Institute of Jewish Studies

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Delve Deeper

Delve Deeper is an adult education initiative that brings dynamic teachers to present in-depth, university level Judaic courses to a diverse group of adult learners. Delve Deeper programs are presented in cooperation with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island; area synagogues including: Congregation Beth Sholom, Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Habonim, Temple Sinai, and Temple Torat Yisrael; and the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island. Financial support is provided by the Joseph and Jacqueline Teverow Memorial Fund at the Jewish Federation Foundation of Greater Rhode Island. All are welcome to join!

Winter 2025 - Messianic Hope and Longing in Jewish Thought
Day: Wednesdays - February 5 to April 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 -9:00 PM
Instructor:  Paul E. Nahme, Associate Professor of Judaic Studies and Religious Studies at Brown University
Location: Zoom only
Cost: $250 (Scholarships available)
Registration: Register Now!

Messianism is a cornerstone of Jewish thought. Join us as Dr. Paul Nahme, director of Judaic Studies at Brown University, helps us explore Jewish responses to exile, suffering, hope and longing through topics including the disappointment of Sabbatai Zvi, the rise of Hasidism, interpretations of Jewish statehood as supernal redemption, and the influence of Chabad philosophy on contemporary American Jewry.

For more information about the course and the instructors, visit www.delvedeeper.org

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Aging with Intention
Day: Sundays, January 26-March 9, 2025
Time: 5:45 PM - 7:15 PM, beginning with Minyan
Instructor: Deb Herman, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, & Ed Shea, professional theater artist and current Harvard Master of Divinity student
Cost: $250 per person for all classes and is subsidized by the Innovation Fund.
Registration: Register now!

Aging with Intention is a 6-session group program designed to explore the experience of aging. Guided by Deb Herman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, and Ed Shea, a professional theatre artist and current Harvard Master of Divinity student, each 90-min session will provide content and an opportunity for group discussion around different aspects of the experience of aging. The course is targeted to individuals on the cusp of making a later-stage career or life change.

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Hebrew at Temple Emanu-El! (UPDATED!)
Days:
Tuesdays (January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, and 11)
Time: All classes 6:00 - 7:00 PM except Beginner 1, which is 5:00 - 5:45 PM
Location: In-person at Temple Emanu-El
Cost: $100 per person (scholarship available) 
Registration: Click here!
For more information regarding which level is right for you, contact Toby Liebowitz: tobyaane@gmail.com

Join us for Hebrew Conversation and improve your speaking skills. This Winter Semester we will be offering 5 Hebrew Conversation Classes. 

• Beginner 1: An introduction to Hebrew. You will learn the Aleph Bet and practice conversational Hebrew. Class availability is dependent on number of registrants. Taught By: Toby Liebowitz
• Beginner 2: This is an ongoing class and not open to new students. Taught By: Janice Kaiden
• Intermediate 1: Can read and write Hebrew and are interested in spoken modern Hebrew using the present tense. Taught By: Rabbi Daniel Kripper
• Intermediate 2: Can read and write Hebrew and are interested in spoken modern Hebrew using present and past tenses. Taught By: Toby Liebowitz
• Advanced: Can speak Hebrew easily in all tenses, and can read articles and poetry and discuss a variety of current topics. Taught By: Rita Braude
• Hebrew Games: Gaya Dahan, our Rhode Island Israeli Emissary, will be working with all of the classes, sharing games and stories from Israel.

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Wednesday Morning Minyan, Breakfast, and Learning
Day: Wednesdays (ongoing)
Time: 7:30 AM
Instructor: Rabbi Michael Fel
Location: In-person and Zoom options

Following the 7:30 AM minyan on Wednesday mornings, Rabbi Fel will teach for 30 minutes, line by line, from the 16th century book of Jewish practice known as the Shulhan Arukh. Each breakfast will give us a chance to learn more about how our ancestors infused meaning into their everyday lives, share our own Jewish experiences, and work together to develop a spiritual practice that is meaningful and relevant for us today.

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Parashat HaShavua
Day: Fridays (ongoing)
Times: 
In-person: 7:30 AM - 9:15 AM, (class begins after minyan/zman kodesh)
Zoom: 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
Instructor: Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer
Location: In person and Zoom 
For more information, please email Rabbi Kaunfer: akaunfer@cox.net

Join Rabbi Alan Kaunfer for a weekly study session to discuss highlights from the Torah portion of the week. This weekly discussion takes place on Friday mornings after Z’man Kodesh.

All are welcome!

CLICK HERE to join on Zoom