Adult Education
Kane Street Synagogue is committed to teaching anyone who wants to explore Judaism. Our approach is pluralistic and informal. Our teaching materials are taken from the many voices of Jewish tradition; our goal is to create a passionate, caring community of learners.
Open Beit Midrash
Every Tuesday Evening, October to March
Please click here to register for the coming year’s season!
The Beit Midrash (House of Study) has traditionally been the cultural center for creative spiritual conversation, a place to bring everyone together in an atmosphere of focused learning, energetic discussion and personal search.
Using the educational techniques of a traditional Yeshiva, but in a progressive, inclusive, Brownstone Brooklyn way, our study will center around tables, with provocative texts and helpful resources arrayed before the students.
The Kane Street Synagogue Open Beit Midrash is for learners of all levels. We value diversity. Come whether you have studied Jewish texts for 20 years, or are a complete novice. Madrichim, learning guides, will roam the Beit Midrash to welcome students and help them find an appropriate level of study.
Each Beit Midrash evening begins with dinner at 6:45pm, followed by various opportunities for Jewish learning (i.e. the “Beit Midrash”) at 7:30pm.
The Open Beit Midrash takes place on all Tuesday evenings (except for national holidays) from October through March. The program is built around three-week mini-courses.
Course costs to be confirmed upon announcement of the roster. Per-course, and full subscriptions are available, as well as scholarships; please contact Rabbi Samuel H. Weintraub for more information.
Courses: Click here for a schedule of this year’s courses, or download the the Open Beit Midrash brochure with full course descriptions.
For more information, contact Joy Fallek at [email protected].
Pirkei Avot Community-wide Study
Share in the wisdom. Flexible but consistent study times. Six-month schedule; drop/join any time.
Learn more about the study and sign-up to join the learning.
Beginning March 1, 2019, our community will engage in a half-year community-wide learning of Pirkei Avot (Wisdom of Our Sages), a compilation of ethical teachings and sayings found in the Mishna. This is a treasure of our tradition whose ideas and insights are accessible and enlightening to all learners, whether you have never before engaged in Jewish learning or have an extensive background.
You can sign up to join one of Kane Street’s lead learners, form your own study group, learn with your family, or ask us to connect you with other learners.
In order to keep everyone simultaneously learning the same material, and engaged with an amount of text that can be regularly covered in an hour of study together, we have set a learning schedule of roughly four mishnayot (short teachings) for every two weeks, allowing us to complete approximately half of Pirkei Avot’s six chapters in an initial six months of learning. Learners can join the study at any time.
Throughout the study, we will also offer a few opportunities for all the study groups to gather together to learn from a guest scholar on Pirkei Avot and celebrate their accomplishments along the way over treats and drinks. Learn more about the study. For more information or questions, contact Rabbi Jason Gitlin.
Shabbat Morning Learners’ Service
Want help navigating and building a deeper relationship to the Shabbat morning service? Our Learners’ Service offers a space to learn about the Shabbat morning service (its structure, themes, and rituals), explore your questions and pray slowly together. Led by Rabbi Jason Gitlin (contact for questions) and congregants.
5779 (2018-19) Schedule: October 6 and 20: Prayers at the Beginning of Service; November 3 and 17: Shacharit/Barchu, Sh’ma; December 1 and 15: Shacharit/Amidah; January 5 and 19: Torah Service; February 2 and 23: Musaf; March 16: Concluding Prayers; April 6: The Passover Seder; May 11 and 25: Saying Kadddish
Our Jewish Life
Monthly Conversations on Contemporary Culture, Controversies, and Challenges
Free, leader led discussions on the third Thursday of every month, November through June, 10:30am-12:00pm in the Kane Street Chapel. Sponsored by Kane Street’s Hazak Group, for retirees and older members, but open to all.
Free. Refreshments served. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Introduction to Judaism: An Exploration for Curious Adults
A 20-session course on Jewish life, thought, and practice, co-sponsored by Kane Street.
Spring-Summer 2019: Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm, April 30 – August 27, at Kane Street Synagogue
Join us to explore Jewish thought, history, holidays and practice, in a warm and open environment. This class is designed to give you access to concepts, vocabulary, and observances that are central to Judaism. Explore the holy and the historical, inherited texts and contemporary issues, rhythms of the calendar and of our lives in this seminar-style course. $425 course tuition plus $25 materials fee (early-bird discount available before April 15th). For registration & questions, contact Rabbi Sue Oren at [email protected] or 1.917.539.1334.
This class is co-sponsored by: Beloved, Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, B’ShERT: Beth Shalom v’Emeth Reform Temple,Congregation Mount Sinai, East Midwood Jewish Center, Flatbush Jewish Center, Kane Street Synagogue, Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives, Park Slope Jewish Center, Union Temple.