There are multiple opportunities for lifelong learning at Temple Emanu-El! Temple Emanu-El provides adult education opportunities for those interested in expanding their understanding of Reform Judaism and in expanding relationships with other congregants.

Beginning Fall 2022 we will offer an Adult Education opportunity on most Sundays at 10:00 AM. Classes will occur at Temple Emanu-El, the location will be in the Jasper Room unless otherwise specified in the class description(below). Questions? Do you have an idea for our Adult Education in the future? Send a message to Monika F Singletary, monika@ourtemple.org or 205.933.8037, ext 213.

Special thanks to the Grafman Endowment Fund for underwriting our Adult Education classes.

Someone’s in the Kitchen with Jan
Facilitator: Jan Hirsch
Sunday, September 11 at 10:00 am 
Location: Temple Emanu-El Kitchen

Jan Hirsch will teach us how to make a delicious honey cake, which is perfect for celebrating the New Year(and you will even be able to sample a slice fresh out of the oven). In this fun and interactive cooking class, Jan will take you through just a few easy steps to make honey cake together. This cake would be perfect for your Rosh Hashanah table if you choose to make one at home! While our cake is baking, Jan will demo several cool kitchen tools that you might find useful in your own kitchen. RSVP to monika@ourtemple.org.

Jerusalem Old City Holy Sites Virtual Tour
Facilitator: Amit Musaei
Sunday, September 18 at 10:00 am 
Location: Jasper Room

Walk through the 5000 years of history in a 1-hour virtual tour to the Old City of Jerusalem. On this tour, you will experience Jerusalem’s holy sites while viewing photospheres, animations, aerial images, and drone pictures beside unique lookout views that you cannot have even on a real tour. RSVP to monika@ourtemple.org.

Mah Tovu: What Jewish Texts Can Teach Us About How to Motivate and Inspire Staff in the Workplace
Facilitator: Mark S. Young
Sunday, October 2 at 10:00 am 
Location: Jasper Room

The pandemic and the great resignation (or great re-shuffling) has required workplaces from all industries to re-evaluate their strategies for attracting and retaining their professional talent. There has been no shortage of people today advocating how organizations should approach this challenge, but we may not need to look farther than our own Jewish tradition. Torah, Talmud, and more Contemporary Jewish Scholars and Figures from Maimonides to Herzl have offered unique wisdom on how we can retain talent and help each realize their full potential. Join Mark S. Young, Vice President of Talent Strategy at JCC Association and author of Bless Our Workforce: Changing the Way We Manage Our People for a unique and interactive discussion that will both provide attendees with tangible ready to apply strategies and a deeper philosophical understanding of motivation at work to make use of in all our roles engaging and motivating those around us. RSVP to monika@ourtemple.org.

Intermarriage & The Jewish Future: Optimism & Opportunity
Facilitator: Jane Larkin
Sunday, October 9 at 10:00 am 
Location: Jasper Room

Optimism and Opportunity is a look at the macro trends in Judaism as it relates to intermarriage and the engagement and inclusion of IF families in Jewish life. For example, what’s happening in the Conservative movement regarding officiation or acceptance of patrilineal descent, what about interfaith issues in Israel, what are people actually doing vs. what do religious academics and clergy say/want to happen. This program is a collaboration with the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. RSVP to monika@ourtemple.org.

Creating Hebrew Letters and Words
Facilitator: Peter Bain
Sunday, October 16 at 10:00 am 
Location: Jasper Room

Hebrew letters are a unique set of shapes, distinct from the letters of the English alphabet. Even those that look familiar work in a different way. Creating Hebrew Letters and Words is a hands-on experience that will explore the visual characteristics of a common style of Hebrew. Using simple tools, we will examine how Hebrew letters are both separate and related, delve into their components, and finally, create words with fresh eyes. Everyone is welcome; no art background or Hebrew reading is needed. All materials provided. Peter Bain is a designer and typographer with a studio website at peterbaindesign.com. He has studied, practiced, and taught lettering and visual design in places such as New York City, small-town Mississippi, and online. RSVP to monika@ourtemple.org.

Dream Big: Breaking Boundaries with Israeli “Chutzpah”
Facilitator: Roie Galitz
Sunday, October 23 at 10:00 am 
Location: Jasper Room

Roie Galitz was born and raised in Israel. His determination, commitment, and “chutzpah” pushed him to break boundaries around the world. After exploring our planet from the north pole to Antarctica, he is now a world-renowned wildlife photographer and the first Israeli to become an international Greenpeace ambassador. In this fascinating talk, he shares his personal story and life lessons.

Learning TBD
Facilitator: TBD
Sunday, October 30 at 10:00 am 
Location: Jasper Room

Details coming soon!

Judaism Through Art
Facilitator: Harriet Finck
Sunday, November 6 at 10:00 am 
Location: Jasper Room

Details coming soon!

Breakfast with the Rabbi
Facilitator: Rabbi Adam Wright
Sunday, November 13 at 10:00 am 
Location: Jasper Room

Come enjoy breakfast and learning with Rabbi Adam Wright. More details to follow. RSVP to monika@ourtemple.org.

Plate Fusing Class
Facilitator: Rhandie Weaver
Sunday, November 20 at 10:00 am 
Location: Jasper Room

Join Rhandie Weaver, artist and owner of Blue Dragon Glass, who will work with you to decorate a 7″ x 7″ clear glass plate. Students will use glass embellishments and pieces of colored glass to create a design that will then be fired in a kiln to make their designs permanent. They will receive their plate within two weeks of the class after it is shaped in the mold of their choice. These plates would make great Chanukah gifts as well! Blue Dragon Glass has been in business since 2001. Originally from Los Angeles, California, artist Rhandie Weaver moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 2007. Rhandie specializes in making many kinds of glass art and custom glass pieces ranging from works of art that combine stained glass, to glass carving and etching, and fused glass in one piece. She has created works around Birmingham that include the Vulcan Statue at the Birmingham Zoo.

NOTE: This class has a maximum of 12 participants. RSVP to monika@ourtemple.org.

Chanukah Cooking with Sherron Goldstein
Facilitator: Sherron Goldstein
Sunday, December 4 at 10:00 am 
Location: Temple Emanu-El Kitchen

Learn to make a popular Chanukah dish with Sherron Goldstein! Details to follow. RSVP to monika@ourtemple.org.

Intro to Judaism with Rabbi Wright
Facilitator: Rabbi Adam Wright
Sundays: January 8, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 26, March 12, 19, April 9, 16, 23, 30
Location: Jasper Room

Join us for an engaging 12-session course for anyone interested in exploring Jewish life. Open to all, this course is perfect for interfaith couples, those rearing Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering a “return” – (conversion), and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. Our programs welcome people from all backgrounds. Topics include holidays, life cycle celebrations, theology and core beliefs, prayer, Torah, history, antisemitism, the Holocaust, Zionism, Israel, the North American Jewish experience, and the tapestry of the Jewish people today. CLICK HERE to RSVP.

RSVP to Monika Singletary, monika@ourtemple.org, or call, 205.933.8037, ext 213

Blessing before the Study of Torah:

Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai eloheynu melech ha-olam a-sher kid-shanu b’mitz-votav vitzi-vanu la-asok b-divray torah

English: Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the Universe, who sanctifies us with Your Mitzvot and commands us to engage in the study of Torah.

Torah Study meets Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM with Rabbi Wright &/or Cantor Wittner and Wednesdays at 12:00 PM with Monika Singletary. This is a very special learning experience, led by clergy, staff, and congregants, with the opportunity for input and thought-provoking discussion.

Join us via Zoom at one of the following links:

1. Saturday morning: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86458041679 (email monika@ourtemple.org for the password)
2. Wednesday afternoon: https://zoom.us/j/661751570 (email monika@ourtemple.org for the password)