What should a Synagogue look like? What makes it a “mikdash me’at” - a bit like the Temple of old? Drawing on Colonial era and modern synagogues, this class will explore these and other questions designed to enhance your appreciation of prayer spaces.

As the first Jew to publish a book in German, Moses Mendelssohn played a significant role, for better or worse, in the integration of Jews into German civil society. His life was a precursor to the Enlightenment to come. Learn more about the role he played in Jewish- German literary life.

The groups that lobby on behalf of Israel are often portrayed as a homogenous behemoth. See if the reality matches this impression and hear about the ins and outs of the art of lob- bying from a long-time practitioner.

Dr. Polonsky is one of the foremost experts on the Jews of Eastern Europe. He debunks the myths we all grew up hearing about Jewish Communities in eastern Europe prior to World War II. We are proud to be a co-sponsored with the Foundation for Jewish Studies for this event. FREE—register at www.foundjs.org or 301-770-4787

Get in the mood for Purim with our family-friendly night of comedy classics from the golden age of tv. We will watch and discuss clips from shows of the 50s and 60s, noting any Jewish connections. Mordechai and Esther would surely approve!

From JDate to shopping sites, Kotel-cams to Shamash.org, the Jewish world has exploded on the internet. Hear about trends and challenges to this exciting addition to traditional Jewish resources.

The economy is the worst it has been in decades. Where can one get inspiration for not only surviving but thriving under such conditions? See what we can learn from the trials of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.

If you think that political shtick is a modern phenomenon, think again. We will examine how Jewish leaders of olden times laid the basics of politics as we know it today.

If one did not know that Maimonides was the name of a man, one would assume it was the name of a university. He was the first person to write a systematic code of Jewish law; he produced one of the great philosophic statements of Judaism; published a commentary on the entire Mishna; served as physician to the sultan of Egypt; wrote numerous books on medicine; and, in his "spare time," served as leader of Cairo’s Jewish Community. Come learn how this great man still influences Judaism today.

Come share the experience of journalist and author Denyse Tannenbaum as she researches her family’s Slovakian roots. Her methods include oral history interviews, document research and travel to Slovakia, the Mormon Church and Yad Vashem. Hear one family’s the amazing story of survival.

Explore the Jewish community’s journey to include people with disabilities in all aspects of Jewish life. Will include hands-on disability awareness experiences.

Anti-Semitism in France during the latter part of the 19th century was openly displayed in print and in public speeches by politicians, yet the Dreyfus affair became one of the gravest crises to rock the French Third Republic. Learn the details of this historical episode that changed attitudes toward Jews around the world.

Papercutting has been a popular Jewish art form since the Middle Ages, when a rabbi, finding that his ink had frozen, continued to write the manuscript by cutting the letters into the paper. Connect with your creative side with this fun tradition. $20 material fee. You take home all materials-a complete kit of papercutting tools and supplies.

Recent tragic events have highlighted the longstanding relationship between Jews and India. Come learn more about the Jewish communities that have developed in India and how they have contributed to Indian Society.

We tend to think of the personalities in the Talmud as staid, serious Rabbis. In reality, there are all sorts of odd characters represented in the Talmudic debates. Who were these unorthodox characters and how did the writers of the Talmud attempt to rehabilitate their images?

Learn how to take stock of meat, vegetables, spices and other available ingredients, and come up with a meal fit for company. A wide variety of spices will be presented for tasting, and several styles of chicken and vegetarian dishes will be prepared by the class. $15 material fee

Hearty winter foods such as soups and stews have long been a staple of Jewish cooking. Eastern European influences have kept these foods high in fat and sodium. Similarly, holiday fare has historically been heavy and fatty. With current concerns about health and nutrition, can we keep the flavor of the past and update the health quotient? With an emphatic yes, Chef Larry Liss will show us how. On February 24th, we will learn how to make healthy soups and stews that keep us warm on the coldest of nights, yet take advantage of the varied flavors available in a modern market. On March 17th, we will revisit the holiday of Passover, lower the fat and up the flavor. Why is this night different?...because you won’t miss the fat, cholesterol or chometz! Join us for one or both of these hands-on classes. $15 Material fee per class.

Moment Magazine is dedicated to serious, highly-literate, intellectual journalism. It is a much needed independent forum that is not tied to any organization or point-of-view. Join Senior Editors and Writers of Moment Magazine in discussing articles from recent issues of their award winning magazine. Each session will focus on one article and be presented by the writer or editor of that article. The class will explore the research and writing processes and follow the article from concept to print. After the participants read the article and consider the content, the class will review the conclusions and discuss them with the Moment Magazine staff. No prior reading is required.

George Frideric Handel’s Messiah is a conundrum for Jews. Because its music is so glorious, it has richly illuminated some of the greatest passages of our Hebrew Bible. But there is a disturbing act of appropriation here, as parts of Isaiah, Psalms, Lamentations, Job, etc, have been reframed to tell the story of Jesus. In a 3 session course, we will study these passages of the oratorio in their original context, and explore the great Jewish themes of comfort, suffering, exile, return and celebration. Each session will examine a different group of arias and choruses. Some of the selections to be discussed will be; "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people", "every valley shall be exalted", "He was despised, rejected, a man of sorrows", "And he will feed his flock", and "I know that my redeemer liveth." If possible, bring your Bibles.

In this class we’ll practice classical yoga postures and experience how those postures facilitate awareness of the connection of mind, body, emotions and spirit. Topics such as acceptance, choice, discernment, truth and transformation will be explored through movement. The focus will be on learning to use awareness to access inner wisdom and to use our personal sources of guidance to support changes in our physical, spiritual and emotional lives. No prior yoga experience is required. Please bring a mat or blanket or cushion if you have one.

The Talmud is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs, and history. It is a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, second only to the Bible in importance. The Talmud has two components: the Mishna, the first written compendium of Judaism's Oral Law; and the Gemara, a discussion of the Mishna and related writings that often ventures onto other subjects and expounds broadly on the Bible. So what are you waiting for? Isn't it time you encountered “the work that shaped rabbinic Judaism”? We're studying the tractate Sanhedrin in translation; please join us when you can. Materials Provided. Everyone is welcome -- all backgrounds and levels; "drop-ins" and "regulars". FREE

Representatives of the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements of Judaism debate major contemporary challenges to Jews and Judaism in America. Are the challenges faces individuals the same as the challenges faces Judaism as a whole? Which is a greater challenge to our survival? Where should community resources be focused to combat these trial? Do the clergy agree? Here their opinions, then lend your voice to their cries or challenge the experts.
Rabbi Jack Moline is the Rabbi at Agudas Achim Congregation
Rabbi Sholom Deitsch is the Rabbi of Chabad of Fairfax
Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe is the Rabbi at Temple Rodef Shalom

Join us for afternoon tea with former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin (the first Jewish woman to be elected governor of any state), who asks for a call to action from the women of America. Captivating us with her conversations with leading women in politics, you are sure to leave feeling inspired. Co-Sponsored with the JCC NoVa, Northern Virginia Regional Programs and Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and Moment Magazine.

$25 pre-registered and prepaid by February 1; $30 thereafter Join fellow Jewish Study Center students and families for a day of giving back to the community. We will partner with Behrend Builders and go into low-income communities in DC where we will repair, renovate, and repaint individual homes, community centers, schools, shelters, parks, or other vital community spaces. You will be taught proper use of power tools as well as basic carpentry and painting skills. Fees for this event are used to purchase the materials to accomplish our task. Job sites are determined approximately one month in advance of the event, but all are Metro accessible

Do you think fried foods of any kind rule? Or is the choice of fillings in hamantashen the characteristic that tips the scales? Join the Jewish Study Center for a hilarious mock debate over the superior Jewish food. When the debate is completed, we have ample opportunities for in-depth research with a delicious latke and hamantashen taste test.

Get on the road to a day of learning and connection! Cross paths at the intersection of Jewish thought and life. Join this festival and celebrate: · Identity · Culture · Art · Music Come to classes, films, workshops, performances and demonstrations. Don’t miss this community-wide event! We are proud to be one of the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning’s co-sponsors for this event. Register at www.pjll.org or 301-348-7377.

Once every 28 years, the Sun returns to the position it occupied when it was created at the beginning of the fourth day of creation. Our Sages used this opportunity to institute a special prayer acknowledging God's might and His creation of the world. This Blessing is known as The Blessing on the Sun, or Birkat Hachama. Learn the significance of the 28 year

Keep checking our website and emails for updates on this and other events still under construction. Not on our email list? Send an email to beth@jewishstudycenter.org. You’ll want to hear all of our special events announcements.