Adult Learning

B'nai Jacob offers a rich array of classes and guest lectures every season.

Bread & Torah

Shabbat Mornings Before Services, 9:00 - 9:45am IN THE CHAPEL and on Zoom.
Rabbi Shapiro teaches on various Jewish topics and facilitates a lively discussion. Since we meet on zoom, bring your own bagels and coffee.
No experience necessary.

Thursday, August 19

Gary Plotke MD

Marc Chagall's Jewish Art

7:00 PM on Zoom

Marc Chagall’s career as a visual artist and poet spanned most of the twentieth century. He lived through and was deeply affected by many of the monumental historical developments including the Russian Revolution, both World Wars, the Holocaust, and the founding of the State of Israel. These developments are reflected in the evolution of his massive oeuvre. Throughout his long life he remained influenced by his Hasidic upbringing and the cohesive Jewish life of his native Vitebsk. This presentation will provide a brief survey of representative works from various periods of his life and the influences which inspired them. Gary will review works in various mediums including his paintings, etchings, lithographs, tapestries, stained glass windows, and mosaics. Paintings from his Musee National Message Biblique will be included.

Zoom link will be emailed.

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Monday Nights this Fall

Rabbi Rona Shapiro

Faith in Jewish Tradition

Jews sometimes recoil at the word, “faith,” as if it were a Christian concept. But faith lies at the heart of our tradition, although it is nuanced differently from other faith traditions and, across Jewish traditions.

Come explore what faith means in Judaism by going back to the sources. Do we argue with God? Do we submit to God? Are we intimate with God or is He far away? Do we have an independent understanding of ethics or do we obey what we are told? How do we understand faith in times of tragedy? at moments of blessing?

This course is part of the Shalom Hartman’s new series, “Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism.”

Class will run for 13 weeks:

Monday, October 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 29
December 6, 13
January 31
February 7, 14, 28