Welcome to IKAR’s Adult Learning Line-up for 5785. We’ve got something for everyone. Let’s learn, grow, and connect together.
The Weekly Parashah with R’ David Kasher
Thursdays, 12pm, Zoom, RSVP
Join us for a literary study of the text of the Torah, aided by the keen eyes of the classical commentators. Co-Sponsored with Hadar.
Monthly Series
TRIBE (20’s-30’s) School with R’ Hannah Jensen
2nd Tuesday of every month, starting 11/12, 7pm, In Person, RSVP
Once a month, TRIBE is creating our own Beit Midrash (house of study) for us to engage with Jewish text to find how we can live more fulfilling, meaningful lives as we navigate our 20s and 30s! Each session will take us on a journey of text exploration and introspective work. Part of the session will be studying in hevruta, or with a study partner, and part of the session will be taught by R’ Hannah Jensen. No previous text study required! Join us for dinner, study, and lively discussion.
Jewish Parenting with R’ Morris Panitz
Monthly on Sundays, 7:30pm, Zoom, RSVP
Dates: 11/24, 12/15, 1/26, 2/23, 3/23, 4/6, 5/25
How do you raise a mensch? Come together with fellow parents to explore how Jewish rituals, wisdom, and values can guide us on the sacred (and really hard) journey of raising Jewish children. It takes a village—and maybe a few thousand years of wisdom too.
Conversion Cohort with R’ Hannah Jensen
Sundays, every other month, starting 12/15, 4pm, In Person
This bi-monthly gathering is a chance for recent converts, new Jews, and people early in the process of exploring Judaism to come together. The goals are to get to know each other, share what people are thinking about or struggling with or excited about in their current Jewish journeys, and prepare for and debrief holidays and lifecycle events. All questions and reflections welcome! Open to anyone who has converted in the last 3 years or is beginning the process now. To join the group, contact [email protected].
Dinner & Dialogue with IKAR Facilitators
Starting in January 2025, Host Interest Form
This year, in lieu of House Parties, we’re lining up dozens of intimate, home-hosted dinner gatherings, where trained facilitators will guide folks through difficult conversations on the topics that are increasingly dividing families, communities, and neighbors. These local gatherings (including virtual spaces) will ask us to open our hearts and minds with courage and compassion, as we learn to talk about the hardest things. Hosting requires providing food and space for up to 10 guests. IKAR will provide a trained facilitator to lead the conversation. Stay tuned for more information on how to join one of these dinner parties.
Limited Series
Conscious Aging 5785 Part 1: Jewish Wisdom For Growing Older with R’ Deborah Silver
Sundays, 10:30am-12:30pm, In Person
Dates: 11/3, 11/10, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15
The purpose of this class is to convene a new group within IKAR committed to exploring our aging and how we can make it richer and more meaningful. Over five sessions, we will take a deep dive into Rabbi Dayle Friedman’s Jewish Wisdom for Growing Older. We will participate in practical exercises and conversations designed to expand our understanding of aging and bring our preconceptions about it to light. Together we will set new goals for approaching our aging with insight, grace and purpose. Recommended age 55+. Participants are asked to commit to the full course of classes.
Queer Torah with R’ Hannah Jensen
Thursdays, 7:30pm, In Person, RSVP
Dates: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30
For thousands of years our ancient texts have been weaponized against queer people, and queer people have felt alienated and rejected from our Jewish communities. But – there is more to the story. In this 4-part series we will explore the texts of our tradition that actually seem to reflect queer experiences and read other Jewish texts through a queer lens. How much more connected can we feel to our tradition when it is more expansive?
Intro to the Prayerbook with R’ Morris Panitz
Thursdays, 7pm, Zoom, RSVP
Dates: 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6
With a focus on Shabbat morning liturgy, this class will help folks gain familiarity with the words and melodies that we sing each Saturday morning. No Hebrew skills? We’ve got you covered: prayers will be presented in English transliteration. No musical skills? No worries: we’ll teach the melodies note by note. At the end of this class, you’ll be confidently belting out all the greatest hits.
The Amen Effect with Rabbi Sharon Brous
Tuesdays, 12pm, Virtual, RSVP
Dates: 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11
In a time of loneliness and isolation, social rupture and alienation, what will it take to mend our broken hearts and rebuild our society? Join Rabbi Brous in a series of text studies that explore the Jewish sources that form the core ideas behind her book, The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World.
Conscious Aging 5785 Part 2: Jewish Wisdom For Growing Older with R’ Deborah Silver
Sundays, 9am-10:30am, Zoom, RSVP
Dates: 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6
Intro to Kashrut with R’ Hannah Jensen
Wednesdays, 12pm, Zoom, RSVP
Dates: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26
No bacon cheeseburgers! No lobster! No chicken parmesan! We know that, but…what else exactly is going on with Kashrut? What can we learn about it in our ancient texts and what bearing does it have on our contemporary lives? Whether you’ve kept Kosher your whole life, or never plan to, together we’ll dive into this age-old intentional eating practice of ours. Let’s see what we find!
Finding Happiness 5785 with R’ Deborah Silver
Wednesdays, 7pm, Zoom, RSVP
Dates: 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25
What do the book of Ecclesiastes and the work of Arthur Brooks, happiness columnist for The Atlantic, have in common? More than we would think. Though centuries separate them, they both engage deeply in attempting to answer the question: what makes us truly happy? In this short Zoom course we will explore some of their findings, and apply them to our own lives and ideals.