Community and Adult Education

Feed Your Mind, Body, and Soul! TBI provides a range of Jewish cultural and educational experiences.
Programs and classes are open to all, and we welcome students from within TBI and from the larger community.

Current Offerings

Our congregational theme for 5784 is Mesoret-Tradition. And we’re celebrating our 90th year! For information about all programming and Zoom links, please sign up for This Week @ TBI, our weekly e-newsletter.

If you have ideas for an activity, class, or lecture, or you’d like to offer your expertise, please contact the office at 541-485-7218 x 110.

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Prophets and Writings of the Hebrew Bible

Sundays, 10:00am, via Zoom (See the e-news for the Zoom link.)
with Deborah Green, Professor of Ancient Religion, Bible, and Rabbinic Interpretation

Learn about × “ך (naḥ) – the Prophets and Writings parts of the Hebrew Bible. Deborah Green, professor of ancient religion, Bible, and rabbinic interpretation leads a weekly discussion on these two often overlooked sections of the Bible. Our ḥevruta (study group) reads together in English and explore one or two chapters each week. You need access only to a Jewish Bible in English, preferably the Jewish Publication Society translation, and an inquisitive mind.

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DIY Jewish Resources

Are you looking for a guide in how to light Shabbat candles, attend a house of shiva or understand why a glass is broken under a huppah? Here is a list of resources to guide, inspire and deeper your Jewish practice:

bimbam.com/judaism-101/ – amazing DIY guides, weekly torah portion videos by contemporary thinkers and text resources from folktales to Talmud

ritualwell.org/ – from rituals for everyday holiness to healing and hard times, here you’ll find ways to make time sacred and have time for the sacred, powered by Reconstructing Judaism

hadar.org/torah-tefillah – vibrant NY based yeshiva for song, torah and community engagement, here you’ll find ways to learn, pray and music for the soul

onetable.org/resource-library/ – experts in creating shabbat, particularly for those who are interfaith and/or new to the experience of Shabbat, from pride to pickles, interviews to how to host, click here for fresh takes on Shabbat

myjewishlearning.com/category/celebrate/ – your guide to Jewish holidays, life cycle events, daf yomi (daily page of Talmud) and a place to say kaddish with a minyan (community)

Ongoing

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Torah Study w/Rabbi Ruhi Sophia

Thursdays, Noon – via Zoom

All are welcome for an engaging discussion of this week’s Torah portion and how it impacts our lives. See the weekly e-news for the Zoom link.

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Jewish Literature Series

January 10
The Kill Artist
by Daniel Silva

February 7
Shanda
by Letty Cottin Pogrebin

March 13
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
by James McBride

April 10
Monkey Boy
by Francisco Goldman

Contact Martha Ravits for details

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Shabbat Torah Study

Saturdays via Zoom, 8:45 am
(8:30 am when b’nai mitzvah celebrated at Shabbat Services)

All are welcome to join a lively exploration of the weekly Torah portion. All levels of experience welcome. Text study is done in English, with occasional close examination of the Hebrew text in an inclusive manner.

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Shabbat Morning Prayers UnPacked w/Sheri Konowitz

Selected Saturdays 11am-noon

In person

Do you want to learn more about the Shabbat morning service? Expand your understanding of Jewish prayer or take a next step in your own spiritual or prayer practice?

Questions, ideas and doubts welcome.

Open to all of TBI and beyond.

Upcoming:
Feb 10: Mi Chamocha – Meeting Our Limits & Being Accompanied
Mar 9: Amidah – Talking & Listening for Guidance, Inspiration and Hope
Apr 13: Kaddish – Choreography of Prayer & Our Ancestral Roots
May 11: Torah Service – Climbing the Mountain

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Exploring Judaism

3rd Sunday of the month, 3:00pm

Join the group for a monthly discussion with the Rabbi and non-Jews, new-Jews and any-Jews interested in exploration. All are welcome, but this is an especially good opportunity for people new to Judaism in general and TBI in particular to learn more and get to know fellow explorers in a welcoming, casual setting. Questions? Contact Mark Watson.

General Information

Can I view previous offerings?

Yes, absolutely! View brochures from the current and previous terms by clicking the images below.

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A poster of monty python 's life of brian.
A flyer with two people and the text " getting religion right in a time of crisis : new books by sister helen preparatory, rabbi maria
A book cover with the title shalom bollywood.
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How do I register for a program?

Each program may have different registration details. View the individual program listing for details and contact information.

How do I pay for programs scheduled on Shabbat?

Fees or donations for programs scheduled on Shabbat must be paid in advance (or after Shabbat). We will not collect money on Shabbat.

What is the refund policy?

No refunds will be given to registrants who drop classes after the registration deadline.

If classes or events are cancelled due to lack of enrollment (or other unforeseen circumstances), full refunds will be given to prepaid registrants.

Where are the programs and events held?

All programs meet at Temple Beth Israel unless otherwise noted.

If you are interested in joining the Community Ed Committee or have ideas for teaching or for a class offering, please contact Rabbi Alyson Solomon.