BEIT: Adult Jewish Learning
Beth El Is Together, Beth El Is Torah
All are welcome to join us for our BEIT (Beth El is Thursday) on Thursday evenings, monthly . Our BEIT program offers a wide variety of class topics and seminars, ensuring there's something for everyone. Each month, we feature speakers and special guests who bring unique perspectives and insights to our sessions, creating dynamic and engaging learning experiences.
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Join us in creating an inclusive learning community. Seek to grow and understand more about Judaism and being Jewish. From whatever your starting point toward whatever your goal.
As we study themes rooted in Torah and Jewish tradition, connecting in person and online, we’ll seek relevance and meaning in Judaism for our lives and world today. We’ll take up specific subjects reflecting a theme on two Thursday evenings and one Sunday morning each month.
Those who want, can go in-depth. Those who prefer, can take on a bit less and still learn a great deal. Though connected by a theme, each session is unique allowing participants to attend when able. Those who want to attend in person are welcome on campus. Those who prefer to connect from home are welcome on Zoom.
We’ll talk about what we believe, and don’t. What we practice, and don’t. What we know, and don’t. What we desire, and don’t.
VTS parents, after bringing your children to school, stick around for the monthly Sunday session and grow in your own understandings and feelings about Judaism.
CBE members and friends, take this opportunity to enhance your personal perspectives on aspects of Jewish living, tradition, and ideas.
November Schedule
Theme: Concepts & Convictions
Judaism exists in its ideas and its ideals. Today, we seek to be Jews who find meaning and identity in the explanation and application of Judaism’s ideas for our lives. In these sessions we will discover insights from some of Judaism’s prominent Jewish teachers, past and present. We’ll seek definitions for a compelling and relevant Jewish purpose in the 21st century. We’ll also ask and discuss our honest questions and those of our children.
Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
November 7th – Jewish Theology Then
November 14th – Jewish Theology Now
Sunday, 10 a.m.
November 10th – Home Jewish Theology
Seeking the Hiding God
Dr. Arnold Eisen
Scholar-in-Residence Weekend
Dr. Arnold Eisen, former Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, returns to Congregation Beth El to premiere his newly published book, Seeking the Hiding God, an honest, insightful, and moving personal theological essay.
Dr. Eisen acknowledges that there is little we can know about God’s nature; his focus is on the search for the “hiding God,” the meaning of fleeting encounters with the Creator, and the acts of justice and compassion that human beings are called to perform as partners of God.
The book invites readers to join the author in asking, perhaps for the first time, what they actually believe about ultimate matters of faith and doubt—and rewards fellow searchers for ultimate meaning with reassurance that the search itself can be a source of personal fulfillment, vibrant community, and great joy.
Friday November 15th, 8:00 p.m. following a Community Shabbat Dinner
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Saturday November 16th, 12:30 p.m. following a Community Shabbat Lunch
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Sunday November 17th, 10:00 a.m. following a Sunday Brunch
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Fall Shabbaton
November 15, 16, & 17
Community is created when we all join in celebration of our common bond. When we meet one another in moments of learning, celebration, and kindness we discover that we are each precious parts of a dynamic and whole congregation.
Friday November 16
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6:15 p.m. Simhah Shabbat in the Sanctuary!
Our outdoor summer Plaza Prayer moves inside for the fall and becomes “Simhah Shabbat.” We’ll enjoy a spirited service accompanied on guitar by Craig Parks who joins David Lipsitz and our rabbis for an upbeat Kabbalat Shabbat service. During our service, we’ll celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and happy occasions!
7:00 p.m. Shabbat Dinner
Following Simhah Shabbat we’ll enjoy a Shabbat Dinner buffet and each other’s company. Adults and children, families and friends are all welcome.
7:45 p.m. Seeking the Hiding God with Dr. Arnold Eisen
Following dinner, those wishing to learn our Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Arnold Eisen, will gather for the first of three weekend sessions.
Sunday November 17
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10:00 a.m. Sunday Brunch & Guest Speaker
Seeking the Hiding God with Dr. Arnold Eisen
Our third session with Scholar-in-Residence,
Dr. Arnold Eisen.
Saturday November 17
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9:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service
We join for prayer, song and reflection, Torah study and reading. Afterwards, the conclusion of our Shabbat Morning Service will feature an interpretive prayer experience
11:15 a.m. Hineni! Personal Prayer and Insight
As we conclude our Shabbat service, Rabbi Shulman will guide us through interpretive moments of traditional and modern prayer helping us to reclaim personal expression in our prayer. You are welcome to attend just for this part of the morning or come earlier to share in our full Shabbat service and/or Torah reading.
11:45 a.m. Kiddush and Shabbat Lunch
Following our service, we’ll enjoy Shabbat lunch before our second session with Dr. Arnold Eisen.
12:30 p.m. Seeking the Hiding God with Dr. Arnold Eisen
Following lunch we continue to learn with our Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Arnold Eisen.