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.
Registration is required for all classes unless otherwise noted
Catalog of Courses
Rabbi Michael Holzman
Tuesdays, November 8*, 29, December 13, January 17*, 31, February 28, March 7, 28, April 18, 30*, 6:30-8:00pm
On Zoom, except classes with a * which indicates in person
A huge majority of Americans are concerned about the future of our democracy, and at NVHC, we have discovered through the Rebuilding Democracy Project (RDP) that spirituality and religious ideas can restore hope, build resilience, and transform the way we approach deliberation and politics. These ten sessions will explore the principles of spirituality that undergird norms of healthy citizenship and how religious behavior transforms those rituals into practice. (Note: in the near future, NVHC may undertake an expansion of the RDP to neighboring houses of worship; this course will prepare laypeople to mentor peers in this work).
Rabbi Ashley Barrett
Thursday, October 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 6:30pm
Zoom
Together we will explore the rise and fall of the greatest king of Israel, King David. Through a close reading of the Biblical account of David’s life (found mostly in I & II Samuel), we will evaluate why David has such an incredible legacy. The course will also take a deep dive into key characters in David’s story such as Jonathan. Michal, Batsheva, and others. Finally, the series will discuss the role of the monarchy and its legacy in Jewish memory.
Rabbi Michael Holzman
Tuesday, October 11, November 15, December 20, January 24, February 7, March 21, April 25, May 16, 6:30-8:00pm
On Zoom
The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America contains some of the brightest and most insightful thinkers in the modern Jewish world. This class will explore part one of four in a new Hartman curriculum designed “to explore and make accessible the most compelling and deepest questions in Jewish thought, to demonstrate the principles and debates that underlie our Jewish heritage, and to reject the assumption that every learner is on track toward practicing Judaism in a specified way.” This year, we will investigate our system of mitzvot, their goals and meaning in a modern age, and the way they lead to holiness.
Rabbi Michael Holzman
Saturday, October 8, November 12, December 10, January 21, February 25, March 25, April 29, May 20, June 17, 9:00am
REGISTRATION FOR GREAT TEXTS OF AMERICA IS NOT REQUIRED
Great Texts of America inserts into our Shabbat morning once/month a foundational text addressing the American experience. Relying upon the sacred setting we create every week with Torah study and prayer, we look at our American narratives through a spiritual lens. This year’s texts will include an exploration of indigenous voices, texts on freedom of religion, and the creation of the “Lost Cause” narrative in the South.
Rabbi Ashley Barrett
Wednesday, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, and June 14, 11:30am-12:30pm
On Zoom
A spin-off of NVHC’s Shabbat morning series “Great Texts of America.” As a learning community, we will read and discuss some of the greatest sermons ever preached by leaders of our movement and the Platforms which helped guide American Reform Judaism. In each session, we will discuss a different text and together reflect on principles that have come to represent Reform Judaism and assess how those have changed over time.
Rabbi Michael Holzman
Sunday, October 9, November 13*, December 11, January 8, February 12, March 12, April 23, May 7*, 10:45am-12:00pm
On Zoom, except classes with a * which indicates in person
We are bringing back this wide-ranging, informal, open-format conversation about the land and state of Israel. This year we will spend time looking at how Israeli democracy is similar to and differs from American democracy. Part of the year will focus on the specific experiences of Arab citizens of Israel. What does it mean to be in a minority group within the Jewish state? The class will also provide background preparation and follow up for those joining our synagogue trip in January/February 2023.
First Monday of each month, 7:30pm
On Zoom
Join us for a second year of monthly lay-led discussions of Jewish short stories. Four NVHC members have selected the stories and will take turns leading the discussions. Each session will stand on its own – you can attend whenever you have the time and interest. We’ll meet on the first Monday of the month on Zoom at 7:30pm for 45 minutes to an hour. Participants will receive the story and meeting links in advance. To sign up for this year’s discussion group, email shortstories@nvhcreston.org. Even if you participated last year, we’d like you to sign up again so that we can gauge interest in the program and ensure that we have the correct email address for you.
Andrew Stein
Sunday, January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 16, 23, 30, May 7 & 21, 9:15-10:15am
On Zoom
IMartin Buber (1878-1965) was one of the most unconventional and impactful Liberal Jewish thinkers in Western Europe and he continued to have an influence during the last three decades of his life in Israel, and still today in the United States. His studies of the Hebrew Bible, Jewish education, the teachings of the Hasidic Masters and mysticism, and especially his philosophy of dialogue and ideal human relations, remain in print to this day. His contemporary and friend, Rabbi Leo Baeck (1873-1956), was also known for his writings and teachings on the Bible, Jewish ethics, and the differences between Judaism and Christianity, but had another dimension to him that Buber lacked. He remained behind in Berlin as a leader of the Jewish community until his deportation to the Theresienstadt concentration camp in 1943. He survived the war and became a key leader of the World Union for Progressive Judaism in the UK and US, as well as a rabbi-teacher in Cincinnati and London. This course will cover key aspects of the lives and writings of both figures and discuss how they speak to us today.
Andrew Stein
Summer 2023
More information will be available closer to the time.
Living the Jewish Calendar
Rabbi Ashley Barrett
December 18-22, 6:00pm
On Zoom
Join Rabbi Barrett each night of Hanukkah (Dec 18-22 – Candles 1-5) on Zoom to light the Hanukkah candles together. We will frame each night’s lighting with a brief 10-minute reflection on a story or poem about light from Jewish tradition.
Rabbi Michael Holzman
Sundays, March 5, 19, 26, and April 2, 10:45am-12:00pm
On Zoom
During the four weeks between these two amazing holidays, we will look at the vastly different ways that Mordechai and Esther vs. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam confronted tyranny. We will discern principles of justice, power, and freedom that emerged from these two central stories in Jewish tradition.
Cantor Susan Caro
Thursday, April 13, 20, 27 & May 4, 11, 18
Time & location to be determined.
Judaism has built-in times that are made for inner reflection and growth of spirit – and really, we can never have too much reflection and inspiration in our lives! In five weekly sessions during the period of the Omer (from Pesach to Shavuot), we will take a spiritual journey using the tools of mussar (the contemplative Jewish practice and learning that focuses on how we use Jewish values in refining our character traits) to explore the expressions and patterns of our own character, sharing insights that might help us live a life more ‘in tune.’
Rabbi Ashley Barrett & Cantor Susan Caro
Tuesday,s March 28 & April 4, 11, 18, 11:00am
On Zoom
The State of Israel has marked a day for remembering the Holocaust since the early days of the Jewish state. In 1951, the Knesset officially instituted one day (27th of Nissan) that would serve as the date for mourning the victims of the Shoah. Join Rabbi Barrett and Cantor Caro to explore the Holocaust through its memorialization. We will spend two sessions understanding how people have marked this day through created rituals. We will look at rituals both religious and secular and reflect on how they help us understand the past. In the second session, we will explore some of the musical activities that took place during the Shoah, and the ways that Jews have collectively remembered the Shoah through music.
Adult Hebrew
Taught by: Neta Litvin
Textbook: Provided by NVHC
Tuesdays, 12 weeks beginning October 18, 7:45-8:45pm
$136/members, $160/non-members. Minimum registration: 4 students.
On Zoom
Prerequisites: Students must be comfortable with reading Hebrew and have basic knowledge of Hebrew grammar.
Hebrew is more than just the grammar; it is a culture, a people and a history. Part of every language is its poetry and songs. In this course, you will continue to enrich your vocabulary while opening a window to Israeli culture. We will revel in beautiful Hebrew verse by some of the leading poets and songwriters throughout Israel’s history, then translate and explore what they teach us about our past, our present, and our future.
Neta Litvin
Textbook: Hebrew Alfon Primer
Mondays, 12 weeks beginning October 17, 7:30-8:30pm
$136/members, $160/non-members. Minimum registration: 4 students.
On Zoom
You’re about to start learning Hebrew and immersing yourself in this unique language and culture. Our beginners course will give you a strong foundation in Hebrew. We start by learning the use and sound of all the Hebrew letters and vowels, which paves the way to reading, speaking, and writing. We teach Hebrew with an Israeli flavor, making learning an enjoyable and successful experience for all!
Neta Litvin
Textbook: Hebrew – A language Course, Level 1-2
Tuesdays, 12 weeks beginning October 18, 6:45-7:45pm
$136/members, $160/non-members. Minimum registration: 4 students.
On Zoom
Prerequisites: Beginning Hebrew 1 or equivalent. Knowledge of the Aleph-Bet and beginning proficiency with reading Hebrew.
Class participants will have the opportunity to hone their Hebrew reading skills using a modern Hebrew textbook, learning Hebrew from simple stories. Features include: Varied reading selections that range from contemporary stories to Hasidic tales, midrashim, and biblical narratives. Lessons that train students to read confidently both with and without vowels. Grammatical concepts explored through comparison to English structure. This class is for anyone who would like further practice in their Hebrew reading skills and who would like to expand their Hebrew vocabulary and understanding of Hebrew grammar.
Neta Litvin
Textbook: Brandeis Modern Hebrew
Wednesdays, 12 weeks beginning October 19, 5:30-6:30pm
$136/members, $160/non-members. Minimum registration: 4 students.
On Zoom
Prerequisites: Intermediate Hebrew II, Prayer Hebrew II, or equivalent. Students who are comfortable with reading Hebrew fluently and have intermediate knowledge of Hebrew grammar.
In this course you will continue to expand your vocabulary, advanced grammar, adjectives, and verb tenses. The textbook reflects some of the main principles that have shaped the Brandeis Hebrew curriculum during the past decade. These include: • an emphasis on the learner’s ability to use the target language in all four skills areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing • an effort to contextualize each unit within a specific subject or theme • exposing the student to authentic and semi-authentic materials (texts written by native speakers) • and exploring different elements from Israeli and Jewish culture in the language drills, reading passages, and in selections of sources from the Hebrew literary canon. The text in this edition comprises 11 units, supplementary Hebrew proficiency guidelines, and a vocabulary list. Audio-visual components for all reading passages are available online for download.
Neta Litvin
Textbook: Prayer Hebrew: The Easy Way. Third Edition
Thursdays, 12 weeks beginning October 20, 7:30-8:30pm
$136/members, $160/non-members. Minimum registration: 4 students.
On Zoom
Prerequisites: Beginning Hebrew 1 or equivalent. Knowledge of the Aleph-Bet and beginning proficiency with reading Hebrew.
Class participants will have the opportunity to hone their Hebrew reading skills using a Prayerbook Hebrew textbook, learning various prayers, Hebrew grammar, and expanding their vocabulary. Understanding Hebrew is the key to experiencing the richness of Jewish prayer. Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way teaches the Hebrew found in all Jewish prayerbooks. Designed for students who can read Hebrew words but do not know what they mean.
Neta Litvin
Textbook: Let’s Talk
Fridays, 12 weeks beginning October 21, 10:00-11:00am
$136/members, $160/non-members. Minimum registration: 4 students.
On Zoom
Prerequisites: Beginning Hebrew 1 or equivalent. Knowledge of the Aleph-Bet and beginning proficiency with reading Hebrew.
Class participants will have the opportunity to hone their Hebrew reading and communication skills using a modern Hebrew textbook, Let’s Talk. We’ll learn Hebrew from simple dialogue stories, focusing on various topics and themes. We also will use vocabulary from these dialogues to converse in Hebrew.
Registration
Registration is required for all classes and some classes must meet a minimum number of registrants to run. Click the button below to register! If you have any difficulties with the registration process, please contact Emily Hummel at emily@nvhcreston.org.
Lifelong Learning at NVHC is supported by donations to the Seldon and Ruth Kruger Fund for Adult Learning and registration fees. Your continued donations to the Seldon and Ruth Kruger Fund for Adult Learning are appreciated.
Participation Open to ALL
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.
