Adult Learning
Compelling classes, thoughtful speakers and more - explore the best of Reform Judaism scholarship
From classes in the liturgy to those focused on applying Jewish values, adult learning opportunities at Temple Emanu-El create an inclusive list of opportunities that bring this segment of the congregation together. You can follow your interests, even if it’s just to join our temple book club, and experience community in a wholly unique way.
INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
Introduction to Judaism is a 16-week course open to anyone who is interested in learning more about Judaism. The course targets those who want to expand their current Jewish knowledge, build upon past experiences they’ve had as a Jew, or are entirely new to Judaism and considering conversion.
Completion of Introduction to Judaism is required as the first step for those considering conversion. Spouses or partners of those taking Introduction to Judaism who are interested in conversion are encouraged to take the class with their partners to gain a basic understanding of what it means to have a Jewish home or live as a Jewish family.
For more information on the Introduction to Judaism, click here.
LEARNING WITH OUR CLERGY
We love to learn with our clergy. There are several opportunities throughout the year, from ongoing classes like Talmud with Rabbi David Stern, to Chever Torah on Saturday mornings, Temple’s longest-running adult learning class.
ENDOWED LECTURES PROVIDE IN-DEPTH OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN WITH IMPORTANT SCHOLARS OF OUR TIME*
- Katherine F. Baum Lecture
- Candice and Robert Haas Visiting Scholar
- Rabbi David Lefkowitz Memorial Lecture
- Dolores and Walter Neustadt Lecture Series
- Henry D. Schlinger Ethics Syposium
*Watch Temple communications for opportunities as these events are scheduled throughout the year.
BOOK CLUBS
If you are interested in joining a Temple book club or starting one, contact Anjelica Ruiz, Director of Libraries and Archives, at aruiz@tedallas.org.
Speak ‘n’ Schmooze
Parents with children of all ages are invited to learn together as a community on a variety of different topics. From how to bring Judaism into your home, to tackling the tough conversations through a Jewish lens, this program will allow you to expand your knowledge as a parent.
For more information about parent education, contact Andrew Paull at apaull@tedallas.org
CINEMA EMANU-EL
Cinema Emanu-El is Temple’s long-running film series that occurs every summer. The films shown are meant to add to our enjoyment of Jewish life and understanding of Jewish culture and feature the opportunity for talk-backs with community members, clergy and other people who are relevant to the topic of the selected film.
For more information about these or other adult learning programs, please contact:
CZECH TORAH SCROLL
Temple is lucky to be the keeper of a Torah scroll that is identified as being from Klatovy in southwestern Czech Republic. It was among the more than 1,800 scrolls that were sent to the Central Jewish Museum in Prague, along with over 100,000 items of Judaica, following a letter sent by the Jewish curators with the agreement of the Nazis. After the war, the scrolls were transferred to a damp warehouse, which had been the 16th century Michle Synagogue. They were bought from the Czech government by Ralph Yablon in 1964 and sent to the Westminster Synagogue who set up the Memorial Scrolls Trust to repair and care for them. In 1976, the Confirmation Class of Temple Emanu-El and Rabbi Levi Olan made arrangements to take on the care and guardianship of the scroll. Our scroll is #726 and was written in 1880, according to the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust. It has distinctive curlicues and crowns in many of the letters that are known as a “kabbalistic font” believed to date back to the 17th century.
For more information on the Memorial Scrolls Trust, click here.