Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning is one of the three pillars of our Jewish Values. We are each encouraged to engage in spiritual and intellectual growth throughout our lives to bring us closer to God and to enrich our personal and Jewish lives.
Here at Agudas Achim we embrace this principle by providing access to a rich selection of classes.
We offer programming for various backgrounds and levels of education, from entry level through the deeply immersed, to address the needs of the broadest possible cross-section of our community. You are encouraged to explore the classes listed below and the many offerings on the events calendar of this website, and engage.
To register for any of our Fall or Spring offerings, please email Harriet Cohen at hcohen@agudasachim-va.org.
Ongoing | Fall 2022 | Spring 2023 | Specials
Classes 5782 (2021-2022)
Ongoing
Daf HaShavua – Weekly Talmud Study - Jewish civil law
Fridays | 9 - 10 a.m.
Teacher: Rabbi Steven Rein
Teacher: Rabbi Steven Rein
Where do we meet? Virtual only -- Connect with Zoom.
Long before there was an American legal system, our sages established a comprehensive tradition to adjudicate civil law. This class will study Massekhet Bava Kama - Tractate Bava Kama - to analyze the range of responsibility and compensation for damages caused to another’s body or property. (No prior Talmud study or legal background required. Text is in English.)
Parashat HaShavua - study of the weekly torah portion
Every Shabbat | 9 - 9:30 a.m.
Class begins October 22, 2022, with Parashat Bereishit
Teacher: Rabbi Steven Rein
Teacher: Rabbi Steven Rein
Where do we meet? In-person only
Participate in a lively discussion of the week’s Torah portion for half an hour before the start of Shabbat morning services. Newcomers always welcome!
Scriptural reasoning with virginia theological seminary
Thursdays | Monthly, beginning September 15 | 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Join the Virginia Theological Seminary for this interfaith study and discussion of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic sacred texts. Participants will meet once a month to read short passages from their respective scriptures on a certain topic and share various perspectives. The goal of these discussions is to help participants reflect on a curious list of topics with the Abrahamic tradition and develop a deeper understanding of these sacred texts whilst also forming strong bonds across faith communities.
Click on any of the following dates below to register for a session. All discussion sessions are held in person and virtually.
Fall 2022
Jewish Ritual: The Basics
Wednesdays | October 19, 2022 - March 29, 2023| 7-9 p.m.
Teacher: Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey
In this class focused on Jewish ritual, we will study the basics of daily and life cycle ritual through lecture, discussion, prayer, music, and more.
This is part of a three-year course that will culminate in an adult B’nai Mitzvah ceremony in the spring of 2025.
intro to judaism
Thursdays | October 27, 2022 - March 16, 2023 | 7-9 p.m.
Teacher: Pablo Zylberglait
Always been curious about Judaism? Never paid attention in Hebrew school? Thinking about (or is someone you love thinking about) officially joining the tribe?
Introduction to Judaism covers Judaism's biggest and most live-changing ideas, as well as the nuts-and-bolts of daily Jewish living. The class is geared towards towards both Jews and non-Jews who want to learn more about Judaism as a whole. Bring your questions and explore the wisdom, depth, and joy of Jewish living.
Hebrew with american jewish university
We are thrilled to partner with the American Jewish University (AJU) to offer immersive Hebrew language classes at all levels. Classes will meet virtually with an instructor from AJU. Classes will be offered in Prayer Book Hebrew and Modern Hebrew. Classes begin the week of October 23. Each class meets for 8 weeks and is two hours long. Cost: $292.
Click here for more information and to be put in touch with AJU.
foundations for a thoughtful judaism - peoplehood
Wednesdays | November 30, 2022 – February 8, 2023 | 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Teacher: Rabbi Steven Rein
An exploration of questions related to the collective experience of Jewish life: What does it mean to be part of Jewish community? How does one enter? What is the purpose of community? Moreover, what is the value proposition of the largest umbrella of Jewish community: Jewish peoplehood? To what extent can communities and even the Jewish People hold diversity and shared values at the same time? What does Jewish peoplehood entail today when the centers of Jewish life, North America and Israel, are so different and independent from one another?
Spring 2023
how to pray
Tuesdays | January 23, 2023 - February 27, 2023; no class on February 20 | 7 - 8:15 p.m.
Teacher: Rabbi Jack Moline
Prayer is the most common reason Jews gather together as Jews. Yes, especially in North America, most Jews are unfamiliar with how to pray. You are invited to this five-session course that seeks to explore the nature of Jewish prayer. This participatory, in-person class will teach students the finer details of Jewish prayer and how to practice it in both American synagogues and privately.
This course is free to attend, no prior knowledge of Hebrew is necessary. Space is limited. Interested individuals, please email novajewishcohort@gmail.com to register.
foundations for a thoughtful judaism - ethics
Thursdays | February 16, 2023 - June 8, 2023 | 7 - 8 p.m.
Teacher: Rabbi Steven Rein
A Jewish conversations about ethical questions that impact all of us: What do I owe my inner circle, and what do I owe to others? How do I maintain relationships with integrity when people wrong one another? How should I balance competing values when making decisions? What are the obligations of parents to children and vice versa?
Explore these questions, their potential answers, and more with Rabbi Steven Rein.
Special Offerings
Scholarstream 5783
Wednesdays | August 31, 2022 - May 10, 2023
The USCJ is once again offering its Scholarstream Lecture series for 5783. Registration is free for members of Agudas Achim; to receive the registration code, please contact Harriet Cohen at hcohen@agudasachim-va.org.
For more information on the available lectures and series schedule, please visit the Rabbinical Assembly's Scholarstream page.
Series 1 is titled "Elul: A Journey Towards Repentance."
haberman institute lectures
Agudas Achim and Beth El Hebrew Congregation are proud to partner with the Haberman Institute for the following spring programs.
Redemptive Hope and Fulfillment: Inspiration for Your Passover Seder
Monday, March 27 | 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Click here to register for the Zoom
Join Dr. David Arnow, author of Creating Lively Passover Seders, Choosing Hope: The Heritage of Judaism, online for this exploration of the Passover Haggadah and its depictions of the fulfillment of redemptive hope.
Truman and Israel: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of U.S. Support for Statehood in 1948
Tuesday, April 25 | 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Click here to register for the Zoom
Join Dr. Robert Watson, the Director of Project Civitas of Lynn University's College of Arts and Sciences, for this informative and engaging lecture on Harry Truman's actions during the early days of Israel. This talk, based on extensive research in the Truman archives and in-depth interviews with former Truman aides and Israeli officials, will explore the behind-the-scenes challenges faced by this unlikely champion of the new, fledgling state of Israel, his decisions, and his relationships.
Sat, June 3 2023 14 Sivan 5783
