We are happy to announce that the Spring/Summer 2010 catalogue will be available shortly in pdf format. Current classes are also listed here. 

Rituals, Holidays, and Lifecycles

Rosh Chodesh: A Monthly Women's Gathering - Join a warm community of women as we celebrate the study in the Jewish tradition. This year, we look at a different Kabbalistic sefirah (emanation of God) each month; you may join at any time. Instructor: Rabbi Robin Nafshi.
Thursdays             Feb. 25 (Assisted Suicide)
                           Mar. 25 (Body Art & Cosmetic Surgery)
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm.
$15 per session; registration required - call 973-530-3521.
Location: Cooperman JCC; Sponsor: JCC MetroWest.

Good Grief: Judaism, The End of Life and Finding Peace - Learn about: 1) Jewish beliefs about death and the afterlife; 2) Grieving and Jewish Traditions for mourning; and 3) Finding solace and ultimate healing.  With Rabbi Clifford Kulwin and Ann L. Hicks, LCSW JFS Social Worker Consultant.
Wednesday      Feb. 24 and Mar. 3
7:30 pm.
Free; registration requested - call Ann Hicks at 973-994-2290 or email her at ahicks@tbanj.org.
Location & Sponsor Temple B'nai Abraham.

Shabbat Seder -- Gather to enjoy a traditional Shabbat dinner, sing Zemirot (songs) and meet new friends. Families and singles are encouraged to attend. Facilitators: Rabbi Benjamin Adler and Cantor Matthew Klein.
Fridays                   Feb. 5, March 5, April 16
6:15 - 9:00 PM.
$18 per adult for all programs; less for children; registration required - call 973-627-4500.
Location & Sponsor: White Meadow Temple.

 At Home in ... -- This series of three classes will help students feel more familiar with parts of Jewish life that can seem overwhelming: services and kashrut. Instructor: Rabbi Benjamin Adler.
Sunday                  April 25 At Home in a Kosher Kitchen Are you interested in making you home kosher but just too overwhelmed by the thought of learning all the rules? Have you made the mistake of washing your friends meat dishes with the milk sponge by accident? Learn the ins and outs of keeping kosher and what it takes to abide by the Jewish dietary laws in the 21^st century. (This class will be taught in someone's home).
9:30 AM.
$18; registration required - call 973-627-4500.
Location & Sponsor: White Meadow Temple.

Next Steps on your Jewish Journey -- This year-long program is for those who are actively seeking the next step in their Jewish journey. The diverse, in-depth curriculum will include training for those wishing to celebrate Adult B'nai Mitzvah. For those who have already celebrated Bnai Mitzvah, this course will also provide the "next steps" to enable you to learn new synagogue skills, adopt the practice of additional mitzvot or learn more about Jewish law, and allow us to explore Jewish beliefs and practices. We will conclude our year of study with a joyous Shabbat celebration on June 19, 2010 which will provide us the opportunity to share our newly acquired skills & learning! Instructors: Rabbi Francine Roston, Cantor Perry Fine, Director of Congregational Learning Sherri Morris and Rabbinic Intern Micah Liben.
Thursday evenings
7:30pm-9:30pm.
Free; No registration required.
Location & Sponsor: Congregation Beth El.

Israel, Diaspora, and Denominations

The Spectrum of Life in Modern American Judaism: Past, Present, and Future-
This Lichtman Lehrhaus will feature a panel of three rabbis - Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Following a light breakfast, they will present their views on trends in their respective denominations, including religious life, communal involvement, and causes or impediments to growth.  The panelists are Rabbi Rex Perlmeter, Director of the New Jersey and West Hudson Valley Region of the Union for Reform Judaism; Rabbi Eliezer Rubin, Principal of the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston; and Rabbi Mark Cooper of Oheb Shalom Congregation.
Sunday             March 21
10:00 AM - Noon.
Free; no registration required, however, if you register in advance you will receive a complimentary breakfast.
Location & Sponsor: Oheb Shalom Congregation

Israeli Night Out -- Karachi lectures in Hebrew (unless otherwise noted)--  This fascinating series of lectures will give us a unique outlook on Judaism and Jewish Philosophy, and its relevancy in our day-to-day lives. All are welcome. No preliminary knowledge is necessary. All lectures are based on Biblical Talmudic and Kabbalah sources. All lectures are given by Rabbi Yinon Kalazan, world renowned lecturer, and a senior speaker in Arachim Israel. For further information on Arachim, check www.arachim.co.il
Saturday Night  Feb-6-2010   7:30PM - 9:00PM   
It's All about Love: What is love ? How can we bridge the gap between the expectations and the reality? We will have a short Havdalah ceremony before the lecture *       
Friday Thru -Monday, February 12-13-14-15
Arachim Retreat on Presidents' Day  Weekend  Join us for this amazing long              weekend. We are offering 5 star accommodations in Stamford, CT at a beautiful retreat (an hour drive from MetroWest). We offer full 4 days camp for your kids, so you can really be relaxed and enjoy the content and  atmosphere.  We will have sessions about  understanding G-D, Torah and science, Torah  and modern Psychology, the Jewish nation as the chosen people, how it all started, relationship & personal growth, children's education, the recipe to keep the next generations Jewish... and more. We are running 2 parallel sessions in Hebrew and English and we will have 6 of the top Jewish educators in the world. This is a paid event. Call or email for details.
Monday night    March-8-2010   8:15PM - 10:00PM 
Respect your Parents. As one of the Ten   Commandments, this topic is a very high priority   in Judaism. Why is it so important? What is the relevance of it to us as adults, and to the upbringing of our children? How should one respect his parents?
Monday night April-12-2010   8:00PM -9:30PM   
Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai & Torat Kabbalah: Who was Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai ? What is Kabbalah? How is Kabbalah applicable in our time?
Monday May-3-2010   8:00PM -9:30PM  
The National Revelation at Sinai Did it really happen? Is it a belief or a historical fact? What really happened there?
Lectures are free; registration is not required, but appreciated.  Suggested donation is $10 per person.
For any questions: Guy 646-552-6666 guy@netef.com or Shay Savy (973) 570-0385.
Location for all lectures: Cooperman JCC, West Orange.
Sponsor: Legow Family Israel Program Center, UJC of MetroWest NJ.

THE "BIG THREE" - FROM NEWARK TO THE SUBURBS: OHEB SHALOM, B'NAI ABRAHAM, B'NAI JESHURUN - The annual Beth Torah Lecture will be co-sponsored by Oheb Shalom's Men's Club, who will prepare a "pancakes-plus" breakfast for the Lecture attendees. Following breakfast, Linda Forgash, Executive Director of the New Jersey Jewish Historical Society, will discuss the historical evolution of Oheb Shalom from its origins in Newark to the present time. Her talk will show how Oheb Shalom's history related to that of B'nai Abraham and B'nai Jeshurun, as well as to Beth Torah and Beth El.
Sunday  May 16
10:00 AM - Noon.
Free; no registration required, however, if you register in advance you will receive a complimentary breakfast.
Location & Sponsor: Oheb Shalom Congregation

Tough Love: Rethinking What's Best for American Jews - Professor Jack Wertheimer, former Provost of the Jewish Theological Seminary, is one of the most respected, eclectic and talked-about Jewish scholars in the world. He has written books on Jews in 19^th century Germany and 20^th century America, as well as volumes focusing on education, Jewish practice, and challenges confronting contemporary Jewry. His most recent work challenges long held assumptions about assimilation and anti-Semitism, as he articulates a way forward for a healthy, vibrant American Jewish community in the 21^st century. Not everyone agrees with him which makes his message all the more important.
Wednesday           March 17
7:30 pm.
Free; no registration required.
Location & Sponsor: Temple B'nai Abraham.