NEVE SHALOM 250 Grove Avenue Metuchen, NJ 08840 732-548-2238 x 14 NEVE SHALOM Lifelong Learning 2021-2022 5782 [email protected] https://www.neveshalom.net/form/ad-ed-fall/spring-5782.html Neve Shalom and Temple Emanu-El will be sharing many of our Adult Education courses this year with classes taught on Zoom and/or in person. Watch announcements for more details of location. When you register you will receive the appropriate Zoom links. Neve Shalom members should pay our synagogue; Temple Emanu-El members will pay their Temple (both synagogues will be charging the same fees) and students, at no additional charge, can take any or all classes that the two shuls will be offering. This year we will be charging members of either synagogue $60 per year for as many classes as you wish to take. We encourage you to register early so we can guarantee that each class will have sufficient enrollment to meet. Please contact Hazzan Levin [email protected] for information about these offerings and any of Neve Shalom’s Adult Education programs and events. Adult Education Classes September 2021—June 2022 iEngage: Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Rabbi Eric Rosin Sundays 10 am Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov. 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12, 19, Jan. 2, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 13, 27, Mar. 6, 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10, May 8 on Zoom and at Neve Shalom Through the study of Jewish narratives about Israel and the unpacking of the complex meanings of peace in Jewish tradition, participants are invited to explore the ideas and values that animate different attitudes toward the conflict and how these values shape their own political understandings. Though a common political platform may not be attainable, this course strives to achieve a shared respect for our differences. This class has been prepared by the faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute. Rabbi Rosin is the spiritual leader of Neve Shalom. Worldly Jewish Dining: Food, Fun and Festivities through- out the 60’s Sundays at 12:30 pm on Zoom and possibly some kosher restaurants This 8th year of Worldly Jewish Dining will combine our love of cuisine with Temple Emanu-El’s 60th Anniversary. We will explore how that decade changed our lives forever. Hopefully, we will be able to dine together in restaurants, safely. Oct. 24 Those Were the Good Old Days Nov. 14 Let’s Have A Party Dec. 12 Come Fly With Me Jan. 23 Snowbirds Feb. 20 Home Cooking Mar. 6 Diners, Drive-Ins, Fast Food and Dives Apr. 10 Catskills: The Borsht Belt May 15 Stroll Down the Boardwalk(s) The Book Club Mondays at 7:30 pm on Zoom and at Temple Emanu-El Nov. 1 The Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand Dec. 13 The Orchard by David Hopen Jan. 31 Eli's Promise by Ronald Balson Mar. 21 The Book of Lost Names & The Forest of Vanishing Stars both by Kristin Harmel Apr. 18 Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles May 23 The Faberge Secret by Charles Belfoure Creating Your Own Midrash: Filling in the Spaces Between the Letters Rabbi Victor Appell Mondays at 7:30 pm Feb. 7, 14, Mar. 7, 14 on Zoom only Midrash has historically been used to help explain what is not so clear in our sacred texts. Modern midrash has explored characters who have no names who seem on the periphery. Today we can all be writers of midrash. Let’s put pen to paper and try to fill in some sacred spaces. 100 Years of Israeli Songs Hazzan Sheldon Levin Tuesdays at 11 am Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2 & 9 on Zoom only From the early Zionist work tunes to the latest pop hits, Israeli songs have built a nation and often shared the spirit, feelings and experiences of the people through music. Chassidic Song Festival hits, music of Naomi Shemer, Nurit Hirsch and today’s leading composers will all be included. Hazzan Levin is the Cantor and the Robert Moss Adult Education Director at Neve Shalom. Psalm of the Day Rabbi Eric Rosin Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:30 pm Beginning Sept. 30 (30-minute sessions) on Zoom only Each class will focus on a single Psalm using discussion and readings to explore themes in the text. Each session will offer 30 minutes of study to our otherwise busy afternoons. Groovy Text: The Hidden Torah of 60’s Music Cantor Emily Simkin on Zoom only Tuesdays from 7pm-8pm November 2, 9, 16, 30 and Dec. 7 Join Cantor Simkin for a deep dive into the Jewish roots of the 60’s music we know and love! Together we'll explore the seemingly secular music of the era by listening to some of your favorite recordings and performances. We'll uncover the hidden Torah within the music by examining the texts and Jewish values that inspired these 60’s classics. Cantor Simkin is the Cantor at Temple Emanu-El. Jewish Film Series hosted by Hazzan Sheldon Levin Tuesdays at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm on Zoom only Jan. 4 The Song of Names starring Tim Roth and Clive Owen, about a Holocaust survivor who is a violin star with a surprising story. Jan. 11 Killing Kasztner Gaylen Ross’ must-see documentary! The Jewish Schindler? Hero or collaborator? Jan. 18 The Exodus Decoded Amazing graphics presented by James Cameron show how the Biblical Exodus happened explained scientifically. Jan. 25 Here Today starring Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish, is the story of an older comedian, his Jewish family issues and how he copes with dementia with the help of an unusual friend. Class dates may be changed if the clergy have a conflict such as a funeral or other conflict. In such cases, we will try to contact everyone who registered in advance by email. Rebels with Causes Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman Wednesdays at 9:00 am Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8, 15, Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, Apr. 6, 13, 27 and May 4, 11, 18, 25 on Zoom only The Book of Prophets contains some of the most stirring imagery and urgent messages around justice, hope and caring for the vulnerable among us in all of Jewish tradition. Yet, apart from listening to weekly Haftarah readings over the years, not many of us have delved into the words of Isaiah, Jeremiah and other major and minor prophets through the ages. In this ongoing reading group, you’ll have an opportunity to do just that. Rabbi Gutterman is the spiritual leader of Temple Emanu-El. Lunch and Learn Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman Wednesdays at 12:30 pm Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8, 15, Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, Apr. 6, 13, 27 and May 4, 11, 18, 25 on Zoom only We will explore Jewish texts in relation to the lives we lead today. All texts are read in English and serve as jumping off points to explore our own voices and stories and how Jewish wisdom can play a vital part. Talmud Le’at Stephan Gross Wednesdays at 7:30 pm Oct. 13 then every other week at his home This bi-weekly class, taught in English, covers different topics of interest today that are discussed in the Talmud. Stephan Gross is an experienced lay learner and teacher. Jewish Meditation Techniques Lisa McNerney Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Feb. 2, 16, Mar. 2, 30 on Zoom In these stressful times, meditation can be helpful. Do you know about Jewish Meditation techniques? These include practices of setting the mind, introspection, visualization, concentration on philosophical, ethical or mystical ideas. Jewish mystics have viewed meditation as leading to devekut (cleaving to God). Lisa McNerney is the Educational Director at Temple Emanu-El. Three Holocaust-Related Courses Unsung Heroes: Righteous Non-Jews Debra Maller Thursdays at 7:30 pm Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28 on Zoom Any Holocaust survivor will tell you that they did not survive without the selfless help of others, often non- Jews. Explore a few stories of these unsung heroes and discuss what separated them from others who stood by. Role of Women During World War II Arlene Marcus Thursdays at 7:30 pm Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3 & 10 on Zoom We will focus on a Kindertransport survivor: Lisa Jura, women code breakers of Enigma, and Polish women including Irena Sendler, Irene Gut Opdyke and Renia Kukielka. The Longest Hatred: An Exploration of Anti-Semitism Debra Maller Thursdays at 7:30 pm Mar. 3, 10, 24, 31 & Apr. 7 on Zoom Explore the complicated beginnings of anti-Semitism, it’s myths and legends. Discuss this longest hatred with open ears and open minds. Special Events Global Day of Learning (for all ages) Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021 from 9:45am-1pm at Neve Shalom This community day of study is part of the world-wide program designed by Adin Steinsaltz, z”l. Rabbi Eric Rosin, Hazzan Sheldon Levin, Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman, Cantor Emily Simkin and other educators will be teaching this year’s theme: Sacred Connections. The Choral Torah Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021 at 8 pm at Neve Shalom Cantorial student Joshua Ehrlich has written an a cappella choral piece for every parasha of the year. Together with an octet of cantorial students, they will perform some of the highlights. As a treat, the students will also sing Israeli, Pop and Broadway selections with Torah connections.