October - November 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 October 8 and Tues October 22 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).
Mon October 21 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).
Thurs November 7 at 7:00pm - The Search for Major Plagge; The Nazi Who Saved Jews
The Search for Major Plagge, The Nazi Who Saved Jews.
Part detective story, part personal quest, Dr. Michael Good's book is the story of the German commander of a Lithuanian work camp who saved hundreds of Jewish lives in the Vilna ghetto - including the life of Good's mother, Pearl. Who was this enigmatic officer Pearl Good had spoken of so often?
After five years of research—interviewing survivors, assembling a team that could work to open German files untouched for fifty years, following every lead he could, Good was able to uncover the amazing tale of one man’s remarkable courage. And in April 2005 Karl Plagge joined Oskar Schindler and 380 other Germans as a “Righteous among Nations,” honored by the State of Israel for protecting and saving Jewish lives during the Holocaust.
Tues November 12 and Tues November 26 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).
Mon November 18 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 November 20 at 7:00pm - Gali Rabin - Diverse Groups in Israeli Society
In this 2nd session of Gali Rabin's three presentations, she will discuss "Diverse Groups in Israeli Society; and How They Get Along."
Gali Rabin has been Upper West Side Senior Shlicha (Israel Emissary), of the NY delegation of the Jewish Agency for Israel to UJA - Federation of NY, since 2022.
View our 2024-2025 Adult Education brochure.
Be sure to check our website calendar for updates, or sign up for our e-newsletter.
Past Programming
2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
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).
