CONGREGATION SHA'AR ZAHAV

Ongoing education is an essential part of Jewish life. Congregation Sha’ar Zahav provides a range of educational opportunities for adults; new classes and educational programs are presented each year.  For current educational offerings check our calendar and sign up for our weekly email newsletter.

Classes and Workshops with Rabbi Camille Shira Angel

Past offerings have included:

• Is Rosh Hashanah Really a Day of Judgment?
• The Quality of Mercy: The Yom Kippur Liturgy
• Downtown Talmud for Busy People
• A Study of The Trial of God, A Play by Elie Weisel
• Jews in the News
• The Philosophy of Abraham Joshua Heschel
• A Taste of Judaism
• Rabbi Zusya of Hanipol and The Essence of T'shuva
• "Ohhh... So that's what it means!" A Fresh Look at Familiar Prayers
• Creating the Best Seder Ever

Classes Taught by CSZ Members and Guest Teachers

Journey to Judaism


Past offerings have included:

• Parashat HaShavua – study of the weekly Torah reading, before Saturday morning services (ongoing)
• Havdalah Discussion Series – monthly discussions, combined with a havdalah service and potluck dinner, on such topics as God language, Jewish poetry, gay marriage and celebrating Shabbat.
• Introduction to Talmud
• How to Study Torah
• The Jewish Calendar
• Ma’ariv and Shacharit Services: A Guided Tour
• Death, Loss & Consolation: A Midrashic Journey
• Not by Might: The Story of Hannah & Samuel
• The Truth About Ruth
• Ecclesiastes Uncovered
• Pirke Avot: Lessons from the Sages
• Poetry, Prose and Midrash: A Writing Workshop on Genesis
• Chanukah Haikus
• Jewish Paper Cuts
• The Music of Shabbat Services

Scholar-In-Residence

The Jeffrey Miller Scholar-in-Residence Program brings master teachers to CSZ every year for a full weekend of learning. Our past Scholars-in-Residence have been:

Rabbi Anne Brener

Rabbi Brener is the author of Mourning & Mitzvah: A Guided Journal for Walking the Mourner's Path Through Grief to Healing

Rabbi Benay Lappe – “Exploding the Myth of a Single Divine Truth”

Rabbi Lappe is the founder of Svara, a queer yeshiva dedicated to the serious study of Talmud.

Shimon Attie – “Jewish Visual Histories & Mysteries”

Mr. Attie is an internationally renowned artist.

Dr. Dvora Weisberg – “The Jewish Meaning of Life”

Dr. Weisberg is a Talmud Scholar and Faculty Member at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman - "Jerusalem, Sex, Shabbat and the Messiah"

Levi Weiman-Kelman is the founder and rabbi of Congregation Kol HaNeshama,  a vibrant center for Progressive Judaism in Jerusalem.

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah

It’s not too late! Sha’ar Zahav offers adult bar/bat mitzvah training and preparation, for those who did not get to experience this milestone event as a youngster. Inquire with the office for details.