Adult Classes at Har Zion

This class is for those who already lead weekday morning services, or would like to. We will focus on weekday morning nusach (the melodic modes of prayer chant), what is correct and what isn’t. I hear some good nusach at our weekday services, and some that is … less so. Let’s dig into this as a community, and have fun doing so. Class will be participatory.

What does the 20th century Jewish American experience look like when seen from women’s perspectives? We’ll look at women’s writing from the late 19th and early 20th century and then go later into the 20th century. We will take on works in digestible chunks, looking mostly at short fiction in the fall and possibly taking on a novel or two as the chilly nights come upon us. All are welcome; no background needed.

Ever wondered what you’re really saying when you pray? Plunge into the Deep End of the Pool invites you to go beyond rote recitation and explore the rich meanings, origins, and ideas behind our most familiar prayers. Together, we’ll unpack the language of the liturgy, uncovering layers of history, theology, and personal relevance that often get missed in the flow of a service. No prior knowledge needed, just curiosity and a willingness to dive in.

Explore the give-and-take of rabbinic debate in this Talmud study class with Rabbi Charlestein. We’ll read selections together, unpacking the logic, stories, and legal reasoning that make the Talmud such a rich and lively text. For this discussion, no prior experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to dig in.

Join Rabbi Shawn for inspirational learning at this weekly Tisch. In this class, we’ll engage in weekly Halakha (legal text) study from the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, digging into the logic and reasoning behind Jewish law. No prior experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to dig in.

Ancient Jewish literature was quite varied. What Jews decided to preserve was just a small portion; Christians preserved many, many Jewish texts. Come read through some of these Jewish texts, including the Gospels, Jubilees, and Maccabees. See what other ideas Jews had that may not have been preserved in mainstream Judaism, other ideas that seemed to find a roundabout way into normative Judaism, and still other Jewish ideas that ended up being used against Jews.

Join us for an in-depth study of the Book of Exodus. Starting with the commentary of the Hertz and Etz Chaim Chumash we then delve into the insights found in the Talmud, Midrash, and the major commentators spanning the length of Jewish history. It’s Torah as you have never studied it!

This course challenges the historical argument that American involvement in the Middle East is a modern phenomenon by examining our entanglements in the region dating back to the Barbary Wars. We will analyze how poorly thought-out axioms, such as prioritizing peace with enemies over friends, have led to the mistaken view of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran as potentially constructive political partners. Furthermore, we will address the misconception of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the sole “core” of the Middle East. In an environment increasingly compounded by antisemitism, this course aims to recapture the historical narrative currently being lost to propaganda.

Join Norman Einhorn for a 16-session current events discussion series held at the home of Patty Grobman. Together we’ll examine today’s most significant stories, explore the historical context behind the headlines, and engage in thoughtful conversations about issues affecting the United States, Israel, and the Jewish people.

Explore the weekly Torah portion through thoughtful discussion, traditional commentary, and contemporary insights at the Milton Pomerantz Torah Study. This discussion will be guided by lay leaders and is open to learners of all backgrounds. This engaging class offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of Jewish text, ask questions, and connect with others in meaningful conversation.

In this weekly course, this class will read, analyze and discuss contemporary issues and how they are handled in Teshuvot/Legal Responsa of the Conservative movement. No prior legal knowledge necessary.

Explore the give-and-take of rabbinic debate in this Talmud study class with Rabbi Charlestein. We’ll read selections together, unpacking the logic, stories, and legal reasoning that make the Talmud such a rich and lively text. For this discussion, no prior experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to dig in.

In this eight-unit course, Hartman scholars explore the core tensions and values of liberal Zionism, responding to the dominant critiques of Israel and Zionism in a post-October 7 reality. Together, we’ll explore frameworks for holding moral complexity, for teaching about Israel in a time of war, and for engaging our communities with courage, compassion, and clarity.

Designed for Jewish adults and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of antisemitism, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question is award-winning author Dara Horn’s masterful new work of nonfiction, boldly confronting the myths and lies that have fueled antisemitism from ancient times to today, and offering an audacious, but achievable vision for the future.

We spend a lot of time on certain parts of the Bible, chiefly, the Torah. It is time to read through the Prophets and the Writings more carefully. Join this class to read and discuss the rest of the Bible. We will move at a comfortable pace, but include some deep exploration of texts. New participants are welcome at any time! We are reading now about Solomon and his reign in the books of Kings.