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 Ashley Williams at execadmin@agudasachim-va.org.
Classes 5784 (2023-2024)
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 will resume 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!
Fall 2023
Jewish ritual: the Basics
Tuesdays | 8-9 p.m.
Class begins September 12, 2023 and runs until April 9, 2024
Teacher: Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey
Teacher: Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey
Where do we meet? In-person only at Agudas Achim
In this class focused on Jewish ritual, we still study the basics of ritual observed at the synagogue and in the home 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.
Kashrut: Why? What? How?
Thursdays |7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Class begins October 12, 2023 and runs to December 21, 2023
Teacher: Rabbi Steven Rein
Teacher: Rabbi Steven Rein
Where do we meet? In-person only at Agudas Achim
Not eating food in the same way as everyone else has been one of the central markers of Jewish identity for millennia. But many core questions about this practice of Kashrut remain open. Why do we keep Kosher in the first place? What is in our food and how do we know? What about how the food is prepared? Does it matter who prepared it? Who do we trust to prepare food that we can eat? How do we apply these ancient sources on what we can and can't eat in a modern world with abundant soap, dishwashers, and stainless steel?
These 10 sessions are a whirlwind tour through the theoretical and the practical, the whys, whats, and hows of keeping kosher in an overwhelmingly non-kosher world.
intro to judaism
Thursdays | October 12, 2023 - February 29, 2024 | 7 - 9 p.m.
Teacher: AAC Community Member
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 signup information and course descriptions.
Spring 2024
Mashgiach Training
Tuesdays | January 9, 16, and 23, 2024 | 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Teachers: Rabbi Steven Rein and AAC Kitchen Manager Diana Weil
Where do we meet? AAC Kitchen
Learn the ins and outs of the Agudas kitchen and be certified as an AAC Mashgiach. Training will take place in the Agudas kitchen and will be hands-on.
unlocking the prayerbook: Finding new meaning in our prayers
Thursdays | February 1, 2024 - April 4, 2024 | 7:00pm - 8:30p
Teacher: Rabbi Steven Rein
Where do we meet? In-person only at Agudas Achim
The prayerbook is comprised of many prayers composed over the years, ancient words that have been said by Jews across generations and communities. What do these prayers actually mean, and how can we relate to these words in a deeper way?
This class invites you to look anew at the prayerbook, to investigate the Shabbat and weekday prayers, with an eye toward personal meaning.
During the course, we will a) investigate primary sources (Biblical and rabbinic) that serve as background and inspiration for various prayers, b) form an interpretive methodology to read traditional Jewish prayers, and c) invest ancient prayers with more personal meaning.
Fri, September 22 2023 7 Tishrei 5784
