Institute of Jewish Studies

Learn

Temple Emanu-El offers learning opportunities nearly every day of the week thanks in part to the generosity of the Koffler and Bornstein families.

Click on any of the offerings listed below for more information, or scroll down to see information on all of our offerings

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Jewish Rhode Island: Triumphs, Tales, and Family Ties

The Jewish Rhode Island lecture series will include five lectures, see below for more details on these unique opportunities to learn more about Jewish communities in Rhode Island. To register, click one of the images below.

The Jews Who Built Rhode Island

SEPTEMBER 8 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Explore the history and impact of Jewish businesses and innovation in Rhode Island, highlighting prominent businesses and their contributions to the local retail, textile, food and financial industries.

An Evening Discovering the Archives

NOVEMBER 12 | 7:00 PM beginning with Minyan

An opportunity for participants to explore the RIJHA archives at Temple Emanu-El. We will showcase items and documents that offer a glimpse into the rich history of your congregation and the Rhode Island Jewish community.

Genealogy Program

NOVEMBER 19 | 7:00 PM beginning with Minyan

This seminar will focus on genealogical research techniques and resources for tracing Jewish ancestry. The lecture will be followed by a workshop, allowing participants to explore their family history on their personal devices.

The Early History of the Jewish East Side of Providence

DECEMBER 3 | 7:00 PM beginning with Minyan

Rachael Rosner will share her research and insights on the Beck and Temkin families, prominent figures in the history of Temple Emanu-El and the Jewish community in Rhode Island.

Sons of Providence: The Jewish History of Providence College

DECEMBER 10 | 7:00 PM beginning with Minyan

Providence College professors Dr. Jennifer Illuzzi, associate professor of history, and Dr. Arthur Urbano, professor of theology, will show their documentary: Sons of Providence: The Jewish History of Providence College 1917-1965, which examines the history of Jewish students at Providence College. A Q&A with Urbano and Illuzzi will follow the film.

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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!

Fall 2024 - Tikkun Olam in the Kingdom of God:
Abraham Joshua Heschel as a Relevant Prophet
Day: Sundays - September 15 to November 24
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Instructor: Dr. Dror Bondi, award-winning author, translator, and editor
Location: Zoom only
Cost: $250 (Scholarships available)
Registration: Register Now!

Abraham Joshua Heschel is one of the most important Jewish thinkers of the last 100 years. Join us this Fall as award-winning author, translator and editor Dr. Dror Bondi leads us in a study of Heschel’s writings, including how he applied the words of the Hebrew prophets to contemporary issues, insights into the Bible, prayer, Rabbinic thought, Hasidism, and the Holocaust.

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

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Hebrew at Temple Emanu-El! (UPDATED!)
Days:
Tuesdays (Nov 19, 26; Dec 3, 10; Jan 7, 14, 21)
Time: All classes 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Location: In-person at Temple Emanu-El
Cost: $100 per person (scholarship available)
Registration: Register Now!
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 Fall 2 we will be offering 3 Hebrew Conversation Classes.

Beginners: An introduction to Hebrew. Learn the Alephbet and practice conversational Hebrew. This is an ongoing class and not open for new students.
Intermediate: Can read and write the Alephbet and are interested in spoken modern Hebrew.
Advanced: Can speak Hebrew easily in all tenses, and can read articles and poetry and discuss a variety of current topics.

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929 Tanakh B'yahad (Hebrew Bible Together)
Day: Every other Thursday unless otherwise indicated
Time: 7:00 PM
Instructor: Fellow 929ers
Location: Zoom only
Cost: $36 suggested donation to support educational scholarships. (Those not in a position to donate are more than welcome to attend.)
Registration: Call the office to register

Have you ever wanted to read the Hebrew Bible in its entirety? Now in its third cycle, join people all over the world reading just one chapter a day during the week (you get weekends off!). Using classic and modern biblical commentaries, we will look at the book of Genesis with a fresh set of eyes. This class will look at sources in Hebrew with English translation. All are invited, whether you are participating in 929 or not. Learn more about 929 at https://www.929.org.il/lang/en/today

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Wednesday Morning Minyan, Breakfast, and Learning
Day: Wednesdays beginning September 7, 2022
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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Hug Ivri
Day: Thursdays (ongoing)
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Instructor: Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer
Location: Zoom only
For more information, please email Rabbi Kaunfer: akaunfer@cox.net

Rabbi Kaunfer leads this group, conducted entirely in Hebrew. It will continue its study and discussion of midrashim on biblical stories from Bialik’s Sefer Aggadah often moving into a variety of fascinating topics. If you are an advanced Hebrew speaker, join us!

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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: Zoom only
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

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Re/Intro To Judaism
If you are interested in learning more please reach out to Rabbi Fel.

Cost: Highly subsidized tuition is $350 for an individual, $550 for a couple. If you don’t have enough for tuition right now, don’t panic. Through the generosity of our supporters, we make sure that no one is ever turned away.

Do you want to know more about Jewish ideas, practices, and traditions?
Are you interested in learning more about Judaism?
Are you exploring conversion to Judaism?

Join Rabbi Fel, Cantor Mayer, as well as other teachers in the community, to learn more about the Jewish culture! This course is designed to be an introduction to Judaism so that converts or Jewish people who are unfamiliar will be able to learn more.

View the trailer!