Adult Education

Rabbi Hillel taught: Make your study of Torah a regular practice. We at Congregation B'nai Yisrael take this religious imperative for study seriously for our children, more seriously for our adults. We have created a program of adult education that allows every member of our community the opportunity to come to the temple for spiritual and meaningful adult study.

Each and every week, there are no fewer than four opportunities to come to CBY and learn: Wednesday evenings from 8 to 9:30, Friday evenings during the sermon and discussion portion of our Shabbat services, Saturday morning at our Shabbat Torah Study from 9:00 to 9:45; and Sunday morning from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

In each of these time frames, and in different ways, we seek to explore Judaism from the inside out. It is our belief that Judaism does not fit neatly into western categories of thought such as "history," "philosophy," or "theology." Instead, we take the time at these sessions to explore concepts that are intrinsic to Judaism, and by so doing, understand the workings of the evolving Jewish mind from an insider's perspective.

In addition to these times of regular study, our commitment to adult education also includes monthly lunchtime classes for our congregants who work in New York City, periodic lectures, three annual book reviews, and more. Our goal is to assure that every member of our congregation has the opportunity to strengthen his or her Jewish identity.