Home > Lifelong Learning > Adult Education

“Who is wise? The person who learns from everyone.” (Psalm 119:99)

Adult Education at Temple Sholom

Our congregation values Torah and comprehensive Jewish learning, and we offer a robust catalog of adult education opportunities throughout the week in the spirit of lifelong learning. Taught by our clergy and community members, available topics include Hebrew, Talmud, modern and ancient Jewish history, Jewish text, short stories, spirituality and more. Register for Adult Education Classes on our calendar pages!

Upcoming Adult Education Events

WednesdayWed, 8 DecDecember, 2021

Wednesday Morning Study Group, with Cantor Ben-David

Wednesday, Dec 8th 10:00a to 11:30aThis ever-evolving class is great for both newcomers to Jewish liturgy and longtime students. As we walk through the prayer book, we'll look at the various prayers and services in the siddur that appear each week and throughout the seasons! This class provides a more manageable view of our Mishkan T’filah and a deeper understanding of Reform Judaism's contemporary prayer book.

WednesdayWed, 8 DecDecember, 2021

Modern Jewish Thinkers, with Rabbi Gellman

Wednesday, Dec 8th 6:30p to 7:30pJoin Rabbi Gellman for a series of classes on Judaism's great thinkers. Part 1: Was Spinoza a Heretic or a Theologian? Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) was expelled from the Sephardic synagogue in Amsterdam in 1656 due to his “evil opinions and acts.” Was Spinoza just too far ahead of his time?

WednesdayWed, 8 DecDecember, 2021

Shakespeare Discussion, with Mitchell Brown

Wednesday, Dec 8th 6:30p to 8:00pIn this class, we will discuss the four plays known as the “Henriad,” Richard II, Henry IV (parts one and two), and Henry V. Join us as we examine these stories and tie in Jewish ethics and biblical allusions throughout the course.

SundaySun, 12 DecDecember, 2021

Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, with Mitchell Brown

Sunday, Dec 12th 10:30a to 11:30aLearn to read Hebrew and the basics of the Hebrew language.

SundaySun, 12 DecDecember, 2021

Guest Scholar – Graceful Masculinity, with Rabbi Mike Moskowitz

Sunday, Dec 12th 11:00a to 12:00pThe phrase "toxic masculinity” is in the news and culture a great deal, but what does healthy masculinity look and sound like? What can we learn from the wisdom of the Jewish tradition to be better versions of ourselves in relationships? Rabbi Moskowitz will explore positive manifestations of gendered attributes as reflections of Divine grace, as discussed in his new book, “Graceful Masculinity.” Rabbi Mike Moskowitz is the Scholar-in-Residence for Trans and Queer Jewish Studies at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the world’s largest LGBT synagogue. Rabbi Moskowitz received three Ultra-Orthodox ordinations while learning in the Mir in Jerusalem and in Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ. He is a David Hartman Center Fellow and the author of Textual Activism.

SundaySun, 12 DecDecember, 2021

Short Stories, with Cliff Scott-Rudnick

Sunday, Dec 12th 2:00p to 3:00pJoin Cliff Scott-Rudnick and the class to read short stories from “The UnAmericans,” by Molly Antopol.

MondayMon, 13 DecDecember, 2021

Introduction to Judaism

Monday, Dec 13th 6:45p to 8:45pNext class begins February 2022!

TuesdayTue, 14 DecDecember, 2021

Talmud Study

Tuesday, Dec 14th 8:30a to 9:30aJoin Rabbi Conover as she leads an hour-long conversation on a section of the Talmud.

WednesdayWed, 15 DecDecember, 2021

Wednesday Morning Study Group, with Cantor Ben-David

Wednesday, Dec 15th 10:00a to 11:30aThis ever-evolving class is great for both newcomers to Jewish liturgy and longtime students. As we walk through the prayer book, we'll look at the various prayers and services in the siddur that appear each week and throughout the seasons! This class provides a more manageable view of our Mishkan T’filah and a deeper understanding of Reform Judaism's contemporary prayer book.

WednesdayWed, 15 DecDecember, 2021

Modern Jewish Thinkers, with Rabbi Gellman

Wednesday, Dec 15th 6:30p to 7:30pJoin Rabbi Gellman for a series of classes on Judaism's great thinkers. Part 1: Was Spinoza a Heretic or a Theologian? Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) was expelled from the Sephardic synagogue in Amsterdam in 1656 due to his “evil opinions and acts.” Was Spinoza just too far ahead of his time?

WednesdayWed, 15 DecDecember, 2021

Shakespeare Discussion, with Mitchell Brown

Wednesday, Dec 15th 6:30p to 8:00pIn this class, we will discuss the four plays known as the “Henriad,” Richard II, Henry IV (parts one and two), and Henry V. Join us as we examine these stories and tie in Jewish ethics and biblical allusions throughout the course.

SundaySun, 19 DecDecember, 2021

Short Stories, with Cliff Scott-Rudnick

Sunday, Dec 19th 2:00p to 3:00pJoin Cliff Scott-Rudnick and the class to read short stories from “The UnAmericans,” by Molly Antopol.

MondayMon, 20 DecDecember, 2021

Adult Ed - Bi-Monthly Film Night

Monday, Dec 20th 7:00p to 9:00pJoin lay leader Cliff Scott-Rudnick to watch a different film on the first and third Monday of each month. Visit the event page for movie selections and details!

TuesdayTue, 21 DecDecember, 2021

Talmud Study

Tuesday, Dec 21st 8:30a to 9:30aJoin Rabbi Conover as she leads an hour-long conversation on a section of the Talmud.

WednesdayWed, 22 DecDecember, 2021

Wednesday Morning Study Group, with Cantor Ben-David

Wednesday, Dec 22nd 10:00a to 11:30aThis ever-evolving class is great for both newcomers to Jewish liturgy and longtime students. As we walk through the prayer book, we'll look at the various prayers and services in the siddur that appear each week and throughout the seasons! This class provides a more manageable view of our Mishkan T’filah and a deeper understanding of Reform Judaism's contemporary prayer book.

Quick Links

5782 Adult Education Full Curriculum
5782 Adult Education Guest Scholar Series
Register for Intro to Judaism Classes - starting November 2021
Register for Taste of Judaism Classes - starting October 2021
Register for URJ Online Introduction to Hebrew
Wednesday Morning Study Group Topics 2021-22
To be added to our Adult Ed email list click here

In addition to a variety of Sunday class options featuring our clergy and guest speaker series, we also offer:

Monday evening Introduction to Judaism and A Taste of Judaism classes
Monday evening bi-monthly film screenings & discussion
Tuesday morning weekly Talmud study with our rabbis
Wednesday morning weekly discussion group with our clergy/education team
Wednesday evening parallel classes for parents during Midweek Hebrew
Friday evening Shabbat guest speakers
Shabbat morning Torah study minyan with clergy

This year’s class topics include the following series:

Hartman Hot Topics with Rabbi Conover - Fall Sundays, 9:30-10:30 AM
Prayer & Liturgy 101 with Cantor Ben-David - Winter Sundays, 11 AM - 12 PM
Modern Jewish Thinkers with Rabbi Gellman - Winter/Spring Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 PM
Spiritual Cooking with Rabbi Singer - Seasonal Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 PM
Short Stories with Cliff Scott-Rudnick - Sundays, 2-3 PM
Shakespeare Discussion with Mitchell Brown - Wednesdays, 6:30-8 PM
Intro to Biblical Hebrew with Mitchell Brown - Sundays, 10:30-11:30 AM

Questions? Contact Lori@sholomchicago.org or 773-435-1531.

Wed, December 8 2021 4 Tevet 5782