July 2024 Adult Education Programming:
(click each item for details)
Saturdays at 2:00 pm - HaMatmid - Susan Schorr (ZOOM ONLY)
HaMatmid meets at 2 pm every Saturday.
Although it began as a way to study the books of the Tanach beyond the Torah, over the past decade we have studied many other topics. These have included how a Torah scroll is created, pre-High Holy Day workshops, deep dives into the Sh’ma and the prayers around the Sh’ma, and everything you need to know about counting the Omer.
(Online, at the same link as services, unless otherwise announced.)
Sundays 11:00am - Sunday Torah Study Group (ZOOM ONLY)
Continuing discussions and new questions arising from Saturday morning's Torah study, this lay-led group meets on Zoom at the main WES link to further delve into the preceding week's parshah, with volunteer facilitators changing weekly. The group has also been devoting the last half hour of its time each week to reading together through the books of the Nevi’im - Prophets - and Ketuvim - Writings - which follow the Pentateuch. Zoom only; WES services link. Please check your e-newsletter or contact the admin [at] westendsynagogue.org (office) if you need information on how to join us virtually.
Tues July 9 and Tues July 23 at 7:30pm - Torah on Tuesdays with Susan Schorr (ZOOM ONLY)
All are welcome to join our ongoing study of the Torah. We read the text in English and consider it from the perspectives of literature, sacred text, religious mythology, family lore, psychology, drama, history, pop culture, and more.
Drop in and join the conversation, or just listen and enjoy! No prior background or knowledge required. Usually the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
For Zoom access, please contact admin [at] westendsynagogue.org (Joan).
Thurs July 11 & Thurs July 25 at 8:00pm - The Evolving & Expanding God in Our Day (ZOOM ONLY)
(Immediately following Rosh Chodesh Sivan service)
How did Jews in the 20th century understand God? Or, to put it another way, how have our understandings of God continued to evolve and expand? Join WES member Susan Schorr for an exploration of multiplied and multi-layered modern Jewish ideas about God. We will hear from philosophers and theologians, rabbis and teachers.
Please check your newsletter or contact admin [at] westendsynagogue.org (Joan) for Zoom link access.
Mon July 15 at 7:30pm - Middah on Monday (ZOOM ONLY)
All WES members are invited to join our study of West End’s Middah (ethical value/character trait) of the month. Monthly, third Monday of each month.
Discussions are text-based using materials from both ours and other spiritual traditions, as well as insights from modern authors, pop culture and more. Led by Susan Schorr.
For the link, please check the weekly newsletter or contact admin [at] westendsynagogue.org (Joan).
Wed July 17 at 7:00pm - Hand in Hand (ZOOM ONLY)
Alexandra Zaslav will talk about the Hand in Hand program which sponsors a network of integrated, bilingual and multicultural schools that integrate Arab and Jewish Israeli students. A network of six schools reaches over 2,000 students from diverse communities. Its mission is to remedy Israel's divided educational system which perpetuates existing prejudices and alienation between Arabs and Jews. This alternative educational program recently received a reward by the Reform movement.
For Zoom access, please check your e-newsletter, or contact admin [at] westendsynagogue.org (Joan).
View our 2023-2024 Adult Education brochure.
Be sure to check our website calendar for updates, or sign up for our e-newsletter.
Past Programming
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020
West End Synagogue is committed to adult study of Jewish sources, history, and cultural expression in its many forms. Adult education programs and activities focus on the vital areas of education, community, and outreach:
- Education: Working to deepen the congregation’s Jewish knowledge at all levels.
- Community: Involving members, enhancing interaction among WES populations, and enriching the communal life of the congregation.
- Outreach: Providing opportunities for the community at large to enhance Jewish life and promote the values of Reconstructionism.
Activities sponsored by Adult Education include:
- Single-session lectures and courses, as well as longer series on selected topics by our rabbi, cantor, and invited speakers.
- A variety of musical, theatrical, and literary programs.
- Scholar-in-Residence and Artist-in-Residence programs that bring prominent figures in Jewish thought and culture to West End Synagogue.
Most of these events are in person in our synagogue, starting at 7:00 pm. In a few cases the programs on Zoom may start at 7:30. Please check before setting out. For more information contact the office [at] westendsynagogue.org (WES Office).
