Lifelong Learning offerings for 5786 / 2025-2026
SUNDAY MORNING LEARNING
JEWISH BOOKSHELF SERIES
Talmud Torah: The What, Why, and How of Studying Sacred Text
Rabbi Shira Gluck
September 14, January 11, March 22
9:30–10:45 a.m.
The Jewish bookshelf is vast, rich, and diverse. It can be hard to know where to start, so let’s start at the beginning! Join us for a three-part series exploring the foundation of it all — the study of Torah — what is it, why does it matter, and how do we dive in? No prior knowledge or experience needed; all are welcome!
Crisis and Creativity: Jewish Thought in the Face of Calamity
Rabbi Joseph Skloot
October 5, 12, and 19
9:30–11:00 a.m.
Living through the calamities of the twenty-first century has made us more aware of the resources we have to help us cope and perhaps even thrive in the face of horror — human- made and natural. In this class, we will explore what Jews in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries thought about and created in response to the calamities of their own times. We have much to learn from them. No experience necessary.
TUESDAY LUNCH-AND-LEARN
Monthly offerings during the program year — typically presented as a three-part series taught by clergy and occasional guest instructors. Tuesdays at noon. BYO lunch; coffee and tea on us!
An Exploration of Sephardic Music
Cantor David Fair
December 2, 9, 16
Cantor Fair will explore the exciting repertoire of music written in Judeo-Spanish, also known as Ladino. This beautiful language mixes Old Castilian Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish, Aramaic, and other languages. We’ll delve into the qualities of Sephardic music, what makes it “Jewish,” and what makes this music unique in the world. Some favorites we’ll sing will be “Cuando El Rey Nimrod” and “Los Bilbilicos."
Living the Letters: An Alphabet of Emerging Jewish Thought
Rabbi Erin Glazer
January 20 and 27, February 3
This recent work by Michael Marmur employs the structure of the Hebrew alphabet to set out elements of an emerging Jewish theology, presenting a case for the urgent relevance of Jewish life at a time of deepening rupture and accelerating change. Rabbi Marmur’s book presents core components of a theory and practice of contemporary Judaism that will guide our own discussions of Jewish life today.
Seeking the Divine: Jewish Mysticism in Study and Practice
Rabbi Shira Gluck
April 14, 21, 28
Jewish mysticism permeates our tradition — whether we realize it or not. Lifting the veil of the esoteric can open new spiritual connections that enrich our Jewish lives immensely. Join us for a three-part series exploring foundations of Jewish mysticism, the Kabbalistic imagination, and the many ways we can encounter this rich heritage in our own lives.
EVENTS AND GATHERINGS
Slichot
September 13
Join us for an evening of learning with our clergy and a soulful and reflective musical service to prepare our hearts for the High Holy Days. ***Each member of the clergy will teach simultaneously during three short rotations, so participants will have a chance to learn with all three.
Cooper-Bernstein Lecture — Noa Tishby
November 16, 3:00 p.m.
Tu biShvat Seder
February 1, 5:45 p.m.
A holiday celebration of Tu biShvat with your fellow adults — join us for a fun, musical, and meaningful Tu biShvat seder, complete with fruits, nuts, wine, and a potluck dinner.
Pesach Second Seder
April 2, 6:00 p.m.
Celebrate Pesach with your Temple Sinai family! We’ll journey through the haggadah with a seder both traditional and accessible, and fun for all ages!
Cooper-Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence weekend
April 10-11
Erev Shavuot
May 21
An evening of celebration and learning in honor of the day we received Torah, this will be our second annual Shavuot in partnership with our fellow Summit synagogues. Join us for a fun, musical festival service, including Confirmation of our teen students, followed by opportunities to learn with many different teachers on varied (and perhaps surprising) topics!
JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl in conversation with Abigail Pogrebin
November 18, 1:00 p.m. via Zoom
STAY TUNED FOR MORE BOOK EVENTS!
ONGOING OFFERINGS
Shabbat Torah Study
Saturdays at 8:45 a.m., in person and on Zoom
All are welcome!
Women's Torah Study
Mondays at 12:30 in person
Sept 29, Oct 27, Nov 24, Dec 15, Jan 26, Feb 23, March 23, April 27, May 18, June 22
Torah study and discuss from a female perspective. No advanced knowledge required, all women welcome. Sessions facilitated by Sandy Schlanger RJE.
Grotta Daytime Programs for Adults
A Summit community collaborative lunch-and-learn series for age 60+, open to all members of Temple Sinai, Congregation Ohr Shalom, and Congregation Beth Hatikvah.
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Nov 5, Congregation Beth Hatikvah
Dec 3, Congregation Ohr Shalom
Jan 7, Temple Sinai
Feb 4, Congregation Beth Hatikvah
Mar 4, Congregation Ohr Shalom
Apr 15, Temple Sinai
May 6, Congregation Beth Hatikvah
This program is made possible by a grant from the Grotta Fund for Older Adults, an affliate of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ.
Wise Aging
A program designed to meet the social, emotional, and spiritual needs of Jewish seekers entering second adulthood.
Monthly from 2:30 - 4:30pm on Thursdays
Film Club
Sundays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Jan 4, Feb. 22, Mar. 22, May 17
Brotherhood “Torah on Tap” - 7:30pm
Wed., Nov. 12 with Rabbi Shira Gluck
Tues., Jan. 13 with Cantor David Fair
Mon., Mar. 23 with Rabbi Erin Glazer
Sisterhood Book Group
Quarterly discussions of a selection of either literature or non-fiction with Jewish content. In person and Zoom options — all are welcome! *Women who are not members of Sisterhood are welcome!
Kantika: A Novel by Elizabeth Graver
October 22, 7:30 p.m.
MazalTob, by Blanche Bendahan, discussion led by Rabbi Glazer
May 6, 7:30 p.m.
MORE DATES TO COME!
PAST OFFERINGS