Lifelong Learning

The mission and purpose of the Lifelong Learning is to plan and implement educational programs. These programs offer educational opportunities for adult congregants of all age groups and all levels of Jewish learning. While program topics vary widely, they will include a connection to Judaism, Jewish life, or issues of importance to Jews.

For a list of recent and upcoming Lifelong Learning programs, see the current issue of The View, our annual guide to Shomrei Torah programs, or the most recent issue of The Voice, our monthly newsletter.

Torah Study

Torah study sessions are held every Shabbat morning at 8:45AM in our Kolbo Room.

All are welcome, of any age, including beginners to Torah study. Sessions are led by Rabbi George, Rabbi Kramer, and by lay leaders. This is the best opportunity for ongoing, in-depth discussion of Torah and related writings.

Please see our Calendar for dates.

 

Rabbi’s Tisch

On the second Friday of each month, join your CST family for a Rabbi’s Tisch (table) in lieu of regular Friday night Shabbat Services. All Tisches take place at 6:15 PM and include a brief service (including Mi’Shebeirach and Kaddish), communal dinner and a program as noted below. Reservations can be made through the CST office by calling (707)578-5519 or emailing [email protected].

 

December 8 Rabbi’s Tisch

“Postcards From the Road: A Lawyer Reports on the Quest For Justice Through Human Rights, Environmental, and Consumer Litigation”

Elizabeth Cabraser shares experiences and insights from the Holocaust Reparations Cases, Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon disasters, and the supremely bizarre Volkswagen “Clean Diesels” escapade to illustrate the key ( and sometimes unwitting or reluctant) role of America’s courts in fulfilling the divine injunction to pursue justice and mend the world.

For just under four decades, Elizabeth Cabraser has fought to advance and preserve justice in hundreds of complex consumer fraud, securities, personal injury, employment, environmental, and antitrust cases across America, including multi-state tobacco, Vioxx, Breast Implants, Fen-Phen, Exxon Valdez, BP Gulf Oil Spill, Toyota sudden acceleration, the Bank of New York Mellon FX transaction overcharges, and historic Holocaust litigation. Ms. Cabraser presently serves in court-appointed leadership positions in several of the nation’s highest profile civil cases, including the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” and Fiat Chrysler Ecodiesel emissions MDLs, the GM ignition switch defect MDL, and the Takata defective airbag litigation.

 

 

January 12 Rabbi’s Tisch

“Pitching for Team Israel and other Baseball stories”
From Little League in Santa Rosa to Stanford, the Kansas City Royals and Team Israel in the

World Baseball Classic, our very own, Gabe Cramer will tell his story of being Jewish and a professional baseball player including his experience pitching for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic last year.

Gabe Cramer was born in Santa Rosa to Paige Sobel and Corky Cramer. He and his family have

been members at Shomrei Torah for over 20 years. Gabe became Bar Mitzvah on November 17, 2007 and spent summers connecting with Judaism at Camp Newman until reaching high school when he began playing travel ball.

After graduating from Santa Rosa High School, Gabe attended Stanford University for three years where he was a member of the baseball team. After his junior season, he signed with the Kansas City Royals and began his professional career. In the fall of 2017 he returned to Stanford to school to finish his degree. In March of 2017 Gabe along with 27 other Jewish Ballplayers was selected to represent Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic in Seoul, South Korea.

 

February 9 - Solidarity Shabbat, no Rabbi’s Tisch

 

March 9 Rabbi’s Tisch

“Dreaming in Turtle: Reporting the News in my Backyard and around the World”
Because of their value, strange and marvelous turtles and tortoises are among the most trafficked and most endangered animals alive today – animals threatened by human greed, pragmatism, and rationalization. There is an existential threat to the world’s endangered turtle and tortoise populations, populations that serve as indicator species for our own human survival. From turtles to Trump’s wall on the Mexican border to the veracity of the label “organic” on our food, Peter Laufer brings stories of his global journalism back home to Sonoma County.
Peter Laufer is the James Wallace Chair Professor in Journalism at the School of Journalism and Communication and an award-winning author, broadcaster, documentarian, and journalist. He has written two dozen books including the recent Organic: A Journalist’s Quest to Discover the Truth behind Food Labeling and the upcoming Dreaming in Turtle. He reported, wrote, and produced several documentaries as an NBC News correspondent on topics ranging from the crises facing Vietnam War veterans to illiteracy and hunger in America, and he wrote a study of Americans incarcerated overseas that won the George Polk Award.
April 13 Rabbi’s Tisch
“Fear and Courage Among Scapegoats: My Experience with Immigrants in the Era of Threats of Mass Deportations”
Rick Cosnear is an immigration lawyer in Santa Rosa and one of the founders of the non-profit “VIDAS” (Vital Immigrant Defense Advocacy and Services). VIDAS is a grassroots self-defense organization of, by and for the immigrant community. Before VIDAS, Rick worked in private practice for ten years, and, before that, as a physician assistant in an immigrant medical clinic in Healdsburg for a dozen years. He has fought for a Sonoma County of refuge for immigrants since 1985, when he and his wife, Kim, moved here, in the midst of the Sanctuary Movement.

Lifelong Learning Classes

 

On the doorposts of your house – Learn about and buy your own mezuzah

Postponed - new date coming soon

A mezuzah is a basic element of Jewish identity and central to the creation of a Jewish home. In this one session class we will explore the background and meaning of having a mezuzah on the doorposts of your home. Besides learning about the mitzvah of hanging a mezuzah, there will also be the opportunity to buy mezuzot (the plural form of mezuzah). At the end of the class, we will pick a time to have a progressive mezuzah-hanging party! Open to all members and all levels of Jewish knowledge and background.

 

 

50 Shades of Talmud

Postponed - new date coming soon

What the first rabbis had to say about you-know-what. (A taste of sex in the Talmud and in Jewish Tradition) Inspired by Maggie Anton’s book, in this class, perfect for beginners, we will explore some of the more racy sections of Talmud. Come ready to learn and laugh!

Mikvah Field Trip to San Francisco

Postponed - new date coming soon

Have you ever wondered about the mysterious ritual of immersing in a Mikvah, ritual bath, but you didn’t want to get wet? Join Rabbi Kramer in touring and learning about Jewish Mikvaot (plural for Mikvah), discover the history, ritual, and spiritual practice throughout the centuries. This field trip is for anyone wanting to see a mikvah and learn about its uses. No previous knowledge required, Men and women are welcome! RSVP to Denise and we will try to help coordinate carpools.

 

 

 

Foundations - Readings from Heschel’s “The Prophets,” Maimonides and Hasidism

December 6, 7 - 7:00-830pm

This class is part 1 of a 3 part series offered by Lehrhaus focused on the philosophy of the late, great, Jewish thinker, Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Social Justice work. Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Pruzan will draw on Heschel’s writings about the Prophets and other key texts. While this class is designed for students with some Jewish background, all are welcome. Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan is the Chief Program Officer and a Senior Educator at Lehrhaus Judaica.

 

 

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