Deep, serious, Jewish learning has been a hallmark of Temple Chai for decades. As one visitor observed, “These people LOVE to learn.” Our adult students are passionate about study and truly dedicated to meaningful conversation and new ideas. Their engagement with their own education is an inspiration to our Temple Chai family. Questions about Adult Learning opportunities?
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Adult Learning Programs
Introduction to Judaism
This 18-week class is taught twice a year by local Reform rabbis, including the Temple Chai clergy. The class provides a broad overview of Jewish history and texts, Jewish lifecycle observances, and Jewish holidays. It also includes two structured Shabbat experiences- one Friday night and one Saturday morning. Introduction to Judaism is a prerequisite for those who are considering conversion. Students in Jewish families who want to know more find the class meaningful, and it’s a great way to renew your knowledge if you don’t remember Hebrew School! There is a fee of $200 for the class for those who are members of a Reform congregation, and $280 for those unaffiliated. The fee includes a +one family member whom we encourage you to invite.
Click here to learn more about this class and to register.
This 18-week class is taught twice a year by local Reform rabbis, including the Temple Chai clergy. The class provides a broad overview of Jewish history and texts, Jewish lifecycle observances, and Jewish holidays. It also includes two structured Shabbat experiences- one Friday night and one Saturday morning. Introduction to Judaism is a prerequisite for those who are considering conversion. Students in Jewish families who want to know more find the class meaningful, and it’s a great way to renew your knowledge if you don’t remember Hebrew School! There is a fee of $200 for the class for those who are members of a Reform congregation, and $280 for those unaffiliated. The fee includes a +one family member whom we encourage you to invite.
Click here to learn more about this class and to register.
Adult B-Mitzvah
This 18-month program of study focuses on learning to read Hebrew and understanding the Shabbat morning service. Meeting on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m., the class studies Hebrew with Malka Kagan and explores the Saturday morning prayers, the B-Mitzvah Torah portion, and upcoming holidays with Temple Chai clergy. The Adult B-Mitzvah class is a frequent follow on to the Introduction to Judaism class, and for those who never had a Bar/Bat Mitzvah as a young person. For some, even if they DID experience Bar/Bat Mitzvah in their youth, the Adult B-Mitzvah program is an opportunity to learn from an adult perspective what they perhaps might not have appreciated when they were young. New classes begin every other year, starting in January. Join us in January 2024 for a celebration culminating in the spring of 2025. There is a fee of $250 for this class, with scholarships available.
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Torah Study
Meeting on Sunday mornings, our Torah study group has spent over 30 years combing the breadth and depth of the Torah. In 2020, we finally completed our discussion of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and have begun again with the book of Genesis. The class prides itself on exploring interesting tangents raised in the text, and thinking deeply about how these ancient words reflect human nature and apply to contemporary lives. If you like to think, this class is for you! We meet during the year when Religious School is in session. During the summer, this serious group of learners typically finds a topic to explore in a lay-led program of study. The group meets Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45am
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Wise Aging
Based initially on the book of the same name (by Rabbi Rachel Cowan and Dr. Linda Thal), Wise Aging meets weekly to discuss the joys of aging. Our current text is Getting Good At Getting Older, by Rabbi Laura Geller and Richard Siegel. We often examine articles from the media related to themes of aging such as finding meaning in retirement, thinking about end of life planning, and the needs of our community members as we age. The group meets on Wednesdays from 1:00-2:15 p.m.
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Mussar
Mussar is a traditional source of Jewish wisdom as it relates to character development. We focus on the cultivation of middot, or soul-traits, such as- generosity, kindness, compassion, responsibility, order, and truth, among many others. There are currently 4 Mussar groups meeting under the auspices of Temple Chai, and we are always adding more, as Mussar study is an important focal point of community life at Temple Chai. Let us know if you are interested and we will connect you with our next Mussar learning opportunity.
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Thinking About God
Whether you have learned about Jewish beliefs in and about God before, this class will provide a meaningful opportunity for learning, exploration, and discussion, deepening our understanding of not only Jewish beliefs but our own beliefs and questions.
Taught by Rabbi Segal
We will read together the new book of Jewish theology,
Thinking About God, by Rabbi Dr. Kari Hofmeister Tuling
We will tackle one chapter each month and build our learning and discussion upon our reading.
This 18-month program of study focuses on learning to read Hebrew and understanding the Shabbat morning service. Meeting on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m., the class studies Hebrew with Malka Kagan and explores the Saturday morning prayers, the B-Mitzvah Torah portion, and upcoming holidays with Temple Chai clergy. The Adult B-Mitzvah class is a frequent follow on to the Introduction to Judaism class, and for those who never had a Bar/Bat Mitzvah as a young person. For some, even if they DID experience Bar/Bat Mitzvah in their youth, the Adult B-Mitzvah program is an opportunity to learn from an adult perspective what they perhaps might not have appreciated when they were young. New classes begin every other year, starting in January. Join us in January 2024 for a celebration culminating in the spring of 2025. There is a fee of $250 for this class, with scholarships available.
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Torah Study
Meeting on Sunday mornings, our Torah study group has spent over 30 years combing the breadth and depth of the Torah. In 2020, we finally completed our discussion of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and have begun again with the book of Genesis. The class prides itself on exploring interesting tangents raised in the text, and thinking deeply about how these ancient words reflect human nature and apply to contemporary lives. If you like to think, this class is for you! We meet during the year when Religious School is in session. During the summer, this serious group of learners typically finds a topic to explore in a lay-led program of study. The group meets Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45am
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Wise Aging
Based initially on the book of the same name (by Rabbi Rachel Cowan and Dr. Linda Thal), Wise Aging meets weekly to discuss the joys of aging. Our current text is Getting Good At Getting Older, by Rabbi Laura Geller and Richard Siegel. We often examine articles from the media related to themes of aging such as finding meaning in retirement, thinking about end of life planning, and the needs of our community members as we age. The group meets on Wednesdays from 1:00-2:15 p.m.
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Mussar
Mussar is a traditional source of Jewish wisdom as it relates to character development. We focus on the cultivation of middot, or soul-traits, such as- generosity, kindness, compassion, responsibility, order, and truth, among many others. There are currently 4 Mussar groups meeting under the auspices of Temple Chai, and we are always adding more, as Mussar study is an important focal point of community life at Temple Chai. Let us know if you are interested and we will connect you with our next Mussar learning opportunity.
Please contact Joan Neer at (602) 971-1234 or via email at [email protected]
Thinking About God
Whether you have learned about Jewish beliefs in and about God before, this class will provide a meaningful opportunity for learning, exploration, and discussion, deepening our understanding of not only Jewish beliefs but our own beliefs and questions.
Taught by Rabbi Segal
We will read together the new book of Jewish theology,
Thinking About God, by Rabbi Dr. Kari Hofmeister Tuling
We will tackle one chapter each month and build our learning and discussion upon our reading.