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Temple Beth-El has been an innovative and intellectual center for decades with many long standing groups, activities and classes continuing a tradition of learning and growth. 

Our adult education programs are both inspiring and uplifting. Learn more about current events, delve into Torah, enjoy our film series, join us at our Scholar-in-Residence programs, take part in our Temple Retreat, or be in touch with any of the Temple staff to learn about many more options planned for this year.  We would love to see you at our many programs!

Enhance your knowledge of the Jewish people, learn trope, find out about Kabbalah, take part in our grief support group or sign up for one of our many education opportunities.

Contact Shaina Farwell at 773-205-9982 x 208 or gro.l1555747916e-hte1555747916belpm1555747916et@ll1555747916ewraf1555747916s1555747916 to learn more or register for a class.

Adult Opportunities for 2018 – 19

Click Here for the 2018-19 Adult Opportunities Brochure

Spiritual Connections

• Casual Morning Minyan and Torah Study – Saturdays 9:30 am
• Festival Services and Lite Lunch for Passover
  • Passover Festival Service – Saturday, Apr. 20, 2019 9:30 am
  • Passover Festival Service and Yizkor – Friday, Apr. 26, 2019 11:15 am
• Kabbalat Shabbat: Anniversary & Birthday Blessings, Friday Night Speakers – check calendar for dates and times!

Soul Food for Jewish Living

• Welcome Table – February 10, March 10, April 28, and May 5
• Learn the Alef-Bet – Fridays 10:45 -11:45 am – Contact Mandy Herlich if interested

Community Corner

• Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema – Oct 14 at 12:30 pm
• Annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration – Nov 21 at 7:00 pm, Techny Towers, 2001 Waukegan Rd. in Northbrook
• JNF Brunch – Feb. 3, 2019 at 9:30 am – Izzy Ezagui, Guest Speaker
• JUF Brunch – Apr. 7, 2019 at 9:30 am – Guest Speaker TBA
• The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning
• Intro to Judaism – From Reform Jewish Chicago, Several Locations and dates available
  • Introduction to Judaism is an engaging 18-session course for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Jewish life. Discover what could be meaningful to you in liberal Judaism. This course is designed for individuals and couples from various faith traditions and cultural backgrounds and those who have had no religious upbringing. It is perfect for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. All people, perspectives, and questions are welcome!
  • Cost: $295 plus cost of textbooks
• Say It In Hebrew Program, JCC Chicago – new course starts Feb. 7 – May 23
  • Thursday mornings: 10:00 – 11:30 am or Thursday evenings: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
  • Say it in Hebrew is a conversational program that emphasizes learning the everyday language spoken in Israel so that it is practical, relevant and effective for real life. While the focus is on conversation, reading and writing is also taught. Five levels of instruction are offered. Classes are taught by native speaking master teachers who enjoy helping adult learners reach their language goals.
• AIPAC Policy Conference – March 24 – 26, 2019
  • Travel to Washington D.C. with Rabbi Helbraun and other congregants from Temple Beth-El for the AIPAC Policy Conference, the pro-Israel community’s preeminent annual gathering. Over three jam-packed days, Policy Conference participants choose from hundreds of informative sessions and participate in the pro-Israel community’s largest and most important advocacy day.

Ongoing Opportunities

The Jewish High Life                                   Tuesdays                                  9:30 am – 11:00 am

Join this group as they have thought-provoking discussions based on the Book of Jewish Values by Joseph Telushkin.
Facilitator:  Rabbi Victor Weissberg

Please contact Shaina Farwell if you are planning on attending this course. $125 for TBE members, $150 for nonmembers.

Morning Torah Class                            Friday (beginning Oct. 6)                                  9:30 am to 10:30 pm

Did you ever want to read the Torah, but didn’t know how to get started?  Rabbi Helbraun will be our guide. We’ll begin in the book of Genesis, and slowly make our way through all Five Books of the Torah. While you’ll want to make this a regular part of your week, there’s no problem if you are only able to come occasionally, as we will only discuss what we read together each week. A big thanks to Sisterhood for sponsoring this learning opportunity that is open to all.

Led by: Rabbi Helbraun

Kabbalah: Melding Science & Spirituality; Rationality & the Erotic                           Tuesdays (Mar. 5, 12, 19; April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14)                                  7:30 to 8:30 pm

For hundreds of years, Judaism was rumored to have a hidden, sacred text, studied only by a select few. Our rabbis, concerned with the eroticism of this mystical book restricted its study to married men, who were at least 35 years old.

In more recent times, places like the Kabbalah Center have taken selections of this book (the Zohar) and provided the opportunity for anyone to explore it, creating a groundswell of interest for Kabbalah in the Jewish and non-Jewish worlds.

This spring, Temple Beth-El will open its doors to the mystical. On Tuesday nights, Rabbi Helbraun will help us explore selections from the Zohar, using selections from The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism.

Led by: Rabbi Helbraun

Please register with Shaina Farwell if you are planning on attending this course. $10 Book Fee.