Adult Education Offerings at Har Shalom
Har Shalom offers a variety of adult education classes for members and non-members. Each fall and spring, Rabbi Finestone and a large group of enthusiastic teachers offer classes covering a wide range of topics and subjects. Find more information here, in the community calendar, or in your weekly Happenings e-newsletter.
End of Life Stories: Tying Together the Loose Ends
Thursday, Feb 16, 23, Mar 2 · 7:00-8:30pm
Fee: No Charge
Location: Hybrid
Instructor: Nina Rubin
Jewish identity is defined by our stories: Torah stories, Midrashic stories, Rabbinic stories. We learn from those stories and every Jewish teacher has an appropriate story for every situation. Some of these stories are fanciful and defy logic. They include miracles, ghosts, spirits and talking animals! We love these stories but often we avoid our own experiences that defy our presumed reality.
When a life is ending, everyone has stories: the one who is passing, those who are mourning, and those who have lost loved ones in the past have stories about those experiences as well, stories which are often difficult for them to share. This class will explore the meanings, the healings, and the growing that can come from remembering and sharing all of these remarkable stories. And help develop skills in sharing, modeling and eliciting stories from others.
Fierce with Age: Chasing God and Squirrels in Brooklyn
Wednesdays, 9:30 - 11:00am
March 1 & 29
Fee: No Charge
Location: Zoom
Facilitator: Ginny Riley
Spring Book Club and Discussion Group
In her breakthrough generational memoir, Boomer expert Carol Orsborn relates the ups and downs of a tumultuous year spent facing, busting, and ultimately triumphing over the stereotypes of growing old. Along the way, she nurtures a love-starved friend through a doomed affair with a younger man, wrestles with the meaning of an exploding fish, and regains her passion for life at the side of her squirrel-crazed dog, Lucky. Download the flyer for more information
For Jewish and Non-Jewish Adults of all ages. To register, contact Ginny Riley
Great Jewish Thinkers of the 20th Century
Tuesday, Mar 7, 14, 21 & 28 · 7:00-8:30pm
Fee: No charge
Location: Zoom
Instructor: Rabbi Hillel Katzir
As Judaism and the Jewish People have gone through many changes in the last 100+ years, we have been guided by some very influential thinkers and writers. We will study the lives and key ideas of four of them: Philosopher Martin Buber, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1st Chief Rabbi of Palestine), Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan (founder of Reconstructionist Judaism) and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who has been called by some a modern prophet.
Introduction to the Gemara (Talmud)
Monday, Mar 13, 20 & 27 · 7:00-8:30pm
Fee: No Charge
Location: Hybrid
Instructor: Rabbi Finestone
During the past 2000 years, for most of the countless hours that Jews have engaged in Talmud study, it was the words of the Gemarah that were studied. It represents not only an expansion and commentary on the words of the Mishnah: it contains the basic laws and philosophies that have governed Jewish life through the centuries. Discussions range from the most serious matters of life to recipes and superstition. Come study a selection of texts from the Gemarah (in English), and enter the world of traditional Talmud study and discourse.
This is the continuation of the Introduction to Mishnah class, but is open to anyone interested.
Jewish Children's Literature: Trends and Reviews
March 26 · 9:15 - 10:15am
Fee: No charge
Location: Har Shalom Library, In-person only
Instructor: Judy Petersen
Jewish Children's Literature is so much more than just books about Hanukkah! We will look at the evolving trends in Jewish Children's Literature--everything from fantasy and graphic novels to diversity within the Jewish community and LGBTQ+ inclusive.
This class is for everyone--parents, grandparents, teachers and students! Select books will be reviewed and available for checkout.
Wise Women Support and Discussion Group
Select Thursdays · 9:30-11:00am
Jan 26; Feb. 9 & 23; Mar. 9 & 23; Apr. 6 & 20; May 4 & 18; Jun. 1, 15 & 29
Attend all sessions or come when you can
Fee: No Charge
Location: Zoom
Facilitator: Ginny Riley
Open to Jewish and Non-Jewish Women with 50 or More Years of Life Experience
Join us for stimulating, structured, and confidential discussions on topics about self-care, personal reflection, relationships, mentoring others, and sharing the wisdom we have gained through our life experiences. Take this opportunity to meet and get to know other women who share the challenges and changes associated with getting older.
The Wise Woman program was developed by Dr. Beth Firestein, a licensed psychologist, who has been successfully offering this program for more than 8 years in Loveland. She has granted us permission to use the materials and topics she has developed.
For questions and information, please contact Ginny Riley.
Pathways to Judaism
Tuesdays · 7:00 to 8:30pm
Jan. 17, 24 & 31; Feb. 7, 14, 21 & 28; Mar. 7, 21 & 28; Apr. 11 & 25; May 2 & 9 (snow date)
Registration is closed. Please check back in the Fall 2023 for the next class.
This program is an intensive 20-session course designed for people considering conversion to Judaism, or for adult Jews who would like a refresher course on the core beliefs, practices, and history of our people. The course is designed to open the world of Jewish tradition and understanding to those who have little or no background.
Instructor: Rabbi Sally Finestone