BY SALLY KRAM, CHAIR, TI ADULT EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Who says learning ends after college? Join the Adult Education Committee this year for new and exciting programming aimed at expanding the mind and extending horizons. Whether it is Jewish history, Israeli culture or family celebrations, the Adult Education Committee has it all.
Here is a taste of programs under development in 2014-15:
Fall Programming
Thoughts to Begin the New Year. Rabbi David Abramson will lead a discussion of ideas to contemplate as the New Year approaches at 8 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 10. How better to kick off a new year than with some spiritual self-examination? Watch the Shabbat sheet and B’Kesher for more details.
Midterm Elections 2014. Interested in politics? The Adult Education Committee is hosting a post-election roundup conversation on Sunday morning, Nov. 9, featuring David Brody, senior political correspondent for the Christian Broadcast Network and another speaker to be announced.
Will the Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate and retain control of the House? What does this mean for the last two years of President Obama’s term? Come hear some answers and ask questions in what promises to be an exhilarating conversation about one of Washington’s favorite topics.
Kristallnacht 76 Years Later. Spend Nov. 9 at TI as the Adult Education Committee caps its political morning with an historical evening. In partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Studies, the Adult Education Committee is co-sponsoring a talk by Michael Meyer of the Hebrew Union College as part of the FJS Distinguished Scholar Series. Meyer will address “Popular Anger or Planned Pogram: What Really Happened During Kristallnacht Exactly Seventy-Six Years Ago?”
Winter Programming
December 25 at TI. Join the Adult Education Committee for TI’s one-year-old tradition of dinner and a movie on Christmas Eve/Christmas night (date to be determined). In partnership with the Israeli Embassy, the family film “Igor and the Crane’s Journey” will be shown.
As always, a delicious dinner will precede the movie (perhaps falafel this year). Stretch out Hanukkah for just a bit longer by joining TI for its “Dinner and a Movie” extravaganza.
Israel Presents: Two Nights of Film at TI. Celebrating 10 years of showing the best of Israeli cinema at TI, 2015 will be no exception as the Adult Education Committee, in partnership with the Israeli Embassy, screens two films on successive Saturday evenings, Jan. 24 and Jan. 31.
Explore the mystery behind “The Wonders,” which features Jerusalem as a backdrop to this film-noir, Israeli style. And then explore what may or may not have happened during Israel’s own Cuban missile crisis in the ‘60s in the film “Operation Sunflower.” As always, a post-film discussion will be facilitated by expert commentators (with delicious snacks, of course). Pencil in Israel Presents.
Spring Programming
Jews and the Civil Rights Movement: Looking Back After 50 Years. In a continuation of a series of panel discussions, the Adult Education Committee will look at the intersection of Jewish law and secular practice once again.
This year, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement, the Adult Education Committee will host a panel discussion focused on how Jewish law has guided the Jewish people in their participation in one of the nation’s most formative political movements. How did Jews affect the civil rights movement? How did it affect them? Experts in Jewish law, secular law and civil rights history will provide the backdrop for a stimulating evening.
Yom Ha’ Atzmaut Celebration. Borrowing a tradition from the Israelis, Tikvat Israel will sponsor an evening of celebration commemorating the Jewish state. Israeli achievements are expected to be the focus of a family-friendly evening.
Year-Long Programming
The Adult Education Committee this year is hosting the presentation of classes by Barbara Ridberg through the Adult Hebrew Language Institute and Rabbi Ira Brandriss. Ridberg, a TI member, teaches Hebrew while Rabbi Brandriss reviews the more spiritual side of Judaism. This year, his class will focus on “Sefer Chafetz Chaim on Laws of Loshon Hora.” Information about both classes will be available in B’Kesher.
All we need is you! If you have an idea for a program or are interested in supporting the programming discussed above, don’t hesitate to join the Adult Education Committee. Your ideas and energy are welcome. Contact Sally Kram at or 301-424-6345.
