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Temple Emanu-El offers learning opportunities nearly every day of the week thanks in part to the generosity of the Koffler and Bornstein families.

Click on any of the offerings listed below for more information, or scroll down to see information on all of our offerings

Spring 2023 Delve Deeper

Delve Deeper is an adult education initiative that brings dynamic teachers to present in-depth, university level Judaic courses to a diverse group of adult learners. Delve Deeper programs are presented in cooperation with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and area synagogues including: Congregation Beth Sholom, Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Habonim, Temple Sinai, and Temple Torat Yisrael. All are welcome to join!

Adam and Eve in the Jewish Tradition 
Day: Thursdays - January 19 and 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Instructor:  Michael Satlow, Ph.D., Professor of Religious Studies and Judaic Studies at Brown
University
Location: Hybrid - in-person and Zoom
Registration: Register HERE

As the first human beings, Adam and Eve became for later Jews and Christians a rich source of reflection about the nature of humanity. Yet the biblical story of Adam and Eve is full of ambiguities. Do the first chapters of Genesis describe one creation, or two? Why did God create the first couple? Why would - or better, how could - creatures created "in the image of God" sin? What does the story teach us about human sexuality? This course will focus on how Jews, as well as the Christians with whom they were in dialogue, have interpreted this story and offered answers to these and other pressing questions.

Due to feedback, this class will be offered as a hybrid class - both in-person and via Zoom.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Morty Miller at mortymiller1945@gmail.com.
Thank you, and we look forward to learning with you soon!

What Makes Us Human?

Dates: Sunday January 29, February 12, 26, and March 19, 2023
Time: All presentations begin at 10:30 with brunch followed by learning at 11:00
Location: In-person and online
Registration: Register for one or more of the lectures HERE

In partnership with Sinai and Synapses, we invite you to join us for a series of Brunch and Learns where we ask the fundamental question: "What Makes Us Human?" We will explore the question by reading religious texts and hearing from scientists in the fields of Neuroscience, Astrophysics, and Psychology.

Lectures:

• Habits and Awareness: A Neuroscientist’s Perspective
  Victoria Templer Rotkow, Ph.D. Jan 29
• Are you Just a Machine? Perspectives from Physics
  Peter Saulson, Ph.D. Feb 12
• What does it mean to be a Person? Views from Psychology
  Dennis Gilbride, Ph.D Feb 26
• Keynote Lecture by Rabbi Jason Rubenstein March 19

No science background is required.
Zoom links will be sent closer to the date of the lecture.

About Sinai and Synapses:  

Sinai and Synapses offers people a worldview that is both scientifically grounded and spiritually uplifting. It provides tools and language for learning and living to those who see science as their ally as they pursue personal growth and the repair of our world.

We equip scientists, clergy and dedicated laypeople with knowledge and skills to become role models, ambassadors and activists for grappling with the biggest and most important questions we face. We believe that in order to enhance ourselves and our world, we need both religion and science as sources of wisdom, as the spark for new questions, and as inspiration and motivation.

Let's Talk Hebrew! 
Day:
Mondays (December 12, 19, January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13)
Tuesdays (December 13, 20, January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7)
Thursday mornings beginning in January
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Thursday time TBA)
Instructor: Variety 
Location: In-person and Zoom options
Cost: $100 per person (scholarship available)
Registration: Register HERE
For more information regarding which level is right for you, contact Toby Liebowitz: tobyaane@gmail.com

Join us for Hebrew Conversation and improve your speaking skills. This Winter we are planning to have 
5 levels assuming a minimum of 4 participants per level. 

• Alef: (Beginners) Tuesday evenings in person: A brief review of the Alef Bet and basic conversation.
• Bet: (Advanced Beginners) Tuesday evenings (both in person and virtual if needed) Can read and write Hebrew with some background in Hebrew Conversation.
• Gimmel: (Intermediate) Monday evenings (virtual only) Can read and write Hebrew and can converse using basic vocabulary in the present and some past tense. 
• Daled: (Advanced Intermediate) Monday evenings (in person) Is able to have a conversation in present and past tense and can read and comment on easy Hebrew articles and songs. 
• Hey: (Advanced) (Tuesday evenings in person) Can speak Hebrew easily in present, past and future tenses and can read articles and poetry and discuss a variety of current topics.

* In person classes will take place at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island in Providence.

Creating a Meaningful Seder
"The Stories We Tell and What Stories Tell Us: Storytelling on Passover and Beyond." in conjunction with Project Zug

Dates: Tuesdays, March 21 and 28, 2023
Times: starting with minyan at 7:00 PM
Registration: Register now

Telling our story is something we do so frequently that we rarely think about it. Unconsciously, we choose how long to speak for, which details to highlight and which to omit, and look for the impact our telling has on the listener. On Pesah, this process is moved to our conscious behavior as we're called upon to recount the Exodus from Egypt as if we were there, as if it were our own personal story.

In this class we'll investigate the role of storytelling in the Seder and also beyond it. What are the stories that we tell? Why do we tell them? How can we get more out of them? And how can telling a familiar story in a new way change who we are?

929 Tanakh B'yahad (Hebrew Bible Together) 
Day: Tuesdays/Thursdays
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Instructor: Clergy and fellow 929ers
Location: Zoom only
Cost: $36 suggested donation to support educational scholarships. (Those not in a position to donate are more than welcome to attend.)
Registration: Register HERE

Have you ever wanted to read the Hebrew Bible in its entirety?  Now in its third cycle, join people all over the world reading just one chapter a day during the week (you get weekends off!).  Using classic and modern biblical commentaries, we will look at the book of Genesis with a fresh set of eyes.  This class will look at sources in Hebrew with English translation.  All are invited, whether you are participating in 929 or not.  Learn more about 929 at https://www.929.org.il

Wednesday Morning Minyan, Breakfast, and Learning
Day: Wednesdays beginning September 7, 2022
Time: 7:30 AM
Instructor: Rabbi Michael Fel
Location: In-person and Zoom options

Following the 7:30 AM minyan on Wednesday mornings, Rabbi Fel will teach for 30 minutes, line by line, from the 16th century book of Jewish practice known as the Shulhan Arukh. Each breakfast will give us a chance to learn more about how our ancestors infused meaning into their everyday lives, share our own Jewish experiences, and work together to develop a spiritual practice that is meaningful and relevant for us today.

Hug Ivri
Day: Thursdays (ongoing)
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Instructor: Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer
Location: Zoom only
For more information, please email Rabbi Kaunfer: akaunfer@cox.net

Rabbi Kaunfer leads this group, conducted entirely in Hebrew. It will continue its study and discussion of midrashim on biblical stories from Bialik’s Sefer Aggadah often moving into a variety of fascinating topics. If you are an advanced Hebrew speaker, join us!

Parashat HaShavua
Day: Fridays (ongoing)
Time: 7:30 AM (class begins after minyan/zman kodesh 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
Instructor: Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer
Location: Zoom only
For more information, please email Rabbi Kaunfer: akaunfer@cox.net

Join Rabbi Alan Kaunfer for a weekly study session to discuss highlights from the Torah portion of the week. This weekly discussion takes place on Friday mornings after Z’man Kodesh.

All are welcome!

CLICK HERE to join on Zoom

Miller Intro To Judaism Program 
Day/Time: Cohorts form at different points throughout the year.
Instructor: Variety
Location: Zoom only
Cost: Highly subsidized tuition is $350 for an individual, $550 for a couple. If you don’t have enough for tuition right now, don’t panic. Through the generosity of our supporters, we make sure that no one is ever turned away.

-Looking to convert to Judaism?
-Born Jewish and want to know more?
-Sharing your life with a Jew and want to crack the code?
This course explores Jewish culture, history, and wisdom in a setting where questions are more important than answers. Classes are joined with beautiful Shabbat celebrations, supportive discussion groups, individualized Hebrew reading instruction, and many opportunities for interactive, experiential learning. 

New cohorts are launched nearly each and every month.  Classes can be completed at your own pace —  speed it up or slow it down —  whatever works for your busy life.  Find the next cohort by clicking HERE.

For those interested in conversion, please contact Rabbi Fel to learn more about taking the Miller Intro to Judaism Program for conversion.