Adult Education Committee
Learning For Life: Adult Education 5773
At Mishkan Shalom, we believe in learning for life. In this online catalogue, you’ll find a varied, robust range of classes, workshops and experiences to help you—no matter your age or prior experience with Judaism—grow and learn. Here you’ll find class titles, times, dates and descriptions; it offers instructor bios and outlines the cost for members and non-members (some scholarship assistance is available to Mishkan members; contact Rabbi Linda Holtzman at 215-508-0226). What the web page doesn’t capture is what happens inside these classes and workshops: the chance to ask questions, challenge assumptions, make new friends, learn skills, explore your connection to Judaism and deepen your ties to community.
How to Register for Classes You can register online for those classes that have registration fees by CLICKING HERE (or at the donate tab at the top of this page) and then choosing the class in which you wish to enroll. For classes with no registration fee, or if you prefer to register by check, call or e-mail the synagogue (215-508-0226 or office@mishkan.org) and give Maria your name, contact information and the class you wish to take. She’ll advise you about how to send a check to Mishkan for payment. Or, if you prefer, you can also use the downloadable registration forms as they appear and mail it, along with your check, to Mishkan Shalom, Attn. Adult Education, 4101 Freeland Avenue, Phila., PA 19128.
Have Ideas for Adult Education? If you have a suggestion for a class you’d like to take—or teach—contact adulted@mishkan.org. We have a great adult education committee—Anndee Hochman (chair); Laura Silverman, Steve Vlam, Pesha Leichter and Abby Ruder—and would love to add a few more energetic folks to that roster. Let us know if you’d like to join the conversation.
Spring 2013 Course Offerings
Click on the Course Title for More Information
Preparing for Pesach: Softening the Heart, Opening to Freedom
Life Cycle: Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Linda
One Book Mishkan - What We Mean When We Talk About History
Torah in the Light of Hasidism, Hasidism in the Light of Torah
Lag B'Omer: Picnics, Haircuts, Bonfires, Bows & Arrows
Walk the Talk: Knowing Nature Through a Jewish Lens
Digging Your Jewish Roots: Why Now and How So?
Soul Collage® with a Jewish Spin: Soul Collage® & Dreams
Mishkaners Make Music: An Almost Summer Slow Jam
Preparing for Pesach: Softening the Heart, Opening to Freedom Wednesdays March 20 and April 10, 6:15-8 p.m. taught by Rabbi Yael Levy - $30 members/$40 non-members
The festival of Passover challenges us to leave the narrow places - the habits, behaviors, thoughts and stories that keep us bound and unable to expand into the fullness of our lives. These classes will be devoted to Jewish mindfulness practice: the simple and complex task of paying attention.
We will explore mindfulness techniques and reflect on ways to spiritually prepare for Passover. At the April class, we will explore the 49-day mindfulness practice of counting the omer, a ritual counting that guides us to living with greater awareness, compassion, and generosity.
Rabbi Yael Levy’s approach to mindfulness is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. It grows out of her deep personal commitment to spiritual practice and a passionate belief in its potential to change not only individuals but also the world. Rabbi Yael is beginning her 18th year with Mishkan Shalom. She has developed the A Way In Jewish mindfulness program over the past five years, creating and leading contemplative Shabbat and holiday services as well as all-day and overnight retreats, weekly meditation "sits" and classes in Jewish mindfulness.
Life Cycle:Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Linda Saturdays April 13, May 18 and June 15 1-2:30 p.m in the Heschel King room taught by Rabbi Linda Holzman .- per session $18 members/$24 non-members. Please register and pay in advance; we will not collect fees on Shabbat. Stay after Shabbat morning services for a light lunch (some will be provided, and bring something to share).
This year, we have been walking through the life cycle with sessions on welcoming babies and children, coming of age, marriage, and divorce/seperation. These final classes will focus on the end of life; the dying process, death, burial and mourning. Jewish tradition surrounding death and mourning is rich and beautiful. In this class, we will explore the traditional Jewish rituals and the needs they respond to. Viddui, Tahara, Shivah, Shloshim: what are these customs, and how can they best support us as we walk with those we love from life to death and beyond?
Rabbi Linda Holtzman is the senior rabbi of Mishkan Shalom, where she was previously interim rabbi and, before that, education director from 1994-1999. She has served as an associate professor of practical rabbinics at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and is the founder of the Reconstructionist Hevrah Kadishah.
‘One Book Mishkan’ Adult Ed Class - What We Mean When We Talk About Jewish History
Sundays April 14 and 21, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. taught by Harold Gorvine, Ph.D. - $30 members/$40 non-members
This will be a 2-session course focusing on conflicting views of some Jewish historians about the Jewish past, inspired by the Mishkan Shalom Library Committee’s ‘One Book Mishkan’ selection, What We Mean When We Talk About Anne Frank, by Nathan Englander. Readings we will discuss include:
1. “The Sermon” – a 1942 short story by Haim Hazaz
2. Excerpts from:
a. The work of ancient historian Josephus
b. Writings of the medieval rabbis
c. The sociological view of 20th century historian Simon Dubnow
3. Classic essay “Israel: the Ever-Dying People,” by Simon Rawidowicz
Torah in the Light of Hasidism, Hasidism in the Light of Torah Wednesdays April 17 and 24, and May 1, 6:30-8 p.m in the library taught by Eugene Sotirescu - $45 members/$60 non-members.
In this class, after a brief introduction, we'll read drashot on the Torah by several Hasidic masters, from the first generation followers of the Baal Shem Tov to Rabbi Shalom Noah Barazovsky of Slonim.
We'll try to understand the Hasidic approach to the Torah in general and that of each Hasidic master in particular. We'll also look at how the Torah provides its Hasidic interpreters- and maybe each of us- with a medium for tikkun and finding the roots of one's soul.
Eugene Sotirescu grew up in Romania and Israel. He has degrees from the the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Yale. He lives in Philadelphia where he works as a software engineer and is a member of Mishkan Shalom. He is a student of musar and hasidut.
Lag B'Omer:Picnics, Haircuts, Bonfires, Bows & Arrows Sunday April 28 9:30-11 a.m in the ampitheater (if rain, the library) taught by Rabbi Linda Holzman .No charge for this class.
Lag B'Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer, is traditionally a day of celebration, of weddings, and of young boys having their first haircuts. Join with Rabbi Linda for a morning of study and celebration to uncover the many layers of meaning of this strange and compelling holiday.
Rabbi Linda Holtzman is the senior rabbi of Mishkan Shalom, where she was previously interim rabbi and, before that, education director from 1994-1999. She has served as an associate professor of practical rabbinics at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and is the founder of the Reconstructionist Hevrah Kadishah.
Walk the Talk: Knowing Nature Through a Jewish Lens Saturday, May 4, 12:30-2 p.m. (meet at Mishkan for a brown-bag lunch; then carpool to the woods) led by Steve Jones There is no charge for this class
“Everything I have created has been created for Your sake. Think of this, and do not corrupt or destroy my world; for if you corrupt it, there will be no one to set it right after you.” (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13)
This week we contemplate complete rest or shabbat for the land. What does "rest" for the land bring about for human beings? All ages are welcome to meet at Mishkan following a mindfullness service, then head to the nearby woods for an hour of exploration of the emerging plants and singing birds of the Wissahickon forest as a "text."
Steve Jones teaches at Community College of Philadelphia. He is a member of the Mishkan Site Stewards and President of Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers, a community-based ecological restoration project.
Digging Your Jewish Roots: Why Now and How So? Wednesday, May 8, 6-8 p.m. in the chapel taught by Steve Schecter. There is no charge for this class; participants will be invited to donate to the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Philadelphia
Many American Jews know little of their roots beyond a few generations and may believe - mistakenly- that it's impossible to trace ancestors to their origins in the "Old Country." This session blends lively presentation with Q & A to look at "Why Jewish Geneology? Why Now?" Bring a laptop or iPad to learn some online resources for unearthing your own Jewish Roots.
Steve Schecter is vice president of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Philadelphia. He has uncovered ancestors going back to the 1700's and has traveled to visit their shtetls in Europe.
Soul Collage® with a Jewish Spin: SoulCollage® & Dreams Sunday, June 9, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. in the kehillah room taught by Susan Richards $36 (includes all supplies) maximum 12 participants for this workshop
SoulCollage® is an intuitive, imaginative, creative process that is a lot of fun. If you can use scissors and a glue stick you can do it! Participants create their own deck of SoulCollage® cards with images they choose from provided supplies. The cards become a form of visual memoir, giving expression to your unique story, in all its complexity and beauty. No art experience necessary - just receptivity, trust in the process, and a spirit of adventure!
Susan Richards says, “Being a SoulCollage® Facilitator is the perfect integration of my life-long spiritual pursuits, my 30 years as a psychotherapist in private practice in Solana Beach, California, and my current life as a full-time artist in the Philadelphia area.” For more information, see http://www.soulcollage.com/susan-richards-lcsw
Mishkaners Make Music - An Almost Summer Slow Jam Saturday, June 15, 7 - 10 in the ampitheater (if rain, in the Heschel-King room) coordinated by Steve Vlam - no charge - BYOB and snacks - Back by Popular demand after our rockin' February session! Singers, Guitarists, fiddlers, drummers, harmonica players, and others who just love a good tune are warmly welcomed to jam along. If the weather's warm, we may play outdoors! Bring a snack(BYOB), a friend, an instrument...or just yourself. We'll provide chord and song sheets; no previous jamming experience required.
Steve Vlam has been a guitar owner for over thirty years and will occasionally play his guitar when he is not tripping over the case. He has participated in several jams over the years and would like to share the thrill of making beautiful music as well as the simple joy of thrashing a good tune and then kicking it while it is down.
Spanish for Beginners Day, time and cost to be determined. Watch Kol Shalom for details! taught by Claudia Garcia-Leeds Mishkan’s work with immigration rights—and our ongoing connection with a family facing possible deportation—has awakened an interest in learning Spanish. Join Rabbi Linda and others for a basic conversation class. If you’d like to join, e-mail rabbilinda@mishkan.org or call 215-508-0226