ME’AH - 100 hours of study for the serious adult learner

The Adult Education Committee announces a new and exciting learning initiative that we are undertaking with Me’ah, a recognized institution known for bringing scholarly Jewish courses into local communities.  Me’ah means one hundred in Hebrew, which corresponds to 100 hours of learning during an intensive two year study program covering Jewish texts, ideas and history.

This wonderful program, developed by Hebrew College in Boston just over a decade ago,  is designed for adult learners regardless of the depth, or lack thereof, of their previous Jewish studies. With the guidance of superb teachers selected by Hebrew College, Me'ah students are exposed to core Jewish texts and secondary sources. Through reading, lectures and discussion, students grapple with the historical, cultural and political experience of the Jewish people from biblical times to the modern era. As they gain a foundation in Jewish thought and history, students develop the means to engage in more advanced study and to deepen their understanding of and attachment to Jewish religion, tradition and culture.

The two year course of study will begin in the the Fall of 2008. Year One covers Hebrew Bible and rabbinics—delving into the core texts that form the basis of Jewish beliefs, behaviors and community. Year Two focuses on the medieval and modern Jewish experience, drawing from primary sources and exploring the distinguishing social and cultural themes of those eras. You'll study the major works and ideas of each period within their unique historical context and discover their interrelationships.

This program is a Forest Hills Jewish Center-Reform Temple of Forest Hills - Hillcrest Jewish Center collaborative venture. Registration information will be made available through the Center Office, on the FHJC Website, and in Center publications and mailings. Students will be accepted on a first-come-first-admitted basis.

You can participate in a sample Me’ah class and learn more about this exciting program at a free “Taste of Me’ah” session:

Wednesday June 11th, 7:30pm
at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills

Contact: Hebrew College Regional Office
at (646) 472-5390 or neregion@hebrewcollege.edu

This is an exciting and free opportunity to see if Me’ah is right for you. There will be ample time after the class to ask questions about the Me’ah program including topics covered, schedule of courses, and tuition. Reservations are suggested.

More information about the Me'ah Program or view the flyer.

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah
The Forest Hills Jewish Center and the Adult Education Committee are pleased to announce a two-year course of study for Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah - Fall 2007 through Spring 2009. This program is open to all adult members of FHJC who have not yet studied to become Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The classes are currently scheduled to meet on Monday night, with Hebrew instruction from 6:45pm to 7:30pm, followed by participation in minyan, which will them be followed by content instruction (taught by Rabbi Skolnik) from 8pm to 9pm. The program will culminate at the end of the two years in a group Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration.

Program Fees: $150 per semester ($600 total) for FHJC members matriculated in the program. (Includes all classes, celebratory Congregational kiddush, and commemorative group Simcha Wall plaque.) Some textbook fees will be additional.

If space allows, individual classes will be open to non-matriculated students - fees to be determined.

Talmud Study
Rabbi Gerald C. Skolnik, Instructor
Thursday mornings, immediately following 7am minyan.
Join Rabbi Skolnik at this one-morning-a-week Talmud study session immediately following morning minyan. A light breakfast will be served.

Fees: FHJC Members free; $10 per session for non-members. Sessions will resume January 3.

The World of Torah Commentary
Dr. Hyman J. Campeas, Instructor
Tuesday evenings, immediately following the 7:30pm minyan.
Ten sessions in room 110. Opening Session February 26, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, May 6, 13, 20.
Focus is on Deuteronomy [Devarim] and traditional Commentators [Rashi and others.]

Zohar - The Book of Splendor
Rabbi David Greenstein, Instructor
Monday evenings, immediately following the 7:30pm minyan.
February 4, 11, 25, March 3, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14

Dr. Greenstein will teach about the Zohar, a collection of writings embodying the most revered statement of Jewish mystical teachings. No previous study or special background is necessary.

Book Discussion Group
The Book Discussion Group meets one Sunday morning every other month to discuss a book we have all read. Books are typically by Jewish authors and/or deal with a Jewish theme. Most books are fiction, but we usually discuss at least one nonfiction book per year. The group decides together which books to read.

The discussions are open to members and non-members, but discussion attendees are expected to have read most (preferably all) of the book we are discussing.
There is no fee to attend.

Sunday mornings from 10:30am – noon

Book Discussion group will resume this fall.

Hebrew Literature Group
Saturday June 14, 3pm in the Library
We will be reading from works by Leah Goldberg.
All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

Please note, we will have one meeting during the summer, Saturday July 12, at 3pm in the Library, to discuss the book, A Boy and a Pigeon, by Meir Shalev.

We’ll be off in August, and look forward to seeing you again in September. Thanks to all those who have participated in making this such a successful and delightful Shabbat afternoon diversion.

Israeli Folk Dancing
Wednesdays immediately following 7:30pm minyan
Sessions resume February 13.

Learn all types of Israeli dances, from "easy to learn" to "challenging." Have fun, work up a sweat, enjoy the music, bring comfortable shoes. Spirited, fun, energetic and very, very social. Men, women, and children are welcome.

Fees: $50 members; $100 non-members