BEIT 5787 | 2026 - 2027
The Jewish Conversation for Our Time
BEIT (Beth El Is Torah) Adult Classes with Rabbi Ron Shulman
Jews and Judaism flourish through learning. BEIT is our synagogue’s home for adult Jewish learning. By studying our sacred texts, asking our questions, and engaging in thoughtful conversation across generations, we explore what Judaism teaches and means for us as 21st-century Jews.
BEIT meets two Thursday evenings each month from October through March. Each gathering features two complementary sessions, plus dinner and nosh. Attend either or both sessions.
2026 - 2027 BEIT dates:
October 22 & 29, 2026
November 5 & 19, 2026
December 3 & 17, 2026
January 14 & 28, 2027
February 4, 11 & 18, 2027
March 4 & 18, 2027
Come for dinner at our BEIT Café, which opens at 6:15 PM. Eat before and during the first BEIT session, which begins at 6:30. Enjoy coffee and dessert starting at 7:15 and throughout the second BEIT session, which begins at 7:30.
א Believing Jews Today | 6:30 PM
What are the timeless ideas that continue to shape Jewish life?
Join Rabbi Shulman and synagogue friends to explore this question through the study of Torah, rabbinic literature, and the writings of Jewish thinkers across the centuries. We seek to understand how Judaism's beliefs and concepts inspire, challenge, and guide us today.
October 22 & 29: Conceiving of One God - Ethics & Essence
…and along the way: Why Prayer Matters?
November 5 & 19: Receiving Torah - Revelation & Interpretation
…and along the way: Why Mitzvah Matters?
December 3 & 17: The Jewish People - Covenant & Purpose
…and along the way: Why Social Ethics Matter?
ב Being Jews Today | 7:30 PM
What are the dynamics of Jewish life in 2026?
Join Rabbi Shulman and synagogue friends for honest conversation about questions shaping Jewish life today. Together we'll explore how Jewish wisdom can help us meet this moment with clarity, courage, and hope.
October 22 & 29: The Dynamics of Antisemitism and Jewish Identity in 2026
Rising antisemitism has changed the experience of being Jewish for many of us. How do we respond without allowing antisemitism to define Jewish identity? What does it mean to cultivate Jewish confidence rather than Jewish defensiveness?
November 5 & 19: The Dynamics of Zionism in 2026
What does it mean to be a Zionist and a Diaspora Jew today? We will explore Israel's place in contemporary Jewish identity, the evolving relationship between American and Israeli Jews, and the very different religious and cultural assumptions that shape our two communities.
December 3 & 17: The Dynamics of Difference in 2026
Political and social polarization increasingly shape our relationships, institutions, and communities. How can a synagogue sustain genuine community among people who disagree about consequential issues? What Jewish values and practices might help us listen, argue, and remain connected?
These are not abstract questions. They touch our lives, our families, our community, and our deepest values. Grounded in Jewish history and tradition, we'll wrestle with complexity together, listen generously, and seek meaning for living as Jews today.
Everyone is welcome to participate in these sessions, where learning, reflection, and community become pathways to deeper meaning, connection, and Jewish purpose.
Melton Course with Dr. Joellyn Zollman
We the People: the American Jewish Experience
Sunday Mornings | Dates TBD
Time TBD
$50 per person* (includes 6-week course and materials)
Use code CROSSROADS4 for Beth El member discount
*If you were enrolled in Part 1, email Dvora for a coupon code to waive the $50 course fee
**Upon registration, you will receive instructions on securing your spot and paying the course fee through Melton's Website. We have purchased course materials for you to use in class. If you would like your own, please order one when you register through Melton.
What does it mean for the Jewish people to be part of the grand, novel experiment that is the United States? Released to coincide with America’s semiquincentennial celebration, We the People offers a timely, multi-layered look at the state of the union between a nation and its people. This dynamic, ten-lesson course balances history with deep dives into popular culture, antisemitism, food, and Israel.
By treating everyday art, food, and entertainment as windows into cultural heritage, the course dives into everything from historic consumer boycotts and modern immigrant kitchens to the creative giants who constructed the Marvel Comics universe.
We the People invites you to reflect on the deep roots of the past so that you can better evaluate current trends and confidently imagine where the American Jewish community might go next.
