Beth Am Calendar

Fall classes with the Rabbis are back! Join them and fellow Beth Am-ers for a season of thought-provoking study and robust discussion. Non-members of Beth Am are welcome!


Beginning Thursday, November 7th, classes will meet on the following dates: Nov. 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12, 19
REGISTER HERE

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Great Jewish Debates with Rav Daniel 

We live in a time of heightened polarization and political animus. Zero-sum thinking is pervasive. Jewish tradition is sensitive to this tendency but resists it. Our Sages suggest a better approach: mahloket l'shem shamayim, "arguing for heaven's sake." Utilizing Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz's 2012 book: Judaism's Great Debates: Timeless Controversies from Abraham to Herzl, we'll examine great disputes from Jewish history such as those between Hillel and Shammai, The Vilna Gaon and the Baal Shem Tov, and Spinoza and his contemporaries. Considering issues from Jewish law to spirituality to the policing of boundaries, we'll also consider how the manner of disagreement can increase the value of disputation itself.

Cost of participation includes refreshments and a copy of Schwartz's book.

7:30 - 7:45 PM | Break

7:45 PM - 8:45 PM | Swimming in the Sea of Talmud with Rav Tyler

The Babylonian Talmud, compiled in the 5th century CE, has come to represent a central text of the Jewish religion. It is the rabbinic cannon from which Jewish laws, traditions, and ethics have been debated and preserved. In contemporary times the study of Talmud has exploded; studied by new groups of people in most creative ways. Many innovations in Jewish tradition still develop out of the overflowing discourse around the Talmud. In this course, we will think about what it means to be a ‘People of the Book’, and look at some important sections of the Talmud, both to understand the work itself and to think about how its style of discussion may be a model for how we can have more constructive debates in our own lives! All of the texts will be studied in English translation, but we will look at the Hebrew and Aramaic text to understand how the book is put together and how it shapes Jewish living

Wake up your body & center your mind with Shabbat morning yoga asana (“movement” in Sanskrit). Elisheva Pront, our newest certified yoga instructor, will guide you through a mindful Shabbat yoga practice. Shabbat is a time for rest & rejuvenation. Yoga asana is movement in preparation for prayer and meditation.
Come ready to move and center your mind. If you can breathe, you can do yoga. All people and abilities are welcome. Dress comfortably for movement and bring a mat and any props you wish. Beth Am also has a limited number of mats for use. Meet us in the room Aleph/Bet.

After the program, you’re invited to join our Shabbat services. Change if you wish, or come as you are to services and kiddush lunch!

Introduction to the Tanya – An Approachable Guide for Living a Spiritual Life with Desi Rotenberg

6-week course beginning Monday, November 4th at 8 pm | REGISTER HERE

The Tanya is considered the origin of Chassidic philosophy and the seminal work of the Chabad movement. Aligning with modern psychological concepts ahead of its time, the Tanya is one of the many road maps for living an authentic spiritual life. Written in 1792 by the first Lubavitcher Rebbe, Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), the Tanya is a collection of spiritual and practical guidance on how to bring the Divine presence into one’s life. Through meditation, visualization, imagination, and Torah study, the Tanya analyzes the human condition, and provides teachings on how to connect with the deepest levels of the soul. The primary emphasis of these teachings is achieving optimal quality of life, healing from trauma, and finding daily joy and fulfilment. This 6-part series will introduce topics of Chassidut as discussed in the Tanya and will enable participants to gain a deeper understanding of the soul and its role in everyday life. This course is for anyone interested in gaining deeper insight into the meaning behind the struggles of life, adding spiritual depth, and seeking connection beyond the superficial.

Class meetings will take place via ZOOM. 

Week 1: 11/4/24 - Introduction – What is the Tanya?

Week 2: 11/11/24 - The Anatomy of the Soul

Week 3: 11/18/24 - The Inner Struggle

Week 4: 11/25/24 - Achieving Higher Consciousness

Week 5: 12/2/24 - Positive and Negative Emotions

Week 6: 12/9/24 - The Spiritual Power of Action

Pricing:

$36/member

$54/non-member

If you have any questions, please email Susannah at skolstad@bethambaltimore.org.

Fall classes with the Rabbis are back! Join them and fellow Beth Am-ers for a season of thought-provoking study and robust discussion. Non-members of Beth Am are welcome!


Beginning Thursday, November 7th, classes will meet on the following dates: Nov. 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12, 19
REGISTER HERE

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Great Jewish Debates with Rav Daniel 

We live in a time of heightened polarization and political animus. Zero-sum thinking is pervasive. Jewish tradition is sensitive to this tendency but resists it. Our Sages suggest a better approach: mahloket l'shem shamayim, "arguing for heaven's sake." Utilizing Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz's 2012 book: Judaism's Great Debates: Timeless Controversies from Abraham to Herzl, we'll examine great disputes from Jewish history such as those between Hillel and Shammai, The Vilna Gaon and the Baal Shem Tov, and Spinoza and his contemporaries. Considering issues from Jewish law to spirituality to the policing of boundaries, we'll also consider how the manner of disagreement can increase the value of disputation itself.

Cost of participation includes refreshments and a copy of Schwartz's book.

7:30 - 7:45 PM | Break

7:45 PM - 8:45 PM | Swimming in the Sea of Talmud with Rav Tyler

The Babylonian Talmud, compiled in the 5th century CE, has come to represent a central text of the Jewish religion. It is the rabbinic cannon from which Jewish laws, traditions, and ethics have been debated and preserved. In contemporary times the study of Talmud has exploded; studied by new groups of people in most creative ways. Many innovations in Jewish tradition still develop out of the overflowing discourse around the Talmud. In this course, we will think about what it means to be a ‘People of the Book’, and look at some important sections of the Talmud, both to understand the work itself and to think about how its style of discussion may be a model for how we can have more constructive debates in our own lives! All of the texts will be studied in English translation, but we will look at the Hebrew and Aramaic text to understand how the book is put together and how it shapes Jewish living

Fall classes with the Rabbis are back! Join them and fellow Beth Am-ers for a season of thought-provoking study and robust discussion. Non-members of Beth Am are welcome!


Beginning Thursday, November 7th, classes will meet on the following dates: Nov. 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12, 19
REGISTER HERE

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Great Jewish Debates with Rav Daniel 

We live in a time of heightened polarization and political animus. Zero-sum thinking is pervasive. Jewish tradition is sensitive to this tendency but resists it. Our Sages suggest a better approach: mahloket l'shem shamayim, "arguing for heaven's sake." Utilizing Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz's 2012 book: Judaism's Great Debates: Timeless Controversies from Abraham to Herzl, we'll examine great disputes from Jewish history such as those between Hillel and Shammai, The Vilna Gaon and the Baal Shem Tov, and Spinoza and his contemporaries. Considering issues from Jewish law to spirituality to the policing of boundaries, we'll also consider how the manner of disagreement can increase the value of disputation itself.

Cost of participation includes refreshments and a copy of Schwartz's book.

7:30 - 7:45 PM | Break

7:45 PM - 8:45 PM | Swimming in the Sea of Talmud with Rav Tyler

The Babylonian Talmud, compiled in the 5th century CE, has come to represent a central text of the Jewish religion. It is the rabbinic cannon from which Jewish laws, traditions, and ethics have been debated and preserved. In contemporary times the study of Talmud has exploded; studied by new groups of people in most creative ways. Many innovations in Jewish tradition still develop out of the overflowing discourse around the Talmud. In this course, we will think about what it means to be a ‘People of the Book’, and look at some important sections of the Talmud, both to understand the work itself and to think about how its style of discussion may be a model for how we can have more constructive debates in our own lives! All of the texts will be studied in English translation, but we will look at the Hebrew and Aramaic text to understand how the book is put together and how it shapes Jewish living