Torah Study
We meet most Saturdays from 10 am to noon to read and discuss the weekly Torah portion, except for the first Saturday of the month, when we meet from 9 am to 11 am. We read the Torah portion in various translations and do some translating ourselves. Our discussions are lively, and everyone is welcome. No expertise is required. Once a month, Rabbi Laurie Franklin conducts a special hour-long session focusing on Hebrew aspects of the weekly Torah reading. No Hebrew is necessary to appreciate these inclusive study sessions.
Beit Midrash
Beit Midrash takes place every Monday evening at Har Shalom, with breaks for holidays and other special occasions. We meet at 6 pm for soup and salad, followed by a shiur (teaching) at 6:45 pm. After the shiur, we engage in chevruta study, either in pairs or small groups, to learn Jewishly. Each person decides what they might like to learn and finds a partner or partners for the learning. Rabbi Laurie Franklin is available to help find resources and guide the inquiry.
Hebrew Club
Our self-led Hebrew club meets every Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the Har Shalom library. We welcome complete beginners, as well as those with some Hebrew background.
Jewish Meditation
Jewish meditation takes many forms, for example, chanting, sitting in silence, dancing, hitbodedut (solitary conversation with God in natural settings, and we explore some of these on Tuesday mornings between 8:30 and 9:15 a.m. in the Har Shalom sanctuary.
B’nei Mitzvah Education for Adults
If you are an adult who has never been b’nei mitzvah or would like to renew your call to Torah, we now have a program for you! Adult b’nei mitzvah is a way to deepen your relationship with Jewish practice and theology, and to celebrate with the community. For adults, b’nei mitzvah can be tailored to skills, interests and needs. Please contact Rabbi Laurie Franklin if you would like to explore this avenue of specialized growth and learning.