Adult Education
Learning enriches Jewish life and grows Jewish identity. The rabbis also teach us that when two people sit together to study Torah, the presence of God rests between them (Pirke Avot 3:3). At Har HaShem, whether you seek more knowledge, a connection to community or spiritual growth, we believe that these opportunities should exist at every age. We offer both formal and informal learning opportunities for our young people and adults.
For information about Adult Jewish Enrichment offerings, contact Rabbi Fred Greene at fg@harhashem.org.
Multi-Session Class Groups
Jewish Wisdom (For Everyone)
9/10/24, 10/8/24, 1/14/25, 2/11/25, 3/11/25, 4/8/25, 5/6/25 | 12pm-1:30pm | Classroom 4-5 | Register Here
What is the role of gratitude in our lives? Is forgiveness important - and under what circumstances should it be offered? How should we present ourselves to the world? Who am I responsible for? What is my relationship with God, and who is the God I don't believe in? In this class we will explore the big questions of life as refracted through the Jewish tradition. DLL Samara Schwartz will be offering these classes as a lunch and learn - you bring your lunch, we will provide beverages and desserts, and we will nourish our bodies and minds together.
The Home We Build Together
1/26/25, 3/9/25, 4/27/25 | 10:15am-11:45am | South Building Community Room
How do we build the home we seek? Our homes aspire to be so many things: a warm physical structure, a site of comfort, love and romance, perhaps an educational space for children, a welcome table for guests. How can we do this? Unlike our professional lives, where we have received education, training, and mentorship; building a home is something we often do without sufficient reflection. It is a task that is at once sacred and daunting, joyous, and excruciating. No background is necessary for this series, just a willingness to read, think, and talk to people who are also building homes.
Exploring Our Jewish Selves Through Art - Led by Leah Friedman
Sunday Mornings | 10:15am-11:45am | Har HaShem South Building Room ART
Art making can be used for self expression, to explore a question, or create a wordless prayer. Beginning with text study in community, and following the Jewish Studio Process, we will collectively seek creative outlets for communicating visually. Together, we will allow the creative process to unfold along with deepening and meaning making within our community - NO prior experience or skill required! Please come as you are; with curiosity, facing hardship or uncertainty, bursting with creativity, or exhaustion. All are welcome!
Our classes will have two cycles.
Cycle 1 meets: 9/8/24, 10/6/24, 10/27/24, 11/3/24, 11/17/24, and 12/8/24.
Cycle 2 meets: 1/26/25, 2/2/25, 2/9/25, 3/2/25, 3/9/25, and 4/6/25. Register Here for Cycle 2
The cost of each cycle (6 classes) is $54 and covers all supplies.
Community and Guest Educators
Conversations On What it Feels Like to be a Cancer Survivor
12/12/24 - 6:30pm-8pm & 12/17 - 12pm-1:30pm | South Building Community Room | Register Here
In this interactive session, let's share and explore questions that affect our lives uniquely: How do you manage fears or successses, and what tools have you used to address your emotions? What has been helpful or unhelpful for you? Do survivors and their associates develop a lower tolerance for trauma, and is it hard to navigate your or your family's concerns? What does survivorship feel like to you as the survivor? To your family and friends, your community? How do you choose to thrive? Conversation will be led by Holli Berman, Cantorial Soloist Emerita, and Laurie Bernstein.
Healing music will fill our hearts alongside after this conversation.
Please bring your own meal, but drinks and desserts will be provided. You may register for either or both sessions.
Artist in Residence Weekend - Paper Midrash
12/13/24-12/15/24
Isaac & Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik will lead an in-person Paper Midrash residency at Congregation Har HaShem from December 13-15, 2024.
- Friday
- Isaac & Rabbi Shawna will deliver a 15-20 minute visual sermon on "Maccabess and Other Super Heroes" at our Friday night services. No registration is required for this artistic and engaging service.
- Saturday
- 11am: Isaac & Rabbi Shawna will lead "Torah Study with Knives," a three-hour papercutting workshop for adults and teens (limited to 30 participants; for high-school age and up). We will meet in the South Building Community Room. Register Here
- 3pm: Isaac & Rabbi Shawna will lead a two-hour "Street Art Prophecy" spray paint workshop for teens (limited to 30 participants, 14+) including a lesson on Jewish prophetic teaching, Tel Aviv street art, and a hands-on workshop. We will meet on the South Building lawn. Register Here
- Sunday
- Isaac & Rabbi Shawna will lead a community art project during our experiential day. This experience is not limited to families with students on Sunday mornings - all members of our community are invited to drop by between 10am-1pm and "make their mark."
The Ethics of Observation, with Dr. David Boonin
11/21/24 | 6pm-7:30pm | Classroom 4-5 | Register Here
From business security to Ring camera doorbells to traffic lights, it seems as if everywhere we go we may be recorded somewhere. Some estimates indicate that the average American may get caught on camera about 70 times a day. Is this a violation of our right to privacy? Does it matter if the camera records are habitually watching or the records kept? How far does - and should - our right to privacy extend? CU professor and HHS congregant Dr. David Boonin will lead this lively discussion on the eithics of observation and privacy.
The Basics
This survey of Judaism course teaches fundamentals of Jewish thought, tradition and practice from a pluralistic and non-denominational perspective. Topics include Jewish history both ancient and recent, texts, holidays, great Jewish thinkers and writers, and some of the practicalities of Jewish life. ITJ is particularly well-suited for interfaith couples who wish to learn more, adults considering conversion, and Jews looking for an adult-level introduction or refresher
Cost:
$360 donation per household, which includes: digital copies of all texts and access to class recordings.
For more information, visit www.BoulderHaver.org, where you can sign up. Or contact Stacey at HaverInbox@gmail.com.
Hebrew
On Beyond HHS - Level 1 Hebrew for Adults with Stuart Feinhor
Sundays | 10am-11:30am | North Building, Small Conference Room
Get started with the aleph-bet! Join us as we get familiar with the shapes and sounds of Hebrew alphabet. In this class we will recognize, learn, and understand common Hebrew words and phrases that are often heard in Reform congregations and in Jewish prayer. Perfect for Introduction to Judaism alumni and other adults, this course assumes no prior Hebrew experience. A great class to take while your kids are in Sunday Traditional Youth Programming!
Over the past 15+ years at Har HaShem, Stuart Feinhor has been a d'var Torah coach, adult B'nai mitzvah, confirmation co-teacher, and of course, adult Hebrew teacher. Along with an MA in counseling and an MFA in creative writing, he also earned his MAHL from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
Cost:
$180 donation per student
Level Two: Learn Prayer Hebrew with Stuart Feinhor
Sundays | 12pm-1:30pm | North Building, Small Conference Room
Familiarity with Hebrew can be a key to feeling at home in the Jewish community. This course builds on basic reading and prayer introduction from Level I, giving students greater insight and comfort with the prayers in worship services. Level I is not a pre-requisite as long as you remember or have some of the basic skills.
Cost:
$180 donation per student
Engaging with our Sacred Texts
Torah Study
Saturdays; 9:00am
Looking for a bit of learning, a bit of casual conversation, a chance to build your skills and comfort with traditional texts in English? Join a friendly group of members and volunteers for an exploration of a Jewish story, a portion of Torah, a bit of Talmud, or perhaps a contemporary text. Bring your curiosity. Take a break. Have some fun with our tradition. Torah study is meeting in our tent and also available on Zoom.
Kabbalah Reading Group
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00pm
The Har HaShem Kabbalah Reading Group focuses on Jewish mysticism generally and as applied in everyday life. The idea of studying Jewish mysticism may seem out of reach to some, but no prior kabbalah experience or extensive Jewish study is required to participate in the group.
This year we will read and discuss books by two important thinkers who began their writing and teaching in the area of Kabbalah at the age of 20 (half the age at which traditionally they would be able to begin their studies).
- We will read The Palm Tree of Devora by Moses Cordovero (the RAMAK).
- On alternate weeks we will read from 138 Openings of Wisdom by Rabbi Moshe Luzzatto (the RAMCHAL) 1701-1746.
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Courses
College Commons
HUC-JIR is the Reform movement’s seminary and graduate school. They now offer free online courses for adults and teens investigating a central Jewish theme through conversations with HUC-JIR scholars and academic experts.
Learn more here.
HUC Connect
HUC Connect brings together those who love to learn. With over 130,000 views and listens to our webinar and podcast, HUC Connect invites you to join participants from 55 countries to discover something new about Judaism and about yourself. Click here for more information.