Jewish A Cappella Festival
Where: 1 block north Gallery Place/Chinatown metro—
Sixth and I Synagogue
When: Sunday April 26 7PM
How much: $25—Pre-registered and pre-paid
$30—at the door
$10—Students and Seniors with ID
Have fun g’dolah with JSC members, students and musicians. Listen to 6 groups — for the price of one amaaazing evening. Includes raffle and CD sales.

Jewish Study Center goes to a Nationals Game
Sunday June 21 1:15PM Nationals Stadium
“Take me out to the ball game . . . "
Join us as the Jewish Study Center goes to a fun-filled day at a Nationals Game!
Tickets are $14 !!! Order your tickets ahead with us and meet at the stadium.

General Orde Wingate Memorial Ceremony—
Sunday April 26 2:30PM
Arlington National Cemetery - Gravesite 288 – Section 12 FREE
General Orde Wingate was a British general who helped organize and train Jewish defense forces in Palestine prior to WWII. Considered one of the founders of the Israel Defense Forces he was a great soldier and friend of the Jewish people.
Co-sponsored with Jewish War Veterans, Dept. of DC, Friends of Yamin Orde, Brandeis District ZOA

Feinsmith Quartet
Thursday June 9 7:30PM
Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater Washington DC JCC—1529 16th Street NW
Tickets: $18, Discounted Members/Seniors/Under 25 $15
Composer Daniel David Feinsmith constructs his original classical compositions using the gematria (numerology) of Jewish holy texts, including the Tanakh and ancient Kabbalistic writings, turning the written word into beautiful and astonishing arrangements. The music crosses the boundaries of tradition, evoking the exhilaration of mystical Judaism and interpreting the words of Torah anew. Each member of Feinsmith Quartet-cellist Jennifer Culp, bassist Michael Manring, classical guitarist Gyan Riley and pianist Christopher Taylor-has received critical acclaim for their unique talents.
Co-sponsored with Washington Jewish Music Festival - DCJCC

Introduction to Judaism
Bob Rovinsky
Wednesdays May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10 7-8:15pm Adas Israel
For anyone--Jewish or Christian, agnostic or seeker--who wants to learn and experience the basics of Judaism. This course uses basic Jewish texts to explore what Jews study, how they observe Judaism in their homes, and what prayer and community mean to them. You will experience Judaism directly by visiting local synagogues, eating at a kosher restaurant, and sharing a Friday night dinner with the teacher and his family. This is not a conversion course but can be the gateway to a lifetime of Jewish living and study.
Bob Rovinsky is a former president of the Study Center, an active member of several
area congregations and a popular storyteller.

Beyond the Basics
Bob Rovinsky and Guest Lecturers
Wednesdays May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10 8:15-9:30pm Adas Israel
You asked for it, we're offering it--a follow-up to Bob Rovinsky's popular Introduction to Judaism (see above). For anyone who wants to deepen his or her knowledge in key areas such as prayer, tzedakah (charity) or philosophy. Topics will be jointly determined based on students' interests--so please register early! The seminar format will allow plenty of time for in-depth questions and answers.

Yoga for All
Linda Baron
Wednesdays April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17 7-8:15PM Adas Israel
We’ll practice classical yoga postures and experience how those postures facilitate awareness of the connection of mind, body, emotions and spirit. Spiritual discipline topics such as acceptance, choice, discernment, truth and transformation will be explored through movement. If you have a yoga mat and something for sitting such as a meditation cushion, firm blanket or pillow, please bring them. Instructor will bring extras. Also, please bring a journal and a pen.
No prior experience needed.
Linda Baron has practiced yoga for more than 15 years and is a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Practitioner, Group Facilitator, and Yoga Teacher.

The Roadmap Ahead for Israel: Community Voices
Wednesdays May 6, 20, 27, June 3, 10 7-8:15PM Adas Israel
Check our website for updates on this exciting series about what is happening in the Middle East --- which will feature samplings of rabbinic voices, community voices, media voices, and official voices ranging from the State Department to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia . Stay tuned!
Co-sponsored with Am Kolel

“It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. . .“
Laura Bellow, Elan Margolies
Sunday May 10 (rain date: Sunday June 7) 1:30-4:00PM
Rock Creek Park
Meet at Pierce Mill parking lot—1/2 mile from Van Ness metro

Enjoy a springtime nature hike in Washington in Rock Creek Park — while discussing Jewish values and the environment. Bring a water bottle, wear long pants.
Laura Bellows works for Shomrei Adamah, the premier Jewish environmental organization that serves the greater Washington area.
Elan Margolies is studying forestry agriculture and works for Center for Urban Ecology of the National Park Service. He also knows the names of flowers and trees.

Fish Tales
Norman Shore
Wednesdays June 3, June 10 7-8:15PM Adas Israel
From the Shabbat table to the banquet of Leviathan, this course will read texts from Bible, Talmud, cookbooks and folk literature and trace customs and symbols of fish in the Jewish tradition. Herring and lox will be served.
Norman Shore is a scholar and veteran teacher for the Jewish Study Center and elsewhere in the Washington Jewish community.

Celebrate Sholem Aleichem!
Rabbi Max Ticktin
Wednesdays May 20, May 27, June 3 8:15-9:30PM Adas Israel
It's the 150th birthday of the great Yiddish author whose stories about Tevye the Dairyman formed the basis of the musical Fiddler on the Roof. We will delve into his wisdom, humor and resilience. Please obtain either the Schocken Books (Knopf) or Penguin Press paperback edition of Tevye the Dairyman from a library or bookstore by the second session.
Max Ticktin is a rabbi, associate professor of the Judaic Studies Program at George Washington University and member of Fabrangen.

Text Study: Talmud in Translation
Rabbi Avrom Landesman
Every Monday 8:30-9:30PM Woodside Synagogue, Silver Spring
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. So what are you waiting for? Isn't it time you encountered the work that shaped rabbinic Judaism? We're studying the tractate Sanhedrin, which deals with justice and other matters. Everyone is welcome, drop-ins and regulars, of all backgrounds and levels.
Rabbi Avrom Landesman has his smicha from Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School.

Savoring the Psalms
Amy Schwartz
Wednesdays May 20, May 27. June 3, June 17 7-8:15PM Adas Israel
The Book of Psalms always comes as a surprise on first reading--and even more on deeper acquaintance. By turns archaic and modern, anguished and joyful, straightforward and mystifying, these 150 religious poems trace the many moods of human beings as they cry out to G-d. In this continuing class, we will dip into various Psalms as the interests of the class move us--untangling metaphors, comparing translations, tracing the meanings of the words over time. We will read mostly in English, with a look at the Hebrew depending on class preferences.
Amy Schwartz, a Washington journalist, has taught many classes for the Jewish Study Center.

Thinking about an Adult Bar or Bat Mitzvah—What’s Involved?
Michael Bloom
Tuesday May 5 7-8:15PM Sixth and I
Missed out on celebrating becoming a bar or bat mitzvah? Or want to make an anniversary of that original ceremony? This one-time session focuses on what’s involved in planning such an event. We’ll learn the “who, what, where, when and why” of the ceremony and celebration. We will also give you suggestions of places in the DC area you can sign up for an ongoing adult bar/bat mitzvah study class.
Michael Bloom is an editor, bar mitzvah tutor, lay leader of services and docent at
the Sixth and I Street Synagogue.

Three Rabbis — Talking about G-d
Thursday May 7 7-8:15PM Northern VA JCC
Rabbi Brett Isslow is the Rabbi of Beth El Congregation of Alexandria
Rabbi Gilah Langner, Assistant Rabbi of Northern VA Reconstructionist Congregation,
Rabbi Sholom Deitsch is the Rabbi of Chabad of Fairfax
What's the topic least likely to come up in rabbis' discussions of Judaism? Representatives of the Reform, Reconstructionist and Orthodox movements lead a discussion of our reluctance to "talk about G-d," or directly about spirituality, in synagogues and congregational Hebrew schools.

Jewish Cultures Across the Globe—India
Nissim Reuben
Wednesday May 13 7-8:30PM Adas Israel
Not all “slumdogs became millionaires” - come learn about the history of the Jewish communities in India and how they have contributed to Indian society. Includes film and discussion.
Nissim Reuben is a program officer on Indian-Jewish-American relations at the American Jewish Committee.

The Military Siddur — And Soldiers’ Prayers
Michael Bloom
Tuesday May 12 7-8:15PM Sixth and I
Who knew there was a special prayerbook for Jewish members of the Armed Services? We will look at that siddur and the special and often unique prayer for and about military personnel and our national security.
Michael Bloom, the son of an Air Force Lt. Colonel, teaches on a variety of subjects for us and leads the National Jewish War Veterans Prayer Project.

Ethics According to Rabbi Harvey-And Other Traditional Sources
Michael Bloom
Tuesday May 26 7-8:15PM Sixth and I
Let’s learn Jewish ethics from a funny Wild West Rabbi in a graphic novel! The teacher will use the text The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey: A Graphic Novel of Jewish Wisdom And Wit in the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin. We’ll also point you to other new — and older—Jewish literature on ethics or how to live with “right behavior” towards others. With some great new resources this course can give you more background in Jewish ethics when you have to wrestle with challenging decisions and everyday moral issues — while keeping a sense of humor! (Also a Jewish tradition.)
Michael Bloom — yup, same guy! — is also a book editor and humor writing instructor.

Food Traditions: Where did your family come from . . . ?
Jonina Duker
Wednesday May 27 8:15-9:30PM Adas Israel
Our families all immigrated from somewhere. . . Interested in discussing family food traditions and recipes?
Did you know you can tell what section of your family came from by how sweet your families gefilte fish recipe is? The discussion facilitator has some background on food customs and preferences from different communities. Get to know each other through food -- NOW HOW JEWISH IS THAT!
Jonina Duker has taught classes about midrash, prayer and genealogy for the Jewish Study Center
previously and has been eating seriously for many years.

Yiddish Beyond “Oy!”
Cantor Maurice Singer
Tuesday May 12 7-8:15PM Sixth and I
This class will offer a taste of the Yiddish language and a brief introduction to its rich history and culture and the true concept of "Yiddishkeit." We'll listen to Yiddish songs and poetry and learn Yiddish sayings and phrases beyond "Oy vey is mir!" -- including some your Bubbe never knew.
Cantor Maurice Singer is a native Yiddish speaker and retired ritual director at Adas Israel Synagogue. He runs a Yiddish reading circle in Friendship Heights.

Jews and Basketball
David Vyorst
Tuesday June 23 7-8:15PM Sixth and I
The teacher will describe the evolution of basketball from a game played with ash cans on tenement steps by poor immigrant kids, to a global cultural phenomenon is truly metaphoric of the American 20th century. We will also cover the historical participation of the Jewish community with the sport, and the incredible growth and globalization of the game — which now is even tremendously popular in Israel, where the Tel Aviv Maccabi team won the Euroleague championships in 2004 and 2005.
David Vyorst is the producer of the feature film, The First Basketball, about the history of the sport and the Jewish community.

Archived Classes

Do you have an idea for a class? Contact the Study Center to make class suggestions.

Hebrew Classes:
For other levels of biblical and prayerbook Hebrew, contact Adas Israel Congregation for community classes.

“Thanks for offering such cool classes! My fiancee and I have become much more involved with Jewish activities since we discovered the Jewish Study Center”
--Joe and Salem, Washington, DC

Being new to the area, I appreciate all the opportunities that Jewish Study Center makes available that allows me to expand my horizons and be entertained, while also learning more about the Jewish Community.
--Marci

"The Jewish Study Center is up for anything Jewish. By reaching out to volunteer instructors from every corner of the area, every walk of life, they guarantee programs and courses both vibrant and varied, sometimes edgy, always rewarding. The JSC creates the perfect opportunity for folks of all faiths to celebrate Jewish belief, history, and culture without the pressure of joining a congregation or having one political or another forced upon them. They are a welcome mat for greater Washington, opening the door to learning for any and all to enjoy."
--David

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"The Jewish Study Center's variety of classes on many subjects of Jewish interest taught by expert teachers who are passionate about Jewish learning, is truly a gem for the Washington, DC Jewish community."
--Bill, Washington, DC