Adult Education / CBS University

Adult Education / CBS University

All Are Welcome to Learn at CBS University!

Jewish learning lasts a lifetime…

Congregation Beth Shalom offers an extensive adult education program called CBS University that includes special programming and classes for all members. Throughout the year we offer courses that might include Hebrew, Bible, current events, theology, philosophy, Talmud, film, history and so much more. To meet the needs of our constituents we offer classes at a variety of days and times. We continue to explore the world of online learning that began with our Mitzvah Initiative and Two Minute Torah series and continues now with many of our classes and programs being offered on Zoom or live streaming to meet the needs of our congregants. While we love being able to “come to you” if you can’t come to us, please remember that there is no substitution for learning in person. Technology is wonderful until the one day that it doesn’t work as well as it should! 

You can scroll below for our upcoming/current classes.

Over the past several years we have collaborated with other institutions offering adult education. Together we have shared resources and developed programming that is of the highest caliber.

To learn more about CBS University at Congregation Beth Shalom, or about the Adult Education Committee, please contact Leann Blue either via e-mail or by calling Congregation Beth Shalom at 847-498-4100 ext. 144.

CBS U at a Glance…Late Summer / Fall:

(Unless otherwise indicated, all classes are free for members of CBS and $50/class per semester for non-member friends of CBS)

Israel in Depth – 2023 – 2024 – Session Topics

Instructor Carl Schrag
October 22, 2023 – Israel Update:  What’s the story behind the government’s judicial reform plans?
November 12, 2023 – The “New Jew” and Sportss:  How the early Zionist vision of athletic Jews led to Euroleague championships and Olympic medals
December 17, 2023 – Play it Loud:  Understanding Israel’s story through popular music
February 4, 2024 – The 21 Percent:  Israel’s Arab citizens
March 10, 2024 – Israel’s Constitutional Moment:  Why the country has no constitution and how that might change
May 19, 2024 (no breakfast) – Friends in High Places:  Mapping support for Israel among Americans – Jews and non-Jews

Join us for Minyan at 8:45 am, stay for breakfast (unless noted otherwise), and then join us, immediately following breakfast as we discuss these topics so important to Israel’s future and past. There will be a separate registration form for each session.

 Too Clever by Haf

Highlights of the Haftarot cycle. 

Class will meet in person and via Zoom:

Instructor:   Rabbi David Chapman
Date:  Tuesdays  10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 11/28
Time: 9:15 – 10:15 am
Fee: No charge for CBS members; $50 per semester for non-member friends of CBS

Jewish News of the World

This weekly discussion-based class zooms in on local, national, and global news through a distinctly Jewish lens. We’ll talk about politics, Israel, anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, rifts in our Jewish community, local and global Jewish affairs, campus life, and the intersection between these topics and more. Carl Schrag, who was the Editor of the Jerusalem Post, brings a journalist’s probing questions to every topic.

Class will meet in person and via Zoom:

Instructor:   Carl Schrag
Date: Tuesdays  8/8, 8/15,/22, 8/29, 9/5, 9/12, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
Fee: No charge for CBS members; $50 per semester for non-member friends of CBS

Your Source of Force

Each one of the holidays in the Hebrew Calendar is a SOURCE OF FORCE, according to the kabbalistic teachings.  Join us as we explain the power of the month of Elul and Rosh Hashanah, and how to bring complete fulfillment into our lives.

Kabbalah explains that these holidays are not historical events nor dates in the calendar that are important to remember.  On the other hand, kabbalah says that these dates are a great opportunity to bring a huge amount of Light into our lives of all our surroundings.

How do we do that?  We do that by praying and studying and by understanding what it is that G-d wants for al of us.  And what G-d wants for us is total happiness and freedom.

Class will meet via Zoom only:

Instructor:   Cantor Victor Geigner
Date:  Wednesdays 8/23, 8/30, 9/6
Time: 9:00 – 10:15 am 
Fee: No charge for CBS members; $50 per semester for non-member friends of CBS


Yiddish — by permission only 

Beginning Yiddish will equip you with the skills to begin reading, writing, and expressing yourself in the Yiddish language. While you learn, you will also be exposed to classics of Yiddish culture, song, and literature, all the while gaining personalized instruction towards your goals with Yiddish.

Class will meet via Zoom only:

Instructor:   Eyshe Beirich
Date: Wednesdays 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm 
Fee: No charge for CBS members; $100 per semester for non-member friends of CBS

Grandparenting

Class will meet in person and via Zoom only:

Instructor:   Cantor Steven Stoehr
Date: Wednesdays 10/11, 10/25, 11/1
Time: 6:30 – 7:45 pm 
Fee: No charge for CBS members; $50 per semester for non-member friends of CBS

Tai Chi Sponsored by HAZAK 

If you haven’t tried this class yet, and have been looking at it for awhile, NOW is the time . . .  REGISTER!  Through slow movements, improve your health, concentration, digestion, balance, flexibility, and overall health.  Can be done in a chair or standing.  If you are not free at this time, no problems REGISTER and watch the video you will receive following class and do it when you have time.

Class will meet via Zoom only:

Instructor:   Allison Deputy, MoonWillow Tai Chi
Date:  Thursdays 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, 8/31, 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21 
Time: 9:30 – 10:15 am
Fee: No fee; donation strongly encouraged

Midrash

Class will meet in person and via Zoom only:

Instructor:   Rabbi Aaron Melman
Date:  Thursdays 10/12, 10/19, 11/9, 11/16, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21 
Time: 11:00 – 12:00 pm  Please note NEW TIME
Fee: No charge for CBS members; $50 per semester for non-member friends of CBS

Movies with Melman     

Uncut Gems (2019) Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is a once successful New York gems dealer whose gambling addiction has left his family and career in shambles.  With his debts mounting and angry collectors closing in, a fast-talking New York City jeweler risks everything in hopes of staying afloat and alive.  We will discuss the Jewish elements of the film – are they real or typical stereotypes?

We would prefer you attend this class in-person, you need to notify us if you will be joining us for the movie showing.

Instructor:   Rabbi Aaron Melman
Date:  Thursdays 12/14 – Uncut Gems – shown at CBS | 12/21 – movie discussion 
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm  (movie viewing)   |    6:30 – 7:40 pm (movie discussion)
Fee: No charge for CBS members; $50 per semester for non-member friends of CBS

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

CBS U Class Offerings Summer Fall – Printable Version

 

 

 

Looking for something fun to watch on TV?

CLICK HERE FOR JONATHAN MUSSMAN’S NETFLIX SUGGESTIONS