Caring Community Israel Kehillat Lower Merion
Life-Long Learning Men's Club Preschool Program Outreach
Social Action Women of Reform Judaism Youth

Life-Long Learning

These are the obligations without measure, whose reward, too, is without measure:

To honor father and mother; to perform acts of love and kindness; to attend the house of study daily; to welcome the stranger; to visit the sick; to rejoice with bride and groom; to console the bereaved; to pray with sincerity; to make peace where there is strife.

And the study of Torah is equal to them all, because it leads to them all.

Learning permeates all aspects of congregational life at Beth David, and as we learn we also create communities. Some of our specific activities include:

• Our 9:30 a.m. Shabbat Torah Study is open to everyone. Each Saturday, from September thorough June, Rabbi Egolf leads a discussion on that week's Torah portion. Come once or make it a habit.

• Food for Thought: An informal discussion of items of current interest, led by Rabbi Egolf. Bring a brown-bag breakfast or lunch! Meetings are held once a month, usually on Thursdays — at 9:00 a.m. at Beth David, and at 12:00 noon in Center City (at the offices of Pepper Hamilton, 3000 Two Logan Square, 18th & Arch Sts.). RSVP to the office.
  Topic for June 7: "The Christians support all Israel does, so why don't you?" Those planning to attend are encouraged to read these four short articles in advance: (1) (2) (3) (4).

• The Henry Cohen Scholar-in-Residence Weekend features noted scholars who share their perspectives with the congregation over the course of a weekend each year. The weekend is named in honor of our Rabbi Emeritus, Henry Cohen.

• Our Koffee Kallah program offers informal learning over Sunday morning brunch, featuring presentations from inside and outside the congregation. Come to the Social Hall — no reservations needed. There is a nominal charge, which covers the cost of brunch.
  Our next program will be held on on March 11, at 9:30am, featuring Rabbi Emeritus Henry Cohen. Rabbi Cohen will speak on "Rationales for Jewish Continuity" and will also sign copies of his new book, a biography of his grandfather, Rabbi Henry Cohen of Texas. Brunch is at 9:30, followed by the program at 10:00.

• Mini-Courses are offered throughout the year. In February and March, 2006, our mini-courses will be led by Rabbinic Intern Brian Fink. You can attend one class or all six. All clases start at 7:00pm.
  Mini-Course #1, "Spirituality and Prayer"
  February 20 – How do we talk to God? Balancing the written words of the prayerbook with the prayers of our heart.
  February 27 - What page are we on now? Navigating our way through a Friday evening service
  March 6 - Not just for the synagogue: Prayers for the miracles of every day
  Mini-Course #2, "A Closer Look at Passover"
  March 13 - What we eat, and what we don't eat during Passover ... the traditional, the Manischevitz, and everything in between. We'll discuss why we do what we do.
  March 20 - Exploring the Haggadah - Part #1 - A look at how our collective journey from slavery to freedom is expressed both in the Haggadah and throughout Jewish tradition.
  March 27 - Exploring the Haggadah - Part #2 - An exploration of the Haggadah - the traditional and the creative. We'll look at what's in the Haggadah, how it flows, and ways in which to incorporate new traditions into the seder.

Chavurah Aleph-Bet is open to all adult congregants. This informal group meets approximately once a month on Sunday evenings at members' homes for discussion of Jewish subjects from archeology to politics and literature.For information, contact Ed Hoffman at 610-668-1124 or edward.hoffman@libertymutual.com

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation is usually offered every other year. For information, contact Rabbi Egolf at jegolf@bdavid.org

Introduction to Judaism is a course offered by the Union for Reform Judaism, taught by local Rabbis, including Rabbi Egolf. For more information, see our Outreach page.

Additional educational activities are provided by Women of Reform Judaism and Men's Club.

Other opportunities for learning abound in daily synagogue life. A congregant may prepare and present a d'var torah for a worship service, Board meeting or other event.A congregant may lead Torah study when the Rabbi is unavailable.The Cantor provides the choir with music for many occasions and from diverse sources.The Jewel K. Markowitz Library is open whenever the building is open.Parents learn with their children during school and pre-school programs.The activities of the Social Action Committee provide ways of learning by doing.Truly, the learning never stops at Beth David.

For more information: Contact the BD office.

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