Judaism Orlando | Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando | Ohev Shalom |

Congregation Ohev Shalom is proud to offer a variety of adult learning opportunities designed to bring life to your Judaism and meaning to your life. 

COVID-19 UPDATE

August 2020

During these uncertain and often difficult times, many of our congregants have found great comfort and a continued sense of community in meeting virtually to learn and pray together.

Classes listed on this page that are currently in session continue to meet online via Zoom video meetings. Watch for congregational e-mails with links to sign up for Zoom learning sessions.

FALL 2020/SPRING 2021 LEARNING EXPERIENCES

 ► Virtual Lunch and Learn: Zoom Torah

ZOOM LEARNING SESSIONS: Wednesdays at 12 p.m. (Link to join sent via e-mail)

Join Rabbi David Kay for a thought-provoking discussion of the Torah portion for the upcoming Shabbat. 

 ► Bible Stories You Thought You Knew

ZOOM LEARNING SESSIONS: Monday 9/14, 10/12, 7:15 p.m. (More dates TBA. Link to join sent via e-mail) 

This year (2020-2021), we will continue to answer the question, “What comes after Deuteronomy?” We have already completed our studies of the Books of Joshua and Judges. This year, we will dive into the two books of Samuel, which include many well-known stories, such as

* Elkanah, his wives Hannah and Peninnah, and the priest Eli

* The birth and dedication of Samuel

* The appointment of Saul as the first King of Israel

* The anointing of David as King of Israel

* David’s defeat of Goliath

* The friendship between David and Jonathan

* David’s seduction of Bathsheba

* Amnon’s rape of Tamar

As always, we will turn to the Sages for their insights on the meaning and purpose of these stories. Midrashic texts will play a major role in our exploration of these stories and their characters. No preparation is needed to attend this series of classes, and all are welcome to join us at any time—for one session or many!

Please be aware that our class discussions and materials are often “PG-13” rated due to the violence and sexual content of many of these stories.

 ► Discover Judaism

ZOOM LEARNING SESSIONS: A new season of classes begins September 2 at 7 p.m. Link to join sent via email. [Email the clergy assistant to express interest in the upcoming session.]

Strengthen your Jewish knowledge and spirituality or study for conversion in the Discover Judaism class. This 16-week course, taught by Rabbi David Kay, explores the essence of the Jewish faith from a progressive Conservative perspective. Learn about Jewish holidays, customs and rituals, sacred texts, dietary laws, and history in this fundamental course. A companion session of beginning Hebrew is taught by Akiva Anderson. 

 ► Friday Night Learning Series

[Select Friday evenings during Kabbalat Shabbat services] 

(Click to attend via LIVESTREAM)

This entertaining and thought-provoking program takes place most Friday evenings during the Kabbalat Shabbat service. The current topic is Sharing Our Stories. In lieu of a sermon, Rabbi David Kay will share stories from our people’s past and present. 

 ► Learning T'fillah (Jewish Prayer) 

[T.B.A.]

Join congregant Alan Rusonik for a journey into a deeper understanding of Jewish prayer. Learn about the purpose of each prayer, its history, its theology, and its choreography. Explore what makes Jewish prayer uniquely Jewish. There is something for everyone to be found in these engaging discussions about Jewish prayer. 

 ► Kugel Konnection

[An in-person class, to be offered if/when circumstances permit.]

Celebrate Rosh Chodesh (the new month on the Hebrew calendar) with food, learning, and Israeli dancing! We will prepare different styles of kugel—each themed to the new Jewish month. Ellen Zollman will guide participants in the preparation of a kugel and one other treat. While our goodies are cooking, we’ll learn about the new month in an informal discussion group with Lisa Sholk. Work off some of those calories with Israeli dancing, led by Amy Geboff. Cost: $10 for COS members, $18 for nonmembers.

SUMMER LEARNING EXPERIENCES

 ► People of the Book

Join us for a unique twist on the traditional book club. Each summer, we choose one book with a strong Jewish theme to read as a community, and we meet every other week for discussions led by Rabbi David Kay and Janet Friedman. Past books have included As a Driven Leaf, Rav Hisda's Daughter, The Jew in the Lotus, Who Wrote the Bible?, Sacred Trash, and Unorthodox: My Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots. 

PERIODIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES

These courses are offered at intervals. Upcoming sessions are announced in e-mails to congregants, on our home page, in our online calendar, and on this page.

 ► Adult B’nei Mitzvah

It is never too late to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah! This 18-month course of study will prepare you to celebrate your Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Ohev Shalom. The topics of study include Hebrew, Jewish texts, prayer, synagogue skills, and chanting of the Torah and Haftarah. [Email the clergy assistant to express interest in future sessions]

 ► Dr. Edward S. Ackerman Scholar in Residence

The Dr. Edward S. Ackerman Scholar in Residence Fund was established in his memory by his family to bring quality educational programs to Congregation Ohev Shalom and the community. This endowment enables COS to host visiting speakers who share their expertise on exciting topics. Stay tuned for information on upcoming speakers.

SPECIAL TOPICS

These one-time courses examine a single topic over several weeks. New courses are offered every few months.

 ► Stay tuned for announcements on upcoming special-topic courses.

  On the occasion of the congregation’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2018, the Rubinger Adult Learning Institute was named in honor of our esteemed Rabbi Emeritus Aaron D. Rubinger, whose passion for teaching Jewish theology, history, literature, and culture has engaged and inspired COS members since the beginning of his tenure in 1990—and continues today.