Prepare a meal that would make your bubbie (grandma) proud. Roll up your sleeves and join us as we learn tasty recipes that can be used for the High Holidays, Shabbat, and other special occasions. We will make challah, honeycake, kugel, applesauce, sweet carrot tzimmes, and various chicken dishes (such as apricot-glazed and honey mustard). This class is suitable for meat-eaters and vegetarians.

The words of some High Holiday prayers such as Avenu Malkenu (Our Father Our King) and Kol Nidre (All Vows) evoke familiar images from many different times and places. For instance, the Book of Jonah (read on Yom Kippur), is filled with imagery that has inspired artists throughout the ages. We will explore artwork, paintings, sculpture, and other media that portray these themes.

Whether it's your first time sitting in High Holiday services, or your umpteenth time trying to keep your place in the prayer book, this class will help you orient to the basic concepts, prayers, and spiritual tasks of the High Holidays. Starting from where you are, we'll define the spiritual "destinations" of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and discuss how the prayer book, language, and customs provide meaningful directions for getting there. This class is designed for beginners as well as those who want to refresh their understanding of the holidays.

This class will study Yizkor, the memorial service of Yom Kippur and the shalosh r'galiim, the pilgrimage holidays. We will discuss the two memorial prayers Yizkor elohim and El malei rachamim, which both speak of God remembering the souls of the departed and granting them rest. We will examine different variants of these prayers, traditional and contemporary. We will also discuss memory, the soul, the Garden of Eden, dying to sanctify God's name, and praying and giving charity on behalf of the dead. In addition, we will look at Psalm 23-The Lord is My Shepherd.

Advertising campaigns, self-improvement programs, and all kinds of therapies urge us to change our lives. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are also a call to change. But how do people change? This one-session course will compare the processes of teshuvah (repentance) and psychotherapy to see what each can learn from the other and how each applies to our lives.

In this practical course, we will learn the historical use of the shofar and general customs of shofar-blowing for the High Holiday season. We will study the musical notes, how to produce them on the shofar, and how to call them out for the shofar-blower. This course will teach the basics so that you can continue to develop shofar skills on your own and better appreciate shofar-blowing in the synagogue. You may bring your own shofar or purchase one through us. Open to children and adults.

Get your heart, mind, and musical soul ready for the High Holidays with this engaging sing-along class. We will sing traditional melodies that you might hear in synagogue services, contemporary melodies that interpret the traditional prayers, and songs that teach the meaning of the holidays. We welcome those of all ages, backgrounds and singing talents, those comfortable with the High Holiday service, and those just starting out on their spiritual journey. Lyrics will be provided for the songs, which will be in English and Hebrew.

The Yom Kippur prayer book is filled with poetic evocations of remorse and pleas for forgiveness-themes that have spoken powerfully to modern poets as well. We'll look at the ways in which some familiar American poets-William Carlos Williams, Robert Bly, Liz Rosenberg, and others-have expressed remorse and regret or sought absolution for faults great and small.

Curious about core Jewish beliefs, customs, and practices? This course is designed for you. We will examine basic Jewish texts to explore what Jews study, how they observe Judaism in their homes, and what prayer and community mean to them. We will take field trips to visit synagogues and other resources in the local Jewish community. We will conclude the course by celebrating the Sabbath with a festive meal and helping interested students go deeper into what can become a lifetime of Jewish living and study.

It has been said that an understanding of Buddhism enriches comprehension of Judaism, and vice versa. Some see compatibility between the two religions and practice as Jewish Buddhists, or "Jubus." Join us as we delve into some of the commonalities and differences between the two religions, including modes of practice, participation in social action, and traditions concerning death. We will use materials from several texts, including Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki, and Jewish Liturgy as a Spiritual System by Arnold Rosenberg.

During long years of exile, Jewish culture in Ethiopia developed through innovation, self-reliance and mutual influence. Beta Israel, a group that retained significant Jewish identity in Ethiopia over 2500 years, represents a valuable thread of the Jewish cultural tapestry. Taking advantage of the sizable local (but primarily non-Jewish) Ethiopian community, this course will examine politics, languages, foods, and faiths of the recent Ethiopian Diaspora. We'll compare the dynamics of preservation and innovation in both Diasporas, and listen to presentations from experts and community members. The class may meet for an optional Ethiopian meal.

Seven hundred years before Marco Polo, Jewish explorers had already established trade routes to Asia. These were dynamic, courageous adventurers who climbed mountains, explored volcanos, hunted for Big Game, and dug for dinosaur bones. Yet, they also had to deal with the downsides of exploration, struggling with discomfort, deprivation, and uncertainty. They were mostly secular Jews who had a powerful urge to explore and document what they saw and heard. Jay Garfinkel compiled some of these first-hand accounts for his book Wanderlust. He will share his research and insights with us in this one-night discussion.

This class will provide a brief overview of the strategic and military aspects of some of the most important Middle Eastern conflicts. Analyzing these wars shows surprising commonalities. We will discuss the common threads while examining how military forces in the region are organized and equipped. We will also look at the social, political, and ideological factors that affect military performance. Students will decide which group of conflicts they wish to cover.

Come explore Jewish cuisine around the world in this three-part culinary journey. This hands-on class will be kosher, using dairy and vegetarian recipes. All levels of cooking experience are welcome.

October 9: Sephardic Delights. Explore the wonderfully rich and varied flavors of Sephardic food, one of today's most popular cuisines. The class will be a tasty mix of culinary history and cooking as we prepare and eat some vegetarian Sephardic favorites including borekas.

October 16: Indian-Jewish cooking. For more than 2000 years, Jews have been living and cooking in India. We'll explore this cuisine by preparing vegetarian, curry-based dishes.
October 23: Bagel-Making. Embrace your love for carbohydrates and learn how to make bagels! In this class, you will learn how to knead dough and use different styles and techniques to prepare bagels. We will hear a short history of the round bread.

Historical and modern books, documents, and parchment scrolls pertaining to the Iraqi Jewish community were found in the flooded basement of the Mukhabahrat headquarters in Baghdad in early May 2003. These materials were removed from the water and subsequently packed into trunks and frozen to stabilize the collection. National Archives and Records Administration preservation staff Doris Hamburg and Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler traveled to Baghdad in June 2003 to assess the condition of the materials and develop preservation options. They will discuss the interesting work undertaken to preserve these Iraqi Jewish books and documents.

Is America a religious nation? Was it intended to be? From America's schools to its prisons, from its hospitals to its statehouses, religion is becoming an increasingly visible and influential force. This class surveys the law governing church-state relations in America and examines the growing role of religion in public life.

Learn about gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and other white spirits during this fun-filled evening. What are the differences, what are the similarities, and why are some considered kosher while others are not? We will discuss the kashrut issues surrounding these spirits and learn how to appreciate them by tasting each. Refreshments will be served.

Who can retell the things that befell us? There are many ways to tell the story of Chanukah, but nothing is like the Chanukah Seder, a smash hit of last year. During this innovative program, we celebrate the holiday with a ceremonial meal full of exuberant singing and storytelling about the ancient Israelite victory over the Greeks. Held on the last night of Chanukah, this hilarious event is like nothing you've ever seen, with original and classic songs written and led by David J. Smolar and Rebecca Weiner. Everyone is welcome from all backgrounds to share in our story-but remember to bring your singing voice! Vegetarian and dairy Mediterranean food will be served.

In this class, we will read and discuss short fiction by prominent Jewish American writers. We begin with Cynthia Ozick's brilliant short story and novella collection, The Shawl, a powerful representation of a young mother's witness to her infant's murder during the Holocaust and her traumatic postwar life in America. On October 24, we will study stories from Bernard Malamud's The Magic Barrel ("The Last Mohican" and "The Magic Barrel") that feature complex modern characters, literary descendents of classic Yiddish figures. We will conclude with Philip Roth's novella, The Ghost Writer, a quest drama exploring the relationship of life and art by a young Jewish American writer in post-Holocaust America.

Organic, environmentally-sensitive living adheres to many principles in Judaism. But combining Jewish practices with this eco-mindset presents challenges in daily life: for example, where do you find organic kosher food? Join us for three sessions discussing ways to integrate environmentalism and Judaism.
October 10: Obtaining grass-fed, pasture-raised kosher meat
October 17: Connecting environmentalism with Judaism
October 24: Integrating environmental practice in your synagogue and home

According to Jewish reckoning, this is the 5768th year since the creation of the world. This class will explore the Jewish calendar today and how it has evolved over time. Control over the calendar has been a critical way of defining power and authority in the Jewish community. We will read biblical and rabbinic texts relating to the calendar and discuss issues such as how Jewish time works and why the "day" begins at sundown (rather than midnight). We will also discuss the interplay between the Jewish calendar and other systems.

The one hundred and fifty mysterious and passionate religious poems that comprise the Book of Psalms are an enticing invitation to read, untangle, and savor. The psalmist's voice addressing God is emotional and immediate; the ideas and language are difficult, literary and complex. In this class, we will spend some time on psalms central to the literary and liturgical tradition, compare various translations, and look at the Hebrew to a limited degree, depending on the preferences and fluency of class members.

Drawing from the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, we will study texts, sing niggunim (wordless melodies), and seek opportunities for meditation. We will also reflect on the Hassidic legacy and its lasting effect on the Jewish heart and mind. Students will work during class time in small groups (chevruta), sharing their thoughts on the Baal Shem Tov's writings dealing with The Divinity of All Things and Occurrences, the Divinity of Evil, The Gift of Human Potential, and Coming to God. Handouts will be in Hebrew as well as translation.

Connect with Judaism on a spiritual and musical level during this 5-part series. All classes will involve plenty of student participation, with joyful singing that you can incorporate into your praying, your spirituality, and even your dishwashing.

October 24: An Acoustic Celebration of Jewish and Israeli Music

Nov. 7: Jewish Rounds Workshop

Nov. 14:Songs honoring Israel at 60

Nov. 28: Songs to end the Sabbath: Melaveh Malka

Dec. 5 The role of singing in tefilah (prayers) and leading davening

At the midpoint between the intense introspection of the High Holy Days and the lights of Chanukah, this interactive class examines questions such as: How we can maintain a sense of Godliness and spirituality, even as the days grow short and dark nights lengthen? Jewish Spiritual Direction is a contemplative practice of working with a companion to develop a deeper spirituality or a closer relationship with God. It does not demand a particular level of observance, bur may offer an opportunity to create a more meaningful prayer or ritual life. Jewish Spiritual Direction can also lead to a path of personal growth and social action. Readings, partnered and group exercises, and journaling will all be used.

From the ancient world to modern times, Jewish artists have created powerful images in response to stories found in the book of Genesis. Join us as we explore this art, starting with the mosaic of Akeda (the binding of Isaac) created in the 6th century B.C.E. and continuing through medieval manuscripts, modern paintings, and sculptures.

Starting in the late 1980s, a group of young Israeli historians began writing a version of Israeli history that contrasted sharply with what Israelis had learned about the origins of the Jewish State. This "new" movement also became entwined with "Post-Zionism," a distinct but overlapping movement. Since then, the debate between "old" and "new" Israeli history has been turned lively and acrimonious. This course will succinctly discuss the origins and contentions of the "old" and "new" movements, putting them in the context of Israeli politics. Basic knowledge of Israeli history is advisable, but not required.

Tired of mass-produced cards that say nothing special? Here's an opportunity to let Jewish art and calligraphy inspire you to fill that void and make the perfect holiday card. You can tailor projects to your own needs- making Jewish, interfaith, or secular cards. We will provide proper guidance, along with basic calligraphy supplies and drawing materials. You may also bring your own favorite drawing or painting media. This class is designed to be an open studio, and students may attend as many nights as they choose. The focus for the first night will be on making Chanukah cards.

We often think of mitzvot (commandments) governing interactions among people, and mitzvot between God and humans as occupying separate spheres. But there is an ethical dimension to God-centered rituals, just as there is a sacred dimension to human-centered rituals. Join us as we explore the values and ethics that underlie rituals such as kashrut and Shabbat.

You may attend any or all services
Ever wanted to explore the many synagogues in our area but have not, for whatever reason? Let us be your guide and friend to sit with during services! Join us as we visit five area synagogues of different denominations for Shabbat services on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Following each service, we will meet as a group with a leader from the synagogue to answer questions and discuss our experience. Each location is within reasonable walking distance from the Metro. Our first visit will be to Adas Israel. The other four weeks, we will visit Reform, Conservative, Secular Humanist, and Modern Orthodox synagogues. Advance registration is required so we know to wait for you!
Saturday, October 13-Adas Israel-Traditional Egalitarian Conservative Service
Friday, October 19-Sixth & I Historic Synagogue/MesorahDC-Orthodox Service
Saturday, October 27-Temple Sinai- Reform Service
Friday, November 2- Machar-Secular Humanistic Service
Saturday, November 10-Magen David Sephardic Congregation-Modern Orthodox Service
egistration is required so we know to wait for you!

If you've been looking for an opportunity to take a beautiful photograph of a giant Star of David, Hebrew cornerstone, or mezuzah, or have wondered whether it's okay to photograph Jews in prayer or other religious settings, then bring your camera and sharp eye for this fun, hands-on class. In this two-day field course, photographers of all ages will learn the Jewish customs and rules regarding photography and apply what they have learned. We will visit local, Metro-accessible destinations such as current and former synagogues, community centers, historical sites, museum displays, and commercial establishments to photograph a wide range of Jewish symbols and architecture. This class will be enjoyable for all levels of photographers. So come experience Judaism and Jewish D.C. through the lens of your camera!