Gerson D. Cohen Institute for Adult Jewish Learning
We are a center for serious Jewish learning. Synagogue classes offer everyone opportunities to discover new meanings in Judaism and Jewish culture.
What kinds of classes do we offer? Here is a recent sampling:
Over the last several years, many adults have studied Mishna, learned to read Hebrew, and to understand the complexities of the Shabbat prayers. Ten adult women celebrated their adult Bat Mitzvah after attending a two-year course.
We are hosting the two-year Meah program, sponsored by Hebrew College, which includes an intensive four semester study of Jewish history from the Biblical through the Modern Period.
We have regular dialogue evenings with our neighbors at Christ Church of Riverdale. For Hebrew speakers, we offer a monthly Hug Ivri. There has been a Yiddish class, a series on “Tropical Jews,” concerts, and art shows. We have explored the rise and fall of the Catskills, and the ups and downs of the Jewish Bronx.
Each year, we welcome a scholar in residence to our community. Included in our list of recent speakers is:
Rabbi Elliot Dorff, “Jewish Medical Ethics”
Former JTS Chancellor Ismar Schorsch, “The State of Conservative Jewry”
Rabbi David Golinkin, “Jewish Law”
Rachel Brodie, “It’s About Time”
Charles Moerdler, Esq., “The Story of Austrian Reparations to Holocaust Victims”
Rabbi Asher Ostrin, “The Jews of the Former Soviet Union”
Gary Rosenblatt, “The State of the Jews”
Our adult learning program is named for Rabbi Gerson D. Cohen, a widely respected historian and Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America from 1972 to 1986.
2010 Adult Education Programs
(Re)Introduction to Judaism
If you were born Jewish and want to connect with Judaism in a deeper way or if you are not Jewish and want to learn about basic Jewish practices and beliefs, this class is for you. Over this year-long course we will study ethics, the Sabbath and holidays, prayer, dietary laws, life cycle events (such as weddings, mourning rituals and birth ceremonies), the Jewish people and Israel. For non-Jewish participants, this course can serve as part of the preparation necessary for conversion to Judaism. It can also be a good introduction to Judaism for family members and friends. If you are enrolling in the course in the context of a relationship, we recommend that both partners participate. If you are considering conversion, a meeting should be arranged with a member of the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale’s clergy or with the synagogue and rabbi of your choice. The year-long course will be taught by Rabbi Lewis Warshauer. The course is sponsored by the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale. An introductory class will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2010, from 7:00-8:30 PM. There is a fee for the class. Scholarships are available.
For more information, contact Lewis Warshauer lwarshauer@earthlink.net or call the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale, 718-543-8400.
Hug Ivri
Second Saturday of each month after Kiddush (approximately 12:30PM) in the Board Room
Hebrew discussion group. Meet other Hebrew speakers (Israelis, Americans and Others) for an hour of conversation on everything from literature to poetry to politics. For further information, contact Yaakov Taitz- Coordinator.
FREE, open to all Hebrew Speakers.
Riverdale Open Beit Midrash
Once again we will open our congregational house to the community to study in a warm, welcoming environment. Each session will begin with a discussion of the week’s Torah portion. We will then split into pairs and small groups to continue studying the portion through guided reading or to spend time studying another text—Talmud, ethics, philosophy, politics, or anything you choose. Scheduled instructors include: Rabbi Barry Dov Katz, Mahara”t Sara Hurwitz, Rabbi Ethan Tucker, Rabbi Steven Exler, Soferet Jen Taylor Friedman, Professor Richard Kalmin, and Eric Fisher. For experienced learners and newcomers to Jewish learning. Every other Wednesday night, beginning October 14, 2009. 8:00 – 9:15 pm.
The Prophets
The prophets brought stirring messages of faith, social justices, rebuke, and comfort to the ancient Israelites. At this year-long class, taught by Rabbi Barry Dov Katz, we will look at the background and messages of some of the prophets and explore how their words are used in our liturgy and tradition. Texts provided in English and Hebrew. Sponsored by Sisterhood. Open to all. Free to Sisterhood and members of CSAIR affiliates. Nominal fee for others. Tuesday mornings beginning October 20, 2009, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Riverdale Me'ah Collaborative
CSAIR joins the Riverdale Temple, Sachar Minyan, and Congregation Tehila in co-sponsoring the Me'ah initiative. Me'ah is a two year intensive program of Jewish learning. The first year concentrates on the Hebrew Bible and will be taught by Shawn Zelig Aster, Assistant Professor of Bible at Yeshiva University. The spring semester on Rabbinics will be taught by Tammy Jacobowitz, a doctoral candidate in Midrash at the University of Pennsylvania. The second year focuses on the Medieval and Modern periods of Jewish history. Classes will be held at the Riverdale Temple, 4555 Independence Avenue.
For information regarding tuition, dates and time, call the Riverdale Temple at 718-548-3800.