• Sabbatical Potpourri: A Tour of Texts and Teachings
• Our Conservative Judaism: Inquiry and Appreciation
• Pirkei Avot: Sayings (or Ethics) of the Fathers
• Reading and Understanding Hebrew Prayers
• Modern Hebrew III: CONTINUING CLASS
• Jewish Practices: What We Do and Why
• Friday Morning Talmud Study
• Prayer Book Hebrew: BEGINNING CLASS
• Biblical Blueprints: Analyze and Construct a Mishkan

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Sabbatical Potpourri: A Tour of Texts and Teachings
Rabbi Pressman

Date / time:    
Every Monday 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. from October 4, 2010 to December 20, 2010 (except no class on October 25)

Cost:              
The registration fee is $35 for Beth David members and $55 for non-members.
…please check back for a registration link after Yom Kippur.

Contact:        
Adult Education at Beth David

Join Rabbi Pressman on a tour of texts and teachings that he studied during his sabbatical, including Talmudic texts about marriage, a modern mystical text of great beauty, fascinating (and entertaining) rabbinic responsa from the Middle Ages about Jewish communal life and rabbinic authority, and more.

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Our Conservative Judaism: Inquiry and Appreciation
Rabbi Pressman

Date / time:    
Every Monday 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. from October 4, 2010 to December 20, 2010 (except no class on October 25)

Cost:              
The registration fee is $35 for Beth David members and $55 for non-members.
…please check back for a registration link after Yom Kippur.

Contact:        
Adult Education at Beth David

Let’s take a close look at the centrality of Conservative Movement ideas to American Jewish life, the ongoing renewal of our institutions, and what the future might bring. Join Rabbi Pressman in a journey through the past, present and future of our Conservative Movement.

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Pirkei Avot: Sayings (or Ethics) of the Fathers
participant-led discussion group

Date / time:     Every Tuesday 7:30-8:30 p.m. from October 5, 2010 to January 25, 2011 (except no class on October 19)

Cost:               This class has no registration fee, but donations to Beth David are welcome.

Contact:         Adult Education at Beth David

Because of its importance to Rabbinic Judaism, Pirkei Avot has been reprinted more than any other rabbinic text. It is one of 63 tractates in the Mishnah, but is unique in the absence of Gemara. Unlike the rest of the Mishnah, it contains no halachah and deals solely with ethical and moral principles. Explore this ancient Jewish wisdom in the continuation of this participant-led discussion group. There is no registration fee.

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Reading and Understanding Hebrew Prayers
Chuck Taubman

Date / time:     Every Wednesday 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. from October 6, 2010 to January 26, 2011

Cost:              
The registration fee is $35 for Beth David members and $55 for non-members.
…please check back for a registration link after Yom Kippur.

Contact:         Chuck Taubman or refer to your phone roster for Chuck’s phone number

A continuation of previous classes (new students are welcome) interpreting prayers, this daytime class is for improving understanding of the synagogue service. You will develop confidence in reading and understanding prayers in our Beth David services. We will use multiple sources to identify the origin and meaning of various prayers in our service, including Ashrei, Alenu, Adon Olam, and Yigdal. Prerequisite: Know Hebrew alphabet and read simple sentences. Textbook: Siddur Sim Shalom 

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Modern Hebrew III: CONTINUING CLASS
Chuck Taubman

Date / time:     Every Wednesday 11:30 am – 12:45 pm from October 6, 2010 to January 26, 2011

Contact:        
Chuck Taubman or refer to your phone roster for Chuck’s phone number
…please check back for a registration link after Yom Kippur.

This daytime class is for improving your Hebrew skills and increasing your comfort in reading, vocalizing, and understanding general Hebrew texts, as well as prayers. Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic Hebrew grammar and ability to read, pronounce, and (with the aid of a Hebrew/English dictionary) translate simple Hebrew stories. Textbook: Ivrit Shalav Gimel

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Jewish Practices: What We Do and Why
Rabbi Ohriner

Date / time:     Thursdays 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. on October 7 and 21; November 4 and 18; December 2 and 16; and January (2011) 6, 13, and 20

Cost:              
The registration fee is $35 for Beth David members and $55 for non-members.
…please check back for a registration link after Yom Kippur.

Contact:         Adult Education at Beth David

Why do we light candles on Shabbat? Why two candles? Are more okay? Why do we use two challahs? Why put salt on it? Should we rip or cut it? Is there a “kosher” menorah for Hanukah? Can it use recycled cooking oil?

If you’ve wondered about these or similar questions, join Rabbi Ohriner to explore the development of Jewish practice. We will investigate the origins of widely practiced mitzvot and look at how practice of these commandments developed over time. Participants will suggest topics, so bring your questions!

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Friday Morning Talmud Study
Rabbi Pressman

Date / time:     Every Friday 8:30 am – 9:30 am from October 8, 2010 to January 28, 2011

Room needs:  Reserve a classroom with tables in a rectangle or U and 20 chairs around them.

Cost:               This class has no registration fee, but donations to Beth David are welcome.

Contact:         Adult Education at Beth David

This ongoing Talmud study group will continue to discuss Tractate Berakhot (“Benedictions”), which addresses blessings, prayers, and sanctification ceremonies. New students are especially welcome. 

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Prayer Book Hebrew: BEGINNING CLASS
Chuck Taubman

Date / time:     Every Friday 10:30 am – 11:30 am from October 8, 2010 to January 28, 2011

Cost:               There is no registration fee, but donations to Beth David are welcome. .

Contact:         Chuck Taubman at nambuat@comcast.net or (408) 257-3251

All are welcome, but this class is for émigrés from the Former Soviet Union. It will be held at the Payne Avenue apartments adjacent to Saratoga Avenue in San Jose. Learn basic Hebrew, beginning with reading and writing Hebrew letters. Build a vocabulary of 140 words used in home and synagogue. At the end, you will be able to write simple sentences and read from our prayer book Siddur Sim Shalom. Prerequisite: None, but please make time for home study between class meetings. Textbook: Ivrit Alphon (Primer). Cost: No registration fee, but donations to Beth David are welcome. 

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Biblical Blueprints: Analyze and Construct a Mishkan
Paul Freudenthal

Date / time:     Every Sunday from 12:30-2:30 pm from October 17, 2010 to November 21, 2010

Cost:              
Class participants will need to provide a $20 materials fee.
…please check back for a registration link after Yom Kippur.

Contact:         Adult Education at Beth David

Beth David member and architect Paul Freudenthal will share his fascination of the descriptions of the Mishkan (portable tabernacle) in the Torah. These descriptions amount to blueprints and a construction guide for a Mishkan. After studying texts in the Torah, participants will construct a scale model of a Mishkan. Torah students, woodworkers, seamstresses, and artisans will find challenges and insights in this class.