Adult Study Programs
Adult Education Winter and Spring Programs
See what Temple Israel has to offer!
Adult Learning Programs
Temple Israel’s ongoing adult learning programs include Saturday morning Torah study, Wednesday lunchtime Talmud Study with Rabbi Garten and Wednesday evening Tanakh study with Shlomo Feldberg. There is no fee for any of these programs and required texts are available “at cost” through the Temple office. For further information contact annie@templeisraelottawa.ca
“Learn to Read Hebrew”
Learn to read Hebrew in 6 lessons, using a text and curriculum that was designed by URJ experts. This course will develop your reading accuracy and fluency, and provides Siddur (prayerbook) texts for practice. With further practice, you will develop reading comprehension and greater understanding of grammar as you master Lashon HaKodesh – the holy language. These skills will help you to participate more fully in congregational life.
Your instructor will provide you with an enriched experience through the use of the melodies that are in use at Temple. Recordings of these prayers will be provided.
Instructor Barbara Okun
Text: Learn Hebrew Today – Aleph Bet for Adults
Course fee: $60 (minimum 6 participants) payable by cheque to Temple Israel
Day Wednesdays 4:30– 6:00 pm and/or Thursdays 8:00 – 9:30 pm
Date Beginning Feb. 8, and/or Feb. 9, 2012.
Additional or alternative times are available depending on interest.
Please register with Barbara at music@templeisraelottawa.ca or contact her for further information.
Co Chairs Adult Education
Barbara Fradkin
Margot Montgomery
Exploring Judaism and Learning Basic Hebrew
Interested in exploring Judaism and learning basic Hebrew? Insights into Judaism is a 26 week Temple Israel course aimed at anyone who want to explore Judaism. The course comprises both a weekly lecture/seminar and Hebrew language instruction. (The course is also a requirement for anyone seeking conversion). Sessions include Hebrew instruction from a native Hebrew speaker and experienced teacher, lectures with Rabbi Garten, attending some services together, guest speakers and exploring Jewish culture: books, music…and cooking! The course has just begun this week, so it is not too late to join. Information about fees and registration can be obtained at outreach@templeisraelottawa.ca
Follow up Meetings to Discuss Interfaith Marriage:
From: Nora Sobolov on behalf of the Interfaith Marriage Working Group
Following on our very successful discussion with Rabbi Kerri Olitsky, the Working Group on Interfaith Marriage would like to invite members of the congregation to join us for smaller group discussions as a next step in our process.
Rabbi Olitsky challenged us to consider our approach to interfaith marriage, in light of the changing demographics of our congregation and the community. Our congregation has always worked hard to welcome a diverse community into our fold, while still clearly articulating the important elements and values of participating in a Jewish life at Temple.
To help us find an appropriate approach to interfaith marriage at Temple Israel, we would like to bring together several small groups to discuss the following questions:
1.) The Temple has policies that deal with interfaith participation in a number of lifecycle events (Bat/Bar Mitzvah, burial, etc.). Is (or why is) interfaith marriage different?
2.) If Temple were to have a policy on interfaith marriage, what elements should be addressed in such a policy?
To Members of the Congregation,
From Nora Sobolov, chair of the Task Force on Intermarriage
On the Temple website, http://www.templeisraelottawa.ca/Pdf/IM_Task_Force_Notes.pdf you will find the draft report, dated as of December 21, 2011, on the consultations of the Task Force on Intermarriage.
We greatly appreciated the openness and approach of all the participants and their generosity in sharing their thoughts and concerns about interfaith marriage and its place at Temple.
We welcome any feedback on the draft report. Please direct your comments to Rabbi Garten or John Cox, Chair of the Ritual Committee. Your feedback can be sent to John Cox at jcox_interfaith@templeisraelottawa.ca or directly to Rabbi Garten at rabbi@templeisraelottawa.ca
When the Ritual Committee has completed its response it will provide an opportunity for congregational input prior to tabling a document at the Board.
In the meantime, we hope that you will avail yourself of the report on the website. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the Temple office.
