Adult Education

Temple Sinai provides many educational opportunities for adult members of the congregation.

We are well underway in expanding our adult education at Temple Sinai. We currently offer two on-going learning opportunities: Torah study every Shabbat morning at 9:00 a.m. and Current Events with Rabbi Bennett on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 12:30 p.m. We also invite guest speakers for some Friday evening services, as well as Sunday morning speakers and Saturday evening activities.

As we explore possibilities for future programs some of our most exciting ideas are, unfortunately, bigger than our budget. As a way of supporting our learning opportunities, we would like to suggest that members of our Temple community wishing to honor a loved one or a special occasion may do so by underwriting a special event or speaker. Please call the Temple office if you’d like more information about this.

Please join in by coming and learning with us!

The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., and is always looking for new members. The current chair of the committee is Aaron Reich.

Adult Education Committee

Upcoming Events

• “Interfaith Evening Getting to Know You” on Sunday, December 11 at 4:00 p.m. Come join with our friends from the Muslim community for a wonderful evening of food and music as we share some of our religious experiences. The evening will be filled with opportunities to make new friends from the Muslim community. The evening will start with some mixers and will continue with some mouth watering Middle Eastern vegetarian delicacies. There is no charge for this event, however, contribution at the door to defray some of the expenses will be appreciated. Contact Aaron Reich, the chair of the committee, to sign up.

Lending Library

Did you know that the Temple has a lending library? It's located in the multi-purpose room, off the main lobby. You'll find a wealth of reference books, non-fiction, and fiction on Judaism-related themes. There is a special section for books that tie in with Adult Education events.

The library is open whenever the Temple is open, so drop by and browse.

Adult Hebrew Classes

Our Cantor, Donna Gordon, offers four classes:

• Beginning Hebrew, a basic course

• Prayer Book Hebrew

• Basic Biblical Hebrew, for those who can read Hebrew well but not translate it or have graduated from the Prayer Book Hebrew class

• Biblical Hebrew, a more advanced course for those who can read and translate Hebrew

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Classes

Searching for a spiritual experience? Want to fulfill a lifelong dream? Want to affirm or reaffirm your Jewish commitment? Come explore the process of becoming an adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The classes share experiences and work as small groups. Participation in a class is a powerful experience, culminating in your Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Please contact Rabbi Bennett or the Temple office for more information.

Introduction to Judaism

The Reform Rabbis of Greater Hartford offer a semi-annual 18 week courses for those seeking information about Judaism or considering conversion. The first part of each evening is devoted to elementary prayer book Hebrew instruction; the second part is spent learning about Jewish tradition, the Jewish way of life, our faith and our people.

For further information, please call the Temple Office at 860-561-1055.

Web-Based Learning

CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES If you’d like to learn on the web, visit these websites: www.torahaura.com www.urj.org/torah www.simplyjewish.com www.shamash.org/trb/judaism.html If you know of other sites please let us know.

If you have documents, memories, photographs, tapes, or anything that relates to Temple Sinai's history, please call the Temple office.