Adult Learning

Learning Opportunities

Expand your Jewish knowledge and friendships by being part of our growing community of lifelong learners. Please check our calendar for more information on Adult Learning opportunities for 2017-2018. We also invite you to learn more about our collection in the Rabbi Richard B. Safran Library.

Talmud Class - A weekly Talmud Class on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. If the Bible is the cornerstone of Judaism, then Talmud is the central pillar. The Bible gives us Jewish concepts. The Talmud defines how to apply those concepts within any particular context. Join Rabbi Lenny when we discuss how the concepts in the Talmud apply today in Fort Wayne and are relevant in our personal lives. Check the calendar for dates and times. We also offer the class via TempleConnect for those who are not able to attend in person.

Weekly Torah Learning - During our Friday evening services, Rabbi Lenny reads from the Torah and offers insights into the weekly portion and wisdom of Judaism. Check the calendar for dates and times. Coming this year: A monthly Shabbat morning service and Torah learning.

Introduction to Judaism - This class is for non-affiliated individuals and interfaith couples interested in exploring Judaism, as well as for those considering becoming Jewish. Contact Rabbi Lenny at rabbi@TempleCAV.org or 260-744-4245 for more information.

Seven Species of Israel - During the year, we'll explore the seven species of plants grown in Israel - olives, grapes, pomegranates, barley, wheat, figs, and dates - without leaving northeast Indiana. We began in August learning through the Torah portion and sampling the species. Next up: Havdalah in the Vineyards on August 26. Save the date for Sunday, November 19 when we learn about barley with a beer tasting and tour of Chapman's Brewery in Angola. Find out more.

"Green" House Tour - Sunday, September 10. Temple members are invited to tour Green Oak Farm, the new LEED-certified home built by Temple members Janet & Andy Katz as part of their commitment to tikkun olam (saving the world) and the environment. Find out more.

Temple Book Club - Join us for our 2017-2018 Temple Book Club when we discuss a book and talk to the author through our video-conference system. Plan to join us on these Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Madge Rothschild Resource Center:

November 14 - From Every End of This Earth: 13 Families and the New Lives They Made in America by Steven V. Roberts. This is a timely look at immigration in this country.
February 6 - My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew by Abigail Pogrebin. This is the author’s personal story of her exploration and observance of a complete calendar of Jewish holidays.
May 8 - And After the Fire: A Novel by Lauren Belfer. Through her historical fiction, the author focuses on the fascinating connections between the Jewish community and several of the world’s famous composers.

Black History Month Program - Temple Member Wendy Soltz, executive director of the Indiana Jewish Historical Society, will offer a special program on Friday, February 23 on her research on Jewish connections to historically black colleges. Details to come.

Hot Topics Shabbat - Explore current events periodically throughout the year following an abbreviated Shabbat service. Check the calendar for dates and times.

Genealogy and the Holocaust

Temple member Irv Adler shared the latest information on his search through Holocaust records to find out more information about his grandmother and family during a recent adult education program at the Temple. Learn more.

He previously presented his story in November 2015 when the Temple was one of the sponsors of a special program on "Genealogy and the Holocaust." A list of research guides and record indexes was distributed that could be helpful in looking for information on Jewish ancestors.

Speakers included Robert M. Ehrenreich, Director of University Programs, and Elizabeth Anthony, International Tracing Service and Partnerships Program Manager, both from the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; and Curt Witcher, Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center Manager and Director of the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

Mah Jongg In The Madge Rothschild Resource Center

Some 30 people participated in our Mah Jongg Workshop to learn about the centuries-old Chinese game that has been a staple for years among Jewish-Americans. Participants watched the documentary film The Tiles That Bind, heard Gregg Swain, author of Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game, speak about the history of the connection between the Jewish community and the game, examined the artwork depicted on various mah jongg tiles, and learned the details of the card.

Now we're scheduling open play in the Temple’s new Madge Rothschild Resource Center. Please sign up. If you'd like to join our e-mail list to be notified about future mah jongg opportunities, please contact us at office@templecav.org.

10 Minutes of Torah

Jewish Books

Torah Portion