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1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe, IL 60022847.835.0724

Adult learning and gathering

Welcome to a rich offering of adult learning opportunities here at NSCI. Whether you are curious about a topic and have never come to a class, come to everything we offer, or somewhere in between, jump in for a one-time program or an ongoing course of study. From basics of prayer and Judaism to Talmud study to creating new ritual, to delving into deeper meanings of prayer to exploring questions of Jewish identity and faith, to chanting sacred text, we’ve got it—and so much more.

 

We offer learning in our NSCI building, out in the community, and on the road, too. We teach, welcome stellar visiting teachers, and proudly partner with wonderful community organizations. Come by yourself or bring a friend or a family member.  We can’t wait to learn with you!


Intro to Judaism

Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30 pm, January 17–May 29

 

Several Reform synagogues on the North Shore of Chicago are coming together to offer another year of Introduction to Judaism. Class will be held in person at BJBE in Deerfield, Am Shalom, and NSCI in Glencoe, Sukkat Shalom in Wilmette, and Jeremiah in Northfield, which both invites participants to experience a range of Reform Jewish communities on the North Shore and also builds close connections with all of our participating clergy. The class is grounded in the URJ's Introduction to Judaism curriculum, and together we will explore some of the essential pillars of Jewish life, including Jewish texts, beliefs and values, holidays and rituals, and history. Rabbi Lily Goldstein, Cantor Julie Staple, Rabbi Jacob Leizman, Rabbi Brian Immerman, Rabbi Ally Tick Brill, and Rabbi Rachel Heaps will share in instructing the course on a rotating basis. Reach out to Rabbi Leizman with any questions.

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Hebrew Classes: POSTPONED TILL FALL 2024

Hebrew in a Hurry (New Learners)

Led by Rabbi Shira H. Joseph

 

Finally ready to learn Hebrew? Here’s your chance! Study with an expert Hebrew teacher over Zoom. In four sessions, you can learn the Hebrew alphabet and begin to read Hebrew! Yalla! Let’s go!

 

Rabbi Shira H. Joseph was ordained by Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and holds an MA in Secondary Education with a specialty in special needs. She served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Massachusetts from 2003–2022 and is now the temple’s first emeritus.

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Hebrew Reading Like a Snail

Led by Rabbi Shira H. Joseph

 

Learn how to read prayers more fluently while learning basic vocabulary and prayer history. To participate, you might remember most of your Hebrew letters and vowels. We’ll start with V’ahavta and move to Kaddish.

 

Rabbi Shira H. Joseph was ordained by Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and holds an MA in Secondary Education with a specialty in special needs. She served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Massachusetts from 2003–2022 and is now the temple’s first emeritus.

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EARLY Judaism and the ROOTS OF ANTISEMITISM: Nachman Scholar 2024

Tuesdays, February 20, 27, March 5, and 12, 7:00 pm

Please note that the 2/20 class will be at NSCI and the remaining classes will take place via Zoom

Led by Dr. Malka Simkovich

 

Where did antisemitism start? This question is often asked, especially of late. We will study with a scholar of early Judaism and learn about the history of Jews in the Second Temple Era, their relationships with one another, and with other peoples in ancient Israel. We’ll learn about the Second Temple and Hellenistic eras, what the Greeks and Romans were saying about Jews, and how our Jewish forebears responded to anti-Jewish accusations.

 

Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich is the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies program at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is the author of The Making of Jewish Universalism: From Exile to Alexandria (2016) and Discovering Second Temple Literature: The Scriptures and Stories That Shaped Early Judaism (2018), which received the 2019 Association of Jewish Libraries Judaica Reference Honor Award. Simkovich speaks widely to audiences across North America and beyond on the topics of the Hebrew Bible, Jewish history, and contemporary Jewish-Christian relations. Her forthcoming book, Letters From Home: The Creation of Diaspora in Jewish Antiquity, will be published in June 2024.

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greatest Hits of the Talmud

Mondays, 1:00–2:00 pm, Feb. 12–May 20 (no class on 2/19, 3/25, 4/1, 4/22, and 4/29)

Led by Rabbi Wendi Geffen

 

Study a selection of the most well-known or important sugiyot (talmudic discussions) scattered throughout a variety of talmudic tractates. No experience necessary. Texts will be provided.

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"IN EVERY GENERATION": THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEDER AND US

Wednesday, 12:00–1:30 pm, April 3rd via Zoom

 

Learn with Israeli rabbi and scholar Dalia Marx in an exploration of lesser-known Passover texts that will give insight as we move toward Passover. Rabbi Dalia Marx is the author of the newly released From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar and is the lead editor of the Israeli Reform siddur, Tfillat HaAdam (2020). A tenth-generation Jerusalemite, she is the Aaron D. Panken Professor of Liturgy and Midrash at HUC–JIR’s Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem. She is active in promoting liberal Judaism in Israel.

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adult b’nei mitzvah: a life-changing journey

The current session of Adult B'nei Mitzvah has begun. Please reach out if you are interested in being added to the next group.

 

Adult B’nei Mitzvah is a journey of learning and community culminating in a group service led by our students who read Torah and share their thoughts. Class meets two hours/week on Monday nights during the school year, one hour of Hebrew and one of prayer, holiday, theology, and other topics. Adult B’nei Mitzvah draws students from varying backgrounds. Learn and explore your beliefsyou’ll read and study, and reflect on where you are and what you think. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know others in our community with whom you might never have met.  

 

Interested in learning more about it? Rabbi Greene is thrilled to speak with you! If you are interested, please contact Jennifer for more information.


For the recordings from past programs, click here. For learning resources, click here. To learn about the difference between a mitzvah and a Simcha, read here.

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784