Hebrew College: A Taste of Adult Learning

Learn with us!

Join us for a special evening of adult learning where you will have the opportunity to sample upcoming classes from Hebrew College’s Open Circle Jewish Learning, Me’ah Classic, and Me’ah Select.

Whether you are new to adult learning at Hebrew College or returning this semester, we invite you to experience our robust programs and find the kind of course that’s right for you. We offer a range of experiences that meet the interests and needs of our diverse learners.

We will start together as a learning community, and then will have two chances to choose from four sample lessons.

Our Program

7:15-7:30 pm
Zoom room opens

7:30 pm
Community Learning with Dr. Susie Tanchel, Hebrew College Vice President

7:45 pm
The First Taste: Choose one of four 25-minute breakout sessions

  • Dr. Jacob Meskin: Me’ah “Can People Change? Modern Jewish Thought And The Challenge Of Teshuvah (Repentance)”
  • Rabbi Benji Samuels, PhD: Me’ah ” Talmudic Visions of the Essence of Judaism”
  • Laila Goodman: Open Circle “Taste of, Mussar for a Meaningful Life”
  • Elliot Lazar: Open Circle “Taste of, A Journey Through Yiddish Theatre”

8:10 pm
The Second Taste: Choose a different one of the same four 25-minute breakout session choices.

8:35 pm
Lesson sharebacks and next steps

8:45 pm: End of program


View Fall Courses

Adult Learning offerings also include Hebrew language for all levels through our popular online Ulpan program.

Ready to view all our offerings? Click here to visit our online course catalog to choose courses by topic, program, location and more.

 

Taste of Me’ah on the North Shore

Join us on September 6th for a ‘Taste of Me’ah Classic on the North Shore!

Discover our amazing Hebrew College Me’ah Classic program that provides adults of all backgrounds with a foundation in Jewish culture and civilization.

Me’ah Classic is a comprehensive, engaging, and in-depth adult learning experience open to adults of all ages.

Over this 2-year course of study consisting of ‘me’ah’ (100 hours) of instruction students will become participants in the Jewish “conversation” that stretches over 3,000 years, exploring, interpreting and reinterpreting the core texts of Jewish life with our outstanding faculty.

During this free “Taste” you will meet with Rabbi Neal Gold, one of our stellar instructors, enjoy a sample lesson, and learn all about the Me’ah journey. You will find out why, in the words one of our graduates, “Me’ah is one of the most enlightening adult learning experiences available!”

supported by cjp logoHebrew College’s Me’ah program, supported by Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) is the oldest Community Learning program at Hebrew College.


Neal_GoldRabbi Neal Gold

Rabbi Neal Gold teaches and writes about Jewish texts, Israel, and the intersections between spiritual life and the contemporary world. He is the Founder and Director of “A Tree with Roots”, an online platform for spirited Jewish learning. He is adjunct faculty Hebrew College and serves as the Jewish Chaplain and Hillel Director at Babson College.

Neal is the Immediate Past President of the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis. In 2021, he became a JJGI [J.J. Greenberg Institute for Advancement of Jewish Life] Fellow at Hadar Institute.

Neal received smicha (rabbinic ordination) from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he received a Doctor of Divinity honoris causa in 2022. In 2018 he earned a second Master’s Degree from Brandeis University. He is the author of many academic and popular writings about Judaism and Israel, and is the editor of Radiance: The Collected Prose and Poetry of Danny Siegel (JPS, 2020).

For over 18 years he served congregations in New Jersey and Massachusetts. He also served as the Director of Content & Programming for ARZA and was a delegate at the 37th World Zionist Congress. Neal lives in Massachusetts with his wife Heidi Gold and their children Avi and Jeremy.


To view all fall 2023 Hebrew College Adult Learning courses, please visit our searchable online Adult Learning Course Catalog.

Boston Jewish Film Club Meetup: Magic Men

Magic MenJoin us for our next BJF Film Club meetup to discuss Magic Men on Tuesday, August 8 at 7 PM at Hebrew College for an exciting and lively conversation led by Boston Jewish Film Executive Director Susan Adler.

This event is sponsored by the Boston Jewish Film Club and Hebrew College.

About the Film

WINNER – Best Actor (Makram Khoury), Ophir Awards (Israel’s Academy Awards)

MAGIC MEN (BJFF 2014)
Fiction, 2014, Israel, 100 minutes
Hebrew, Greek, and English (with English subtitles)
Directors: Erez Tadmor, Guy Nattiv
Cast: Makram Khoury, Zohar Shtrauss, Ariane Labed, Vangelis Mourikis, Nony Geffen

Avraham Kofinas, an elderly Israeli Jew of Greek origins, and his estranged Hasidic rapper son Yehuda embark on a road trip from Israel to Greece, searching for an old magician who saved Avraham’s life during World War II. Their journey leads to unexpected encounters, ultimately bringing them to a final confrontation between father and son.

How to Watch

Please watch the film on your own before the meetup. Stream it for free on Tubi or rent on Amazon.

Registration

The event cost is $3. Registration required.

 

Ta Sh’ma (Come & Hear) 2023 Virtual Open House for Prospective Rabbinical Students

Ta-Shma-2023

Join us!

Have you thought about becoming a rabbi or rav-hazzan? Join us for virtual Ta Sh’ma (Come & Hear) to experience the vibrant pluralistic communities of Hebrew College’s pioneering rabbinical and rav-hazzan programs. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to learn, pray and grow with our students and faculty. NOTE: There is also an in-person Open House on Monday, November 13 (special programming) with an option to stay Tuesday, Nov. 14 for regular classes.

ONLINE
Sunday, November 19 from 2-5 p.m.

  • Learn with Hebrew College faculty, including Hebrew College President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, Rabbi Justin David, Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer, and other members of our faculty.
  • Join with current students for an inspiring day of learning, conversation, music and prayer.
  • Enjoy plenty of breaks and opportunities for small group conversations.
  • If you would like to attend in person but can’t make it on Nov. 13, please be in touch to find other ways to connect with our community

>> View the event schedule from our previous in-person open house. Watch for this year’s schedule coming this fall.


Contact Us

Please contact Rabbi Gita Karasov, Director of Admissions,  if you have questions at gkarasov@hebrewcollege.edu.


Meet our Students & Alumni

Our students share their perspectives on Hebrew College’s learning community!

Meet some of our students

Read more…


What kind of RABBI will you be?

Educator, author, artist, musician, activist, organizer, poet, professor, pastoral caregiver, facilitator, counselor, healer, caretaker, spiritual guide, community builder, prayer leader, farmer, host, Eved Hashem, translator, peacemaker, performer, darshan, midwife, officiant, fundraiser, preacher…YOU!

When we asked our rabbinical alumni to describe their rabbinates, their responses were a reminder of the breadth and depth of rabbinic work—and how they each have taken their Hebrew College education out into the world to create a rabbinate that reflects their unique passions and gifts. Across the board, their descriptions reflect deep creativity, commitment, love of Torah, social action, and innovative spiritual and prayer leadership. Meet our alumni


Student Kavanah in 60 Teachings

The Hebrew College Kavanah in 60 digital platform is a place for rabbinical and cantorial students to share “short teachings” (~60 seconds) coinciding with Jewish and secular holidays. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for notifications about future videos.


hebrew college Seventy Faces of Torah blog

david-mahfoudaRead recent Torah commentary by our rabbinical students.

Read more…


monica gomery and ari lev fornariHevrutot

Learning in “hevrutot” [pairs] is a hallmark of Hebrew College. Meet three pairs of Hebrew College alumni, who work together as spiritual leaders of their respective synagogues, and have extended that model to their professional lives.

Read more…


giulia-fleishmanRabbinical Internships

Giulia Fleishman` 22 deepened her rabbinical training and community connection through rabbinical internship training.

Read more…


Rabbinical Internships

For Rabbi Ryan Leszner `23, internships were an opportunity to experience real life as a rabbi before he had his own congregation.

Read more…


naomi-gurt-lindRabbinical School & Parenthood

Hear from rabbinical student Naomi Gurt Lind about balancing rabbinical school and motherhood.

Read more…

Hebrew College Taste of Me’ah Metrowest

Join us for an in-person MetroWest Taste of Hebrew College Me’ah on Thursday, July 13 at 6:30pm at Temple Sholom, 50 Pamela Road in Framingham. Weather permitting, we will gather outside in their Garden of Meditation. This event is open to all learners, whether this is your first or next step on your Jewish journey. 

  • Learn more about Hebrew College’s two-year Me’ah Classic program that takes you on a fascinating journey through the narrative of the Jewish people from ancient to present times. 
  • Meet with one of our stellar instructors, and enjoy a sample lesson with Dr. Jacob Meskin, Me’ah Academic Advisor and instructor to learn how you can join the Me’ah journey.
  • Learn more the Me’ah Classic curriculum, instructors, and more on the Me’ah Classic web page

When Art and Judaism Collide: A Conversation with Artist Joshua Meyer & Laura Mandel

centennial-art-joshmeyer-1000pxJoin us for a special event on June 22, 2023 with painter Joshua Meyer, creator of “8 Approaches,” an 8-part painting that was featured as the 2023 community Hanukkiah at Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights, an annual celebration at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston hosted in partnership with the Jewish Arts Collaborative (JArts). Now, Meyer’s multilayered masterpiece is on display at the Hebrew College Campus and we invite you to experience the work. The conversation to be followed by a tour of the Hebrew College art collection.

Learn more about 8 Approaches, the process, and its layers of meaning with artist Joshua Meyer in conversation with JArts Executive Director, Laura Mandel.

> Read more about the artwork here.

>> View the event flyer

This event is sponsored by Hebrew College and our partner JArts, with special thanks to CJP Arts & Culture for support of this process.