Every time we study a text, hear a lecture, watch a movie, discuss or share an idea, listen to a sermon, 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 loving 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 ShowClick Here to View Contact Information, ShowClick Here to View Contact Information, ShowClick Here to View Contact Information, 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.
All of our Lifelong Learning programs are open to anyone who is interested. We strive to offer a variety of learning experiences which will meet the needs and interests of our members. All programs are free for students registered in our Tamid program.
Check back throughout the year for class updates!
Judaics
Taught by Rabbi Michael Holzman
Tuesdays, November 3, December 1, January 12, January 26, February 2, February 16
6:30-8:00pm
In Person and Online
We’ll trace the history of the Jewish people in the following six sessions:
- From Creation to the Kings
- From Exile to the Maccabees
- The Roman Era to the Talmud
- The Early Medieval Period to Spain
- From Spain to Poland
- Enlightenment, Emancipation, and America
Taught by Dr. David Mendelsohn & Cantor Susan Caro
Sundays, April 4, April 11, April 25, May 2
1:30-2:30pm
In Person & Online
Dr. David Mendelsohn is an amazing scholar and friend of our community, who will be accompanying our congregational journey with Cantor Caro to Greece and Bulgaria. Join us for a four-part exploration of the ideas, history, and culture that have shaped these remarkable places. The sessions are open to our entire community, as together we discover the legacy of Greek philosophy, drama, and democracy on Judaism, and explore the rich history of the Jewish communities of Greece and Bulgaria, to deepen our understanding of the places we will visit and the stories we will encounter and share back home.
April 4 – Think Like a Greek: Philosophy as a Way of Life. Delves into the ethical teachings and intellectual revolutions of thinkers from Socrates to the Stoics.
April 11 – Greek Drama and the Birth of Storytelling. How Epic poetry, Tragedy, Comedy and History shaped our understanding of creating narratives.
April 25 – From Agora to Assembly: The Greek Invention of Democracy: How Athenian politics shaped ideas of citizenship, debate, and modern governance.
May 2 – Exploring the history of the Jews of Greece and Bulgaria: How did the Jews become Greek? How did Hellenism affect the Jews? What can we learn about the Jewish narratives concerning the history of the Bulgarian Jews?
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A seasoned scholar and educator, Dr. Mendelsohn specializes in Islamic Studies, Arab-Israeli culture, Bedouin law, and the intersection of language and culture in Arabic and Hebrew. He also lectures on the history and relationships between Middle Eastern nations and militant organizations. Dr. Mendelsohn holds a Ph.D. in Classics/Linguistics, an M.A. in Archaeology/Linguistics, and an Honours B.A. in Classical Studies. A recipient of Canada’s prestigious Trudeau Prize, he lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Ronny, and their three children. For over 25 years, Dr. Mendelsohn has researched Jewish communities across the world, including in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Egypt, and India. Combining his expertise as a historian, archaeologist, and sociolinguist, he uncovers the unique influences of local cultures while identifying the shared threads that connect these diverse Jewish communities.
Taught by Rabbi Ashley Barrett
Tuesdays, February 9, March 2, April 6, May 4
7:00-8:30pm
In Person and Online
What does it mean to live a Jewish life today? In Living the Letters: An Alphabet of Emerging Jewish Thought, Rabbi Michael Marmur takes readers on a journey through the Hebrew alphabet, using each letter as a doorway into a different question about Jewish life.
In this class, we’ll explore selections from Marmur’s provocative and imaginative book, bringing his ideas into conversation with Jewish texts, our own experiences, and one another as we wrestle with Judaism as a lived and meaningful practice in our lives.
Taught by Rabbi Ashley Barrett
Tuesdays, October 13, November 10, December 8, January 19
7:00-8:30pm
In Person & Online
Are you bothered by the little things in Torah that just don’t make sense? Ever wondered what happened to that one character we never hear from again? Torah says two different things that contradict each other; what do I do with that?!
The ancient Rabbis refused to live with those problems, instead they got creative and came up with some answers. Those answers we call midrash: the rich tradition of Jewish interpretation that fills in the gaps of the biblical text and invites us to see familiar stories in entirely new ways.
In this class, we’ll explore some of the most fascinating and surprising midrashim (plural for midrash). Along the way, we’ll ask a bigger question: What does it mean to be a Jewish reader of Torah? And even create our own midrashim. No prior knowledge necessary, or skill at the fine art of midrash required.
Taught by Rabbi Michael Holzman
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00pm
In Person and Online
- October 6 – Mishnah Sukkot
- December 22 – Mishnah Taanit
- March 9 – Mishnah Megillah
- March 30 – Mishnah Pesachin
- June 10 – Shavuot in the Mishnah
We continue our exploration of this foundational text of Jewish law and ethics, compiled by the earliest rabbis in the 2nd century. A work of clear, concise Hebrew, the Mishnah translates the general laws of the Torah into specific rules for Jewish practice (we will study in English). In five classes spread over the year, we will look at Mishnah Sukkot, Mishnah Ta’anit, Mishnah Megillah, Mishnah Pesachin, and Shavuot in the Mishnah. No previous Hebrew, Mishnah, or Talmud experience required!
Taught by Cantor Susan Caro
Tuesdays, October 27, November 17, March 16, April 13
7:00-8:30pm
In Person
How do we remain grounded, hopeful, and connected when the world feels uncertain? In these classes, we will draw upon on the wisdom of our Jewish Mussar tradition—an understanding and practice of cultivating the qualities of soul and character that help us live with greater intention and integrity. Through the lens of those qualities, we will explore how we can navigate difficult conversations, respond to antisemitism with courage and resilience, strengthen community, and meet life’s complexities with compassion, purpose, and hope.
Taught by Andrew Stein
Sundays, October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15; December 6, 13; January 10, 17 24, 31; February 7, 21, 28; March 7, 14; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 16, 23
10:45-12:00
In Person & Online
Over the last few years, we have explored American Jewish history topically and chronologically, and with a systematic comparison of the US experience with that of several other large Jewish Diaspora communities (especially English-speaking ones) across a range of topics. In this course to mark the USA’s 250th birthday, we will approach American Jewish history from a different angle—via biographical profiles of about 20-25 key figures since the origins of American Jewry in 1654. We will look at the lives and legacies of religious leaders, statesmen and jurists, philosophers, poets, writers and linguists, journalists, scientists, military leaders, and philanthropists to tease out some broad themes in the study of Jewish history in the United States.
PERIOD I: EARLY PERIOD – 1654-1820: origins, colonial America and early republic, time of Sephardim
- Gershom Mendes Seixas (1746-1816)
PERIOD II: LONG 19TH CENTURY – 1820-1880: from Jacksonian era to Reconstruction: growth and spread of communities inland
- Commodore Uriah Phillips Levy (1792-1862)
- Judah Benjamin (1811-1884)
- Emma Lazarus (1849-1887)
PERIOD III: SHAPING MODERN AMERICA, IMMIGRATION – 1880-1920: era of mass migration, industrialization and urbanization, modern era
- Sholem Aleichem (1859-1916)
- Abraham Cahan (1860-1951)
PERIOD IV: CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS FINDING THEIR WAY – 1920-1945: children of the immigration integration
- Justice Louis Brandeis (1856-1941)
- Stephen S. Wise (1874-1949) and Abba Hillel Silver (1893-1963)
- Mordecai M. Kaplan (1881-1983)
- Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932)
- Henrietta Szold (1860-1945)
- Golda Meir (1898-1978)
- Julius Henry “Groucho” Marx (1890-1977) and Harry Houdini (1874-1926)
- General Maurice Rose (1899-1945) and Moe Berg (1902-1972)
PERIOD V: POSTWAR CHANGES – 1946-1976: Post World War II realities
- Mel Brooks (1926- )
- Betty Friedan (1921-2006)
- Tibor Rubin (1929-2015) and Jack Jacobs (1945- )
- Admiral Hyman Rickover (1899-1986) and J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967)
- Max Warburg (1902-1974) and US branch of Warburg family
- Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) and Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994)
- Elie Wiesel (1928-2016)
PERIOD VI: THE LAST 50 YEARS – 1976-present: Last half century of our semi-quincentenary
- Rabbi Angela Buchdahl (1972- )
- Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020)
Adult Hebrew
Learn the Hebrew aleph bet, vowels, basic reading rules. Become comfortable reading key prayers for Shabbat, holidays, and every day. No prior knowledge needed!
Wednesdays, 7:30 – 8:30pm
Dates: September 30 – January 27 (15 sessions: no class 11/25, 12/23, 12/30)
In person at NVHC
Text: Aleph Isn’t Tough (the book will be provided and can be picked up on the first day of the class)
Taught by Elizabeth Lacher
Cost: $200/members, $250/non-members
Prerequisite: Ability to read Hebrew phonetically
Build your ability to read and translate Torah and other Biblical texts. Focus will be on recognizing key grammatical constructs and vocabulary. We will learn the pi’el (intensive) , hif’il (causative), nif’al (passive), and hitpa’el (reflexive) verb forms.
Prerequisite: Familiarity with Hebrew vocabulary and grammar, recognition of pa’al (basic) verb forms.
Wednesdays, 5:00 – 6:00pm
Dates: September 30 – January 27 (15 sessions: no class 11/25, 12/23, 12/30)
In person at NVHC
Text: The First Hebrew Primer (3rd edition), chapters 23-30
Taught by Elizabeth Lacher
Cost: $200/members, $250/non-members
Prerequisite: Ability to read Hebrew phonetically
Expand your knowledge of Prayer Hebrew beyond phonetic reading. Practice reading excerpts from the prayer book, Bible, and other Jewish texts. Build your Hebrew translation skills by learning to recognize key vocabulary and roots.
Wednesdays, 6:15-7:15pm
Dates: September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 20, 27
In person at NVHC
Text: Aleph Isn’t Enough (the book will be provided and can be picked up on the first day of the class)
Taught by Elizabeth Lacher
Cost: $200/members, $250/non-members
Prerequisite: Ability to read Hebrew phonetically
Taught by Neta Litvin
Tuesdays, 12 weeks, beginning September 29
7:00-8:00pm
Online
This course is designed for adult learners who have some previous experience with Hebrew and are ready to take the next step. Building on your familiarity with the Hebrew alphabet and vowels, we will strengthen reading skills while developing greater confidence in speaking, listening, and writing.
Brandeis Modern Hebrew ~ Hebrew in Context as our core textbook, we learn Hebrew through real-life themes, practical vocabulary, dialogues, and engaging activities. Grammar is introduced in context, helping students understand not only how Hebrew works, but how it is actually used in everyday Israeli life. The course also introduces students to aspects of Israeli and Jewish culture along the way.
Learning Hebrew should be both useful and enjoyable! In addition to the textbook, students will have access to fun, interactive games and additional custom-made materials created specifically to reinforce the language we learn in class. These resources provide opportunities for extra practice, review, and learning at your own pace.
Whether you are returning to Hebrew after some time away or have already learned the basics and want to keep building, this course offers a supportive and engaging environment to develop a stronger foundation in Modern Hebrew.
Taught by Neta Litvin
Mondays, 12 weeks, beginning September 28
7:00-8:00pm
Online
This course is for adult learners who have a solid foundation in Hebrew and are ready to expand their skills and become more comfortable using the language. Using Brandeis Modern Hebrew ~ Hebrew in Context as our core textbook, students continue to develop all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
The textbook presents Hebrew through meaningful themes, real-life situations, dialogues, and a variety of reading materials. Grammar and vocabulary are introduced and practiced in context, making it easier to connect the language to actual communication. Students are also exposed to authentic materials and to aspects of Israeli and Jewish culture, helping bring the language to life.
At the Intermediate level, we focus on understanding and using the language with increasing independence. Students expand their vocabulary, strengthen their reading comprehension, and develop a deeper understanding of Hebrew grammar and sentence structure while practicing how to express themselves in Hebrew.
Learning continues beyond the textbook through fun and interactive games, and additional custom-made materials created specifically to support our students. These resources provide extra opportunities to review vocabulary and grammar, practice reading and listening, and reinforce what we learn together in class.
This course is a great fit for learners who want to move beyond basic Hebrew and become more confident, capable, and comfortable using the language.
Taught by Neta Litvin
Wednesdays, 12 weeks, beginning September 30
7:00-8:00pm
Online
This course is designed for adult learners who are ready to take their Hebrew to a higher level of fluency, accuracy, and independence. Using Brandeis Modern Hebrew ~ Hebrew in Context as our core textbook, students continue working with the same rich themes and language structures explored previously, while engaging with the material in greater depth.
The Brandeis approach emphasizes using Hebrew across all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and places language within meaningful contexts. Units are organized around specific themes and incorporate authentic texts, real-life language, and elements of Israeli and Jewish culture.
At the Advanced level, students build on their existing knowledge to expand vocabulary, refine grammar, work with more complex sentence structures and verb forms, and express themselves with greater precision and confidence. We also spend more time engaging with longer and more challenging texts, discussion, and communication in Hebrew.
Learning continues beyond the textbook through fun and interactive games, and additional custom-made materials created specifically to support our students. These resources provide opportunities for continued practice, review, and deeper engagement with the language beyond the classroom.
This course is ideal for learners who want to continue challenging themselves in Hebrew, strengthen their ability to communicate naturally, and explore the language and culture at a deeper level.
Registration
Registration is required for all classes and some classes must meet a minimum number of registrants to run. If you have any difficulties with the registration process, please contact Emily Hummel at emily@nvhcreston.org.
Finances shouldn’t be a barrier to learning – if you’d like to take one of our Hebrew classes and need financial assistance, please reach out to Joe Miller at ShowClick Here to View Contact Information.
Lifelong Learning at NVHC is supported by donations to the Talmud (Adult Learning) Fund and registration fees. Your continued donations to the Talmud Fund are appreciated.
