Center for Adult Jewish Learning

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The Center for Adult Jewish Learning at Temple Israel of Boston is a hub for intellectual discovery, cultural exploration, and personal revelation for the Greater Boston Jewish community. Whether you are learning about Judaism for the first time, embarking on a new stage in your Jewish life, or a life-long learner looking to connect with local scholars, there is something for you. Join through a wide variety of classes, community events, and travel. Everyone is welcome here.

Classes

Learn and connect in small, multi-session classes facilitated by experienced educators and field experts. Open to all, our classes are designed to be accessible at any stage of your Jewish learning. We offer both short-term and ongoing classes, with weekday, evening, and weekend options available.


Classes cover a broad range of topics, based on 6 categories of learning:

  • History
  • Justice, Politics, and Contemporary Issues
  • Bible, Rabbinics, and Philosophy
  • Arts and Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Jewish Living

Classes Starting Soon


The TI Yeshiva: Learn to Read the Talmud with Rabbi Suzie Jacobson

Date

March 19, 2024

Time

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EDT

Debate with the rabbis and consider new perspectives on aspects of Jewish law with the Babylonian Talmud in this weekly online class led by Rabbi Suz...

Purim 101

Date

March 19, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

What is a megillah? Why do we wear costumes? Who was Haman? What exactly IS Purim? Join us on March 19th at 7:00 p.m. as we dive in to the texts and ...

Learn to Read Hebrew: Spring 2024

Date

March 19, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Learn to Read Hebrew: Level 1 This onsite, beginner-level class is designed for anyone wanting to learn or review the Hebrew alphabet an...

Introduction to Judaism: Spring 2024

Date

March 21, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Introduction to Judaism is an engaging multi-session course for anyone interested in exploring Jewish life through a Reform lens. Over the course of...

The TI Yeshiva: Learn to Read the Talmud with Rabbi Suzie Jacobson

Date

March 26, 2024

Time

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EDT

Debate with the rabbis and consider new perspectives on aspects of Jewish law with the Babylonian Talmud in this weekly online class led by Rabbi Suz...

Learn to Read Hebrew: Spring 2024

Date

March 26, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Learn to Read Hebrew: Level 1 This onsite, beginner-level class is designed for anyone wanting to learn or review the Hebrew alphabet an...

Introduction to Judaism: Spring 2024

Date

March 28, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Introduction to Judaism is an engaging multi-session course for anyone interested in exploring Jewish life through a Reform lens. Over the course of...

Radical Judaisms: Paths Not Taken

Date

March 31, 2024

Time

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM EDT

A Kabbalistic Communist, an Orthodox anarchist, a Chabad pacifist — these are some of the characters we’ll meet in “Radical Judaisms: Paths ...

The TI Yeshiva: Learn to Read the Talmud with Rabbi Suzie Jacobson

Date

April 2, 2024

Time

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EDT

Debate with the rabbis and consider new perspectives on aspects of Jewish law with the Babylonian Talmud in this weekly online class led by Rabbi Suz...

A Taste of Judaism: April 2024

Date

April 2, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Explore traditional and modern Jewish sources in an accessible setting. Join us and discuss the ways Judaism can resonate in our daily lives.  A Ta...

Learn to Read Hebrew: Spring 2024

Date

April 2, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Learn to Read Hebrew: Level 1 This onsite, beginner-level class is designed for anyone wanting to learn or review the Hebrew alphabet an...

Modern Midrash: The Book of Jonah and the Stories that Accompany Him with Rabbi Elaine Zecher

Date

April 4, 2024

Time

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT

The Biblical character of Jonah has caught our imagination for centuries.  Not only is he the only successful prophet--he tells Nineveh to repent an...

Introduction to Judaism: Spring 2024

Date

April 4, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Introduction to Judaism is an engaging multi-session course for anyone interested in exploring Jewish life through a Reform lens. Over the course of...

Passover 101

Date

April 8, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

Pesach (Passover) is when we gather together at the seder table to tell the Exodus story and celebrate liberation in the face of tyranny.  But what d...

The TI Yeshiva: Learn to Read the Talmud with Rabbi Suzie Jacobson

Date

April 9, 2024

Time

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EDT

Debate with the rabbis and consider new perspectives on aspects of Jewish law with the Babylonian Talmud in this weekly online class led by Rabbi Suz...

A Taste of Judaism: April 2024

Date

April 9, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Explore traditional and modern Jewish sources in an accessible setting. Join us and discuss the ways Judaism can resonate in our daily lives.  A Ta...

Learn to Read Hebrew: Spring 2024

Date

April 9, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Learn to Read Hebrew: Level 1 This onsite, beginner-level class is designed for anyone wanting to learn or review the Hebrew alphabet an...

Introduction to Judaism: Spring 2024

Date

April 11, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Introduction to Judaism is an engaging multi-session course for anyone interested in exploring Jewish life through a Reform lens. Over the course of...

The TI Yeshiva: Learn to Read the Talmud with Rabbi Suzie Jacobson

Date

April 16, 2024

Time

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EDT

Debate with the rabbis and consider new perspectives on aspects of Jewish law with the Babylonian Talmud in this weekly online class led by Rabbi Suz...

A Taste of Judaism: April 2024

Date

April 16, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Explore traditional and modern Jewish sources in an accessible setting. Join us and discuss the ways Judaism can resonate in our daily lives.  A Ta...

Community Events

Gather together to hear from renowned authors, activists, artists, clergy, and more as they share their stories, ask big questions, and guide us to find deeper meaning, understand our shared history, and incubate ideas for a new generation. All community events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

Upcoming Community Events


Eilu v'Eilu

Date

April 1, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Join us on Monday, April 1st at 7:00 p.m. onsite or online for a debate between former Bush administration official Dr. Tevi Troy and Rabbi Davi...

TILLI Spring 2024 Lunch and Learn Lecture Series: Nicole Monahan

Date

April 4, 2024

Time

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM EDT

Join TILLI (Temple Israel Lifelong Learning Institute) for our Spring 2024 Semester Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. Listen and ask questions to exper...

Nanilo with special guests Zunroyz Trio: An Evening of Yiddish Song and Klezmer Music

Date

April 4, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Nanilo is a Minneapolis-based vocal duo singing 2-voice arrangements of Yiddish and Ladino folksongs. Vocalists and composers Sarah Larsson and Sarin...

Qabbalat Shabbat with Guest Scholar Dr. Howard Smith

Date

April 5, 2024

Time

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EDT

Gather with us onsite or online for Qabbalat Shabbat. All are welcome to join this service full of prayer, meditation, and music! We welcome guest s...

Aliens!? The Truth is We are Alone in the Universe with Guest Scholar Dr. Howard Smith

Date

April 7, 2024

Time

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM EDT

Gather with us onsite or online on Sunday, April 7 at 10:00 a.m. for a multimedia presentation with Guest Scholar Dr. Howard Smith. Dr. Smith will di...

TILLI Spring 2024 Lunch and Learn Lecture Series: Ellen Fishman

Date

April 11, 2024

Time

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM EDT

Join TILLI (Temple Israel Lifelong Learning Institute) for our Spring 2024 Semester Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. Listen and ask questions to exper...

TILLI Spring 2024 Lunch and Learn Lecture Series: Lisa Davis

Date

April 18, 2024

Time

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM EDT

Join TILLI (Temple Israel Lifelong Learning Institute) for our Spring 2024 Semester Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. Listen and ask questions to exper...

Second Night Passover Seder: An Immersive Experience

Date

April 23, 2024

Time

6:30 PM - 10:00 PM EDT

The Passover seder is an annual tradition that retells the inspiring story of the Jewish people on their journey from slavery to liberation and is fi...

TILLI Spring 2024 Lunch and Learn Lecture Series: Joshua Rubenstein

Date

April 25, 2024

Time

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM EDT

Join TILLI (Temple Israel Lifelong Learning Institute) for our Spring 2024 Semester Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. Listen and ask questions to exper...

Nora's Will Film Screening

Date

April 28, 2024

Time

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT

Nora's Will Directed by Mariana Chenillo Mexico Released: 2010 Spanish 90 minutes Nora's Will is a comedy like nothing you've seen before, ...

TILLI Spring 2024 Lunch and Learn Lecture Series: Ann Bookman

Date

May 2, 2024

Time

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM EDT

Join TILLI (Temple Israel Lifelong Learning Institute) for our Spring 2024 Semester Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. Listen and ask questions to exper...

TILLI Spring 2024 Lunch and Learn Lecture Series: Closing Lunch

Date

May 9, 2024

Time

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM EDT

Join TILLI (Temple Israel Lifelong Learning Institute) for our Spring 2024 Semester Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. For our closing lunch, we will ha...

5th Annual Tikkun Zoom Shavuot: 25 Hours of Online Learning

Date

June 11, 2024

Time

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EDT

Online learning sessions will start at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11th and run through 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12th. On Shavuot we go big, ...

Concert with New Moon Rising

Date

June 20, 2024

Time

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

We prepare for summer by welcoming back musical friends of Temple Israel. Elana Arian, Deborah Sacks Mintz, and Chava Mirel are New Moon Rising — ...

6th Annual Tikkun Zoom Shavuot: 25 Hours of Online Learning

Date

June 1, 2025

Time

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EDT

Online learning sessions will start at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11th and run through 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12th. On Shavuot we go big, ...

Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC)

The Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) seeks to engage Temple Israel members with Israel in all its challenges, conflicts and complexities from a progressive perspective.  In its organizing and educational activities, TIPIC aims to create safe spaces for Temple Israel members to explore and express perspectives on Israel/Palestine.  All are welcome to attend TIPIC-hosted gatherings, which include monthly meetings with a speaker, current events conversations, and our book group. Upcoming gatherings are posted here and in Chailights. 

Resources

  • The Israel Study Guide is carefully curated with links to many subjects, organizations, and web pages, organized by topics that deal with the historic and modern day State of Israel.
  • The TIPIC Monthly Digest is a compilation of pertinent news and opinion articles which appeared in various publications during the previous month.  Send your email address to Jaime Merrill to receive the Digest.

Upcoming TIPIC Gatherings


Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) Current Events Conversation

Date

March 26, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Please join the Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) on March 26th, at 7:00 pm for our next open conversation about what is happening in I...

Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) Book Group

Date

April 2, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Join us onsite or online on Tuesday, April 2nd, 7:00 pm—8:30 pm for the Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus Book Group. Please register to r...

Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus Meeting (TIPIC)

Date

April 4, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Join us for this upcoming meeting of the Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) on Thursday, April 4, from 7:00—8:30 p.m. TIPIC continues ...

Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) Current Events Conversation

Date

April 30, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Please join the Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) on April 30th, at 7:00 pm for our next open conversation about what is happening in I...

Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus Meeting (TIPIC)

Date

May 2, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Join us for this upcoming meeting of the Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) on Thursday, May 2, from 7:00—8:30 p.m. TIPIC continues t...

Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) Current Events Conversation

Date

May 28, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Please join the Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) on May 28th, at 7:00 pm for our next open conversation about what is happening in Isr...

Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus Meeting (TIPIC)

Date

June 13, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Join us for this upcoming meeting of the Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) on Thursday, June 13, from 7:00—8:30 p.m. TIPIC continues...

Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) Current Events Conversation

Date

June 25, 2024

Time

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EDT

Please join the Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) on June 25th, at 7:00 pm for our next open conversation about what is happening in Is...

Travel

Explore new places and build relationships through meaningful travel experiences, both near and far. Our education-focused trips are led by Temple Israel clergy and local experts, providing historical and cultural context as we connect with the broader Jewish world.

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Is your organization interested in partnering on an event?  Do you have an idea for a new class? Are you a new learner, unsure where to start? Email Rabbi Suzie Jacobson to learn more.