Beit Midrash Enrollment

Spring Session Course Descriptions

SPRING SESSION CLASSES

Mondays February 26th, March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, April 8th, 15th

— 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.

DO THE RIGHT THING! INTRODUCTION TO MUSSAR PART 2: DIRECTING OUR INNER DRIVES AND APPETITES TO A BETTER LIFE THROUGH JUDAISM: (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. Mussar 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. While Part One focused on the relationship we have with ourselves and our own souls, Part Two (this class) will focus on the foundational Mussar teachings regarding our relationship with others. We will work on the soul traits of patience, (managing) anger, lovingkindness, and forgiveness. We will study traditional Mussar insights on the nature and importance of each of these 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 aspirationsand with your true self, as a creation of God.

— Second Period (7:40pm–8:40PM) —

Cancelled: ~~COUNTING THE OMER: A 7-WEEK SPIRITUAL PRACTICE~~ ~~(virtual option available)~~

INSTRUCTOR: Cantor Sarah Beck-Berman

The span of seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot is known as “the omer” period. An omer (“sheaf”) was an ancient measure of grain, and here refers to the barley offering brought to the Temple on the second day of Passover, which is when the counting of the Omer (S’firat HaOmer) begins. The counting lasts for 49 days, culminating in the festival of Shavuot observed on the 50th day.

Join Cantor Beck-Berman as she leads you through customs and practices related to counting the Omer, including ways to build your own 7-week spiritual practice using contemplation, movement, and other Jewish spiritual tools related to the Omer. This class finishes one week before the Omer count begins, so you can put your learning to use right away!

jewish cooking with chef dan scherotter: SPRING MENU

INSTRUCTOR: chef dan scherotter

Jewish Cooking stretches far beyond kasha, cabbage and brisket. This class will explore how Jews have navigated the myriad of challenges imposed by dietary restrictions and mother nature throughout the European 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, various cooking techniques, and ingredients that pair with the Jewish holiday calendar. By the end of the 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.

Beit Midrash (Adult Education) 2023-24

Spring Session Course Descriptions

2023-2024 Beit Midrash Spring Session Registration