The Gertrude Lederman Family Continuing Education courses at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El offer a wonderful chance to deepen your understanding of Jewish thought, culture, and identity. This program is made possible through the generous gift of the estate of Gertrude Lederman. The value she placed on Jewish education became the cornerstone of her legacy of lifelong learning in our congregation.
The fee for Continuing Education tuition courses is $60 per quarter for NSS Beth El members and $125 per quarter for guests. Payment for one course includes any additional classes during the same quarter at no additional charge. Note that many of our courses are offered for free.
Contact Rachel Kamin, Director of Lifelong Learning, for more information about adult education and Marcie Eskin, Education Coordinator, for registration and other class-related information. Note: Because the cost of tuition should never be a barrier to participation in our NSS Beth El classes, we do offer financial assistance. Please contact Marcie Eskin for scholarship information.
Register for Winter Quarter 2025 Classes
Whole and Broken Tablets: Aging in Rabbinic Literature with Rabbi Alex Freedman
Thursdays, 11:15 am – 12:15 pm, January 9 & 23 and February 6 & 27, 2025
Using Hadar’s Project Zug curriculum, we’ll study passages from Tanakh, Talmud, and classical Midrash about old age. Beyond the general reverence for the elderly that the Rabbis demanded, what did they think about the actual experience of aging? What are its gifts and challenges? We will consider the implications of the Rabbis’ thinking about old age both from the perspective of those aging, and from those who love and care for them. Class will meet on Zoom and in person (after the HAZAK Fitness class). FREE
Finding Balance with Marci Dickman
Wednesdays, 8:00-9:00 pm, January 15, February 19 and March 5, 2025
Speaking from our hearts, finding greater equanimity and balance in turbulent times – this is not easy to do. We will use poetry, songs and lyrics, Jewish text, and our own experiences to reflect on ourselves, and to explore our reactions to the world around us. Come with an intent to listen, to learn and to share. Class will meet in person and/or on Zoom. FREE
Open Conversational Hebrew (ongoing)
Sundays, 9:30-11:00 am
Practice Hebrew conversation informally with other participants. For information, contact Judy Farby at judyfarby@yahoo.com or 847-372-1700. Class will meet on Zoom. FREE
Writer’s Beit Midrash
Wednesdays, 9:30 am, January 15 & 29; February 12 & 26; March 12 & 26, 2025
All fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, and essay writers (published or not yet published) are welcome for discussions, exercises, camaraderie, and critique every other Wednesday morning. Class will meet in person. FREE
Breaking Jewish News & Views with Carl Schrag
Wednesdays, 9:45 – 11:00 am, January 15-March 19, 2025 (no class February 5)
This class zooms in on local, national, and global news through a distinctly Jewish lens. We’ll navigate the ever-evolving post-October 7 reality as we talk about politics, Israel, anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, rifts in our Jewish community, and more. Carl Schrag, former editor of The Jerusalem Post, brings a journalist’s probing questions to every topic. Class will meet on Zoom. Winter Quarter Fee
Operation Swords of Iron with Mike Hollander
Tuesdays, 10:00-11:00 am, January 14 – February 4, 2025
Explore the history of Gaza from the Biblical Samson until October 2023 with Mike Hollander, an experienced Jewish educator and licensed tour guide in Israel. Unpack what was happening in Israel prior to October 7 and the events that have unfolded since. Understand the seven-front war that Israel is now engaged in, with a particular focus on Gaza and Lebanon. Mike will join us on Zoom from Israel. Students can login together at Beth El or from the comfort of their own home. Class will meet on Zoom and in person. Winter Quarter Fee
Tikkun Olam in the Kingdom of God: Abraham Joshua Heschel as a Relevant Prophet with Dr. Dror Bondi
Tuesdays, 10:00-11:00 am, February 25 – March 18, 2025
Abraham Joshua Heschel is one of the most important Jewish thinkers of the last 100 years. We will examine how Heschel applied the writings of the Hebrew prophets to contemporary issues such as racism, the chosen people and Zionism. Dr. Bondi, an award-winning author, translator and editor with a doctorate in Jewish Thought from Bar-Ilan University, will join us on Zoom from Israel. Students can login together at Beth El or from the comfort of their own home. Class will meet on Zoom and in person. Winter Quarter Fee
Beginner’s Hebrew with Fran Pearlman
Beginner’s Hebrew with Fran Pearlman
Mondays, 9:15–10:30 am, January 27 – March 17, 2025 (no class February 17)
Practice your Hebrew reading fluency, learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings (and what they mean!) and develop your Hebrew vocabulary. Perfect for parents who want to learn alongside their children and anyone who wants to feel more comfortable with everyday Hebrew. A basic knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet is recommended. Continued from the fall but new students are welcome. Class will meet in person. Winter Quarter Fee
Introduction to Conversational Hebrew with Pnina Arsers
Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30 pm, January 15 – March 19, 2025
Using the Brandeis Modern Hebrew textbook, this course will introduce students to the Hebrew language through listening, reading, speaking, writing, and vocabulary. Knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet and basic reading proficiency is recommended. Class will meet in person. Winter Quarter Fee
Café Ivrit: Intermediate Conversational Hebrew with Pnina Arsers
Tuesdays, 6:15 – 7:30 pm, January 14 – March 18, 2025
Using the Brandeis Modern Hebrew textbook, we will improve our listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills and explore aspects of Israeli culture through language, literature and current events. Class will meet in person. Winter Quarter Fee
Sicha B’Ivrit: Advanced Conversational Hebrew with Shlomit Hoch
Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, January 9 – March 6, 2025
Using the textbook, Kriat Beynaim from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, we will dive into an array of enriching materials including news articles, songs, literature, and much more. We will also have fun with online games and engaging warm-up activities to enhance our learning experience. Class will meet on Zoom. Winter Quarter Fee
Join Rachel Kamin, Director of Lifelong Learning, for lively book discussions and author events. New participants are always welcome!
Songs for the Brokenhearted by Ayelet Tsabari
Saturday, January 18, 2025, 12:30 pm
In 1995, a young Israeli-American returns to Israel for her mother’s funeral and finds herself on an unexpected path that leads to shocking truths about her Yemini family, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about her parents, her heritage and her own future.
The Six-Day Hero by Tammar Stein
Family Book Club: Sunday, February 2, 12:00 pm
Twelve-year-old Motti discovers that there are many types of heroes as his tiny young nation of Israel fights for survival in the SixDay War of 1967. Tammar Stein will join us in person! For 3rd-6th graders and adult readers of all ages.
Your Presence Is Mandatory by Sasha Vasilyuk
Saturday, March 8, 12:30 pm
In 2007 Ukraine, after Yefim Shulman, beloved husband, grandfather and World War II veteran, passes away, his widow Nina finds a letter to the KGB in his briefcase that reveals his lifelong secret, which forces them to reassess the man they thought they knew and the country he defended.
Participants are encouraged to make a minimum donation of $54 to the Torah Fund Campaign.
Meet Giora Levi
Monday, January 13, 7:30 pm
Giora Levi, a ranking officer in Israel’s elite commando unit, founded the Migdalor Pre-Military Mechina to work with kids from marginalized backgrounds, transforming them into leaders—not only for the Army but also in their civilian lives after service. Join us for an informative presentation followed by a Q&A session, in partnership with the Consul General’s Office. Register here.
Film Screening: Tragic Awakening
Sunday, January 19, 3:00 pm
The new documentary, Tragic Awakening: A New Look at the Oldest Hatred, delves deeply into the roots of antisemitism and provides sobering revelations about the world’s oldest hatred. Where does such unbridled hatred come from, and can it be harnessed into a force for good? Rabbi Raphael Shore, the film’s producer and author of the new book, Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Jew: Learning to Love the Lessons of Jew-Hatred, will join us afterwards for a talk-back on Zoom.
Meet Judith Raanan
Thursday, January 30, 11:00 am
Judith Raanan was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 along with her daughter Natalie, a recent Deerfield High School graduate. They were among the first hostages released. Judith will share her harrowing story and her inspiring artwork, co-sponsored by the Gray Cultural & Learning Center, Sisterhood and HAZAK. Open to the community; refreshments will be served.
Celebrate Tu B’Shevat
Thursday, February 13, 11:00 am
Stay tuned for more information on this special program in honor of
the Birthday of the Trees!
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