Category Archives: Life Long Learning

Lifelong Learning Events & Programs

Hebrew has three ways to refer to a synagogue: Beit Tefilah (House of Prayer); Beit Knesset (House of Assembly); and Beit Midrash (House of Study). The TBEMC Lifelong Learning Committee is committed to creating a Beit Midrash for our community by providing congregants opportunities to connect with each other while exploring historical, cultural, and religious aspects of Judaism.


We come together in-person and through Zoom to learn from noted experts in their fields and from each other – in the weekly Thursday morning classes, monthly Book Club, and special events.

We have several upcoming events planned! Look in the weekly email or our online calendar for the latest. 


Recent events from the Lifelong Learning Committee:

Ongoing:  Thursday morning “Torah Classes” with Rabbi Kerbel

November 6, 2022 at 9:30 AM: Robin Williams: Reality, What A Concept!
Entertainment historian John Kenrick returns with a multimedia talk about Robin’s work including highlights from his hilarious & heartfelt performances as Mork, Mrs. Doubtfire, and in Good Will Hunting. Continental breakfast will be served.

March 31, 2022 at 8:00 PM: Rabbi Neal Scheindlin spoke on “The Jewish Family Ethics Textbook”

January 2022: A Virtual Tour of Jewish Paris

From the comfort of our homes, we took a guided tour of:
• Le Marais: main Jewish neighborhood in Paris
• Place des Vosges
• Hotel de Sully
• Famous synagogue of Hector Guimard
• Oldest synagogue in Paris
• Musée Carnavalet (exterior)
• SHOAH Holocaust Memorial & Museum
• The History of the Paris Jewish Community
• Stories from Holocaust survivors and their families

August 2021: “The Art of Jonah’s Flight” by Rabbi Matthew Berkowitz, exploring the first chapter of the Book of Jonah.

September 2019: “How to Appreciate the High Holy Days: The Important Themes, Prayers and Customs of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur” two-part series presented by Rabbi Kerbel

2019-2020:  The Jewish Connection to Comedy Film Series:
“The Frisco Kid”
“Brighton Beach Memoirs”
“Biloxi Blues”
“Broadway Bound”
“Keeping the Faith”

Fall 2019:  “Why the Jews”: An Exploration of the Anti-Semitism Throughout History and What to Do About It” two-part series presented by Rabbi Paul Kerbel

Fall 2019: Thursday morning class – “Message of the Prophets” class, led by Rabbi Kerbel

November 10, 2019: Scholar-in-Residence Program: Professor Jack Wertheimer, Professor of American Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary.  Two lectures: “Jews on the Move: How Migrations Have Remade American Jewish Life” and “The Good News about American Judaism.”

December 15, 2019: Trip to See “Fiddler on the Roof” in Yiddish in NYC with dinner at Ben’s Deli

Ongoing:  Thursday morning “Torah Classes” with Rabbi Kerbel

June 10, 2020:  Zoom Webinar: “COVID-10 Pandemic: An Overview of Federal and New Jersey State Response, the Impact on the Jewish Community, and Opportunities for Advocacy,” led by Joshua Cohen, Director, Government Relations & External Affairs, Jewish Federations of New Jersey

July: Thursday morning classes “Book of Psalms” – led by Jerry Baranoff

July 16, 2020:  Zoom Discussion: “Racism, Anti-Semitism, Black Lives Matter and the Jewish Community” led by Melanie Roth Gorelick, Senior Vice-President, Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Jim Johnson, Corporation Counsel, City of New York

July 23, 2020:  Thursday morning class, “Book of Job” led by Jerry Baranoff and Neil Mayer

September 3, 2020: Zoom discussion “The View from Federation: Response to the Pandemic in New Jersey, the United States and the World” led by Dov Ben-Shimon, CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ

October 15, 2020:  Zoom Presentation:  Rabbi Dan Ornstein discussed his new book “Cain v Abel: A Jewish Courtroom Drama”

November 12, 2020:  Zoom Presentation:  Professor Amy Kalmanofsky, Dean, List College, discussed her book “Dangerous Sisters of the Hebrew Bible.” 

Life-Long Learning Committee Presents “Jews Around the World” Film Series: “Mr. Kaplan”, Sun. Jun. 23rd at 7 P.M.

Having escaped Nazi Europe, Jacob Kaplan has led a quiet life in Uruguay. Now, at the age of 76, he begins to question his life’s worth as his family grows increasingly concerned that he is losing his facilities. When he begins to suspect that an elderly German immigrant is a former Nazi, he becomes determined to expose him and bring him to justice. This wry comedy-drama, Uruguay’s official entry to the 2015 Academy Awards for Best Foreign-Language Film, touches on themes of family, aging and the need to find meaning in our lives.

TBEMC Life Long Learning Presents “Jews Around the World” Film Series: “The Wedding Song”, Sun., May 19 at 7 P.M.

THE WEDDING SONG (“LE CHANT DES MARIEES” – TUNISIA, 2008)
In French and Arabic with English Subtitles

In 1942 Tunisia, best friends Myriam, who is Jewish, and Nour, who is Muslim, are torn apart when Myriam is betrothed to a wealthy doctor and Nour is promised to marry her cousin, who works for the Nazi occupation. The film shows how the Nazis played the Muslims against the Jews, promising independence to the Arab Tunisian “natives.” Please note: This film contains nudity and sexual situations.

ADMISSION IS FREE! BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
POPCORN WILL BE SERVED!!

Mussar Study with Rabbi David Klatzker, Ph.D., Thursdays from 11:15 A.M. to 12:45 P.M. Starting Sep. 8th

All are welcome, both members and non-members. There is no tuition charge.
Mussar is a distinctly Jewish system for personal growth, specifically in the realm of character development.

We will discuss practical ways to develop key moral/spiritual traits — truth, patience, equanimity, gratitude and others.
Please purchase a copy of our primary text: Alan Morinis, Everyday Holiness (Note: This is NOT his book with a similar name, Every Day, Holy Day, although that is also a good read!) Additional readings will be provided.

Copies are available for about $10, including shipping (www.fetchbook.info).

To join the class, RSVP to office@tbemc.org, (908) 276-9231

Followed by lunch at the diner, if you’d like to join us!