Welcome to the Limud Line-Up for 5784 (2023-2024)! Limud is Hebrew for "Learning" and it expresses our Jewish commitment to always keep wisdom and knowledge top-of-mind. Your clergy and faculty are very excited to continue deep learning and have conversations of meaning and insights. Whether you have just begun exploring Judaism or you are deep in your Jewish journey, you will find something meaningful and enjoyable in our Limud offerings. In addition to regular class offerings, keep a lookout for exciting endowment events and unique learning opportunities throughout the year. As always, please contact Rabbi Natan Trief, our Director of Adult Learning.
Upcoming Adult Learning Programs
Melton at Temple Sinai
Between the Lines: From Text to Life
Tuesdays at 10:00 am, October 17-November 21
In this course, we will examine the many ways that we bring the words of our texts into our daily lives. We’ll look at the hints and clues in the letters of sacred Jewish texts: the Torah, the Prophets, the Talmud (no previous Hebrew knowledge required). We’ll exam structure and authorship. We’ll discuss the commentary of yesterday. We’ll share where we stand today. Open to Sinai members and guests and requires pre-registration.
Wednesday Night Limud
Join your clergy and Sinai faculty for enriching discussion around the most foundational texts and ideas in Judaism. We continue using the provocative curriculum Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism from the Shalom Hartman Institute, a leading Jewish think tank located in both Jerusalem and North America. This year we will move to the Ethics Curriculum. This VIRTUAL-ONLY class lasts only one hour but will consist of various forms of learning such as text study, collaborative conversation, and small group discussion.
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Introduction to Judaism
Introduction to Judaism is an engaging multi-session course for adults interested in exploring Jewish life through a Reform lens. Open to all, this course is designed for interfaith couples, spiritual seekers, individuals considering conversion, and Jews of all stripes who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. Join Rabbi Natan Trief on a fascinating journey through Jewish space and time throughout the centuries. While not a conversion class, this class has been endorsed as a prerequisite for those planning or considering conversion.
Living Room Limud
Though we love meeting and learning in Temple Sinai, we recognize that enriching Jewish learning could and should happen anywhere. Welcome to Living Room Limud, one of our signature events of the year. Interested in hosting your friends and acquaintances for learning in your living room? Have you ever wanted to discuss a certain idea with your clergy and fellow congregants? Let us know! We will plan two of these per month on Wednesday afternoons or evenings.
Monthly Lunch & Learns
What does Judaism have to say about the most pressing issues of our time? How can we make sense of the often-conflicting viewpoints presented within Jewish text? If Jewish text is to speak to us throughout the ages, we must be able to apply it to the most controversial and provocative issues of our time. Join your clergy for some great conversation! You bring the lunch; we'll bring the drinks and the discussion!
Israel at 75
Temple Sinai strives to keep Israel a priority in our adult education programming, clergy sermons and discussions, as well as synagogue trips to visit Israel.
Reading Corner
Engage in some thought-provoking discussion during our Rona Balser Book Club and our Banned Book Club. In addition, check out the Lounging in the Library section to learn about other book discussions and library events with Rabbi Phil Kranz.
Hebrew in the House
Join Rabbi Natan for Hebrew at your own pace, some unstructured time focusing on one of the building blocks of the Jewish People: the Hebrew language. This is NOT a class, rather it is open study time for self-motivated learners who have questions or simply want to review or gain greater insights into various Hebrew passages.
Lounging in the Library
Did you know that Temple Sinai houses the largest synagogue library in the Southeast? Meet us bimonthly as Rabbi Kranz introduces us to some of his picks and we learn how the new and improved Learning Center can become a bigger part of our lives. In addition, in future events, we will introduce the books of the growing list of Temple Sinai authors. Join us over wine and cheese as we sip and schmooze over incredible books and profound ideas.
Sinai Film & NAVON Film Series
Join us for viewing and discussing various films in the long-running Temple Sinai Film Series. Topics and facilitators will vary throughout the year. As part of the celebration around Israel’s 75th birthday, we will focus several of the films on Israeli culture and society.
Scholar in Residence & Special Events
Throughout the year, we will have the opportunity to learn with guest speakers and scholars on a wide range of topics. Our annual Scholar-In-Residence brings in world-class scholars to speak and present on their areas of expertise. Events will occur on weekday evenings or weekends and promise to be thought-provoking and meaningful.
Endowment Events
Temple Sinai is blessed to house many different endowments that focus on various aspects of Jewish life and wisdom. Thanks to the generosity of many community members, these endowments both honor the legacies of those who came before us as well as emphasize the enduring passions of so many congregants. We already have several exciting endowment-sponsored events throughout 5784.
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Join the Temple Sinai Clergy in meaningful and stimulating conversation as we fulfill the Jewish mitzvah of Talmud Torah/Lifelong Learning. Every Saturday morning at 9:00 am, we will join together to dive into the Torah portion of the week and other relevant issues. It is a fantastic way to feel the spirit of Shabbat and connect with one of Sinai's strongest traditions.
PNK Learning Center
The PNK Learning Center was established shortly after Temple Sinai was formed in 1968. Today it boasts a collection of over 12,000 titles make it the largest synagogue library in the Southeast. While other synagogue libraries have closed their doors, Sinai continuously invests in its collections and finds innovative ways to increase readership and engagement. Any subject that relates to the Jewish experience is eligible for inclusion in our collection.
