Beth Emet The Free Synagogue - Lifelong Learning You are here: Home | About Us

Lifelong Learning


Reflecting our philosophy that education is a lifelong process, Beth Emet offers programs for our youngest members through our most senior. Our goal is to encourage all members to share the joy of learning, and to empower each of us to become both teacher and learner.


Our Scholar-in-Residence program brings leaders in Jewish thought to Beth Emet for a weekend of intensive study each year. And our biennial Israel Kallah offers the opportunity for a week-plus of in-depth learning in Israel with leading scholars.


Our educational programs also include:


Early Childhood. By integrating Torah, Hebrew, Jewish values, traditions, and holiday observance, Beth Emet's early childhood programs lay the joyful foundation for building a positive Jewish identity. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Yong Children, program include Drop In, an unstructured play group for parents and children from newborn to age 3; parent-toddler classes; preschool classes that meet two, three, and five days a week; and a summer day camp for young children.


Religious School. Weekly Sunday morning classes for kindergarteners through eighth graders teach students about Jewish ritual, life cycle events, holidays and festival celebrations, worship, Israel, and history. Third through seventh graders meet two hours every Thursday for two hours of religious school and one hour of Hebrew instruction. Children whose families regularly attend Kahal Shabbat or Minyan services may enroll in Saturday morning Torah and Judaic study classes as an alternative to Sunday morning and/or weekday religious school.


Bar/Bat Mitzvah. At Beth Emet, becoming a bar or bat mitzvah at age 13 is a meaningful milestone. For our young people, it marks both the culmination of years of study and months of special preparation as well as signifies their willingness to begin accepting adult responsibility within the Jewish community. All b'nei mitzvah students are asked to perform one mitzvah in each of three categories: Torah study, prayer, and lovingkindness. Through Torah study, they explore new aspects of Jewish learning, through prayer they are exposed to new worship possibilities, and through deeds of lovingkindness they participate in community service projects which improve other people's lives. At the service in which they become b'nei mitzvah, they help lead the congregation in worship, chant the Torah blessings for the first time, chant from their Torah portion, chant the Haftarah, and share their interpretation of the text they have read through a d'var Torah.


Adult Education. Beth Emet offers a variety of stimulating classes for adults, taught by our clergy, Jewish professionals, and knowledgeable lay people. Reflecting the interests and needs of congregants, different courses ranging from Yiddish to Jewish yoga are offered every fall, winter, and spring. Talmud study is conducted on Friday mornings, and Rabbi Knobel leads text study on Sunday mornings. For adults who wish to become bar or bat mitzvah, Beth Emet offers a two-year course of study culminating in a wonderful group b'nei mitzvah ceremony.