A community partnership for adult Jewish learning with
Congregation Bet Ha’am, Temple Beth El, Sha’arey Tphiloh, Etz Chaim Synagogue - Portland, Congregation Etz Chaim – Biddeford, Beth Israel Congregation - Bath, and the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA)
Advanced registration required. Classes are subject to change pending minimum enrollment.
Courses are offered with a suggested tuition.
Weather Closures
Closures will be determined by the organization hosting the class and announced via the host’s website and/or social media.
Class Cancellations
In the event that a class is cancelled unrelated to a weather closure, we will attempt to notify all registered students via email, and call any students who cannot be reached by email.
Withdrawals & Refunds
Please notify us in writing if you need to withdraw from a class – email info@shalomme.com. Refunds are available prior to the first week of class. If you withdraw after the class has begun, we will issue a pro-rated refund for medical reasons only.
Code of Conduct
Shalom Maine and our host organizations are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all community members, guests, visitors, and staff, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, ability or financial status. Failure to abide by the Code of Conduct may result in the suspension or revocation of participation in Shalom Maine courses.
Course instructors and students commit to maintaining a respectful and pluralistic class environment. Harassing, bullying, threatening or proselytizing behavior will not be tolerated, and we reserve the right to remove from the premises any individual acting in an inappropriate manner. Distributing flyers, booklets or other literature is prohibited without prior approval. No one may enter the JCA facility while carrying or concealing weapons.
For more information and to register, please visit WWW.SHALOMME.COM, scroll down to the course listings below, or call (207) 772-1959.
HOST ORGANIZATIONS:
Beth Israel Congregation
862 Washington Street
Bath
(207) 443-4606
www.bethisraelbath.org
Congregation Bet Ha’am
81 Westbrook Street
South Portland
(207) 879-0028
www.bethaam.org
Temple Beth El
400 Deering Avenue
Portland
(207) 774-2649
www.tbemaine.org
Jewish Community Alliance
1342 Congress Street
Portland
(207) 772-1959
www.mainejewish.org
Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Part I With Rabbi Rachel Isaacs - CLASS IS FULL. See below for Part II of the class starting in October.
An iEngage course developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute
Tuesdays: July 9, 16, 30; Aug. 6, 13, 20 (skip July 23)
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: JCA - 1342 Congress St., Portland
Suggested tuition: $18 for the course
6 sessions - Advanced registration required.
24 Student Max.
Jewish Values and the Israeli Palestinian Conflict (Part I), the first six sessions of a 12-session course developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute, explores one of the most divisive issues affecting the Jewish people today.
Through the study of Jewish narratives about Israel and the unpacking of the complex meanings of peace in Jewish tradition, participants are invited to explore the ideas and values that animate different attitudes toward the conflict and how these values shape their own political understandings. Though a common political platform may not be attainable, this course strives to achieve a shared respect for our differences.
The class will be facilitated by Rabbi Rachel Isaacs of Colby College and Beth Israel Congregation in Waterville, and includes readings, group discussion and video clips of lectures and interviews of prominent thinkers, scholars and public figures.
Advanced registration required. Finances should not be a barrier to participation. Please contact Deena at dschoenfeld@mainejewish.org or 772-1959 to inquire about subsidized tuition.
Part II of this course will be offered in the fall.
Famous (& Favorite) Disputes in the Talmud
With Zoë Lang
Sundays: July 21, 28; August 4, 18 (skip August 11)
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Temple Beth El - 400 Deering Ave., Portland
Suggested tuition: $54
4 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: July 17
This course will present a survey of Talmudic texts that feature disputes. We will see rabbis arguing with rabbis, rabbis arguing with Romans, and even rabbis arguing with God. Who will reign supreme? Come find out how the Talmud presents the art of the dispute!
Jewish Genealogy: How to find good sources for 'your' history
With Harris Gleckman
Wednesdays: September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 16, 23, 30 (skip October 9)
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Congregation Bet Ha'am - 81 Westbrook St., South Portland
Suggested tuition: $65
7 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: September 6
Week 1 : Start with the living members of your family
Week 2 : Using government records and Ancestry.com
Week 3 : Using Documenting Maine Jewry records, part I
Week 4 : Connecting genes to the community : Documenting Maine Jewry resources part II
Week 5 : Historical context
Week 6 : Going back 2, 3, 4 generations with JewishGen – introduction, Part I
Week 7: Going back 2, 3, 4 generations with JewishGen – Part II
American Jewish History - Part I
With Anna Wrobel
Wednesdays: October 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Temple Beth El - 400 Deering Ave., Portland
Suggested tuition: $72
5 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: October 11
American Jewish History - Part I will use primary source analysis and group discussion to explore basic themes, significant events, and broader contexts of American Jewry from the 1600's to the turn of the 20th century.
Part II will examine the 20th into the 21st centuries. Dates for Part II TBD with no pre-requisite for enrolling.
Jews, Baseball & Social Justice
With Paul Linet
Wednesdays: October 16, 23, 30; November 6
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Beth Israel Congregation - 862 Washington St., Bath
Suggested tuition: $54
4 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: October 11
This course focuses on the under publicized story of the efforts of a Jewish politician to force the Boston Red Sox to integrate BEFORE Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Teaching Jewish Values Through Film
With Barbara Merson
Thursdays: October 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14, 21
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: JCA - 1342 Congress St., Portland
Suggested tuition: $86
6 sessions
Enrollment: Minimum 14 /Max. 22
Registration deadline: October 11
This course will look at Jewish values (both mitzvot – commandments or good deeds, and middot – values or virtues) by using film examples. Some of the films will be features, some will be shorter films. The first session will frame the discussion and all films will be followed by analysis and discussion facilitated by the instructor.
Create Your Own Ceramic Judaica
With Toby Rosenberg
Wednesday evenings - November 6, 13, 20; December 4, 11, 18 (skip Nov. 27)
6:00 - 8:00 PM
JCA - 1342 Congress St., Portland
Suggested tuition: $90 ▪ Materials fee (required): $40
Registration deadline: October 28
In this class, we will use different hand-building methods to create ceramic Judaica. We will make a mezuzah cover (the small decorative container affixed to doorways of Jewish homes, which holds specific Hebrew verses from the Torah), Shabbat candle holders, a hanukkiah (the candelabra used for the holiday of Chanukah) and possibly a kiddush cup (used for the blessing over the wine at the beginning of a Sabbath or holiday meal). The other two classes would be for glazing and the possible making of a yad (pointer for reading the Torah) out of fimo. Materials fee includes 25 lb of clay, glazes, use of tools, and kiln firing.
Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Part II With Melanie Weiss
An iEngage course developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute
Tuesdays: Oct. 29; Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26; Dec. 3
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: JCA - 1342 Congress St., Portland
Suggested tuition: $18 for the course
6 sessions - Advanced registration required.
24 Student Max.
Jewish Values and the Israeli Palestinian Conflict (Part II), six sessions of a 12-session course developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute, explores one of the most divisive issues affecting the Jewish people today.
Through the study of Jewish narratives about Israel and the unpacking of the complex meanings of peace in Jewish tradition, participants are invited to explore the ideas and values that animate different attitudes toward the conflict and how these values shape their own political understandings. Though a common political platform may not be attainable, this course strives to achieve a shared respect for our differences.
The class will be facilitated by Melanie Weiss - Director of Summer Programs, The Center for Small Town Jewish Life and Director of Education, Beth Israel Congregation - Waterville, and includes readings, group discussion and video clips of lectures and interviews of prominent thinkers, scholars and public figures.
Advanced registration required. Finances should not be a barrier to participation. Please contact Deena at dschoenfeld@mainejewish.org or 772-1959 to inquire about subsidized tuition.
From Tribes to Nation - The Significance of the Davidic Monarchy
With Ellie Miller
Tuesday mornings, Nov. 12, 19, 26; Dec. 3, 10, 17; Jan. 7, 14
(Skip Dec. 24, 31)
9:30 - 11:00 AM
JCA – 1342 Congress St., Portland
Suggested tuition: $96
Registration deadline: Nov. 1
Why did biblical Israel need a monarchy? This course will explore the failures of earlier systems including the Judges and Saul’s kingship, and the subsequent success of King David and his son Solomon in establishing a dynasty that united the people of Israel and created an enduring common memory for the Jewish people. The course will focus on texts from the Books of Judges, Samuel, and Kings.
Please bring an English translation or Hebrew/English edition of the Tanakh (the Jewish Bible). 8 sessions.
(Part II will be offered in Spring 2020, focusing on the split of the kingdom into Israel and Judah, the kingdoms’ subsequent monarchs and the ultimate end of both kingdoms at the hands of the Assyrians and Babylonians)
Family Dynamics in Genesis - From Abraham to Joseph
With Ellie Miller
Monday evenings, Nov. 18, 25; Dec. 2, 9, 16
6:00 - 7:30 PM
JCA – 1342 Congress St., Portland
Suggested tuition: $60
Registration deadline: Nov. 8
Free childcare available for ages 3+ with advanced registration only.
What kind of parents were the patriarchs and matriarchs? Can we learn from their mistakes? While all are welcome, this class is particularly focused on facilitating conversations among parents raising young children. Please bring an English edition of the Tanakh (the Jewish Bible). 5 sessions.
Einstein & Oppenheimer
With David Hecht
Sunday mornings Jan. 5, 12, 19, and 26, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Temple Beth El – 400 Deering Avenue, Portland
This course looks at two of the most famous Jewish scientists: Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer. Einstein is perhaps the most well-known scientist in history, and Oppenheimer widespread fame for this role as the “father of the atomic bomb.” Two sessions devoted to each scientist will explore their scientific achievements, political involvement, and cultural legacies. We will also look at the role that Judaism had in each of their lives, as well as the ways that anti-Semitism affected their careers.