Adult Education
Learning enriches Jewish life and grows Jewish identity. The rabbis also teach us that when two people sit together to study Torah, the presence of God rests between them (Pirke Avot 3:3). At Har HaShem, whether you seek more knowledge, a connection to community or spiritual growth, we believe that these opportunities should exist at every age. We offer both formal and informal learning opportunities for our young people and adults.
For information about Adult Jewish Enrichment offerings, contact Rabbi Fred Greene at fg@harhashem.org.
The Basics
Intro to Judaism
This survey of Judaism course teaches fundamentals of Jewish thought, tradition and practice from a pluralistic and non-denominational perspective. Topics include lifecycle events, rituals, holidays, history, prayer and theology. Interfaith couples, adults considering conversion, and anyone looking to learn more about Jewish life are encouraged to sign up.
For more information, visit www.BoulderHaver.org, where you can sign up. Or contact Stacey at HaverInbox@gmail.com.
Project Zug
Congregation Har HaShem has partnered with Project Zug!
Project Zug (www.projectzug.org) empowers Jews to take ownership over their learning through one-on-one havruta learning (learning with a partner). Project Zug provides the learning materials in an online format, along with video instructions from amazing teachers, so that you can learn together with your partner. Classes are either four sessions or ten sessions. The cost for Project Zug is $36 per person.
There are two ways to engage in Project Zug.
- IF YOU HAVE A STUDY PARTNER: Sign up for any course you like – one of over 30 courses – but you need to register with a partner. You and your havruta/study partner will each need to fill out a registration form. All the courses can be found here.
- IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A STUDY PARTNER: If you have no partner, but would like one OR if you and your partner want to study the same topic as others in the congregation, then choose this option. The course we will be studying together is Intro to the Jewish Bookshelf.
- Course description:The Jewish people have long been called the People of the Book, a fitting name given our deep love for the Jewish textual tradition. For hundreds of years, we've pored over the same sacred texts in an attempt to unlock their wisdom, understand their relevance, and take part in a dialogue and debate that spans generations. Yet, it can be difficult to enter into this conversation without having a good sense of what these foundational books are, how they work, and how to best bring them into our own libraries and lives. In this course, we'll take a close look at the essential core texts that make up the Jewish Bookshelf beginning with the Torah. In the course of our study, we will learn not only what these texts are and how they work but we'll use them as an entryway into conversations about creation in the Torah, self-defense in rabbinic texts, and revelation through the eyes of modern thinkers.
Hebrew
Level 1 Hebrew for Adults with Stuart Feinhor IN PERSON
Sundays 10/15, 11/5, 12/10, 12/17, 1/21, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/3, 3/10, 4/7, 4/28; 10-11:30am
Get started with the aleph-bet! Join us as we get familiar with the shapes and sounds of the Hebrew alphabet. In this class we will recognize, learn and understand common Hebrew words and phrases that are often heard in Reform congregations and in Jewish prayer. Perfect for Introduction to Judaism alumni and other adults, this course assumes no prior Hebrew experience. A great class to take while your kids are in Sunday Traditional Youth Programming!
Over the past 15+ years at Har HaShem, Stuart Feinhor has been a d’var Torah coach, adult B’nai mitzvah teacher, confirmation co-teacher, and, of course, adult Hebrew teacher. Along with an MA in counseling and an MFA in creative writing, he also earned his MAHL from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
Learn to Read Hebrew for Adults ONLINE
Cohorts beginning on a rolling basis; 10 one-hour sessions, $180
Familiarity with Hebrew can be a key to feeling at home in the Jewish community. Ten live online class sessions with our experienced Hebrew educators and a community of learners, coupled with independent practice between sessions, will enable students to master the alef-bet and recognize and understand common Hebrew words and phrases that are often heard in Reform congregational life. This course assumes no prior Hebrew experience. A true beginner's course!
Reading Hebrew Prayers ONLINE
Cohorts beginning on a rolling basis; 6 one-hour sessions, $120
Continue your Hebrew learning in a new six-session course which focuses on reading and understanding key prayers in the Shabbat evening service. Designed for Learn to Read Hebrew alumni, this course is open to anyone interested in exploring the meaning of Hebrew prayers.
Engaging with our Sacred Texts
Torah Study
Saturdays; 9:00am
Looking for a bit of learning, a bit of casual conversation, a chance to build your skills and comfort with traditional texts in English? Join a friendly group of members and volunteers for an exploration of a Jewish story, a portion of Torah, a bit of Talmud, or perhaps a contemporary text. Bring your curiosity. Take a break. Have some fun with our tradition. Torah study is meeting in our tent and also available on Zoom.
Kabbalah Reading Group
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00pm
The Har HaShem Kabbalah Reading Group focuses on Jewish mysticism generally and as applied in everyday life. The idea of studying Jewish mysticism may seem out of reach to some, but no prior kabbalah experience or extensive Jewish study is required to participate in the group.
This year we will read and discuss books by two important thinkers who began their writing and teaching in the area of Kabbalah at the age of 20 (half the age at which traditionally they would be able to begin their studies).
- We will read The Palm Tree of Devora by Moses Cordovero (the RAMAK).
- On alternate weeks we will read from 138 Openings of Wisdom by Rabbi Moshe Luzzatto (the RAMCHAL) 1701-1746.
Past or In-Progress Offerings
The Basics
- Jewish and Newish: Entering the High Holy Days
- Becoming Jewish: An Info Session About Conversion to Judaism
- Pursuing Justice
- Just Add Water: An Introduction to Mikveh
Hebrew
- Chanting Torah
Israel
- Reform Judaism in Israel
Environmentalism
- Confronting the Climate Crisis and Cultivating Spiritual Courage
- Making the Connection: Judaism, Food, Climate and You with Becky O'Brien
History
- "Kristallnacht" in 1938 Nazi Germany: Its Meaning and Significance 85 Years Later
Jewish Thought
Character Development
Arts and Culture
- Art as Spiritual Practice
- Jews in Sports
- The Poetry of Prayer, Past and Present: With What Words Do You Find Meaning? with Katherine Schwartz
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Courses
College Commons
HUC-JIR is the Reform movement’s seminary and graduate school. They now offer free online courses for adults and teens investigating a central Jewish theme through conversations with HUC-JIR scholars and academic experts.
Learn more here.
HUC Connect
HUC Connect brings together those who love to learn. With over 130,000 views and listens to our webinar and podcast, HUC Connect invites you to join participants from 55 countries to discover something new about Judaism and about yourself. Click here for more information.