Weekly Life Long Learning
Chevrah Torah (Torah Study) Saturday Morning
9:00am in the Library
In Judaism, the study of our sacred texts is considered an act towards Divine Connection on par with prayer. It is rare that one has the time to be “spiritually selfish,” meaning to take the time to further one’s own spiritual development. Chevrah Torah is an opportunity to explore, struggle and delve in a nurturing and intimate environment.
Hosted in the intimate setting of our library, surrounded by learners of every age and various backgrounds, our Torah study lifts up our sacred stories to examine the existential and timeless societal quandaries of the human condition. No formal knowledge of Judaism or Hebrew is necessary; every study session is made accessible through commentary and translation.
Norman and Diane Cohen Present:
Temple Emanu-El’s Scholars-In-Residence 5787
Classes Begin August 2026
All classes are in-person only.
The Sacred Path of
Forgiveness and Repair
Sundays, August 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
9:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Chaplain Marita Anderson
As we prepare for the High Holy Days, we will study selections from Tomer Devorah, the 16th-century ethical work of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, which teaches that spiritual growth begins by cultivating the Divine qualities of compassion, patience, forgiveness, and repair within our own relationships.
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Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation
Mondays
October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 9, 16
12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Chaplain Marita Anderson
Grounded in Jewish wisdom and weaved with contemporary mindfulness practices, this class offers a path to greater presence, clarity, and a sense of wholeness. Whether you're new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this course provides tools to help you navigate the challenges of daily life with greater intention and self-compassion.
Each session combines guided meditation, brief teachings from Jewish texts, and reflective practices designed to cultivate awareness, gratitude, resilience, and connection. Learn to respond to stress with calm, engage in relationships more mindfully, and bring sacred attention to even the simplest moments.
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Seeing the World through the Eyes
of God (A Theology for Agnostics)
Sundays, October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 2026
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Rabbi Ayal Robkin
Is God a theory to be studied or a reality to be lived? In this five (six?) part series, we explore the radical psychological and spiritual landscapes of Chassidic thought and modern Jewish philosophy to answer the ultimate questions concerning our ability to become aware of God. As the Mystic Meister Eckhart put it, "The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and God's eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love.”
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Chanukah - Beyond the Flames
Sunday, December 6, 2026
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Rabbi Mordechai Danneman
A very brief history of Chanukah followed by a brief demonstration of “how to” followed by an exploration of the deeper hidden meaning of Chanukah and the fight for the Jewish soul.
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Resilience and Resistance From Jews During the Shoah-Part One & Part Two
Sundays, January 24, 31, 2027
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Rabbi Fred Guttman
All too often, Holocaust education focuses primarily on how Jews were persecuted and murdered, while overlooking how Jews responded to these unimaginable circumstances. In these sessions, we will explore the many forms of Jewish resistance during the Shoah, including spiritual, cultural, moral, and active resistance. Through historical examples and personal stories, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the courage, resilience, and determination displayed by Jewish communities throughout Europe.
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Response in Art to the Shoah:
From Survivors & Artists
Sunday, February 7, 2027
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Rabbi Fred Guttman
In this session, we will examine artwork created by both adults and children during the Holocaust. We will also explore post-Holocaust artistic expression by survivors, as well as commemorative works created to preserve memory and honor those who perished. Through these powerful visual narratives, we will consider how art serves as a form of testimony, remembrance, and healing.
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Post-Shoah Theology
Sunday, February 21, 2026
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Rabbi Fred Guttman
Can a Jew still believe in God after the Shoah? Where was God during the Holocaust? These profound questions have challenged Jewish thinkers for generations. In this session, we will explore how prominent Jewish philosophers and theologians have grappled with the theological and spiritual implications of the Holocaust, and the diverse responses they have offered.
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Unpacking Elie Wiesel's "Night"
Sunday, February 28, 2027
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Rabbi Fred Guttman
Without question, Night is one of the most significant works of post-Holocaust literature. Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, transformed the world's understanding of the Holocaust through this powerful memoir. Since its first English publication in 1960, Night has sold millions of copies worldwide.
Yet beneath its accessible narrative lie layers of Jewish history, tradition, and theology that many readers miss. In this session, we will examine the text closely, uncovering its deeper meanings, exploring its Jewish context, and considering the central message that Wiesel sought to convey. Participants will gain a richer understanding of why Night remains one of the most influential Holocaust memoirs ever written.
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Purim-Behind the Mask
Sunday, March 7, 2027
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Rabbi Mordechai Danneman
The kabbalistic secrets of Purim. Ahashverosh’s miscalculation, Haman’s ego, and why Purim is not just a kids' holiday.
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Passover - Why Does the Seder Seem to be “lo b’seder?”
Sunday, April 18, 2027
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Rabbi Mordechai Danneman
How to understand the Haggada and use it to properly fulfill the mitzvot of Passover.
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