Continuing Education

Ahavath Torah Congregation (ATC) offers lifelong learning classes, learning events, and other study opportunities, reflecting the interests and goals identified by congregants.

We offer a wide variety of programs (mostly free of charge) designed to serve the needs of beginning learners, advanced learners, and everyone in between. Our scope has included the fundamental texts of Judaism, Jewish history, Zionism and Israel, religious beliefs, practices and rituals, Jewish philosophy, Hebrew language, and all aspects of Jewish culture, including literature, music, art and drama.

We believe adult learning fosters a lifelong commitment to personal spiritual growth, expanding Jewish intellectual society, and passing Jewish literacy and learning from generation to generation. ATC offers adult education opportunities throughout the year with regularly scheduled classes, special programming, guest speakers, and special events.

Thinking about giving your interest in Jewish experience a more focused attention? Have an interest in learning in a particular area, or would like to volunteer to help make these opportunities possible, we welcome your email to RabbiJ@atorah.org.

Current offerings

Some dates are still being finalized

High Holidays Explained, with Rabbi J
Whether you have learned and forgotten, or the High Holy Days experience is new to you, we invite the entire congregation to join this class about the High Holy Days. These complimentary sessions will focus on the how and why we celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Shabbat Services 101 with Arthur Arkanese 
Not comfortable with Hebrew and want to understand more about the Shabbat service prayers? Join Arthur for a series of classes to gain greater familiarity of the liturgy. 

Intro to Hebrew Reading and Comprehension with Arthur Arkanese 
A beginning course for non-readers of Hebrew or those whose skills have atrophied.   The only cost for each course is for materials. To register, please contact Rabbi J at RabbiJ@atorah.org. Course will be held Wednesdays at 6 PM at the shul. Masks will be required and social distancing will be observed.  Hand sanitizer will be provided. Class will be held in the rear of the social hall.

Mindful Mondays with Alan Jacobson
To be fully engaged in life, we need to activate and pay attention to mind, body and spirit. In Jewish life, these needs are often met through Torah study, community, and worship. Each Monday, join Alan with a new virtual session on our Facebook page and YouTube channel, to relax and slow down the daily pace. Dates for upcoming offerings via Zoom will be announced soon.

Weekly Divrei Torah by Rabbi J
Rabbi J’s delivers a talk on topics relating to the weekly parasha (section) of the Torah on our Facebook page.

Talmud Bits with Madeleine Lewis
The Talmud in Hebrew means study and is one of the central works of the Jewish people. It is the record of rabbinic teachings that spans a period of about six hundred years, beginning in the first century C.E. and continuing through the sixth and seventh centuries C.E. The rabbinic teachings of the Talmud explain in great detail how the commandments of the Torah are to be carried out. Each week Talmud Bites explains just a portion of the Talmud, virtually. 

Torah Live with Madeleine Lewis
Watch engaging videos about a wide variety of Jewish topics, holidays and laws through multimedia presentations, pertinent articles and books, and discussion. These will be expanded upon based on the participants suggestions and requests.