Temple Beth Sholom Learning Opportunities
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2010-2011 Adult Education Course Catalog
(with registration form) in PDF to download & print
Director of Education |
Dear Learners,
Shimon the Righteous said, “The world stands on three things: on Torah, on avodah (worship), and on g’milut hasadim (acts of loving kindness).”[1] According to the rabbinic sages, it is these three qualities that keep the world at equilibrium. Like three legs of a stool, Torah, avodah, and g’milut hasadim work together to provide unshakable support for the world. If one leg of the stool were shorter or longer than the others, the entire structure would be unstable. So, too, would our world.
As Jews we aspire to follow the advice of Rabbi Shimon in an effort to make the world the best it can be. We use our minds to learn the wisdom of Torah and apply it to our daily lives. We reach inward to our souls to worship God with all our might. We engage our bodies in acts of kindness through mitzvah projects, listening to friends in need, and using kind words.
We live in a world and age of complex issues and immense demands. Whether we are personally faced by economic challenges, environmental crises, threats to human rights, or issues with personal health we all can do more to support our well-being. Just as the world relies on the support of Torah, avodah, and g’milut hasadim, we, as humans, rely on our minds, bodies, and souls for our continued existence.
How do we protect and enhance each of these qualities to care for ourselves as intelligent creations of God?
This year the Adult Education offerings at Temple Beth Sholom have been designed to support the parts of ourselves on which we rely each day—the mind, body, and soul. Enhance your mind through Torah study, a liturgy course, or an engaging tour of Jewish Los Angeles. Strengthen your body during a Shabbat hike, social action project, or yoga. Rejuvenate your spirit in a soulful Shabbat service or while preparing an exotic dish in the TBS kitchen.
I invite you to flip through the pages of this catalogue and mix and match learning opportunities that will uplift your mind, body, and soul. We all deserve some time out of our busy lives to care for ourselves and indulge in pleasurable activities.
May this be a year of rejuvenation for all of us!
L’Shalom,
April Akiva, MAJE
Director of Congregational Learning
