February 05, 2012   12 Sh'vat 5772
Temple Beth Am, Seattle, WA
Search our site:
Home / Education / Adult Education

Temple Beth Am promotes life-long learning and is committed to being a center of Jewish life for people of all ages. We offer engaging Adult Education programs during the Religious School year. This is an exciting opportunity for our congregation to engage in discussion and learning on a variety of topics.

We offer adult Hebrew classes, a chance to become an adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Jewish cooking courses, a book club and more! Study Torah with our senior rabbis and learn from visiting scholars or fellow members about topics of current and Judaic interest. Please also visit a new Israel Programming page to learn about learning opportunities relating specifically to Israel.

We are constantly updating our adult education page so check back for more details on all of our programs. Contact Program Director, Alysa Rosen, or call (206) 525-0915 ext. 210 with any questions.

Scholar-in-Residence Weekend  

February 10-12, 2012
Join us for this exciting and engaging weekend on Midrash, Healing and Hope. Dr. William Cutter is a vibrant and lively speaker who will captivate you! Dr. William Cutter is the founding director of the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

All sessions are free to our community, but RSVPs are required. Register by clicking here.


Shabbat Service and Lecture, Friday February 10, 8:00 PM
American Progress: From Healthy Judaism to Healthy Jews
Dr. Cutter will explore the move in American Jewish life from communal concerns to concerns with individual destiny. Such topics as “My place in America” vs. “My place in the World;” and to what extent religious individualism may be a mixed blessing.

Luncheon and Lecture, Saturday February 11, 12:00 PM
The Encounter of Moses and Jethro: Sharing Power and the Misheberach Prayer
Dr. Cutter will consider the upsides and the downsides of the democratization of the Jewish community. How did the Misheberach prayer change the way we think about healing?

Desserts and Havdallah, Saturday February 11, 7:30 PM
Healing Words at Their Best: American and Israeli Poets on Health and Healing
Dr. Cutter will reflect upon the Poetry of the Hebrew language, illuminating the language of illness and healing.

Coffee and Lecture, Sunday February 12, 10:00 AM
Putting God in the Doctor-Patient Ratio
God and Doctors: a friendly opposition or the beginning of collaboration?

This weekend of learning is made possible by a generous endowment from Charles and Lillian Kaplan z”l

Sunday Morning Forums  

Is Archeology Political?
Sunday, February 5, 10 AM

Guest speaker, Dr. Gloria London, sheds light upon the controversies surrounding politics and archeology in the US, Japan, Israel and other Middle Eastern countries. What does it mean when artifacts and ancient sites become the property of individual countries? Learn more about the government policies that determine who excavates and what becomes of the finds.

Gloria London, Ph.D., archeologist, who has excavated throughout Israel and Jordan, author of several books and many articles, recipient of both Fulbright and National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships.

Tel Aviv in Israeli Literature
Sunday, March 4, 10:00 AM

Tel Aviv was founded in 1909, and since then has grown from a handful of families to a major metropolis nicknamed "the city that never stops." Join a discussion of Tel Aviv, its history, and its representation in writing by Israeli authors S. Yizhar, Etgar Keret, and Rutu Modan. To better prepare for this discussion, click here to hear a great story. No Hebrew necessary.

Guest Speaker: Naomi Sokoloff, Professor of Hebrew and Modern Jewish Literature at University of Washington.

ARZA Israeli Film Series Returns!  

"Amos Oz – The Nature of Dreams (2011)"
Saturday, February 25, 4:30 PM

This documentary is a portrait of one of Israel’s most acclaimed and controversial authors, Amos Oz. Considered a voice of reason, and a staunch advocate of peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, Oz has been at the forefront of Israel’s struggle for identity.

All films are free, donations welcome. Popcorn and refreshments provided. Show in Hebrew with English subtitles. Film provided by Israeli Consulate of Pacific NW.

Last date: March 31.

Brown Bag Study Sessions with our Rabbis  

Downtown Brown Bag with our Rabbis
Wednesday, February 15, 12-1 PM
These interactive discussions are based on modern ethical issues, aspects of Jewish law or biblical literature. You don’t have to work downtown to attend; just bring your own lunch and enjoy a spiritual lunch hour.
Held at the Law offices of Robert Heller and Riddell Williams, 1001 Fourth Avenue, Suite 4500. (NW corner of 4th and Madison, across from Seattle Public Library)

Primetime Brown Bag with the Rabbis
Thursday, February 9, 12–1 PM at Temple Beth Am
A special opportunity for our seniors to join our Rabbis for a scintillating discussion. Bring your friends, bring your lunch and come prepared to enjoy this hour of learning.

Torah Study with our Rabbis  

Shabbat Torah Study
Saturdays, 9:30 AM
Join us each Shabbat morning for a lively interactive discussion about the weekly parsha led by one of our Rabbis.

Women's Torah Study
Sunday, February 26, 12:30 PM
One Sunday a month Rabbi Beth leads a dynamic Torah study group for women. Learn from The Torah: a Women's Commentary. We read the portion and discuss what it means. Everyone is welcome to join regardless of your Torah background.

Men's Parsha and Poker
Wednesday, February 15, 7:00 PM
Join us for a guys night out! Small group of intergenerational men gather for an informal evening of cards, Torah study and beer! Led by Rabbi Jonathan Singer. Newcomers welcome. We usually play on the third Wednesday of every month. Cost $20.

Jewish Composers in America  

Jewish Composers: The Promise of America
A six-part series given by Dr. Theodore Deacon - Musicologist, Lecturer, Opera Critic and Producer. Upcoming lectures:

February 22
Ernest Bloch - "Poèmes Juifs"

March 21
Kurt Weill - "The Long Road to Alabama"

• All programs are on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM at Temple Beth Am
• Free Admission
• Coffee and treats served

Register online here or call (206) 525-0915 to RSVP. Presented by The Seattle Jewish Seniors in partnership with Temple Beth Am.

University Lecture Series 2012  

Professor Resat Kasaba is the Stanley D. Golub Chair and Director of the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington, recipient of the UW’s Distinguished Teaching Award, and an expert in state society relations in the Middle East.

As social and political revolutions transform the Middle East, Professor Kasaba will share his analysis of this compelling historical moment and its implications for the future.

Dates: March 14, 28, and April 4, 2012
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Topic: The Changing Middle East

See the title of each talk and register here. Watch for more details on our website.

BABL (Beth Am Book Lovers)  

Now going into its second year, BABL is a collaborative book group made up of Temple Beth Am members and friends who come together to read, discuss and enjoy books. This is your chance to join other Beth Am book lovers and share your thoughts about books, life and love!

Next meet up is January 15 at 12:30 PM and the book selection EMMA LAZARUS by Esther Schor.

Open to all ages. Newcomers welcome . We meet once a month on a Sunday afternoon in the Temple’s library. For more information, please contact Temple Beth Am member, Leah Vetter or call the Temple office at (206) 525 0915.

Upcoming Adult Education Classes and Events  
Jewish Cooking Classes  

BakingEnhance your Jewish Cooking
Join our members and staff as they share wonderful Jewish recipes from around the world for Shabbat and the Holidays that you can replicate in your home. $18 per adult (advance registration required). Maximum of 10 per class. Contact Alysa Rosen to register at alysa@templebetham.org or 206-525-0915.

Interested in teaching a cooking class this Fall or Spring? Please email Alysa Rosen or call (206) 525-0915 to find out more. Thanks!


Send mail to webmaster with
questions or comments about this web site.
Union for Reform Judaism  

Member of the
Union for
Reform Judaism