BEIT 5786 | 2025 - 2026
Topical Torah
Exploring Contemporary Issues in Light of Jewish Teachings
Beth El Is Thursday Classes with Rabbi Ron Shulman
Selected Thursday evenings, 7 p.m. in person or online
Join Rabbi Ron Shulman for an engaging series of classes that bring Jewish wisdom to bear on some pressing issues of our time. Through open conversation and exploration of traditional texts, we’ll reflect on how Torah and Jewish thought help us navigate today’s moral, social, and spiritual questions. All are welcome—no prior experience necessary. Come to learn, discuss, and discover how our ancient tradition speaks powerfully to modern life.
November 6 & 13, 2025
-
Immigration and Integration
-
As our nation debates and monitors the fate of immigrants in our society, we explore insights about immigration from Jewish texts and history.
-
December 4 & 11, 2025
-
Religious Doubt - Does Religion Still Matter?
-
A candid examination of the relevance of religion and religious belief in contemporary life, especially in an age of skepticism, pluralism, and personal autonomy.
-
January 29 & February 5, 2026
-
The Authority and Origins of Torah and Jewish Tradition
-
Investigate beliefs of divine origin, the historical development, and interpretive traditions that shape the Torah’s authority and its role in Jewish life.
-
February 19 & 26, 2026
- Democracy, Decency, and Diversity
- A thoughtful reflection on Jewish sources that address the intersection of democratic values and social responsibility in a pluralistic society.
- Register Here:
March 19 & 26, 2026
-
Passover: Seder and Celebration
-
Delve into the spiritual, historical, and personal dimensions of Passover as we ask: “What should we and our guests take away from our seder observances? And once the sedarim are over, how do we continue to celebrate Passover’s meaning throughout the holiday week?”
-
April 30 & May 7, 2026
-
Candid Conversation About Israel and Zionism
-
A chance to read, learn, and reflect on the complicated issues, heartfelt connections, and differing perspectives that shape our relationship with Israel and Diaspora Zionism.
-
"BIG BEIT"
Our quarterly Beth El Is Thursday community gathering featuring Guest Speakers or Special Events.
October 30, 2025
5:45 p.m. Communal Dinner at BEIT Café
(6:15 p.m. Honor Roll Dinner with Sarah Hurwitz)
6:30 p.m. Study with Craig & Rabbi Avi
7:30 p.m. Feature
We welcome Sarah Hurwitz back to Beth El to discuss her new book:
As a Jew: Reclaiming Our StoRy from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us
Sarah Hurwitz, a former White House speechwriter, reconnected with Judaism and discovered millennia of wisdom which she detailed in her first book, Here All Along.
Now, she wrestles with what it means to be Jewish amidst rising anti¬semitism. Seeking answers, she discov-ered how hateful myths about Jewish power, depravity, and conspiracy have worn a neural groove into the world’s psyche and how her Jewish identity has been shaped by millennia of anti¬semitism and centuries of Jewish self-erasure.
Sarah Hurwitz documents her quest to take back her Jewishness: how she stripped away layers of antisemitic lies, unearthed Judaism’s treasures, and learned to live proudly, gratefully, and joyfully – as a Jew.
January 22, 2026
5:45 p.m. Communal Dinner at BEIT Café
(6:15 p.m. Honor Roll Dinner with David Sacks)
6:30 p.m. Study with other visiting teachers
7:30 p.m. Feature
We welcome to Beth El David Sacks:
Emmy & Golden Globe Award Winning Writer and Producer of TV’s “The Simpsons.”
Raised in New York City, David Sacks speaks to enthusiastic crowds, opening the hearts of people across the US, Europe, Israel, South Africa, and colleges across America.
David reflects on life’s meaning as he discusses Hollywood’s impact on the world with stories that are laugh out loud funny. He brings us an insider's look into what it was like being an observant Jew in one of Hollywood's most legendary writing rooms.
BEIT: Adult Beth El
Crossroads of Jewish History Part II
Sunday Mornings | October 26 | November 2, 9, 16 | December 7, 14
10:00 - 11:30 AM
$50 per person* (includes 6-week course and materials)
(Use code CROSSROADS2 for Beth El member discount)
(*if you were enrolled in Part 1, email dvinick@cbe.org for a coupon code to waive the $50 course fee)
Please register above. 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.
Melton Course with Rabbi Ron Shulman
Join our on-going journey through the foundational events of Jewish history.
With an emphasis on reclaiming the richness of Jewish history, this chronological exploration investigates significant crossroads where Jews took major decisions that shaped our shared identity and destiny. This course merges the concepts of history and memory in order to better understand how each has shaped Judaism today.
In Part II we explore these themes of the Jewish people’s story:
-
Confrontation with Early Christianity
-
Internal and External Disparity between the Jews of ancient Israel and Babylonia
-
Confrontation with Early Islam
-
Babylonian Sages Consolidate Power
-
Ushering in the Age of Ashkenazim and Sephardim
-
The First Crusades
We will offer two additional six-week courses continuing our exploration of Jewish history from medieval times up to this current moment. We hope you join us for Parts 3 and 4 as well.
The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning™ engages adult learners in a life-enhancing study of Jewish texts and ideas that nurtures and deepens Jewish community worldwide. Through classes (both in-person and online) Melton learners find Jewish texts and ideas accessible and relevant to their lives. They become part of a worldwide movement of committed learners who are empowered to enrich Jewish life. Melton is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world, with 50 Melton communities throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa. More than 50,000 learners have experienced Melton’s professionally developed curriculum and lively interactive classes.
The Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning is a project of the the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Florence Melton sought to bring to life a comprehensive and sophisticated program of Jewish learning for adults. To this day, Melton attributes its values of accessibility, open-mindedness, integrity, community, and innovation to her enduring vision.