LIFELONG LEARNING

Taught by: Neta Litvin
Textbook: Hebrew – A Language Course, Level 2
Tuesdays, 12 weeks beginning October 29, 6:30-7:30pm
Online only
$136/members, $160/non-members

Prerequisites: Beginning Hebrew 1 or equivalent. Knowledge of the Aleph-Bet and beginning proficiency with reading Hebrew.

Class participants will have the opportunity to hone their Hebrew reading skills using a modern Hebrew textbook, learning Hebrew from simple stories.
Features include: Varied reading selections that range from contemporary stories to Hasidic tales, midrashim, and biblical narratives. Lessons that train students to read confidently both with and without vowels. Grammatical concepts explored through comparison to English structure.

This class is for anyone who would like further practice in their Hebrew reading skills and who would like to expand their Hebrew vocabulary and understanding of Hebrew grammar.

Click here to register!

Taught by Neta Litvin
Textbook: Brandeis Modern Hebrew
Wednesdays, 12 weeks beginning October 30, 6:45-7:45pm
Online only
$136/members, $160/non-members
Prerequisites: Intermediate Hebrew II, Prayer Hebrew II, or equivalent. Comfort with reading Hebrew fluently and intermediate knowledge of Hebrew grammar.

In this course you will continue to expand your vocabulary, advanced grammar, adjectives, and verb tenses. The textbook reflects some of the main principles that have shaped the Brandeis Hebrew curriculum during the past decade. These include: an emphasis on the learner’s ability to use the target language in all four skills areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing; an effort to contextualize each unit within a specific subject or theme; exposing the student to authentic and semi-authentic materials (texts written by native speakers); and exploring different elements from Israeli and Jewish culture in the language drills, reading passages, and in selections of sources from the Hebrew literary canon. The text in this edition comprises 11 units, supplementary Hebrew proficiency guidelines, and a vocabulary list. Audio-visual components for all reading passages are available online for download.

Taught by: Cantor Caro
November 14, 12:00pm

We will prepare you to become part of our group of volunteers who are available to make ‘friendly visits’ to other NVHC members in need of companionship and friendship – perhaps following loss, during illness, or in other difficult moments of life. Please come if you have the time or ability to volunteer to be this supportive presence to come to one of our members.

Taught by: Cantor Caro
January 14, 7:00pm

From time to time, our clergy will rely upon members to lead a shiva minyan – a brief service at the home of a fellow congregant in the days following a death in the family. To do this is truly a mitzvah. In this session we will teach you everything you need to know; you just need to bring your willing spirit and strength.

Taught by: Rabbi Barrett
Wednesdays, April 30, May 7, and May 21
7:00-8:15pm, in person and online

In recent years, there has been a burgeoning interest in contemporary midrashim authored by Israeli women and focused on female figures in scripture. These Midrashim have been collected into a volume called Dirshuni meaning seek for me. Midrash is an ancient rabbinic form of exegesis, often seen as “stories” that fill the narrative gaps in biblical texts. Join us for this engaging study, where we will explore a different midrash in each session. Throughout the course, we will enhance our textual skills while also opening our hearts and minds to our foremothers’ poignant and emotional stories, viewing them through a fresh lens, and dive into this beautiful new collection.

Taught by: Rabbi Holzman
Tuesdays, January 28, February 25, March 18, April 22, May 20
7:00-8:30pm, online only

In our next section of the four-part Foundations curriculum from the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, we explore big ideas about faith. Where does faith come from? What are the models in Jewish tradition for a complex relationship with God which includes reverence and joy, but also anger and argument? Where does doubt fit into a life of faith? Where do Jews who do not believe fit in?

Taught by: Rabbi Holzman
Tuesdays, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 8, May 6
7:00-8:30pm, in person & online

The idea of Jewish autonomy and self-determination in the land of Israel pervades structures Jewish thought for most of our history as a people. In the modern era this concept gets turbo-charged, leads to the formation of the State of Israel, and continues to evolve through our present day. This course will trace the major ideas of Zionism and explore how over time, the emphasis of Zionism has shifted between different aspects of this line of thought. No prior knowledge required.

Taught by: Rabbi Barrett
Thursdays, November 14*, December 19, January 9, February 6, March 6
7:00-8:30pm, in person & online
*Class on November 14 will be from 6:00-7:00pm

Responsa is a genre of Jewish literature focused on legal decisions and rulings made by rabbinic authorities. These texts typically present questions and answers regarding various aspects of Jewish practice and cover nearly every facet of Jewish life. Each monthly session will explore a specific theme in Jewish tradition, accompanied by a relevant responsum on the topic. This class merges Jewish learning with practical application, encouraging participants to reflect on their own relationship to Jewish observance. Join us as we dive into a new legal topic each session, enhancing both your textual skills and your understanding of Jewish knowledge along the way.

Taught by: Rabbi Holzman
Thursdays, February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20, March 27, April 17, May 1, May 22, June 5
12:00-1:00pm, in person & online

This lunch ‘n learn is named after Shai Held’s recent, masterful volume of Jewish thinking. Together we will seek to understand how Held’s ideas manifest in our lives and contemporary Jewish practice. Independent purchase of the book is required, and e-book copies should be paginated like the print edition. (No handouts will be provided.)

Taught by: Cantor Caro
November 13, December 18, January 15, February 12, March 12, April 23, May 14
12:00-1:15pm, in person & online

Mussar is a virtues-based approach to Jewish ethics and character development, giving us how to live a most meaningful and ethical life.

The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 prayers, hymns, and meditations from Israel that are addressed to God, whose content expresses the breadth of the human experience of emotions.

In this monthly session, we will examine selections from the Book of Psalms that raise up various character traits (middot), offering us opportunities for personal growth and transformation through this Jewish lens.

Taught by: Rabbi Barrett
Wednesdays, December 11, January 29, March 5, March 19, April 16
7:00-8:30pm, in person & online

In the early chapters of the Torah, we learn that humans are called to “till and tend” the earth. This command resonates powerfully as we witness the profound changes affecting our planet today. Join us in exploring the Jewish imperative to protect the environment, enhancing our understanding of the Jewish relationship with the earth and our response to climate change from both religious and spiritual perspectives.

This course is structured in three sections: We will begin with a scriptural exploration, followed by an examination of the rabbinic period and the evolution of our holidays dedicated to the land. Finally, we will engage in a theological reflection on how to observe these holidays and maintain our faith in a time of dramatic change.

Taught by: Rabbi Gold & Libby Robbins
Wednesdays, January 22, January 29, February 5, February 26, March 5
12:00-1:30pm, in person only

1/22 Deciding to Retire

Ritualizing retirement. Who am I without my job? Being vs doing. How will I reinvent myself? Letting go of who I used to be/discovering who I can become. My body – yikes! Finding purpose and joy in the face of diminishing capacities.

1/29 What do I want to do with the rest of my life?

Do I want to downsize? When is it time to move to Ashby Ponds? How I want to use my resources: have fun? repair the world? Navigating changing family relationships.

2/5 Preparing for the end (one of these days)

What if I become my partner’s caretaker? What if I need care? Where do I want to be planted? What would I like on my gravestone? Medical/legal preparations.

2/26 Losing a Partner/Finding your new self

Navigating grief. Recreating yourself as a solo. What do I with the wedding rings? Learning to do the things your partner used to do. Navigating changing family relationships, again! Could I ever imagine dating again?

3/5 Writing my Ethical Will

What values do I want to leave for my children/grandchildren/community? How can I work to see that my cherished values live on?

Taught by: Cantor Caro
November 21, January 23, March 20, 7:00pm

Come join us to be able to sing along more easily with our vast musical repertoire for Shabbat. We will be learning by ear and with words (no music reading). Just bring your n’shamah- your breath and your spirit!

Taught by: Andrew Stein

October 20, October 27, November 10, November 17, December 8, December 15, January 12, January 19, January 26, February 2, February 9, February 23, March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, April 6, April 27, May 4, May 18

9:15-10:30am, in person and online

Many American Jews, though not all, trace their roots to ancestors who came to the United States of America before 1945, with subsequent waves of Jews from the former Soviet Union and Islamic world, Holocaust survivors, Israelis and others. This course will take a new look at the experience and evolution of the Jews in America over time and topically with a different lens. We’ll compare and contrast the American Jewish experience with that of other English-speaking Diaspora communities like the UK, Canada, and Australia, as well as France, Argentina, and Brazil. We will explore a series of themes such as efforts to achieve civic equality and Jewish participation in each country’s politics and the military, the history of immigration and ghetto life from the 19th century up to the present, Jewish demography, and the history of Judaism in its varieties. The course will also address the experiences in diverse communities with Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, and different communities’ ties to Zionism and Israel.

First Monday of each month
7:30-8:30pm, on Zoom

Join us for a fourth year of monthly lay-led discussions of Jewish short stories. Four NVHC members have selected the stories and will take turns leading the discussions. Each session will stand on its own – you can attend whenever you have the time and interest. We’ll meet on the first Monday of the month on Zoom at 7:30pm for 45 minutes to an hour. Participants will receive the story and meeting links in advance. To sign up for this year’s discussion group, email shortstories@nvhcreston.org. Even if you participated last year, we’d like you to sign up again so that we can gauge interest in the program and ensure that we have the correct email address for you.