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 unless otherwise noted. 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 Summer Quarter 2026 Classes
Summer Stories with Rachel Kamin: Mothers and Other Fictional Characters by Nicole Graev Lipson
Saturday, July 11, 2026, 12:30 pm
Join Rachel Kamin after Shabbat Kiddush to discuss this intimate and riveting memoir in stories. FREE
Adult Torah Trope with Hazzan Jenna Greenberg
Sundays, 9:45 – 10:45 am, July 12 – August 23, 2026
Unlock the secret of chanting Torah, decode the melody patterns, and learn the “how” as well as the “why” of Torah cantillation. Comfort with reading Hebrew text is required. In person and on Zoom after morning Minyan. FREE
Sapir Salon with Randy Iden
Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 8:00 – 9:00 pm
In person only. Free
High Holiday Boot Camp with Rabbi Alex Freedman
Thursdays, 11:15 am -12:15 pm, August 27 & September 3, 2026
In person and on Zoom. FREE
Thursdays @ Beth El
Register for the following FREE Summer Thursdays @ Beth El Classes (after HAZAK Fitness), 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
When Judaism Began: Explaining the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah with Rabbi Steven Bob
July 9, 2026
Rabbi Steven Bob will return to Beth El to present his new book about the often-overlooked books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Copies of When Judaism Began will be available for sale.
In person and on Zoom.
Open Conversational Hebrew (ongoing)
Sundays, 9:30-11:00 am
Practice Hebrew conversation informally with other participants. Class will meet on Zoom. FREE
Writer’s Beit Midrash
Wednesdays, 9:30 am, June 10 & 24; July 8 & 22; August 5 & 19, 2026
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, July 8 – August 26, 2026
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. Summer Quarter Fee
Hebrew Classes
Café Ivrit: Intermediate Conversational Hebrew with Pnina Arsers
Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, June 23 – August 11, 2026
Using the Brandeis Modern Hebrew textbook, we will continue to improve our listening, reading, and speaking skills and explore aspects of Israeli culture through language, literature and current events. Class will meet in person. Summer Quarter Fee
Sicha B’Ivrit: Advanced Conversational Hebrew with Shlomit Hoch
Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, June 4 – 25, 2026
Using the textbook, Kriat Beynaim from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, we will explore 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. Summer Quarter Fee
1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 | (847) 432-8900 | [email protected] |
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