Adult Education

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 in 2025-2026. We also invite you to learn more about our resources in the Rabbi Richard B. Safran Library. 

Classes are offered on Zoom and/or in person. Links are sent to members of our extended Temple family by email. Please contact the Temple office for access information at office@templecav.org or (260) 744-4245.

Beit Midrash With Rabbi Meir and Guest Teachers

Beit Midrash translates to “House of Study,” and describes the institution of classical Jewish learning.  Join Rabbi Meir Bargeron or guest teachers to learn about a variety of topics. 

First session: Wednesday, November 12 at 7 pm on Zoom

Learning Cafe: 

Pirkei Avot for the 21st Century – Being Human Today
Wednesday, September 3 at 12:00 PM | In person at the Temple and on Zoom

Join us for a timely and thought-provoking session of Learning Cafe as we explore ancient wisdom for modern times. Rabbi Meir will lead a deep dive into teachings from the classic text of Jewish ethics, reflecting on what it means to live with integrity, compassion, and purpose in today’s complex world.

Whether you’re new to Pirkei Avot or a longtime student, this conversation will offer fresh insights and meaningful dialogue. Bring your lunch, your questions, and your curiosity.

Learning Café is designed to nourish both the mind and the soul. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of Judaism or simply eager to engage in thoughtful conversation, this program is for you. We meet in the Madge Rothschild Resource Center from 12 to 1 p.m. Virtual participation is available on Zoom.

Next session: Wednesday, November 5 from noon to 1 p.m. Topic TBA

Beginning Adult Hebrew on Mondays from 7:15 to 8:30 pm on Zoom, beginning January 5, 2026.

Taught by Barbara Silverman, with details to come.

Hot Topics Shabbat

The Temple’s Social Action Committee hosts occasional programs on Friday evenings highlighting important social justice topics.

Temple Book Club 2025-2026

We’ll read two highly-acclaimed books and meet with their authors through the Jewish Book Council’s LiveChat program.

On Tuesday, November 11 at 7 p.m., we’ll discuss We Would Never, a novel by Tova Mirvis. A murder mystery centered around a separation and custody battle, Hadassah Magazine called this novel, “More than a whodunnit, Mirvis’s characters are multidimensional, wrestling with doubts and guilt, not just about murder, but also about a lifetime of questionable choices.”

On Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m., we’ll discuss The Last Dekrepitzer, with author, Howard Langer. A winner of the National Jewish Book Award, the novel tells the story of the Dekrepitzer Rebbe, a fiddler who survived the war, tracing his journey from the mountains of Southern Poland to the Columbus Circle subway station in New York City.  From Marc Katz in the Jewish Book Council Review, “The Last Dekrepitzer is a novel that will surprise readers with its depth and introduce them to one of the more unique characters to appear on the contemporary Jewish literary scene.”

Both authors will join us virtually to discuss their work, thanks to the arrangements of the Jewish Book Council. The titles are available in the Rabbi Richard B. Safran Library. Zoom links will be included in the Temple’s weekly emails.