At Beth El Temple Center, we believe in lifelong Jewish learning, and we strive, through our Adult Learning programs, to offer a wide range of learning opportunities to meet a variety of needs and interests for our congregants.
We respect that everyone approaches Jewish learning from a different perspective, and we hope to help each of our members on their journey as an adult learner. To that end, we offer many types of programs. Classes are taught by clergy, lay leaders, outside speakers, congregants, and visiting scholars who share their expertise and insights to inform, inspire, and enrich our lives. We invite you to join us and try a program (or two!). We welcome all participants who come to learn.
Table Talks
Adult Learning presents 5–6 Table Talks per year. Table Talks generally feature a BETC member discussing some part of their job/work/interesting aspect of their lives. There are some non-BETC presenters as well, speaking on a topic of interest to the community.
Upcoming Table Talks
- Dr. David Brams, on his work overseas
- Rabbi Field, on reality TV and the Torah
- Emily Pollock, on music
- Marty November, on medicine
Previous Table Talks
Table Talks have covered a wide range of topics, including:
- the Civic Health and Institutions Project, a 50-state survey project concerned with public opinions about politics, elections, and other areas of importance, including Israel and antisemitism
- care options for seniors
- genealogy
- The Song of Songs: its origins as Hebrew love poetry and its place in the Jewish liturgy
- reproductive justice
- organist Peter Krazinski on his life in music
- The Discovery of Judit’s Diary: An Unexpected Link to the Past
- constitutional issues
- The Belmont Voice: Connecting our Town and Strengthening our Democracy through Local News
- group therapy research with survivors of October 7th
BETC Reads
We host 2 book discussions during the year. Previous books include The Cost of Free Land by Rebecca Clarren and One Little Goat by Dara Horn.
Study Hours
An example of Study Hour was a facilitated conversation on Yom Kippur, Repent, Repair, Reconciliation: What Does Judaism Tell Us About How We Forgive?
Scholar in Residence
We recently present a talk by Noah Feldman, author of To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel and the Jewish People.
Movie Nights
Adult Learning hosts a couple of movie nights each year, featuring films such as In Search of Israeli Cuisine and Ride to Endure.
We Welcome Your Suggestions
The best way to ensure that we have programs that appeal to the widest group of congregants is for you to attend our meetings and give us your input. We meet once a month; our meetings dates are on the temple calendar.
For more information, contact
Here's to a meaningful and enriching year of learning! Come join us!
