

Instructor: Karen Frank, RN, Congregational Nurse Time: Saturdays at 9:30 am Dates: October 7, November 4, December 2, January 6, February 3, March 3, April 14, May 5, June 2 (First Saturday of every month through June) Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center

Tuesday Adult Ed with Nancy Caplan 9:15 - 10:15 am: Conversational Hebrew Advance Beginner to Intermediate level

10:30 - 11:40 am: Text and Coffee – Torah text through many lenses. Together let’s explore Torah text with an eye towards how it can be interpreted by different, sometimes conflicting approaches: from ancient to modern from Jewish to other religions. We will begin with the book of Exodus.

1:00 – 2:00 pm: Where and When - Looking at where and when laws and customs originated. Is it ancient or modern, and where in the world did it begin?

Instructor: Nancy Caplan Dates: First Semester: October 10, 17, 24, 31; November 14, 21, 28; December 5, 12, 19; January 2, 9 Second Semester: January 23, 30; February 6, 13, 27; March 6, 13, 20; April 10, 17, 24; May 1 Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost Per Class: $120 CAI member, $240 non-member - for either one of the above classes

Wednesdays With Rabbi Silverstein

10:00 am - Book of Job; Why Do Good People Suffer? 11:00 am - Great Zionist Thinkers – Herzel, Ahad Ha’am, A.D. Gordon, Jabotinsky, Louis Brandeis, Eliezer Ben Yehuda and others

Instructor: Rabbi Silverstein Dates: Wednesdays, Fall Semester: October 25; November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; December 6, 13, 20; January 3, 10, 17 Spring Semester: March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free for CAI members, $240 non-member per semester

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Courses Continued

Thursdays With Rabbi Silverstein and Susan Werk 9:30 am - Rabbi Silverstein presents: Contemporary Jewish Thinkers, Musicians, Artists. Periodic session with Cantor Joel Caplan and CAI artists 10:30 am - Susan Werk presents: The Drama of King David and How It Relates To Contemporary Issues. Taught through text, art and literature Instructors: Rabbi Silverstein and Susan Werk Dates: Thursdays, October 26; November 2, 9, 16, 30; December 7, 14, 21; January 4, 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free for CAI members, $480 non-member

Fridays With Rabbi Richard Hammerman Sighing and Soaring in the Psalms - Can the Psalms in the Siddur Speak to Us, Today? An examination of the Psalms of Kabbalat Shabbat and the Morning services

Instructor: Rabbi Richard Hammerman Dates: Fridays, October 20 through Friday, May 18; 7:45 – 8:15 am Location: Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free

Fridays With Max Kleinman Monthly Current Event Discussions

Instructor: Max Kleinman Dates: Fridays at 10:30 am (Please verify the dates on the calendar at Agudath.org.) Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free

Fridays With Derek Fields Weekly Rambam class

Instructor: Derek Fields Dates: Fridays at early service Cost: Free

Fridays - Spring Semester Buddhism, Hinduism and Eastern Religion

Instructor: Professor James Flynn, Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy from Caldwell University Dates: Fridays at 10:30 am for 6 sessions (Dates to be determined) Location: Conference Room in the Toby Shapiro Library, Learning and Conference Center Cost: Free

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Michael and Barbara Erlichman Film Series

Thanks to the generous donation of Dr. Michael and Barbara Erlichman, we have an opportunity to celebrate our rich Jewish heritage through film. Screenings of dramas, comedies, and documentaries will be followed by discussions.

On The Map Wednesday, October 25 at 7:45 pm

How much do you know about The Maccabi Tel Aviv Israeli basketball team? Why is it important for us to know this story? It is an unbelievable, inspirational, and a must see for Jews worldwide to recognize this majestic event. A prideful story, which recounts the arousing tale of the Israeli national basketball team’s 1977 win of the European Cup; how this one group of teammates literally put Israel on the map. It changed the confidence of a country to one of Israel as a distinguished sports competitor, now recognized on the world stage. Tal Brody, a hotshot New Jersey ball player, ditched a potential NBA career to anchor the team in its early days. Yitzhak Rabin, the prime minister of Israel, put off announcing his resignation so it did not interrupt the broadcast of this championship game and Natan Sharansky, the one-time Soviet dissident, recalls being imprisoned the day after the Maccabis beat the Soviet red team. An unforgettable upset victory by the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team against its Cold War adversaries is recounted in this movie. “On The Map” the so called “Miracle on Hardwood,” is thrillingly headed by team captain and Israeli basketball hero Tal Brody. Demoralized by the Yom Kippur War and the Munich massacre, Israel was hungry for a collective triumph as it pursued the win of this 1977 European Championship Tournament. Facing impossible odds, the underdog Maccabi Tel Aviv team, comprised of Israeli players and NBA players, was matched up against the powerhouse Soviets in the semifinals. In a David and Goliath battle, the Israelis toppled the four-time defending Soviet champs and, in doing so, rallied a nation. The filmmaker had collaborated with an exceptional production team - including Steven Spielberg’s sister, Nancy Spielberg, to show how sports can cross all divides to unite a country. This movie shows how one man can make a difference; Tal Brody, presciently calls out in 1977, “We are on the map; and we are staying on the map, not only in sports, but in everything!”

Harmonia Wednesday, November 15 at 7:45 pm

“Harmonia,” is an Israeli film, which portrays a modern adaptation of the mythological triangle between the childless Abraham and Sarah and young Hagar. Sarah is the harpist of the Jerusalem Philharmonic; Abraham is its almighty conductor. It is when Hagar, a young horn player from East Jerusalem, joins the orchestra that the movie takes shape. Perhaps the greatest strength of this film is its use of music to communicate the feelings, personalities, and nuances of the story. This film is a Biblical allegory. Throughout the film, the audiences follow along in Genesis. “Harmonia,” was nominated for five Academy Awards, and was the winner of Best Cinematography.

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Michael and Barbara Erlichman Film Series

Rosenwald Wednesday, March 7 at 7:45 pm

Rosenwald, is the incredible story of Julius Rosenwald, who never finished high school, but rose to become the President of Sears. Influenced by the writings of the educator Booker T Washington, this Jewish philanthropist joined forces with African American communities during the Jim Crow South to establish challenge grants, seeded for the creation of more than 5,500 schools for poor, rural African-American children in southern states at a time when few received any public education. Inspired by Jewish ideals of Tzedakah (charity) and Tikun Olam (repairing the world), and a deep concern over racial inequality In America, Rosenwald gave away $62 million in his lifetime. Included in his list of scholarship recipients are: Marian Anderson, James Baldwin, Julian Bond, Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes, Jacob Lawrence, Loretta Lynch, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey’s ancestor, Amanda Bullock, and many more. This film will shed light on a remarkable man, and his extraordinary story.

Monkey Business Wednesday, April 25 at 7:45 pm

HOW DID CURIOUS GEORGE ESCAPE THE NAZIS? A documentary film exploring the extraordinary lives of Hans and Margaret Rey, who are the authors of Curious George children’s books. Margret described Curious George as a “monkey who, through his curiosity, gets himself into trouble, and through his own ingenuity gets himself out of trouble.” She could have been describing the Reys themselves. Time and time again they encountered difficult situations only to turn moments of despair into hope.

Who the Reys were is why we have George; this film shares that story. The Curious George books have sold over 75 million copies in 19 languages. Few people know much about the Reys’ personal life stories. The Reys had a treacherous escape and long journey on June 12, 1940; H.A. and Margaret made their getaway on the rainy Paris roads by bicycle (with the Curious George book hidden in their basket). Their dangerous journey and narrow escape is nothing short of miraculous.

The Rey’s traveled roughly 493 miles to Bayonne, France; unfortunately, facing closed borders when they arrived at Spain. Their lives rested in the hands of one man, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese consul- general in Bayonne during WWII. He issued them visas to Lisbon, then they traveled to Brazil, with a final destination New York City, in 1942. At that moment the beloved character of Curious George was born, and, entered the hearts of American children.

Who knew, that behind such a warm and fuzzy character of innocent mischief and endless silliness rested a bold and historic journey, by his creators, Margaret and Hans Rey?

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Film

The Women’s Balcony Wednesday, December 6 at 7:45 pm

An accident during a bar mitzvah celebration leads to a gender rift in a devout Orthodox community in Jerusalem, in this rousing, good-hearted tale about women speaking truth to patriarchal power.

When the women’s balcony in an Orthodox synagogue collapses, leaving the rabbi’s wife in a coma and the rabbi in shock, the congregation falls into crisis. Charismatic young Rabbi David appears to be a savior after the accident, but slowly starts pushing his fundamentalist ways and tries to take control. This tests the women’s friendships and creates an almost Lysistrata-type rift between the community’s women and men.

The Hope, 1948 Sunday, December 24, Time to be determined The acclaimed film “The Hope, 1948” is about the rise of the State of Israel. Viewers are taken on an extraordinary journey through the 50 years that preceded the founding of the modern state of Israel. See Israel’s history unfold through the eyes of Israel’s most influential visionaries and founders. – with discussion led by Rabbi Silverstein

Jewish Adult Scholarly Learning

The CAI Adult Scholarly Education Group plans a series of four classes with the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem via Skype with Rabbinical student and teacher Yarden Raber. The lectures will be held on Sunday mornings at approximately 11:00 am with specific dates to be announced. The focus of the classes is on The Intersection of Second Temple Traditions and Rabbinic Literature. The classes will consist of the following:

CLASS 1: THE CALENDAR: DEFINING TIME: Both rabbinic sources and Second Temple literature reveal that there was a heated debate over the proper calendar. The books of Jubilees and Enoch strongly advocate a solar calendar based upon a 364 day year (divisible by 7) while later rabbinic sources are adamant that the Torah mandated that the calendar was to be determined by the moon. (A twelve month lunar calendar produces a year of 354 days (which is not divisible by 7 and which therefore creates all sorts of issues regarding holidays that fall on Shabbat.) Of course, the Rabbis won out. In this class we will explore this Second Temple dispute.

CLASS 2: LITURGY: TOWARD A STANDARDIZED PRAYER: There were no siddurim in Second Temple Times. Moreover, Jewish scripture was finalized during the period of the Temple and sacrificial worship. Was there Biblical prayer? How did prayer start? What was prayer like before there was a siddur? We will examine examples of pre-siddur prayer from both the Priestly and Essene groups of Second Temple times and examine their relationship with later Rabbinic liturgy.

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Jewish Adult Scholarly Learning Continued

CLASS 3: BIBLE: BETWEEN INTERPRETATION AND REWRITING: We know that there was a time that when someone disagreed with a portion of the Hebrew Bible he simply rewrote it. See the Book of Deuteronomy and the Books of Chronicles. But we also know that if we disagree with the Bible today, we would and could not rewrite it but instead might re-interpret it. In this class we will examine the non- canonical additions to the Book of Esther and discover what the Septuagint, the Vulgate and later Rabbinic midrashim have in common on the subject of rewriting and interpretation.

CLASS 4: PURITY & IMPURITY: FROM STRINGENCY TO LENIENCY: No subject is more important and more difficult to understand than the issue of ritual impurity. Yet no subject better describes the transition from Second Temple times to modern rabbinic Judaism. Was idolatry a source of ritual defilement? We will look at the Mishnah and the Tosefta Avodah Zarah (which means, strange service) as a case study of common traditions regarding purity and impurity in Second Temple and rabbinic periods. Dates to be determined.

SAVE THE DATES:

Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2

John Collins Holmes is the Professor of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation at Yale Divinity School. A native of Ireland, Professor Collins was a professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of Chicago from 1991 until his arrival at YDS in 2000. He has published widely on the subjects of apocalypticism, wisdom, Hellenistic Judaism, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Shabbat Topic: How did Messianic thinking develop in Judaism and in Christianity? Friday, December 1 Shabbat Dinner followed by lecture on Hebrew Scriptural underpinnings of the idea of a messiah. During this lecture he will discuss the idea of the king being conceived as the son of God in Samuel, Kings and especially Psalms.

Saturday, December 2, at 9:00 am

Professor Collins will speak at the weekly parshah class about the impact of the Book of Daniel, probably the last book of the Hebrew Scriptures to be composed, on messianic thinking.

After Kiddush Lecture: Professor Collins will discuss how messianic ideas were developed in late Second Temple Judaism and in the Qumran community.

After Shabbat Lecture (TBA) Professor Collins will lecture on the subject of how Christian Jews developed these Jewish ideas into messianic Christian thinking.

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SAVE THE DATES CONTINUED:

Tuesday, May 8, time to be determined.

Professor Burton Visotzky of the Jewish Theological Seminary is a leading authority on Jewish Midrash and an active participant in interfaith dialogue. Professor Visotzky will lecture on "Isaac Unbound: Three Religions Read the Sacrifice of Abraham's Son”, the teaching of text from Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspective”.

All of the programs of the CAI Adult Scholarly Education Group are free and open to the public. Other programs are in the planning stage.

These programs are sponsored by supporters of the CAI Adult Scholarly Learning Group and Congregation Agudath Israel. If you are interested in helping plan these and similar programs, please contact Phil Kruger at [email protected] or call him at 973-778-1870.

Special Author Lectures

 NAOMI LEVY's latest book is Einstein and the Rabbi. She is the founder and leader of Nashuva, a groundbreaking Jewish spiritual outreach movement based in Los Angeles. Levy was named one of the top-fifty rabbis in America by Newsweek.

Wednesday, November 1 at 8:00 pm Rabbi Naomi Levy will be presenting her book Einstein and the Rabbi. Sponsored by the Toby Shapiro Fund and the Doris R. Werk Fund

“A human being is part of the whole, called by us ‘Universe,’ a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts, and feelings as something separate from the rest―a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness…” ―Albert Einstein

When Rabbi Naomi Levy came across this poignant letter by Einstein it shook her to her core. His words perfectly captured what she has come to believe about the human condition: that we are intimately connected, and that we are blind to this truth. Levy wondered what had elicited such spiritual wisdom from a man of science? Thus began a three-year search into the mystery of Einstein’s letter, and into the mystery of the human soul. What emerges is an inspiring, deeply affecting book for people of all faiths filled with universal truths that will help us reclaim our own souls and glimpse the unity that has been evading us.

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Special Events

Saturday, October 28, 11:00 am Guest Speaker: Nigel Savage, Founder & CEO of HAZON Shabbat service speaker and "Lunch & Learn" presented by the CAI Jewish Environmental Committee.

Hazon works to create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community and a healthier and more sustainable world for all. Their programs are multi-generational and give entry points for Jews of all backgrounds who are concerned about the environment and the world.

Sunday, November 5, 7:30 pm Join us in a partnership with AIPAC to hear Speaker Daniel Shapiro (former US Ambassador to Israel) at B’nai Abraham

Daniel Shapiro is a diplomat and former Ambassador of the United States of America to the State of Israel. He was nominated by President Barack Obama on March 29, 2011, and confirmed by the Senate on May 29. He was sworn in as ambassador by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on July 8, 2011. Previously, he was the senior director for the Middle East and North Africa on the United States National Security Council.

Thursday, November 16, 7:45 pm Guest Speaker: Knesset Member Michael Oren (Former Israel Ambassador to the USA) Sponsored by Jean Stoloff in memory of Al Stoloff

Michael Bornstein Oren is an American-born Israeli historian, author, politician, former ambassador to the United States (2009–2013), and current member of the Knesset for the Kulanu party and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.

Oren has written books, articles, and essays on Middle Eastern history, and is the author of the New York Times best-selling Power, Faith and Fantasy and Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East, which won the Los Angeles Times History Book of the Year Award and the National Jewish Book Award. Oren has been a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale, and Georgetown universities in the United States and at Tel Aviv and Hebrew universities in Israel. The Forward named Oren one of the five most influential American Jews and The Jerusalem Post listed him as one of the world’s ten most influential Jews.

Saturday, December 16, 7:30 pm Hanukah Celebration, 8:00 pm Show Comedy Night presenting Comedian Avi Liberman

Avi Liberman's quirky style has made him a favorite in comedy clubs from Los Angeles to New York. Born in Israel, raised in Texas, having gone to college in New York, and now living in Los Angeles, his style is a winning combination of life experiences and topical issues told through a varied blend of characters and voices with worldwide expertise.

Avi has performed stand-up comedy on CBS's "Late Late Show" with Craig Ferguson, Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" and "Make Me Laugh" as well as NBC's "Friday Night!" His acting credits include CBS’s "Dave's World", NBC’s "Boston Common" and Comedy Central’s "Andytown U.S.A.". Avi can be seen regularly on E! as a frequent guest on their very popular countdown series.

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Special Events

We are pleased to announce that guest Speaker Rabbi Gerald Zelizer will share more on his series “Why Is Religion So Violent and What Can We Do About It?” on Wednesday, November 15 at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church in North Caldwell and in January 2018 at Peace Island [Turkish Moslem] Institute in Hasbrouck Heights

More Details to follow…

Thursday, May 17 – Saturday, May 19 “Our Ancestors Would Be Incredulous: Jews and Christians in our Time” An Extraordinary Weekend of Interfaith Learning with International Guests and World-Famous Leaders

How does hatred become respect, especially if it deeply rooted in religious belief? Searching for the answers to that question is the life work of two Christian professors, who will be our teachers and guests May 17-19, 2018.

Dr. Ursula Rudnick who is Head of the Desk for Jewish-Christian Relations in Lower Saxony, Germany, and Professor in the Institute of Comparative Religion and Theology at the University of Hanover, will bring a delegation of German Lutherans to engage with members of our synagogue in interfaith learning. Professor Rudnick, who is an ordained Lutheran minister, earned one of her MAs and her PhD at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Dr. Rudnick, who has visited CAI before, is the recipient of the of the Buber-Rosenzweig medal, the most important distinction in the field of dialogue between Jews and Christians in Germany.

She has published 13 books, as well as many articles. Two of her books are: On the long Journey to the Neighbor’s House: Positions of the Evangelical [Protestant] Church in the Christian-Jewish Dialogue and their location in Theology; and The Scent of Paradise, Encounters with the Jewish Tradition.

We are honored, as well, to have as a scholar-in-residence, Dr. Mary Boys, Dean of Academic Affairs and the Skinner and McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology at Union Theological Seminary, New York City. Dr. Boys is also an adjunct professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is the recipient of the Shevet Achim Award of The Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations.

Continued…

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Dr. Boys is the author of six books, all in the CAI library.

Two of them are: Has God Only One Blessing?: Judaism as a Source of Christian Self- Understanding; and Redeeming Our Sacred Story: The Death of Jesus and Relations between Jews and Christians.

Our interfaith learning will include talks by community leaders, text learning, challah- baking, shared Shabbat experiences, the Tikun Lel Shavuot, home hospitality for our guests, and major presentations by our visiting scholars.

Drs. Boys and Rudnick will speak on Shabbat morning about Christian-Jewish relations in the past. Following Kiddush, they will speak at a Lunch and Learn talk about where Catholic and Protestant relations with Jews are now, and where they are going.

We are happy to share sponsorship of Dr. Boys’ visit with the First Presbyterian Church, where Dr. Boys and Dr. Rudnick will speak on Sunday morning. This weekend is coordinated by the CAI Interfaith Committee, headed by Glenn Sacks.

Rosh Chodesh Women’s Group

Instructor: Susan Werk Time: 8:00 pm Location: To be announced

Looking for a meaningful woman’s experience? Join our monthly Women’s Rosh Chodesh Group. Learn, share and grow in a safe loving environment. No prior knowledge of Hebrew or Torah needed, just the desire to learn and share with your fellow congregants.

Kislev Monday, November 20

Tevet Monday, December 18

Shevat Wednesday, January 17

Adar Thursday, February 15

Annual Women’s Seder Thursday, March 15

Iyar Monday, April 16

Sivan Tuesday, May 15

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Trips and More Presented by Co-chairs: Susie Bruch and Evie Posner

**Please note all registration and information is available on the events page of Agudath.org. Registration for trips will be open one month prior to the trip. Tours are non-refundable. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.

Williamsburg Brooklyn, Hasidic & Millennial Monday, October 16, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (approximately)

Register: On the events page of Agudath.org. Deadline October 11 – SPACE IS LIMITED Meeting location: Williamsburg library- 240 Division Ave. at Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn Cost: $30.00 Transportation: Participants are responsible for own transportation to and from the event.

Visitors are led through the neighborhood of shops, eateries, synagogues, schools and historical sites. They learn about the faith and value system of contemporary Hasidism, the history of Jewish Williamsburg, and the origin of Hasidism and its major sects, including Satmar. Groups learn about traditions of Hasidic marriage and family, the cultures of Hasidic women, men and children, dress, language and education in lively conversations, with emphasis on understanding and learning. Questions are always encouraged - we are eager to share.

Lunch: On your own. Options are: Food tasting at Hasidic eatery, or 12 Chairs, an Israeli restaurant.

Second half of the day: Millennial Williamsburg: Walk down trendy Bedford St. Learn about immigration to the area, artist and flea market haven, the industrial past, including the sugar factory and brewery.

NYC Subway Art Tour Wednesday, December 6 at 9:45 am

Register: On the events page of Agudath.org. Registration will open one month prior to the trip. Meeting location: McDonald’s on 51st Street and Broadway Cost: $30.00

Many people think of the New York City subway as one of the largest, most efficient, if not the cleanest mass transit systems in the world. Few, however, think of it as the largest and longest art gallery on the planet. Well, they don’t know what they are missing. This lively walking AND subway riding tour visits several subway stations to experience a selection of these striking often whimsical works that go largely unnoticed by the general public.

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Trips and More Continued

“Jews on the Chocolate Trail” Monday, January 8

Herbert and Eileen Bernard Museum of Judaica at Temple Emanu-El in NYC

Register: On the events page of Agudath.org. Registration will open one month prior to the trip.

What do you currently know about the intersection of Jewish life and chocolate? For example, the liquid delicacy that inquisition-era Sephardi Jews introduced to France, or the 19th-century Viennese boychik’s invention that went on to become the Austrian “It” dessert, aka Sachertorte. Yes, there are hundreds of years of chocolate-swirled Jewish history that you probably haven’t had the pleasure of sinking your teeth into…yet.

More details about the trip to come....

Apollo Theater Tour – Lunch on the Upper West Side Monday, March 5, 11:00 am

Register: On the events page of Agudath.org. Registration will open one month prior to the trip. Meeting location: Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027 Cost: $30.00

The Apollo Theater is one of Harlem’s, New York City’s and America’s most iconic and enduring music halls. Many of the world’s greatest musicians and entertainers have graced its stage, giving it a starring role at the epicenter of American popular culture. Explore the legendary history of the Apollo Theater and gain behind- the-scenes access to our legendary venue. Your Historic Tour connects the past, present and future through the entertaining and inspiring storytelling of Billy “Mr. Apollo” Mitchell. Your tour ends onstage where you can touch the Tree of Hope. And if you have the heart, you may be selected to perform on the world famous Apollo stage!

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FUTURE EVENTS LOOK FOR MORE DETAILS IN UPCOMING ADULT EDUCATION NEWS

. Summer 2018, Hudson Valley Overnight Trip . Yom HaShoah program . CAI celebration of Israel at 70 years . Cantor Arianne Brown of Adas Israel of Washington, DC in concert with Cantor Joel Caplan . Coping Workshops with CAI’s Zeller Family JFS Social Worker, Andrea Malmud . Cantor Caplan Adult Choir – for details, contact the Cantor . Holiday Enhancement Workshops, pop culture courses and more with Susan Werk . Monthly breakfast with attorneys covering legal ethics in Jewish law led by Rabbi Silverstein . Medical ethics and Jewish law with medical professionals and led by Rabbi Silverstein . A Series of Torah Classes during Tikkun Lel Shavuot – Saturday evening, May 19 . Guest speakers: Rabbis Steven Wernick, David Saltzman and Cliff Miller, as well as Debby Miller and Serena Solomon. . Adult Materials developed by Mercaz and the World Zionist Organization in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary. Provided by CAI’s Israel/Mercaz Committee. . Annual Iftar Dinner With Peace Island Institute . Tour of the Eichmann Trial exhibit at The Museum of Jewish Heritage . Parenting and grand parenting workshops with ECC Director, Geula Zamist

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