O Adonai, our God, let the words of Torah be sweet in our mouths, and the mouths of Your people Israel, so that we, our descendants and the descendants of all Your people Israel may know You by studying your Torah for its own sake.
Blessed are You, Adonai, who teaches Torah to Your people Israel.
-Mishkan T’filah
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At BJBE, life-long learning is a priority because it empowers us to make informed decisions about our Jewish lives, increases our Jewish literacy, adds substance and spiritual meaning to our lives, fosters Jewish autonomy and continuity, and builds our community.
WEEKLY PROGRAMS AND CLASSES
SYMPOSIUM - THE STORIES WE TELL
Tuesdays | 10-11:30am | with Featured and Visiting Educators
“To know who we are is, in large part, to understand the story or stories of which we are a part. The great questions – “Who are we?” “Why are we here?” “What is our task?” – are best answered by telling a story.” – Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
This year’s Symposium will be an exploration of Jewish stories: the narratives, storytellers, media, and tales that have shaped our people. And, through that study, we can gain a deeper understanding of who we ourselves are as well. As always, Symposium will be taught by some of Chicagoland’s leading rabbis and teachers, along with our own BJBE clergy and educators.
TALMUD STUDY
Wednesdays | 9-10 a.m | with Rabbi Goldstein
As one of the earliest rabbinic interpretations of the Bible, the Talmud is indispensable to understanding the laws and customs still practiced today. It is also a highly complicated body of literature that is best understood through conversation with each other. Our group meets on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
No registration needed – drop-ins are always welcome!
SUNRISE STUDY
Fridays | 7:30-8:30am
Looking for a great way to start the day? Each Friday morning, we gather for a casual learning session. We unpack and explore words of Talmud, as we sip coffee in a very informal, easy-going learning environment. Although the timing may be early for some, study is wrapped up in time to meet professional and personal commitments.
No registration needed – drop-ins are always welcome!
SHABBAT TORAH STUDY
Saturdays | 11:15am-12:00pm | with BJBE Clergy
Following Kol Shabbat services, join a member of our clergy team for study of parashat ha-shavua, the weekly Torah portion. Our discussion-based text learning incorporates both classical and modern commentaries, as well as the wisdom of our own community members.
No registration needed – drop-ins are always welcome!
BEGINNING CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW
Sundays | 10:00-11:00am | with Ezra Kedar
This class is geared for adults who want to learn the basics of conversational Hebrew. For more information on the class, please contact Ezra Kedar at ezkedar@gmail.com. To register and pay for the course, please reach out to Larisa Rozman at lrozman@bjbe.org.
MONTHLY PROGRAMS AND CLASSES
Meaningful Moms’ Night Out - 4/15 [Women’s Seder], 5/8, 6/18
Spend an evening caring for yourself the way you care for everyone else. Join Cantor Frost, Susie Wexler, and BJBE friends, old and new, for an inspiring evening of learning and engaging in community. In April, MMNO is joining the Women's Seder on Monday April 15th. To register for the Women's Seder, please email Renee Kruss. Those who wish can request to be seated with Meaningful Mom's Night Out. And, mark your calendar for Wednesday May 8th as we celebrate motherhood through a Jewish lens.
Mini Course Classes:
Spiritual Openings into Adar and Nisan
Tuesdays 4/2, 4/9, & 4/16 | 7:30 pm | $36 Registration Fee
In this three-session class, Rebecca Minkus Lieberman comes to BJBE, and together we will study teachings from the Hasidic masters on the spiritual invitations of the Hebrew months of Adar and Nisan and the holidays of Purim and Passover. We will explore how we can bring these teachings on joy and liberation into our daily lives and relationships.
Crafting the Omer: Making Every Week Count
Tuesday Evenings: 4/30, 5/7, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 7 p.m., $18
The Omer begins the second night of Passover, and it is the seven week period in springtime during which we count each day (Sefirat HaOmer) as we collectively journey from the Redemption of Passover to the Revelation of Shavuot.
Each week of the Omer is grounded in one of seven divine qualities (including strength, balance, splendor, etc.), and we will explore these qualities through art – especially watercolor painting – before concluding with a communal Shavuot celebration on June 11. No artistic background or skill necessary, and you can sign up for as many sessions as you’d like! Supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring any projects you’re working on as well.
Hebrew Classes
Hebrew classes for adults are taught by Ezra Kedar at BJBE. For more information on classes, please contact Ezra Kedar. For information regarding registration and fees, please contact the BJBE office: 847-940-7575.
Beginning Conversational Hebrew
This class is for adults who want to learn the basics of conversational Hebrew.
Advanced Beginning Conversational Hebrew
This class is for adults who have mastered Hebrew reading and are ready to learn how to comfortably carry on a simple Hebrew conversation.
Intermediate Conversational Hebrew
Amaze yourself with how much fun you’ll have speaking Hebrew! Prerequisites: Prior knowledge of basic conversational Hebrew and ability to write Hebrew script.
Advanced Conversational Hebrew
This class is for people who can begin to hold a full conversation in Hebrew and who write Hebrew script competently. Prerequisite: Intermediate Conversational Hebrew.