Lifelong Learning
As a “home for wondering Jews,” Eitz Chayim offers and curates Jewish learning opportunities for all ages to supplement the work of our school. Our goal is to have every adult enmeshed in some way on an ongoing basis in the rich cultural and religious fabric of Judaism. To that end, we offer topic-focused thematic programming which includes classes, lectures, films, and hands-on experiences (which will become real rather than virtual when the pandemic subsides), as well as ongoing Torah study and book discussions. We also partner with other organizations such as Me’ah. We hope you will join us!
Rich online Jewish learning resource now available for free to Eitz Chayim members!
Congregation Eitz Chayim has become a partner organization with the Orange County Community Scholar Program.
This is an unbelievably diverse resource, with multi-part courses ranging from the Jewish-American musical tradition to Yiddish theatre, to Dylan, to Kabbalah, to Jesus the Jew, to Torah commentary, to the Jewish philosophy of clothing, to “Shakespeare in the Ghetto, and the Ghetto in Shakespeare.”
Almost all of their adult education programs are on Zoom: you can register for the programs and then even if you can't make it online you will receive the recording in a follow up email. They have a vast array of topics presented by internationally recognized lecturers and presenters. Eitz Chayim members can register for free for programming here. A library of past programs can be accessed here. They regularly update their Facebook page with future events. Check it out!
Current and upcoming learning opportunities
Past events
Why do we disagree about the
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An Eitz Chayim program of learning and discussion |
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Thursday evenings from March 21st through June 6th, on Zoom: All members welcome but space is limited; click here to register. Tuition is free for members thanks to a grant from CJP. |
Explorations in Judaism
Eitz Chayim’s Lifelong Learning Committee is beginning a series of learning events. We intend to focus on a selected classic elements of Jewish observance, and provide background information, along with answers to questions we suspect many people are eager to ask.
Currently planned topics are:
- Kabbalat Shabbat Service – what are the essential elements, which parts require a Minyan (and why), when do we rise, when do we bow, and more.
- Who were the great thinkers of post-exilic Judaism, and how did they affect modern Jewish life – Judah HaNasi, Rashi, Maimonides, Caro, and others.
- Talmud – components, history, influence, and, if we’re lucky, maybe some actual study.
Before we get to these, we will begin with a timely topic. Join us on Wednesday, March 27th, at 7pm for deeper dive, led by Rabbi Liza, into: The Seder.
More Jews observe Passover in some fashion than any other Jewish tradition. What is the pull of this holiday?
Why Passover? How did it start? How do I “do” it? Get the answers to your questions: Why is matzah square? Why do we drink 4 cups of wine? Which is the best hagaddah (and where did the hagaddah come from)? What is “kosher for Passover”? How can I make my seder better?
Our conversation is, in and of itself, part of the preparation for this most beloved of holidays. In addition to pulling out recipes and getting rid of hameytz (what’s that? How do I do it?!), and figuring out where to go or who to invite for the first night of Passover (since you’ll be at EC for the second seder, of course!), sharing ideas and refreshing your memories is an integral part of the prep.
Eitz Chayim's Lifelong Learning Team presents a Special Sukkot Event -
Ladino Culture from Yesterday to Today: A Musical Journey with Sarah Aroeste
Join Sarah Aroeste, international Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) singer/songwriter, author and activist, as she brings you along on a musical journey highlighting the Sephardic experience from past to present. Enjoy an interactive, mixed-media program that integrates history, storytelling and music from this rich tradition that has survived shifting centuries and borders to still inspire us today.
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October 7 - December 16, 2020: “Unpacking Antisemitism,” a weekly course offered in collaboration with Hebrew College taught by Dr. Jacob Meskin of Hebrew College.
Film screenings with lecture and discussion:
- “Gentleman’s Agreement” (October 2020)
- “School Ties” (November 2020)
- “The Rabbi Goes West” (February 2021)
- “Space Torah” (March 2021)
- “Paper Clips” (April 2021)
- "Angels on Diamond Street" (May 2021)
- "Doing Jewish: A Story from Ghana" (July 2021, for Worldwide Refugee Awareness Month)
December, 2020: Lecture and discussion on the history of anti-Semitism with Dr. Rachel Fish.
January, 2021: “J-Term: Hungry for Learning: An exploration of Jewish food and food culture”
May, 2021: Literary evening with Esther Adler and Ann Braude to introduce Esther's new book, Poems of Sorrow, Solace, and Spirituality.
June, 2021: Beyond Polemics: Attempting To Understand Jewish Debates About Israel - a discussion with Dr. Jacob Meskin.
June, 2021: Discussion with A Fish Tale director Emmanuelle Mayer for World Refugee Awareness Month.
Resources
Partners
Feedback and involvement
Many lifelong learning opportunities at Eitz Chayim are planned and curated by the all-volunteer Eitz Chayim Lifelong Learning team. We welcome your feedback on events and suggestions for future activities. We also welcome new members to the team. On either item, contact Lifelong Learning Team Coordinator Armond Cohen at armond@catf.us
Congregation Eitz Chayim 
Rabbi Liza Stern
Co-Presidents: Rachel Gunther & Ethan Seidman | Educator: Anne Kalis
136 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 | Phone: (617) 497-7626
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