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.
The Arc of Memorial Vernacular: Holocaust Memory and the Evolution of Public Memorials with James E. Young
Thursday, April 24, 2:00 pm
In this visually rich lecture, James Young, Founding Director of the Institute for Holocaust, Genocide, and Memory Studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, will explore the origins and transformations of Holocaust and atrocity memorialization in both Europe and the United States. Part of the CityTalk “From the Bean to the Brasserie” series, sponsored by Theater Wit, Northwestern’s Crown Center for Jewish and Israel Studies, and Northlight Theatre, and hosted at Beth El. Open to the community, free of charge. Register here.
Register for Spring Quarter 2025 Classes
Dor L’Dor: Preserving Your Family’s Heritage with Sam Shanes
Mondays, 8:00-9:00 pm, April 21 – May 19, 2025
Every family has its own story that is the rightful inheritance of those who come after us. However, if that story is lost, it is probably lost forever. If we act, it is available to us now, anchored in family trees, recipes, stories, recordings, photos and so much more, waiting to be saved. Woven together and placed in the context of current and historical Jewish experience, these stories create the reality of Am Yisrael Chai, the Living People of Israel. Join us in exploring how to preserve our families’ stories and understand our part in the one Jewish family throughout history and around the world. Class will meet in-person and on Zoom. Free
Yom Ha’atzmaut Movie & Lunch
Thursday, May 1, 10:30 am
A special screening of the new documentary, Technion 10², followed by a talkback with Beth El’s own Mark Gaines, President of the American Technion Society, and an Israeli lunch from Mizrahi Grill. Register here.
Jewish Beliefs on What Happens After Death with Rabbi Freedman
Thursday, 11:15 am – 12:15 pm, May 15 and June 12 & 26, 2025
The Jewish tradition offers much wisdom in all life cycle events, including death. This course will examine what happens after the passing of a loved one, to ourselves and to them. Class will meet in-person and on Zoom. FREE
Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Schwab
Thursday, May 22, 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Using Hadar’s Project Zug curriculum, we will continue our exploration of the theoretical and the practical of keeping Kosher in an overwhelmingly non-Kosher world. Class will meet in-person and on Zoom. Free A complimentary lunch from Shaevitz Uptown BBQ will be served at Beth El at 12:15 pm for those attending in person.
Writer’s Beit Midrash
Wednesdays, 9:30 am, April 23; May 7 & 21; June 4 & 18, 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
Open Conversational Hebrew (ongoing)
Sundays, 9:30-11:00 am
Practice Hebrew conversation informally with other participants. For information, contact Judy Farby. Class will meet on Zoom. FREE
Breaking Jewish News & Views with Carl Schrag
Wednesdays, 9:45 – 11:00 am, April 23 – May 28, 2025
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. Spring Quarter Fee
Talmud: Tractate B’rachot with Rabbi Michael Schwab
Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 am, May 6-27, 2025
Rabbi Schwab takes students on a journey through the mainstay of the Jewish oral tradition, its rich history, structure, and famous personalities. New students always welcome! Class will meet in-person and on Zoom. Quarter Fee: Spring Quarter Fee for new students; Free for Fall Quarter students
Introduction to Mussar with Dr. David Gottlieb
Wednesdays, 8:00 – 9:00 pm, May 28, June 4 and June 11, 2025
Come learn about Mussar, the Jewish discipline of ethical self-improvement that blossomed in the yeshivot of 19th-century Lithuania – and that borrowed ideas from Benjamin Franklin! We’ll learn about what Mussar is and how it works, and we’ll focus on key character traits that can help us build a more responsive, resilient self. Class will meet in-person and on Zoom. Spring Quarter Fee
Introduction to Conversational Hebrew with Pnina Arsers
Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30 pm, through April 9 & 23; May 7 – June 18, 2025 (no class April 30)
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. Spring Quarter Fee
Café Ivrit: Intermediate Conversational Hebrew with Pnina Arsers
Tuesdays, 6:15 – 7:30 pm, April 22 & 29; May 6 – 27, 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. Spring Quarter Fee
Sicha B’Ivrit: Advanced Conversational Hebrew with Shlomit Hoch
Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, April 24; May 1 – May 29, 2025 (no class May 15)
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. Spring Quarter Fee
Join Rachel Kamin, Director of Lifelong Learning, for lively book discussions and author events. New participants are always welcome!
We Would Never by Tova Mirvis
Saturday, May 17, 12:30 pm
When Hailey Gelman becomes a suspect in her ex-husband’s murder following a bitter custody battle, her tight-knit Jewish family must confront their own dark loyalties and the lengths they will go to protect each other.
Participants are encouraged to make a minimum donation of $54 to the Torah Fund Campaign.
1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 | (847) 432-8900 | nssbe@nssbethel.org |
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