Institute of Jewish Studies

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

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Hebrew at Temple Emanu-El!
Days: Tuesdays (January 27, February 3, 24, March 10, 17, 24, April 14, and 28)
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 PM (except beginner, which is 5:00-5:45 PM)
Location: In-person at Temple Emanu-El
Cost: $100 per person (scholarship available) 
Registration: Click 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 Fall Semester we will be offering 5 Hebrew Conversation Classes. 

• Beginner (5:00-5:45 PM, beginning November 4): This course is the second of two semesters introducing reading and writing the Hebrew 'Alef Bet'. This class is for those folks who took the previous semester as well as anyone who has learned to read but wants to refresh their reading skills. (Need to purchase a book) Taught by: Toby Liebowitz
• Introduction to Prayerbook Hebrew (6:00-7:00 PM): This engaging course offers a crash course on essential Sabbath prayers, exploring their rich Hebrew roots. By deepening your understanding of synagogue liturgy and rituals, you'll enhance your spiritual experience and foster a more meaningful connection to tradition. (need to purchase a book and a workbook) Taught by: Rabbi Daniel Kripper
• Advanced Beginners for Spoken Hebrew (6:00-7:00 PM): This course is offered to those who can read and write Hebrew and are interested in learning how to speak modern Hebrew in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Taught by: Janice Kaiden
• Intermediate (6:00-7:00 PM): If you can speak some basic Hebrew using the present and some past tense and are interested in improving your vocabulary and fluency, while having fun with fellow Hebrew speakers, this is the course for you! (need to purchase a book) Taught by: Toby Liebowitz
• Advanced (6:00-7:00 PM): This course is for you if you are looking for a fun setting to read and discuss essays, poetry, and music in Hebrew. You can suggest your own topics of interest as well. Taught by: Rita Braude

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TEimProv: Kibitz and Bits 
Day: Wednesdays, November 5-December 10
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Discover the joy of improvisation in this fun and supportive class designed for everyone, regardless of experience! Over the course of the class, Corey Finkle and Jonathan Pearlman will guide us through exciting improv games and exercises that build confidence, creativity, and teamwork. The class will culminate in a an improv performance at Emanu-El's Got Talent! Click HERE to register!

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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; area synagogues including: Congregation Beth Sholom, Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Habonim, Temple Sinai, and Temple Torat Yisrael; and the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island. Financial support is provided by the Joseph and Jacqueline Teverow Memorial Fund at the Jewish Federation Foundation of Greater Rhode Island. All are welcome to join!

Winter/Spring 2026 - Second Temple Judaism (Almost) a Thousand Years of Jewish History: Judaism from 600 BCE to 200 CE
Days: Thursdays - Januar7 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 19, 26, April 16, and 23
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Instructor:  Dr. Sara Ronis, Ph.D., associate professor at St. Mary’s University
Location: Zoom only
Cost: $250 (Scholarships available)
Registration: Click Here

This course examines the diverse forms of Judaism that emerged in what is called the Second Temple Period – about 539 BCE to 200 CE.  We will read primary texts written during this period and examine questions like: What did ancient Jews believe in? What kinds of texts did they produce? How did they organize their lives and societies? What kinds of theological and political questions did they debate?  How do modern scholars and communities continue to interpret and find meaning in the Second Temple period?

Dr. Sara Ronis, Ph.D., is an associate professor at St. Mary’s University, where she teaches Hebrew Bible and its reception, religious studies, and theology. Her book, Demons in the Details: Demonic Discourse and Rabbinic Culture in Late Antique Babylonia (2022), explores how late antique rabbis imagined, feared, and controlled demons. Her current project explores how ancient Jews thought about fetal personhood in a wide range of legal contexts.  She is a frequent contributor to MyJewishLearning.com’s Daily Dose of Talmud daf yomi project. 

For more information about the course and the instructors, visit www.delvedeeper.org

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Hug Ivri
Instructor: Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer
Location: Zoom only
For more information, please email Rabbi Kaunfer: akaunfer@cox.net

This group reads and discusses reading selections in Modern Hebrew. The reading are chosen by the group on a cooperative basis. If you are an advanced Hebrew reader and speaker, join us!