Adult Education

Experience our community of learners for yourself.

Our Adult Education Program is driven by our congregants' own interests and is integrated into the context of their lives. Classes offer engaging possibilities to meet new people, exchange ideas and embrace Jewish ideas and history, ritual and culture. Our faculty consists of our clergy, experienced teachers and lay people from Beth Emet and the larger Jewish community. Offerings range from one time events to year-long classes.

To view our Spring 5773 Adult Education Brochure, click here. If you have any questions or would like to register by phone, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at ext. 308.

Members may register on line by going to Members Login. After completing the log in process, you will see “Register for Adult Ed Classes” on the left side of the page. Be sure to select the person from your family whom you are registering, click “Registration”, and then click ” Add.” At this point, click for a drop down menu of all our classes. You may repeat this process (go back to “Register for Adult Ed Classes” on the left side) to register for more than one class. 

Upcoming classes in May:

Religious Art in Antiquity
Humor and Comedy in Rabbinic Literature
The Music of Psalms
Current Politics

"Religious Art in Antiquity" with Tamar Selch
Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. (Art Institute) and Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. (Beth Emet)
When we walk into Beth Emet we notice the different works of art in the building, especially those in the Sanctuary. What was the place of religious art in the ancient world? We will begin our exploration at the Art Institute of Chicago, in the new galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art, as well as the current exhibit of Late Roman and Early Byzantine Treasures from the British Museum. This session will be followed by a discussion session in the classroom focusing on Jewish Art. Students are responsible for their transportation to the Art Institute as well as entrance fees.

"Humor and Comedy in Rabbinic Literature" with Timothy DeBold
Fridays, May 17 & 31 at 10:45 a.m. 
Rabbinic literature contains many different ways of engaging with the sacred. Sometimes this engagement is serious, which is perhaps the type of discourse many people expect in such settings. But Rabbinic literature - and especially the Talmud - also engages with the sacred in jovial and comic ways. This course will explore humor and comic elements in Rabbinic texts and will look at how playful modes of discourse can be used to engage with the sacred in serious ways.

"The Music of Psalms" with Hyma Levin
Wednesdays, May 29, June 5, 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Psalms have touched many of us one time or another. They reside in familiar songs (Hinei Ma-tov, Psalm 133), our life cycle events (Psalm 23 at funerals), our liturgy (Hallel prayers, Psalms 113-118), and so much more. Psalms are quoted often in the New Testament. Psalms are intimate and communal, personal, and accessible for everyone. Join us as we explore, unpack, sing, question, and enjoy a variety of psalms.

"Current Politics" with Joyce Schrager
Monday, June 3 at 1:00 p.m.
An interactive discussion of contemporary events focusing on topics such as Election 2012, Israel and the larger Middle East, and the role of the U.S. in the world today.