Religious School
Religious School
Gail & Jeffrey Bayer Religious School K-7th Grade Register at: https://ourtemple.shulcloud.com/form/rs-registration-23-24.html
Gail & Jeffrey Bayer Religious School K-7th Grade Register at: https://ourtemple.shulcloud.com/form/rs-registration-23-24.html
Led by Rabbi Adam Wright, this class introduces learners to the major events, personalities, and trends in Jewish history, from the ancient Near East to the present. Spanning three millennia and five continents, the class explores and investigates the origins of the Jewish people, its experience as an autonomous community and as a displaced minority in the Diaspora religious system and its foundational texts, as well as its encounters with different cultures and ideas.
Today’s media environments are awash in conspiracy theories, half-truths, and outright lies. Determining what is truth and what is deliberate deception is more difficult than ever. To gain some clarity on the media landscape and current challenges posed by misinformation and inciting speech, our speakers will discuss two historical examples of propaganda and hate speech in the twentieth century. Jonathan Wiesen will explore how propaganda worked in Nazi-controlled Europe and offer visual and linguistic examples of xenophobia and anti-Jewish stereotyping. Jordan Kiper will discuss hate propaganda in the Balkans in the 1990s and explore hate speech – and dangerous speech –associated with ongoing debates regarding the ideology of collective violence and mass atrocity crimes. We hope that participants in this panel might learn to recognize common tropes and methods of hate mongering and propaganda in past and learn to recognize similar phenomena today.
Join our new season of the Beit Midrash! We’ll be meeting on Zoom every Thursday at 12 noon to discuss Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ commentary in his book, Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas on the weekly Torah portion. No experience necessary, just a desire to learn!
Students and teachers are invited to hear directly from Polish Holocaust Survivor Mark Schonwetter, Co-Founder of the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation. Listen to Mark’s story of survival, as he recounts evading Nazi agents and their accomplices, hiding in forests, and blending in with righteous Polish families that chose to protect him. Specially tailored for educators and students, this event is NOT open to the public. The event is split into two sessions. The first session will run from 9:00am-10:30am, and the second will run from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Need-based assistance is available for transportation costs and substitute teacher reimbursement. Please contact us at info@ahecinfo.org with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there! The AHEC Yom HaShoah event series is sponsored by the Birmingham Jewish Foundation. We thank them for their generous support. This event is also provided in partnership with the JCRC.
Gail & Jeffrey Bayer Religious School K-7th Grade Register at: https://ourtemple.shulcloud.com/form/rs-registration-23-24.html
Interested in conversion to Judaism? Went to Hebrew School but don't remember a lot? Taught through a collaborative educational partnership with the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program of American Jewish University, this class is designed or all who are seeking to learn or connect with Judaism, whether you born Jewish, want to become Jewish, or just want to understand Judaism better. Please contact Rabbi Steven Henkin at rabbihenkin@templebeth-el.net for more information.
Join our new season of the Beit Midrash! We’ll be meeting on Zoom every Thursday at 12 noon to discuss Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ commentary in his book, Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas on the weekly Torah portion. No experience necessary, just a desire to learn!
Families with children aged 5 and younger are invited to join us at 10:30 am on the 2nd Saturday of every month in the Halpern-Levitt KidZone for a fun and interactive musical Shabbat service, followed by a kid friendly kiddush lunch. November 18 - Jewish Pride Shabbat December 9 - Chanukah Tot Shabbat January 13 - "Princess/Superhero" Tot Shabbat February 10 - Dino Tot Shabbat March 9 - Pre-Purim Pizzaz April 13 - Pre-Passover Tot Shabbat May 11 - Blue and White Shabbat
Join us for this intergenerational service with Rabbi Matt Dreffin.
In this program, two bereaved fathers—one Israeli, one Palestinian—recount parallel stories of grief and the unique choice towards reconciliation. Join peace activists Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan as they describe their journeys from loss to an outspoken advocacy of a shared human spirit. Held in partnership with the American Friends of the Parents Circle-Families Forum (AFPC-FF), this panel will explore the ways that violence changes us, and what we can do with the space grief has left. As the cycle of violence in Israel-Palestine continues, join us as we strive to transcend the narrative of the “other,” celebrating the shared humanity that exists in both struggle and solidarity. Don’t miss this exclusive, transformative event.
Join us for a new round of Torah on Tap! Each month, we'll meet at a different local brewery for socializing and learning with Rabbi Steven Henkin of Temple Beth-El. First round is on us! Please contact Rabbi Henkin at rabbihenkin@templebeth-el.net for specifics about each month's topic.
Join our new season of the Beit Midrash! We’ll be meeting on Zoom every Thursday at 12 noon to discuss Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ commentary in his book, Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas on the weekly Torah portion. No experience necessary, just a desire to learn!
How do we manage times of hardship and fully embrace moments of joy—not alone, but in community? What does Jewish wisdom offer in terms of how we can truly show up for each other? Rabbi Sharon Brous grapples with these questions and more in her book The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World. This monthly alternative service is called Kehillah, or community, and will include stories and practices based on this book, along with songs and silent reflections. Reading the book is not required, and you're welcome to come to one or all nine sessions throughout the course of the year. Of course, reading the book will add richness to your experience, if you feel so moved. A copy of the book is available for browsing in the Reading Room at Beth-El. Sharron Mendel Swain was raised in an interfaith family long before that was the norm, and has been a mindfulness practitioner her entire adult life. A few FAQs: Q: What is the relationship of The Amen Effect, by Rabbi Sharon Brous, to these sessions? A: It is the inspiration for this 10-session series of alternative services focused on cultivating a deeper sense of […]
Interested in conversion to Judaism? Went to Hebrew School but don't remember a lot? Taught through a collaborative educational partnership with the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program of American Jewish University, this class is designed or all who are seeking to learn or connect with Judaism, whether you born Jewish, want to become Jewish, or just want to understand Judaism better. Please contact Rabbi Steven Henkin at rabbihenkin@templebeth-el.net for more information.
Join our new season of the Beit Midrash! We’ll be meeting on Zoom every Thursday at 12 noon to discuss Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ commentary in his book, Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas on the weekly Torah portion. No experience necessary, just a desire to learn!
Meet us in the sanctuary for Toy Torah procession, followed by storytime and snacks, and playtime in the KidZone. Stay for lunch!