Autumn Adult Education Classes

We're excited to launch Adult Education registrations in ShulCloud this year! This system gives us immediate, accurate class registration and tuition tracking, which will offer everyone better transparency and efficiency. Questions? Email office@shirtikvahmn.org

Complete Class Descriptions

Reading Hebrew for Beginners: Aleph Isn't Tough (Zoom)

Tuition: $216 Teacher: Steve Greenberg; October 14 - January 13 @ 6:00pm

If you would like to learn to decode (read) Hebrew, the class and textbook “Alef Isn’t Tough” offers extensive opportunities to learn and practice reading with a fun, loving instructor!  Hebrew reading provides a deeper path into Jewish texts and prayer.  This skills also prepares learners to enter our adult B. Mitzvah program. You may order your copy of “Aleph Isn’t Tough” from Behrman House Publishers here, Amazon here, or any other source you may find.

Lechu Neranena | Come and Sing! A series for (aspiring) prayer leaders (In Person and on Zoom)

Tuition: free, Teacher: Rabbi Arielle;  October 27 - December 1 @ 10:30am

Study the structure, prayers and melodies of kabbalat shabbat, with an eye towards supporting your participation in and leadership of shabbat services. Develop your understanding of how the shabbat liturgy differs from our weekday liturgy. Receive support both in learning prayers and in developing confidence and fluency as a shaliach tzibbur (leader of prayer). 

“Our legs uttered songs:” the conflicted history of American Jewish Protest (Zoom)

Tuition: $54, Teacher: Rabbi Joey; Thursdays, Oct. 31, Nov. 7th, Nov. 14th 12:00-1:00pm

Inspired by figures like Abraham Joshua Heschel and Emma Goldman, American Jewish communities often frame their involvement in mass protests as a courageous stand on "the right side of history." In this course, we’ll consider the texture that has always existed underneath Jewish engagement with civil disobedience. What arguments have Jewish communities made for and against participation in protest? What sacrifices have Jewish leaders been willing or unwilling to make in the name of justice? How have Jewish activists and young people challenged Jewish institutions? In the lead up to and in the wake of November’s election, we’ll engage with these questions as we evaluate risk, safety and our moral responsibility within today's movements for justice.

Mussar: Everyday Holiness (In Person)

Tuition: $300, Teacher: Laurel Riedel; 10:00am - 12:00pm 11/8; 11/22; 12/6; 12/20; 1/10; 1/24; 2/7; 2/21; 3/7; 3/22; 4/4; 4/18

Draw closer to yourself, others and God through Mussar learning and practice. Skillfully facilitated to promote the personal application of Jewish wisdom for developing character and living a life with greater joy, meaning, freedom and connection.

Soulful Jewish Living (Zoom)

Tuition: $216 Teacher: Jayce Koester; November 12 - February 11@ 6:30pm

Soulful Jewish Living (SJL) is Shir Tikvah’s introduction to Judaism course focused on the foundations of building and living a Jewish life. Together we’ll explore Jewish time and look at Jewish holidays, liturgy, practices, and life cycle moments. While required for Shir Tikvah’s conversion program, this class is open to everyone. If you're new to or curious about Judaism, this class is for you. If you've been around Jewish community for a long time and want to deepen your knowledge and practice, this class is for you. 

The Pride Va'ad (In Person)

Tuition: $300, Teacher: Emma Stout; November 12 - April 15 @ 6:30pm

A welcoming group led by and for members of the LGBTQ+ community seeking to integrate Jewish wisdom into everyday life. Together, we will study, practice and learn together about a variety of middot (soul traits) that help us bring forth the best in ourselves. This Pride Va'ad will begin in November 2024 and is composed of 10-14 participants and 1 trained facilitator, meeting regularly to learn together. The days in between the 12 bi-monthly group sessions are intended for personal home practice, including journaling and meeting with a chevruta (study/practice partner). While we intend this experience to guide participants in increasing personal awareness and growth, a va'ad is an active learning community, not a support or therapy group. We uphold intentional group guidelines to provide a safe, joyful, compassionate space for each person to learn, grow, and express themself.  While meeting at Shir Tikvah, this class will be held directly through Twin Cities Mussar - you can register here.  

Coping with Celebrations and Holidays When in Grief (The Library and on Zoom)

Tuition: Free, Teachers: Rabbi Sharon Stiefel, MSW and Ruth Markowitz, MALP; December 15th, 2:00-5:00pm

Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years are portrayed in our society as sources of joy. Yet, when someone has experienced a loss of a loved one there is often additional stress and the holidays are anticipated with trepidation. This workshop will offer ways to cope during the holidays while honoring your grief. Learn valuable tools and connect with others who also are experiencing a loss. (This workshop will not address pet loss.)

Free, Ongoing Offerings

Ongoing Torah Study: Our People's Journey

2nd & 4th Fridays of the month with Gayle Zoffer

12:15pm-1:30pm (Zoom)

Scholars believe that the Psalms were written by different people over several centuries; these prayer-poems express a range of feelings and motivations–including awe, gratitude, hope, a desire for comfort, grief, and despair. The group will consider different translations of the text as well as associated commentaries; this phase of study will also give us the chance to dip into musical settings of certain verses or entire psalms. We’ll also have a chance to think about the various metaphors for the Divine that are found in the text and see what resonates most for each of us. To be added to the email reminder list contact Gayle Zoffer. All are welcome to participate.

Torah for Tough Times – Nourishing our Souls

Monthly Torah Study with Rabbi Sharon Stiefel, MSW

6/26, 7/24, 8/28 at 12:00pm (Zoom)

Join me for a monthly Torah study group that provides support for individuals facing challenging ongoing hardship, grief and illness.(your own or someone you are caregiving for.) By coming together to look at the weekly Torah portion, we will nurture seeds of hope and resilience from our tradition as well as create space for support from our community.

Scholarship

Shir Tikvah is committed to finances never being a barrier to your ability to access our classes, events, or services. If you have interest in a scholarship, please use this form and we will follow up shortly. Thank you!