Archive of completed AdultEd programs from the current year and previous tears.

Current Adult Ed Programming

Judaism from the Outside In and the Inside Out

Wednesdays 8:00 - 9:00 PM beginning February 21

A course that explores Judaism from it's origins in the Ancient Near East, the beginnings of the People of Israel, and the creation of the Biblical canon that would sustain the Jewish people for over three millennia. Then takes the opposite tack and moves to the Hasidic world of Eastern Europe, and immerses the student in the Torah teachings of the great masters whose flame almost went out in the Shoah but begins to stir again in our era through a modern "neo-Hasidic" lens.

Along the way, students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the worship service, the history of the Jewish people, and most importantly the never ending encounter and interpretation of Torah that illuminates the brightest and darkest days of our history.

Texts will include:

Part of our

visiting Shabbat Scholar Weekend with

Joel Lurie Grishaver

The Kabbalah of Self.

Saturday, March 31, 2007
5:30 - 7:30pm - Covenant Hall
Adult Education Program - Open to the public.
Free to BJC members. Suggested Donation of $18 for non-members.

Through reading and unpacking primary mystical texts (Sefer Yetzirah, Zohar, Rabbi Nachman, etc.) participants will gain insight into how Kabbalah is both a process of coming close to God and a process of self-actualization. Followed by Havdallah Service and a nosh of light refreshments.

About Joel Grishaver:

Joel is a co-owner of Torah Aura Productions and the Alef Design Group. He is a writer, a teacher, a cartoonist and a storyteller. He has authored or co-authored more than sixty books including Shema is For Real and Forty Things You Can Do to Save the Jewish People. He co-edits several weekly publications including Learn Torah With…, the Torah Aura Bulletin Board, and C. Ha (pronounced "seekha"-Hebrew for conversation,) for which BJC's own Mr. D. is co-editor.)

Joel has degrees from Boston University and the University of Chicago. He has pursued graduate studies at the Hebrew Union College and the University of Southern California. His real education comes from working with Jewish day camps, summer camps, children's museums and youth groups; and from teaching in Hebrew schools, day schools, Hebrew high schools, and graduate schools. He is a founding board member of the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, a consultant to the Whizin Institute for Jewish Family Life, and a faculty member of the Department of Continuing Education of the University of Judaism. More than twenty weekends a year, Joel teaches Jewish learners of all ages as a Scholar-in-Residence in communities all over North America and Europe.

In 1998, Joel was awarded the Covenant Award for outstanding contributions to Jewish education. He is known to answer his e-mail from both his office in Los Angeles and from his laptop anywhere in the rest of the world

JOINT STUDY with Hazzan Schnitzer & Rev. Susan Adrews

The Book of Ssaiah

Wednesday, May 3rd and 10th,  7:30 P.M. 

Open Book Discussion Series

Third Wednesday of the Month at 8:00pm

Location: Library

Please call Ruth Rosenberg 703-560-9525 or Sandi Medlin 301-493-9386 for more information.

Modern Perspectives in Ancient and Medieval Jewish Literature with Ed Stern

Saturdays for 2006: Jan 7, Feb 11, March 11, April 8, May 13
9:00 A.M. - Location: Lounge (please check when you arrive as the location sometimes changes.)
(Dates Subject to change)

Ed Stern continues his always fascinating series of explorations of old texts with a new slant for today. Come read aloud and discuss (translations of) classic philosophical and ethical writings. It is sometimes difficult, but always, fascinating material. You don't have to be afraid of reading Talmud, Maimonides and other Jewish greats. For more information please call Ed Stern at 301-530-6379 or email EdStern@erols.com

What are the basics for Jewish literacy? What are the practices for Shabbat and the holidays at home? What are Jewish funeral and wedding practices? Where did they come from? What is the meaning and intent of the prayers for Shabbat, the holidays, and festivals? Who were the giants of Jewish philosophy and scholarship? What did they teach? How, do you make tsimmes?

Learn the answers to these questions and much, much more.

In response to popular demand, Hazzan Schnitzer will offer a course in basic Jewish practices for 11 weeks beginning on Wednesday November 2nd at 8:00 P.M.

Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30; Dec. 7, 14, 21; Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25

Wednesdays, February 1, 8, May 24, 31 (note changes) – 8:00 P.M.

According to the Washington Post, recent polls shows that 40-50 percent of Americans believe that some form of Divine hand or “intelligent design” is responsible for life on earth as we know it today, and that 66 percent believe that evolution and alternate ideas like intelligent design should be taught together in schools. Almost 40 percent of Americans favor the teaching of creationism over evolution. (A survey of older polls shows that the percentages have remained constant on this issue for decades.) What is the Jewish take on creation, evolution, intelligent design, etc.? As usual, it’s all over the map. Come join Adrian and explore the history and evolution of the creation story from its roots in ancient near-eastern stories, the Jewish formulations in Torah and Talmud, and Judaism’s responses in the modern age. Though structured as a series of four study sessions, each class will stand on its own, so feel free to attend all or any of them.

BJC Members Free Non Members $65 series or $18 per session

Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m

Adult Education—Preparing your Heart for the High Holidays

BJC ADULT EDUCATION OFFERINGS FOR 5765

Saturdays, Sept. 18, Oct. 23, Nov. 20, Dec. 18  9:00 A.M.
New: Jan. 22, Feb. 12, Mar. 19, Apr. 16, May 21. 9:00 A.M.
Old texts with a new slant for today. Come read aloud and discuss (translations of) classic philosophical and ethical writings. It is sometimes difficult, but always, fascinating material. You don't have to be afraid of reading Talmud, Maimonides and other Jewish greats. For more information please call Ed Stern at 301-530-6379 or email EdStern@erols.com.

Expanded to 3 sessions
Rescheduled for Wednesdays Feb. 2, 9, 23 8:00 P.M.

Central to the Jewish mystics understanding of how the world works is the concept of the Sephirot. The Tree of Life has ten "Divine Emanations" that represent the Divine Essence as it becomes manifest in the world. In the Zohar it is written:"God is unified oneness... Down to the last link, everything is linked with everything else; so divine essence is below as well as above, in heaven and on earth." To the kabbalist, we are truly made "in God's image", and the Tree of Life is a map of us as much as it is a map of God.  

Please note changes in schedule

Rabbi Shefa Gold is a leader in ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. Rabbi Gold composes and performs spiritual music, has produced nine albums, and her liturgies have been published in several new prayerbooks. She teaches workshops and retreats on the theory and art of Chanting, Devotional Healing, Spiritual Community Building and Meditation. She combines her grounding in Judaism with a background in Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Native American spiritual traditions to make her uniquely qualified as a spiritual bridge celebrating the shared path of devotion.

Saturday 10:00 AM Shabbat Morning Services at BJC

Saturday 11:45 -4:00PM
Lunch and Learn Chant Workshop: The Exodus Process with Rabbi Shefa Gold 
cost $15.00
Pre-Payment and Reservations required

office@bethesdajewish.com 301-469-8636 menu option 1

"The Exodus Process"

The exodus as a model for our Journey... The Book of Exodus contains the secrets to our liberation. As we examine our personal journeys, we can use the map of Exodus to understand the stages we must move through on our spiritual paths.

Exodus takes us through 5 stages: Awareness of enslavement Crossing the Sea, (taking the leap of Faith) Wandering in the Wilderness, (entering upon the path of purification) Receiving Revelation, (Opening ourselves to transformation) Building the Mishkan, (Making our lives into a place where the Presence of God can dwell)

Wednesday March 23, 2005 at 8:00pm

Join Adrian Durlester on a musical tour of popular songs by American Jewish songwriters, from John Isaac's Home Sweet Home to the present day, stopping by Tin Pan Alley, the Big Band era, Rock and Roll, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Rock, Television, Film and more. You'll find many of the tunes familiar, so sing along or just listen to Adrian's piano stylings. You'll be amazed at how many times you'll think, "He/she was Jewish?" This session will go far beyond the little taste from last year’s Jews in the Arts course.

Wednesday April 6 & 13 8:00 PM

As we celebrate the 350^th year of Jews in (North) America, it is a good time to examine the unique Judaism that has developed and flourished as a result of the interaction of Jewish and American cultures, ethics and values. Come and explore the richness and diversity that is American Judaism, and consider what it may yet become.

Saturday, June 18, 2005 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 1 7:30 PM

Peter Pitzele invites participants to get into other people’s shoes -- specifically those of Abraham, Ruth, and Moses. Gain new insight into the text as well as yourself as we role play our way through the Torah. No theatrical experience is necessary or even desirable. You’ll never read the Torah the same way again.

FREE to BJC Members    Non Members $25.00

Wednesday, November 3 & 10  8:00 P.M.

The last decade has seen an explosion in contemporary Jewish music. You’re already hearing some of it here at BJC services. However, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Come listen to and learn about all the great new music that has been and is  being written, performed, and sung in synagogues, schools, camps and more. Come hear what you’re missing by not having some of these artists’ recordings in your collection.

FREE to BJC Members    Non Members $18.00