Lifelong Learning

Registration for Fall 2019 is open!

Every time we say the Sh’ma, at the central moment of the service, we have a prayer just before and another just after that speak of the value of learning. Before the Sh’ma is the Ahava Raba in the morning, and the Ahavat Olam in the evening, both of which describe how God manifests love for us through the gift of Torah (which in this case means teaching writ large). And after the Sh’ma we continue with the V’ahavta which reminds us of all the ways that we express our love for God by repeating the words of Torah twice daily, everywhere we go and in every place we enter.

Every time we study a text, hear a lecture, watch a movie, discuss an idea, listen to a sermon, share an idea, react to a lesson, or especially ask a question we are engaged in the business of learning: la-asok b’divrei Torah. This institution and our Lifelong Learning program exist to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to engage in that business.

Just as the liturgy shows us learning is a two-way street (God loves us, and we have to love God back), so too is learning in community a two-way street. We can provide as many opportunities as possible, but you have to take us up on the offer. So please, put aside whatever may be obstructing your path to learning and sign up. Whether it is a busy schedule, a feeling of inferiority, a sense of confusion about where to start, or a concern about being lonely or left out, we can do our best address any of these things. But you have to take the first step.

If you do not know where to begin, contact Rabbi Wainer, Cantor Caro, LLL Chair Ellen Rugel, or any member of the staff, and tell us and we will help you find your way to a life enriched by the power of Torah. Join us and enjoy the fruits of learning.

It is a tree of life to them that hold fast to it, and all its supporters are happy.

Torah Service, adapted from Proverbs 3:18

Catalog of Courses

B‘nai Mitzvah Parents’ Class

with Judy Naiman

Fall: Sundays, September 22, October 6, 20, 27, November 10

Spring: Sundays, January 26, February 2, 9, 23, March 15

12:00-1:00 pm

This class is for parents of students who will become B’nai Mitzvah in the near future. In five sessions, the class discusses the meaning of this life cycle event and the mitzvah of celebrating Shabbat; provides information about your responsibilities and the sequence of your child’s preparation; explains the structure of the worship service using Mishkan Tefilah, the Reform siddur (prayerbook); and provides an opportunity to prepare a D’var Torah. The class blends structured teaching, practical advice, and shared experiences. The goal is to make the Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation process a deeply meaningful experience for the whole family and to perpetuate the spirit of Jewish community and tradition. Parents generally take the class from 6 to 18 months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah event. Past participants in the class, both Jewish and non-Jewish parents, report that the sessions helped them to feel better prepared, gave them an opportunity to talk with other pre-B’nai Mitzvah parents, and taught them numerous aspects of the tradition and liturgy involved in this lifecycle event.

Coffee with the Cantor

with Cantor Caro
Sundays, September 22, November 10, December 15, January 26, March 15, April 26
10:45-11:15 am

Come on by for shmooze time with Cantor Caro to engage in informal conversation about topics relevant to B’nai Mitzvah, your tweens, and your families in Jewish community.

Doing Mitzvot - Claiming and Reclaiming Jewish Rituals and Behaviors

with Cantor Caro

Thursdays, November 14, January 23, March 12, and April 23
12:00-1:00 pm
In person, at NVHC

Together, we will explore Jewish rituals, the tools for making meaning in our lives. We will consider how rituals and mitzvot help us live more fully, and how we can find meaningful ways to ‘do Jewish.’

Emanuel Levinas’ Nine Talmudic Readings

with Rabbi Holzman

Fridays, November 8, 15, 22, December 6, and 13 (if necessary)

8:00 am-9:30 am

Explore the ideas of one of modern Judaism’s greatest philosophers. These nine readings of the Talmud simultaneously allow the classic Jewish texts to shed light on contemporary problems while letting modern problems illuminate the text.

The History of the Jewish Diaspora

with Andrew Stein

Sundays, beginning September 15

9:30-10:30 am

Cost: $18

When they speak of communities outside the Land of Israel, historians of the Jewish people distinguish between the “Diaspora” (a Greek word meaning dispersion), and the forced exile of the Jews from their homeland (Galut or Golah in Hebrew), such as after the destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian Exile in 586 BCE, or after the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70 CE. Regardless of the term we use, for most of the past two thousand years the vast majority of Jews in the world have lived outside of the Land of Israel—a pattern that is now changing, with more Jews now in the modern State of Israel than any other country. This course will take an in-depth look at a number of Diaspora communities from the Middle Ages to the present, under both Islam and Christianity: Iraq, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, Germany, Poland, Russia/the USSR, Brazil and Argentina, as well as a brief discussion of the Jews of China and India. We will look at demography/migrations, religious life, and the intersection of Jewish history/culture/languages with the national cultures, societies, economies and politics of the lands they have inhabited.

Introduction to Judaism

with Susan Warshaw

Thursdays, September 9, 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, December 5, 12, 19, January 2

7:00 pm-9:00 pm

This class is taught through the Union for Reform Judaism. Click here for more information and to register!

Israel Study Group

with Rabbi Holzman

Sundays, dates TBD

10:45 am-12:00 pm

Join our ongoing in-depth study of issues related to Israel and Zionism. We read books, watch videos, study poetry, and talk with Israelis via video link. No prior experience required.

Jewish Values in Practice

with Cantor Caro

Wednesdays, beginning September 4

8:45 am

A weekly discovery of our personal spiritual nature, using texts, music,and personal spiritual practices based in the Jewish tradition of Mussar. No prior experience or attendance necessary from week to week. Come only with a desire to grow.

Living Our Jewish Values

with Rabbi Holzman, Cantor Caro, and Rabbi Wainer
Sundays, September 15, October 6, November 17, December 8, January 12, February 2, March 22, and May 3
9:45-10:45 am

This year, our religious school students will be learning about Jewish values that help them to develop grit and resiliency. Join Rabbi Holzman, Cantor Caro, and Rabbi Wainer for a monthly class that will help to provide context for these values and explore ways that they can be put into practice within your homes. We will have the opportunity to learn together, and to talk about the oys and joys of raising resilient children in Northern Virginia. Following these meetings, we hope that you will stay for services with your child(ren).

Mussar Intensive - Jewish Tools for Transformation

with Cantor Caro

Thursdays, August 8, 15, and 22

7:00 pm

We are exploring Jewish values for mindful living, providing a framework for how to better navigate and elevate our interpersonal relationships. We will consider how to embody Jewish values in the workplace, in our family, and in the community.

Sundays in the Sanctuary

with Rabbi Holzman, Cantor Caro, and Rabbi Wainer
Every Sunday of Kehillat Limmud, beginning September 15
11:15-11:30 am

Ever wondered why we say the prayers in the order that we do? Or why we start with one Chanukah candle and build up to eight? Join the clergy each week for shorts sessions on all things Jewish. Each session will be a standalone and will explore a new topic. It’s ok if you can’t make them all!

Talmud of the High Holy Days

with Rabbi Holzman

Fridays, September 6, 13, 20, 27, and October 4

8:00 am-9:30 am

Prepare the mind and soul for the Holy Days with study of key portions of the two tractates dedicated to this season.

Tanakh Chevruta

Sundays

10:45 am-12:00 pm

Text: Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures (The New JPS translation according to the traditional Hebrew text). Copies available in the NVHC Library or bring your own.

Tanakh is Torah + Neviim (Prophets) + Ketuvim (Writings). The Hebrew Bible! Chevruta is a study and partnership. This study group explores Jewish spirituality by reading and discussing sacred texts. We try to take a literary and historical view of Scripture and discern the lessons it offers to apply to contemporary life. The group decides which parts of the Tanakh to read together; this year, we will focus on Maccabees. Come explore the Tanakh with us; everyone has something to offer and something to learn

We Were Strangers in the Land of Egypt: How We Face Immigration

Tuesdays, September 24, October 22, November 19, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 10, April 21
6:00-7:00 pm

As Jews, we are no strangers to the concept of immigration. Our families were all immigrants from somewhere, facing difficult choices along the way. In today’s world, we are hearing about various issues surrounding immigration on a daily basis. Join us on a year-long series to explore a 360° view of immigration, helping us to gain a more nuanced understanding of the state of immigration in America today. Every month, we will have a speaker join us to share their point of view on immigration – from attorneys and judges to those in the process of immigration, from government employees to school counselors – each providing a unique look at immigration today. Following their presentation to our lifelong learners, our speakers will spend an hour with our teens covering these same issues.

Women’s Voices in Jewish Text

with Rabbi Wainer

Wednesday, September 11, October 30, November 13, January 8, February 12, March 11, and May 13

11:30 am-1:00 pm

Join us as we explore the voices of women in Jewish text, as well as the voices of women about our Jewish text. We will be studying both ancient and modern voices as we embark on a greater understanding of where the voices of women are in our texts. No prior experience required.

Adult Hebrew

At NVHC, we have a robust Hebrew program for adults featuring a variety of classes to satisfy a wide range of interests and skill levels. Our classes are open to anyone interested in learning Hebrew or continuing their Hebrew studies. Members, non-members, Jews and non-Jews are welcome! Whether you have no previous exposure to Hebrew, want to feel more comfortable with Hebrew during services, become adept at Biblical translation, or learn to speak conversational Hebrew: we have a class for you! If you need help selecting the right class, please contact the Lifelong Learning Chair. If you can’t find a class that fits your needs, please let us know — we will form new classes if we have a minimum of 5 students.

Prayer Hebrew for the High Holy Days

with Elizabeth Lacher
Thursdays, September 5, 12, 19, and 26
6:00-7:15 pm
Text: Mishkan HaNefesh (prayer books for Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah)
Cost: $28 for members, $40 for non-members

Registration is required. Minimum 7 students.

This class will focus on reading and understanding the prayers and the prayer variations that are unique to the High Holidays. We will look at key vocabulary words, the meaning and context for the prayers, as well as practice reading in Hebrew. Prayers covered will include Avinu Malkeinu, Zokreinu, Untaneh Tokef, Kol Nidre, and Pitchui Li.

Prerequisites: Familiarity with Hebrew alphabet and ability to read Hebrew phonetically (Beginning Hebrew or equivalent)

Prayer Hebrew 1: Amidah

with Elizabeth Lacher
Thursdays, October 24 through December 19, no class November 28 (Thanksgiving)
6:00-7:15 pm
Text: Hineni: Prayerbook Hebrew for Adults
Optional: Mishkan Tefilah: Shabbat (no transliteration)
$55 for members, $77 for non-members

Registration is required. Minimum 7 students.

The emphasis of Prayer Hebrew 1 is on improving prayer fluency, the acquisition of basic prayer vocabulary, and understanding the structure of the prayer service. The course will begin with a review of basic reading rules and include a mix of “simple” and more complex prayers. Each class will focus on a section of the prayer service and may also include additional prayers as desired by the students. Students may repeat as often as needed to gain confidence in the prayers. Prayers covered: Avot v’imahot, Gevurot, Kedusha, Kedushat HaYom, Avodah, Hoda’ah, Birkat Shalom.

Prerequisites: Ability to read Hebrew phonetically (Beginning Hebrew or equivalent)

Prayer Hebrew 1: Torah Service

with Elizabeth Lacher
Thursdays, 16 weeks beginning January 9 (no class April 9)
6:00-7:15 pm
Text: Hineni: Prayerbook Hebrew for Adults
Optional: Mishkan Tefilah: Shabbat (no transliteration)
Cost: $110 for members, $154 for non-members

Registration is required. Minimum 7 students.

The emphasis of Prayer Hebrew 1 is on improving prayer fluency, the acquisition of basic prayer vocabulary, and understanding the structure of the prayer service. The course will begin with a review of basic reading rules and include a mix of “simple” and more complex prayers. Each class will focus on a section of the prayer service and may also include additional prayers as desired by the students. Students may repeat as often as needed to gain confidence in the prayers. Prayers covered include blessings for welcoming Shabbat, blessings for Reading Torah, blessings for Haftarah, Etz Chayim Hi, Aleinu, and Kaddish.

Prerequisites: Ability to read Hebrew phonetically (Beginning Hebrew or equivalent)

Biblical Hebrew 3

with Elizabeth Lacher
Thursdays, 28 weeks, beginning September 5
7:15-8:15 pm
Text: The First Hebrew Primer, 3rd edition
Cost: $220 for members, $308 for non-members