Congregation Beth David

Modern Hebrew IA
First Class Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 – 11:30 am

Class Description: This new daytime class is appropriate for beginners as well as those wishing to refresh their childhood Hebrew. You will learn consonants and vowels of the Hebrew alphabet and acquire basic Hebrew language skills. We begin with the alphabet, and learn to read and write (in block and script form) all the Hebrew letters and vowels. You will build a small vocabulary of root words and siddur words and phrases. At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to produce simple sentences and read from our Siddur Sim Shalom.
Instructor: Judith Krongold
Prerequisites: This class has no prerequisites.
Time: Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00 am, nominally 13 sessions: Oct 14, 21, 28; Nov 4, 11, 18, 25; Dec 2, 9, 23, 30; Jan 6, 13.

Modern Hebrew IIIA - First session Wednesday, Oct 14, 10:00 – 11:30 am

Class Description: Continuation from the summer 2009 course. This continuing daytime course is designed for those who wish to improve their Hebrew skills and increase their comfort level in reading, vocalizing, and understanding general Hebrew texts as well as Hebrew prayers. You will expand your Hebrew vocabulary and understanding of Hebrew grammar. We will emphasize reading comprehension, not conversational skills.
Instructor: Chuck Taubman
Prerequisites: Knowledge of basic Hebrew grammar and ability to read, pronounce, and (with the aid of a Hebrew/English dictionary) translate simple Hebrew stories. Contact instructor for more information
Time: Daytime class, Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am; nominally 13 sessions: Oct 14, 21, 28; Nov 4, 11, 18, 25; Dec 2, 9, 23, 30; Jan 6, 13.
Textbook: Ivrit Shalav Gimel (plus supplemental material provided by the instructor)
Other: Please make time for home study between class meetings. Contact instructor for more information.
Cost: $35 members, $55 non-members
Registration: Please register and pay at the first class.

Reading and Understanding Hebrew Prayers IA –- First session Wednesday, Oct 14, 11:45 am–12:45 pm;
Class Description: This new daytime class is designed for those who wish to improve their ability to read and understand prayers in Siddur Sim Shalom. You will improve your reading fluency and acquire a sense for the meaning of the core prayers—beginning with the Shemoneh Esrei (Amidah)—in our prayer book. In the learning process, you will enhance your knowledge of Hebrew vocabulary and grammar.
Instructor: Chuck Taubman
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Hebrew alphabet and ability to read simple Hebrew sentences.
Time: Wednesdays 11:45 am-12:45pm, nominally 13 sessions: : Oct 14, 21, 28; Nov 4, 11, 18, 25; Dec 2, 9, 23, 30; Jan 6, 13.

Textbook: Siddur Sim Shalom
Other: Please make time for home study between class meetings. Contact the instructor for more information
Cost: $35 members, $55 non-members
Registration: Please register and pay at the first class.

Welcome Back 

Meaningful Midrash - New Class with Rabbi Schonbrun
First session Thursday, Oct 8, 8:00–9:00 pm
Have you ever wondered what it means when you hear that a Jewish story or anecdote comes from “Midrash?” Have you ever been curious about how these rabbinic parables from the Midrash came to exist in the first place? Are you interested in learning more about the holidays through an exploration of traditional texts?

Please join us for a brief introduction to the world of Midrash and an examination of the Jewish Holidays through the lens of the 5th century work "Pesikta De-Rab Kahana." This course will be taught at Beth David by Rabbi Schronbrun. No previous text study experience is necessary. Please come with your curiosity and your questions as we explore this fascinating work of Midrash together.

Talmud Study with Rabbi Pressman
First Fall Class Friday, October 16, 8:30 am

“That book of gems, that book of gold... Of wonders many and manifold.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

Come explore the “Sea of the Talmud” with us. Study Tractate Berachot, which deals with prayers, ritual, spirituality, theology, and leads to lively side discussions on more general Jewish practices and ethics. You can join this ongoing class and get up to speed in studying the source text of Judaism. Newcomers are not only welcomed, they are nurtured!

Textbook: Handouts provided
Teacher: Rabbi Pressman
Time: Fridays, 8:30–9:30 am. First fall class on Oct 16.
Cost: Free

Waiting for info. update

Prayer Book Hebrew IIA – Continuing Hebrew: First session Monday, Oct 19, 7:30 – 8:30 pm.

Class Description: This is an evening class where you will continue to practice reading Hebrew and learn the order of the Saturday morning service.
Instructor: Monique Alexander
Prerequisites: Prayer Book Hebrew I.
Textbook: Prayer Book Hebrew for Adults by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin and Siddur Sim Shalom
Time: Mondays, 7:30 – 8:30 pm; nominally 12 sessions: Oct 19, 26; Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Dec 7, 21, 28; Jan 4, 11. Classes held at Congregation Beth David.Cost: $35 members, $55 non-members
Registration: Please register and pay at the first class.

Conversations in Jewish Learning (CJL) speaker/topic have not yet been selected. When they are finalized, the speaker/topic description will be provided.

11:00 AM-12:00 PM, the 2nd & 4th Saturday morning of the month.

For kids ages 0-5.

Join for a fun and interactive parent-led service for babies, toddlers, and preschool kids. Open to the whole community. Tot Shabbat includes singing, storytelling, and a Kiddush snack!

For more information, please e-mail schonbrun63@hotmail.com

Beth David book discussion group, run by Miriam Marr. The Jewish Book Discussion Group meets monthly on Shabbat after services and Kiddush lunch, approximately 1:30 p.m., usually in room MPR-D. All adults and teens are welcome. For more information, contact Miriam Marr at (650) 968-7138. Books listed below (scroll down).

BETH DAVID JEWISH BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP SCHEDULE 2009-2010

Dates:
2009
July 11 - Triangle by Katharine Weber, led by Miriam Marr.

August 8 - Book of Judges (biblical), led by Rabbi Pressman

Sept. 12 - A Seat at the Table: A Novel of Forbidden Choices by Joshua Halberstam, led by Steve Levin

Oct. 17 - All Other Nights by Dara Horn, led by Susan Rojo

Nov. 14 - Short story reading (title TBD), led by Joanne Cornbleet Our 10th anniversary.

Dec. 12 - Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California by Frances Dinkelspiel, led by Harry Cornbleet

2010
Jan. 9 - My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq by Ariel Sabar, led by Carol Weiss

Feb. 13 - The Faith Club: A Muslim, a Christian, a Jew - Three Women Search for Understanding by Udliby, Oliver, and Warner, led by Lee Gavens I will give out copies of next month's book.

March 13 - To This Day by S.Y. Agnon, led by Herm Stern. (We will obtain copies from Book Club in a Box.)

April 10 - The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman, led by Ruth Kohan (April
11 is Yom HaShoah)

May 8 - My Jesus Year: A Rabbi's Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith by Binyamin Cohen, led by Michael Sinensky

June 12 - The Jew of Home Depot and Other Stories by Max Apple, led by Paul Freudenthal

Description to follow soon.