- 516-487-0900
The Miriam & Moses Center was established to provide intellectually engaging adult-learning opportunities for Temple Beth-El, the North Shore and Eastern Queens, exploring topics
of interest to the Jewish community from a wide range of perspectives in ways that challenge participants to open their minds and think more broadly about the world.
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
Tuesday, January 12, 7-8:30 p.m.
Instructor: Rabbi Jodie Siff, Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore
Tuesday, January 19, 7–8:30 p.m.
Instructor: Rabbi Michael Balinsky, Chicago Board of Rabbis
Tuesday, January 26, 7–8:30 p.m.
Instructor: Rabbi Daniel Schweber, Temple Israel of Great Neck
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.
Zoom 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, 9:15–10:30 a.m.
Instructor: Rabbi Brian Stoller
Founded more than 30 years ago by Rabbi Jerome 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 participants’ own personal experiences intersect each week as Rabbi Stoller leads the group 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 that enriches the learning for everyone.
Pluralism in Action/Torah Study with guest teachers
Saturdays, 9:15 a.m.
October 17 • Rabbi David Spinrad, Danville, CA
November 7 • Rabbi Craig Lewis, Overland Park, KS
January 30 • Rabbi Seth Limmer, Chicago, IL
February 27 • Rabbi Ruth Zlotnick, Seattle, WA
March 20 • Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD, Dallas, TX
Rabbi Stoller’s book Politics & Pluralism includes divrei acher (alternate viewpoints) by a number of prominent Reform rabbis. Five of these rabbis will be guest Torah Study teachers, via Zoom, throughout the year. In dialogue with Rabbi Stoller, they will model pluralism in action as they guide participants in a study of the parashah of the week.
This series is generously sponsored by Debbie & Doug Bernstein.
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
All North Shore Towers residents are welcome to join Rabbi Stoller once a month at their complex for coffee, snacks and discussions about current events in Israel and the U.S. as well as other Jewish issues of the day.
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
Current Events Brunch
Mondays, 10:30 a.m. September 28, November 9, March 15 & May 10
Join Rabbi Stoller for brunch and conversation about current events in Israel and the U.S. as well as other Jewish issuesof the day.
This series is generously sponsored by Nancy & Bruce Matzner.
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.
Rabbis Meir and Tara Feldman
TBE Rabbis Emeriti
This event is generously sponsored by the Israel Committee.
Life in Israel: Returning home to their Temple Beth-El family and community, the Rabbis Feldman will reflect upon lessons learned during the past year and a half while living in Israel through wars and stroke recovery.
Friday, November 20
5:30 p.m. Congregational Shabbat Dinner
The entire community is invited as we welcome Rabbis Meir and Tara Feldman and enjoy a delicious Shabbat dinner from TBE’s in-house caterer, W Kosher Events.
Dinner is $25 for not-yet members, $18 for TBE members and free for children younger than 18.
Click here to register.
7 p.m. Erev Shabbat Service: Returning Home
At this time of significant transition for Temple Beth-El, how do the Feldmans understand the impact of their years in Great Neck, and how do these experiences continue to inform their journey?
Saturday, November 21
9:15 a.m. Torah Study: What Goes Up Must Come Down
Jacob’s dream of angels ascending and descending the ladder occurs at the time of his recent departure from home, in his dark night of existential solitude. As the world shifts rapidly around us—as old realities seem to fade away and new challenges emerge—what teachings can we glean from Jacob’s dream?
10:15 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service: Honor a Congregant
11:30 a.m. Lunch & Learn: Fracture Beyond Repair?
The prophet Hosea speaks of a bitter break between the Jewish people and God, followed by God’s promise of a covenant restored and our people’s ultimate return to Zion. In our current day, we are experiencing similar alienation. The subjects of Zionism and Israel can be sources of profound pain and fracture between Israeli Jews and those in the diaspora. Is the divide too deep to bridge? How can we address these rifts in order to promote deeper mutual understanding?
Registration is required to ensure we have enough lunch for all attendees.
Click here to register.
Dr. Noam Pianko
Director, Stroum Center for Jewish Studies, University of Washington
Friday, March 5-Saturday, March 6
American Zionism: The award-winning author and historian of American Zionism will explore the fascinating history of the relationship between American Jews and the State of Israel, and help participants navigate complex Jewish conversations about identity, peoplehood and power in our polarized world.
Dr. Pianko’s residency is generously sponsored by Cindy & Adam Bender.
Rabbi Wendy Zierler, PhD
Professor of Modern Jewish Literature and Feminist Studies, Hebrew Union College
Friday, April 16-Saturday, April 17
Jewish Literature & Feminism: Ordained as a rabbi by Yeshivat Maharat for Orthodox women, Rabbi Zierler is an engaging teacher of modern Jewish and Hebrew literature from a feminist perspective. Drawing on contemporary Israeli poetry, the fiction of Philip Roth and her own memoir
of losing both parents in one year, she will lead attendees in reflecting on grief, family, religious pluralism and the diverse experiences of women in modern Jewish life.
Rabbi Zierler’s residency is generously sponsored by Rabbi Laurie Gold & Nancy Killian.
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.
516-487-0900
5 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023
Monday-Thursday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday, 9:00am - 1:00 pm
