Beit Midrash Enrollment

Spring Session Course Descriptions

SPRING SESSION CLASSES

MONDAYS FEBRUARY 24TH, MARCH 3RD, 10TH, 17TH, 24TH, 31ST

— First Period (6:30–7:30pm) —

VOLUNTEER choir (no cost)

INSTRUCTORS: music director and cantor

Join Cantor Beck-Berman and Music Director Natan Berenshteyn in rehearsals for the Beth Ahabah Choir, which sings once a month at services from October through April. No previous experience required, just a love of singing!
Ongoing Monday night rehearsals review and prepare for monthly Shabbat services featuring the Beth Ahabah Choir. If this session will be your first time joining the choir, please reach out to the Cantor, and she will be happy to schedule a private introductory session to review the basics of choral singing.
For more information about the choir please contact the Cantor at cantorbeckberman@bethahabah.org.

COOKING BY REGION: SEPHARDIC

INSTRUCTOR: CHEF DAN SCHEROTTER

Jewish Cooking encompasses world cuisine. This class will explore how Jews have navigated the myriad challenges imposed by dietary restrictions and mother nature throughout the diaspora. Season by season we will prepare dishes each week that collectively form a banquet, from appetizer to dessert. Each term teaches a different meal, different regional flavors, various cooking techniques, and ingredients that pair with the Jewish holiday calendar. By the end of each term you will have a complete banquet cookbook for the season. From caviar to sabayon, these dishes highlight the influence of Jews on fine dining as we know it.

DISHES

FEB 24TH Moroccan Fennel, Orange and Olive Salad
MAR 3RD Keftes de Prassa y Anjinaras (Turkish Artichoke and Leek Fritters)
MAR 10TH Saffron Risotto with Peas
MAR 17TH Spanish Style Rack of Lamb, Mint Salsa Verde
MAR 24TH Poached and Roasted Asparagus with Red Pepper Hummus
MAR 31ST Strawberries Sabayon

— Second Period (7:40pm–8:40PM) —

MUSSAR (virtual Option Available)

INSTRUCTOR: RABBI SCOTT NAGEL

Mussar is a Jewish spiritual practice that gives concrete instruction on how to live a life that is meaningful, ethical, and enjoyable. It is based on the idea that by cultivating inner virtues, we improve ourselves and therefore improve our world, moving it forward in a positive way and direction. Mussar offers opportunities for personal transformation through a unique Jewish lens. We will study traditional Mussar insights on the nature and importance of different personal traits. You will be guided to reflect more fully on how they arise in your own relationships. As you grow in your understanding of these middot (values or soul traits) in all their complexity, you will be able to see in a new light what may need work in your relationships. These changes can help you bring your relationships more fully into alignment with your highest aspirations and with your true self, as a creation of God.
(This class is open to both Mussar beginners and those who have taken the Rabbi's previous Mussar classes.)

CANCELED: FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBAT MELODIES & MEANINGS IN PRAYER

INSTRUCTOR: CANTOR SARAH BECK-BERMAN

Join Cantor Beck-Berman in exploring some of the main prayers of the Friday night Shabbat service. In each class session we will learn the meaning of certain key words as well as common tunes used for each prayer covered in the class.

Beit Midrash (Adult Education) 2024-2025

Spring Session Course Descriptions

24-25 Beit Midrash Spring Session Registration