The mission and purpose of Lifelong Learning is to 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, scroll down or check:
- The VIEW, our annual guide to Shomrei Torah programs
- The Voice, our monthly newsletter
- The CST Calendar
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.
LEHRHAUS TALMUD CIRCLE
Tractate Ta’anit–Acts of God: Religious Responses to Natural Disasters
Sundays: October 7, November 11, December 2, January 6
3:00-5:00PM
$80 for the class
Rabbinic tales of drought, disaster, and charismatic holy men illuminate critical questions about power, ethics, and ecology in Jewish late antiquity. Through a reading of the Babylonian Talmud tractate Ta’anit (on fasts in response to drought) we will discuss how the Talmud challenges Deuteronomy’s claim that virtue can assure abundance and that misfortune is an unambiguous sign of divine rebuke.
Students must also purchase the Koren Talmud Bavli Noé, Vol.12: Ta’anit/Megilla, Hebrew/English. To register, please visit https://catalog.lehrhaus.org/course/2018/fall/TC850-ST/
INTRO TO PRAYER BOOK HEBREW AND JEWISH LITURGY
Rabbi Meredith Cahn
3:30pm - 5:00pm
Are you tired of relying on transliteration in the service? Interested in dipping your toes in Hebrew, Lashon Hakodesh (the holy language)? Join Rabbi Meredith Cahn and sister/brother congregants in an engaging class that will take us through half the alphabet—the most commonly used letters - to start you on the way. All are welcome. This class is a prerequisite if you are considering an Adult B’nai Mitzvah.
Rabbi Meredith Cahn interned with CST in 2009-2011 and now works primarily as a chaplain at Kaiser Santa Rosa and at St. Paul’s Towers, a retirement community in Oakland. She served as rabbi of North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation, and at J School for B’nai Israel and Ner Shalom. Rabbi Cahn received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Public Health from UC Berkeley and a Master of Rabbinic Studies and ordination from the Academy of Jewish Religion California, a transdenominational seminary. $180.00 for the 9-week course, please RSVP to the office, [email protected] or (707)578-5519.
Literary Circle
Thursdays: October 18, November 15, December 20
6:15–8:00PM (Free)
A group has formed to read Jewish literature and other published material in an atmosphere of stimulating discussion. Participants will choose the reading selections. All are welcome, please RSVP to the office.
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION - BUDDHIST PRACTICE, JEWISH WISDOM
Led by Rabbi George Gittleman
Four Wednesdays: November 7, 14, 28, December 5
7:00PM-8:30PM
Mindfulness Meditation is the practice of cultivating our attention on the present moment; body sensations, mood, and the never ending stream of thought that flows through our minds. Through focused attention – meditation – we become more aware of what is true for us and the degree to which our thoughts, habits and life patterns serve our goals and higher aspirations. Are we happy? Are we living the life we want to live?
As we learn to see our truth more clearly a path opens to living a fuller, happier, healthier life. Jewish Mindfulness adds the teachings of our tradition to compliment and deepen the experience.
This 4 session course will include teaching, meditation instruction and periods of silence. No previous experience is necessary. All are welcome. $36 for the four-week class, please RSVP to (707)578-5519 or [email protected].
Led by Ronnie Campagna
Wednesday, December 12
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Rugelach, an addictive Jewish pastry, is easy to find in Jewish bakeries in New York, Los Angeles and all over Israel, but it’s almost impossible to buy in Sonoma County. In this first in a series of Jewish cooking and baking events, participants will learn about the history and varieties of rugelach while creating this sweet treat from start to finish (in two hours!!).
Attendance limited. RSVP to Ronnie Campagna at [email protected].