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As part of our commitment to lifelong learning, Beth El offers the following ongoing programs for adults. These programs are held on a monthly basis on Shabbat mornings; consult the Calendar for program schedules.

Beit Midrash
Beit Midrash is a community program sponsored by our Solomon Schechter Day School under the auspices of the Commission on Jewish Education and Leadership. Beit Midrash a community wide program is currently meeting at Beth El. Beit Midrash is an academic program which offers both a series of mini courses and a 2 year integrated, sequential course of study that covers the basic elements of the Jewish tradition. The curriculum is basic yet comprehensive and sophisticated. The program is designed to address the needs of a very broad range of prior Jewish educational experiences. There are no grades or exams and, other than a desire to learn, there are no prerequisites for enrollment. The goal is to give our students the tools to become independent Jewish learners who continue to challenge and define what Judaism means and how to incorporate Jewish values into their daily lives.

Bible and Breakfast
Please join us for a light breakfast and an energetic exchange about the weekly parsha. Guided by our rabbis, viewpoints and insights are shared by participants having a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and outlooks. We all learn by listening, thinking, and sharing. A knowledge of Hebrew is not needed. We meet in the library immediately after minyan on Thursday mornings and we adjourn by 8:45 a.m. A great way to help begin your day.

Pirkei Avot
What makes Judaism relevant in 21st century America? It is a question many of us have asked, sometimes silently, sometimes out loud. As a congregation that has been devoted to lifelong learning since its founding 55 years ago, we propose to spend this year exploring that question. We will begin with the fundamental ethical text of Judaism, Pirkei Avot.

Translated literally as "Chapters of our Fathers," Pirkei Avot is a section of the Mishna, or Jewish Oral Law. The Mishna, a series of debates and rulings by the earliest Rabbinic sages, serves as a guide to behavior. Dietary laws, for example, are set down in the Mishna as are laws and customs relating to holidays, Temple service, marriage and divorce, and civil and criminal offenses. In the late 2nd century C.E., Rabbi Judah HaNasi (Judah the Prince) edited the Mishna. Today scholars and students of all ages read and discuss these writings.

The section called Pirkei Avot is devoted exclusively to the ethical and moral statements of our sages. One of the best known principles is this: Upon three things the world stands - Torah, worship of God, and acts of lovingkindness. Just as people have parsed the meaning of Jewish texts over the centuries, we propose to do the same, asking ourselves what the principles of Pirkei Avot mean for us and for the world we inhabit.

Through sermons, teen and religious school workshops, study circles, informal discussions, and more we will spend the year exploring these texts. Our adventure in learning will culminate in a concert with a specially-composed work by Cantor Ness. We hope you will join us in this exciting lifelong learning project.

Pirkei Avot Bibliography and Web Resources

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a two-year program, designed for those who did not have a bar/bat mitzvah as a child or who want a more meaningful experience the second time around.

The first year includes an intensive study of Hebrew language and an exploration of many important themes in Jewish history, culture, holidays, literature, and practice. In the second year we continue the focus on Hebrew and learn to chant from the Torah and Haftarah as well as to lead services in preparation for the culminating event, the Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah, held on a Shabbat morning with the entire congregation invited.

Classes are every Thursday night (approximately post-High Holidays until June) from 7-9 PM. Groups are formed every other year – the next class will begin in the Fall of 2012.

Chai Mitzvah
Did you ever ask yourself why your bar or bat mitzvah seemed like an endpoint instead of a launching pad for your Jewish experience?

The pioneering Chai Mitzvah Project, first formulated by Scott Shay in his book “Getting our Groove Back”, has created a program to guide and inspire you in the natural and lifelong pursuit of meaningfulness which most of us share. At every stage of life, Jews should be engaged in learning and growth. This will be your personal re-commitment to your unique Jewish identity and our Jewish heritage.

Through Chai Mitzvah, you will:
Increase your Jewish knowledge
Adopt a new ritual or deepen your existing practices
Engage in a social action activity of your choice

With the guidance of a Chai Mitzvah mentor, you will define and undertake a personal Jewish project. The choices are limitless: enhance your knowledge of Jewish history, lead a morning minyan, visit a place of Jewish significance, or repair the world by engaging in an act of community-building and helping others.

"Chai Mitzvah is a new minhag (tradition) for reaffirming one's personal Jewish commitments every 18 years after Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Ages 31, 49, 67 and 80+ (You should be within two years of these ages.) each represent unique challenges for living a full and happy life; early adulthood, middle age, retirement, and senior years provide opportunities for growth and reflection. Chai Mitzvah frames these challenges in a Jewish context, providing communal opportunities for learning and celebration. What better place to explore life's transformation than within the context of a Jewish community?"

Now you can express your unique Jewish identity with creativity, persistence and passion as you design your own distinctive Chai Mitzvah, culminating in a meaningful celebration of your renewed commitment to our shared past, your present and our children’s future.

Beth El Temple is excited to be a part of this new national project being piloted in the Greater Hartford area. If you wish to participate in this program or want more information, please call the Temple office at (860) 233-9696. You can also learn more about Chai Mitzvah by visiting their website at http://chaimitzvah.org