Adult Education
The Rabbi’s Study
Saturday afternoons, following Shabbat Cafe
Rabbi Edelman-Blank is pleased to announce the beginning of a new weekly study program. Held on Saturday afternoons following services and our Shabbat Cafe refreshments, the Rabbi’s study will feature two independent sections.
* In the first section, we will explore, discuss, and contemplate a different topic each week, such as, views on the afterlife, various lifecycle events, Jewish ethical opionions, and elements in Jewish mysticism. Students will have the opportunity to become better aquainted with the central texts of our tradition and are strongly encouraged to recommend other topics of interest for study during the course of this program.
* The second section of the Study each week will be devoted to lessons in beginning Hebrew. This section will be designed with the particular goal of helping participants get more out of religious services. No prior experience with Hebrew is required.
The Art of Tifereth Isreal Synagogue
Led by Cantor Shivers on Wednesdays at noon. November 2nd-December 14th
Tifereth Israel Synagogue owns quite a wonderful collection of art that is all newly hung in our renovated building. The collection consists of works by warhol, Chagal, Agam, Lasansky, Weil, Ben Shahn, Miro, Szyk, and others. This course will include the history of the artists, the story of the art, and an analysis of the art itself, perhaps with comparable art and/or similar works by each artist. We will look at how the art came to be at Tifereth and how it relates to Jewish culture. Stanley Miller of the Des Moines Art Center will join several sessions of the class as a guest lecturer.
Shabbat Shacharit
Led by Cantor Shivers on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. November 3rd – 17th and December 1st-8th
The time of this class may be subject to change based on the availability of those enrolled.
The Shacharit service follows P’sukei D’zimra on Shabbat morning and precedes the torah Service. Shabbat Shacharit includes the Barchu, the Shema, and the Shacharit Amidah, which is the heart of this portion of the service. We will look at the meanings and significance of this part of the Shabbat service, as well as how to lead it properly. Each student will receive a siddur Sim Shalom to use and a CD of the service.
Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography
Led by Cantor Shivers on Wednesdays at noon on January 11th-February 8th
Using both words and drawing we will explore the history of the spiritual journey of each of us. Based on Dan Wakefield’s The Story of Your Life: A step-by-stepapproach to exploring your past and understanding your present. We will look at the big questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of my life? We will map our spiritual journeys. Joan Borysenko wrote: “The writing and sharing of spiritual autobiography is one of the simplest and most healing practices we can undertake.”
Making Prayer Real
Led by Cantor Shivers on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. January 12th – March 1st
Don’t like services? Prayer doesn’t work for you? This class is aimed at people who have trouble relating to Jewish prayer. The class will be based on Rabbi Michael Comins’ Making Prayer Real: Leading Jewish Spiritual Voices on Why Prayer is Difficult and What to do about it. Each student will need to buy a copy of the book, and we will be piloting a course put together by Rabbi Comins. Rabbi Comins will be joining us by Skype and hopefully, also in person this spring.
Conversion to Judaism Classes
Led by Rabbi Edelman-Blank on Sunday afternoons
The rabbi will continue to meet with individuals interested in converting to Judaism. These hour-long sessions will be held on Sunday afternoons at a local coffee shop. Please contact Rabbi Edelman-Blank for more information. The rabbi is also willing to schedule sessions at other times based on the student’s schedule.
To register for classes, please contact the Tifereth office via phone at 515.255.1137 or via e-mail at office@tifereth.org. Don’t delay. Sign up today!