- 516-487-0900
We are excited to introduce the new Miriam & Moses Center for Pluralistic Adult Jewish Learning at Temple Beth-El. Named for the two biblical heroes who led our ancestors toward the Promised Land, the center’s mission is to bring modern, intellectually stimulating, gender-egalitarian adult Jewish education to our congregants and the wider community. As we write the next chapter of TBE’s great story, the Miriam & Moses Center will help position our congregation as a leader in shaping the future of pluralistic Judaism on the western North Shore.
All courses are also listed on our calendar.
Shabbat Morning Torah Study: Parashat Hashavuah
Saturdays, 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Instructors: TBE Clergy
Founded more than 30 years ago by Rabbi Davidson, our weekly Shabbat morning study of parashat hashavuah (the weekly Torah portion) is one of the jewels in the Temple-Beth El crown. The classical commentators, Jewish history, modern thought, current events, and our own personal experiences intersect each week as our clergy lead us in thought-provoking, in-depth conversation about Judaism’s most sacred book. No prior knowledge or background is necessary, as each person brings a unique and valuable perspective to the table that enriches the learning for everyone.
This class is open to all congregants and prospective congregants. No preparation is necessary, and no knowledge of Hebrew is required.
Fall Semester: Religion and State in Modern Jewish History
Tuesdays, October 13-December 22, 7-8:30 p.m. (10 sessions)
Instructor: Rabbi Brian Stoller
Fee: $50 (members); $100 (not-yet members) until 9/29/26; $100 late fee for all
The separation of church and state, a core principle of the United States since its founding, hangs in the balance. As some state and federal leaders move to inject a particular form of Protestant Christianity into our public spaces, Jewish history can shed light on the challenges and opportunities we might face as the line blurs between religion and state. In this course, we will survey key historical developments in Jewish history, including Moses Mendelssohn’s Enlightenment vision, the rise of European nationalism, the United States’ experiment in pluralistic democracy, religion and state in modern Israel, and the troubling resurgence of Christian nationalism in America today.
Click here to register.
Intersession: Comparative Judaism—Reconstructionist Judaism
Tuesdays, January 12-26, 7-8:30 p.m.
Zoom only, no fee. Registration is required.
In this Zoom-only mini-course we will hear from rabbis from the Reconstructionist, Modern Orthodox, and Conservative movements about the key principles and values of their denominations. These discussions will help prepare us to take a deep dive into the History of Reform Judaism in our Spring Symposium.
Click here to register.
This series is sponsored by Susan and David Weiss-Horowitz.
“Please Excuse Juan (Epstein) for Being Absent”—Judaism in Pop Culture
Tuesdays, February 2 and 9, 7-8:30 p.m.
Zoomo only, no fee. Registration is required.
Instructor: Stuart Botwinick, Executive Director, Temple Beth-El
In this Zoom-only course, we will explore Jewish writers, themes, characters, and humor that influenced mainstream culture. Session One will focus on the 1970s, including “Welcome Back Kotter,” “All in the Family,” and “Taxi.” In Session Two, we will look at 1980s classics like “The Golden Girls,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “Seinfeld.”
Click here to register.
Spring Semester: History of Reform Judaism
Tuesdays, March 9-May 25 (10 sessions), 7-8:30 p.m.
Instructor: Rabbi Brian Stoller
Fee: $50 (members); $100 (not-yet members) until 2/23/27; $100 late fee for all
For the last hundred years, more American Jews have identified with the Reform movement than with any other stream of Judaism, thanks to its compelling vision of prophetic justice, critical scholarship, innovation, inclusivity, and active concern for all humanity. We will study the political, religious, and cultural changes that gave birth to the Reform movement, and meet the fascinating personalities whose ideas have shaped it from its inception to today. Not only will this course answer your questions about Reform beliefs and practice—it will also make you proud to be a Reform Jew.
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Saturdays, 9:15–10:15 a.m.
Instructors: Rabbi Brian Stoller and Rabbi Megan Brumer
The classical commentators, Jewish history, modern thought, current events, and our own personal experiences intersect each week as our clergy lead us in thought-provoking, in-depth conversation about Judaism’s most sacred book.
NEW! North Shore Towers: Coffee & Conversation with Rabbi Stoller
Thursdays (monthly), 1–2 p.m.
Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 11, Mar. 18, Apr. 15, May 20
Join Rabbi Stoller once a month at North Shore Towers for coffee, snacks, and conversation about current events in Israel and the U.S. and other Jewish issues of the day. All North Shore Towers residents are welcome.
This series is generously sponsored by Steve Redlich.
Registration links are below:
September 17
October 15
November 19
December 17
January 21
February 11
March 18
April 15
May 20
Holy Spirits: Men’s Dinner & Discussion Group
Thursdays, 7-9 p.m.
Nov. 5, Mar. 8, Apr. 15
Rabbi Stoller will lead conversations on topics of interest to men of all ages.
Dinner and spirits sponsored by Brotherhood.
Registration links are below:
November 5
March 8
April 15 – Passover Experience
Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Wednesday, June 10, 7 p.m.
Location TBD
Our consortium of local Reform synagogues will gather on Erev Shavuot for an evening of Torah study, taught by an array of rabbis and cantors.
Dr. Gwynn Kessler—Pride Shabbat
Associate Professor of Religion, Swarthmore College
Sponsored by Lea & Sandy Caplan
Grasshoppers and Angels—The Past and Future of LGBTQ Jews
Friday, June 12, 7 p.m.
Dr. Kessler, our scholar-in-residence for Pride Shabbat, will survey the past 50 years of LGBTQ engagement with Jewish text and rituals, and look toward the future of our ongoing contributions and challenges.
Torah Study: Reading Midrash As/Like an LGBTQ Person
Saturday, June 13, 9:15–10:15 a.m.
The ancient rabbis depict the first human (Adam) and the first ancestors of Israel (Abraham and Sarah) as gender nonconforming. Joseph wears high heels and eye makeup, Mordechai breastfeeds Esther, Dinah is conceived as male but born female, and Moses is portrayed as both God’s wife and as God’s husband. Dr. Kessler will lead us in exploring Midrashic traditions about biblical figures that provide connections between classical rabbinic sources and LGBTQ identities.
Lunch & Learn: Beyond Male and Female—Rabbinic Constructions of Gender
Saturday, June 13, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Although the Tanakh depicts sex/gender as binary, confined to the categories man/male and woman/female, early rabbinic sources already found these categories too limited to express the variety of gendered embodiments. We will explore rabbinic traditions about the nonbinary categories of “tumtum” and “androginos” and learn how they developed over time.
Click here to register.
Beginning Adult Conversational Hebrew
Tuesdays, September 9–November 25, 6–6:50 p.m. (6 sessions)
Instructors: Joanne Davis and Danna Sobiecki
Fee: $25 (members only)
Join this fun, no-pressure class designed for absolute beginners with no tests and no homework—just good vibes and great conversation. Learn phrases, practice speaking in a relaxed setting, and gain confidence with the basics.
Click here to register.
Field Trip: Bari Weiss at the Tilles Center
Thursday, November 20, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $34.50
The Israel Committee is leading a field trip to the Tilles Center for an evening with Bari Weiss, founder and editor of The Free Press, host of the Honestly podcast, and author of How to Fight Antisemitism.
Sponsored by the Israel Committee
Click here to register.
Let’s Talk about Israel
In the post-October 7 world, American Jewish life is more intimately bound up with Israel and Zionism than ever. In this speaker series, we will hear a variety of perspectives on current events in Israel and explore our personal beliefs about Israeli politics, Jewish peoplehood, and the role of the State of Israel in the world today.
Rabbis Meir & Tara Feldman
Rabbis Emeriti, Temple Beth-El
Sunday, March 8, 10–11 a.m.
Sponsored by Debbie & Stuart Lempert
Click here to register.
Rabbi Evan Schultz
Author of Morning, Noon, and Night: Poetry in the Language of Jewish Time
Sunday, April 19, 10–11 a.m.
Sponsored by Nina Koppelman
Click here to register.
Rabbis Meir & Tara Feldman
Rabbis Emeriti, Temple Beth-El
Sunday, May 31, 10-11 a.m.
Sponsored by Debbie & Stuart Lempert
Click here to register.
Home Base—Practical Strategies to Age Safely in Your Home
Speakers: Joanna Stolove, Geriatric Social Worker, and Chari Biton, Director of Services for Aging, Town of North Hempstead
Wednesday, May 27, 10–11 a.m.
Our experts will help you turn your home into a haven as they share how to stay safe and supported with vital community resources, smart home modifications, and transportation options through Project Independence.
Click here to register.
Hasidic Society: Anthropology of an Under-Studied NYC Subculture
Thursday, March 26, 7-8 p.m.
Speaker: Frieda Vizel, Jewish YouTuber and Tour Guide
Frieda Vizel, the host of a lively YouTube channel focusing on Hasidic culture and one of Brooklyn’s best-known Jewish tour guides, will share her story of living in the Satmar community until age 25—and provide insights into the mysterious and fascinating world of New York’s Hasidic Jews.
Click here to register.
516-487-0900
5 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023
Monday-Thursday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday, 9:00am - 1:00 pm
