Adult Education

It’s never too late to educate … to educate oneself in the history, traditions and values underlying the foundation of what it means to be Jewish. With this mission in mind, Adath Israel has organized a varied program of classes and workshops to give greater meaning and relevance to your Jewish heritage, its traditions and value concepts. We encourage you to register for one or more of these programs and expand your knowledge of Jewish subjects. For more information, please contact Charles Gleich at [email protected].

Programs are free for Adath Israel members and $10/session for non-members. Donations to the Adult Education Fund are appreciated to help defray program costs. Register to attend any of these programs by calling the Adath Israel Education Office at 610-934-1920 or by emailing Marcia Schulman at [email protected].

Spring 2019 Classes

The Mussar Movement: A Jewish Approach to Living a Balanced and Ethical Life

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM

Led by Ruth Schapira, Director of Leadership and Learning, The Mussar Institute

Rabbi Israel Salanter was one of the most influential Jewish thinkers of Eastern European Jewry in the modern period. The Mussar movement, which he founded, brought innovative practices to the traditional Jewish understanding of personal ethical development. Mussar is based on the idea that by cultivating our inner virtues, we can achieve spiritual growth. Participants will experience a “taste” of Mussar study and practice by exploring a foundational trait (middah) and how it relates to them personally.

Rabbits and Lettuce: The History of the Seder in Art and Text

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Led by Dr. Joshua Kulp, Rosh Yeshiva of the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem and author of The Schechter Haggadah: Art, History and Commentary                                                                                                                                 

Almost all illuminated Haggadot from the Medieval period contain pictures of hunters chasing rabbits. Why? In this session, Dr. Joshua Kulp will explain the history of the texts and illustrations found in Haggadot throughout Jewish history. What really is marror? What does it mean to eat reclining? Why does a medieval Haggadah portray the Jews with birds' heads? If you are looking for some unique aspects of the history of the seder to enliven your own experience this year, this talk is for you. 

Special session for Makom parents and others: Making Every Moment Educational

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 from 5:15 to 6:15 PM

From its very inception, the seder was viewed as an opportunity to teach children about the central event in Jewish history – the Exodus from Egypt. But how did this come to be? And what does it mean as far as what we do at the seder? In this shiur led by Dr. Joshua Kulp, parents will learn about the history of the seder to help them pass on the meaning of this meal to the next generation.