COMMUNITY LEARNING
Join our community for learning and engagement opportunities ranging in topics from Jewish Parenting to Torah Study.
SPS UNIVERSITY
Lets Learn Together
Weekly Torah Study with The Clergy
Friday mornings 9:00 am.
On zoom, with rotating clergy:
Each week heading into Shabbat, our group meets to review the weekly sedra (Torah reading), both to attain familiarity with our foundational laws and stories, and also to discuss the various themes. We don’t shy away from hard questions, and we learn in a way that invites learners of all backgrounds and familiarity with the text.
613 Mitzvot with Rabbi Dave
Wednesdays 12:00 pm
In person at SPS
We may have heard that there are 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) in Jewish tradition, but have you ever stopped to count them? That's a lot of mitzvot. Join Rabbi Dave weekly to explore Maimonides' listing of the 613 commandments. How many are we still keeping? Which ones are no longer available for us to perform? We will answer these questions and all of yours when we gather to study.
What is liberal Zionism? A Shalom Hartman Course taught by Rabbi Ain
November 10, December 8, January 5, February 2 & March 9 at 7:00 pm
In person at SPS
In this course, Hartman scholars explore the core tensions and values of liberal Zionism, responding to the dominant critiques of Israel and Zionism in a post-October 7 reality. Together, we’ll explore frameworks for holding moral complexity and for thinking about Israel in a time of war. Each class will include a selection of podcast interviews between Tal Becker and a Hartman faculty member, Jewish sources, and meaningful conversation facilitated by Rabbi Ain.
Please rsvp to acreditor@spsnyc.org to enroll in the course.
Deep Dives into Kashrut with Rabbinic Intern Eitan Bloostein
Jan 10 Following Services
Have you ever wondered why some foods have a hekhsher (kosher label)? What could possibly make cheese or fish, for example, not kosher? Join rabbinic intern Eitan Bloostein on deep dive into some topics of kashrut. In three sessions, we will start by exploring the kashrut of cheese (yum!) and swordfish (controversial!). Bring questions, curiosities, and an open mind as we learn about Jewish dietary customs together!
Jewish Themes in Music with Rabbinic Intern Eitan Bloostein
Feb 18 at 7:00 pm
Who is your favorite musician? Do they happen to be Jewish? In this class, we will explore famous music by Jews that have Jewish themes. We will listen to some Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, and more to explore how they incorporate Jewish themes into their mainstream music. Come for an evening of great music listening, and be ready to be surprised by how these artists incorporate our tradition into their lyrics!
Click below to see past programming
Israeli popular music as interpretive prayer
#SPStalks Featuring John Podhoretz
Jewish New York with Rabbi Dave
Paging Dr. Maimonides with Rabbi Dave
Understanding Jewish Community with Rabbi Ain
Adult Hebrew Class with Michal Nachmany
Talmud’s Greatest Hits with Rabbinic Intern Eitan Bloostein
Death and Memory: The sacred conversations we need to have
Religious school for Parents with Rabbi Ain
Shabbat Afternoon Study with Rabbi Ain
Spiritual Faith Journey with Rabbi Ain
Music of Jewish Movements with Cantor Malachi
Hosts & Guests with Rabbinic Intern Benjy Forester
Jewish Parenting with Rabbi Ain