Adult Education

We call the Torah, the Hebrew Bible, Etz Hayim. It is a powerful metaphor, for we stand proud, roots firmly planted in the ground, with our solid foundation in Jewish traditional texts and law. However, just like a tree, the leaves change with the season. We grow in our learning and our understanding of texts. We are exploring more interpretations, creating new activities – always changing, always moving. We are truly a Tree of Life.

Congregational learning is the vehicle through which we broaden our understanding and experience of Judaism. It is the bridge that connects the insights learned from the rich traditions of our people, in order to face the challenges of the society we live in.

Education is a core part of our community. We have regular classes taught by our rabbi on Wednesdays nights, monthly group study with our rabbi emeritus, Lunch & Learn sessions on Shabbat, Book clubs, and Sunday morning activities. Congregants and outside speakers also lead educational programs.

We strive to present interesting and relevant programming that connects with our adult learners in an academic and personal way. We also partner with the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies, a local foundation for adult Jewish learning, Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ, Federation, JCC, and other institutions.

Join us for our Adult Education events. For most events, there is an online option and there is no cost to attend. Preregistration is required for some events.

Congregation Etz Hayim is proud to offer a wide variety of educational opportunities to members and to the community.

Past programming has included: 

• Summer Beit Midrash with Israeli Shaliach Shy Ashkenazi

• Genealogy with Ken Ackerman

• A Safe Place to Discuss Israel session

• Visit to Capital Jewish Museum

• Namaste & Shalom: A Virtual Tour of Jewish India

• A Virtual Tour of Jewish Bulgaria and Jewish Montreal

• A Virtual Tour of the Tenement Museum

• The Jews of Tin Pan Alley

• Tikkun Leil Shavuot

• Beit Midrash classes on topics including Jewish Pluralism, A Jewish Perspective on Abortion, Talmud, Tikkun Olam, Israeli Elections, God, Prayer and Chagim

Click here for our full calendar of events.