Education at Kesher
Upcoming Special Events
Ongoing Classes and Programs
Daily: Daf Yomi
Monday - Thursday at 9:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM, Motzai Shabbat following Havdalah, Sunday 9:00 AM
All classes via Zoom.
Learn a daf (folio) of Gemara a day with Dr. Alan Gersch. Email Alan to get involved!
Daily: 20 Minutes of Daily Learning with Rabbi Shafner (+Kaddish)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 8:30 AM via ZOOM (click the link or dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 378 157 5306)
Rabbi Shafner will teach for 20 minutes daily from the works of Rabbi Silverstone, the Rabbi of Kesher Israel in 1911. There will also be a special (permitted without a minyan) type of kaddish following the learning for anyone who has a Yortzeit or who wants to say Kaddish.
Mondays: Basic Judaism with Rabbi Shafner
6:30pm-7:30pm via ZOOM (click the link or dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 378 157 5306)
This class, taught by Rabbi Shafner, examines the fundamental concepts of Judaism, with plenty of time for questions and discussion. We will look at the laws of berachot, Shabbat, and various holidays with an eye towards understanding the practical application of the halakha. Open to all levels of observance and knowledge.
Daily: Join Rabbi Shafner's Whatsapp 2 minute Halacha talk
Daily words of Halacha via audio message through Whatsapp.
Past Classes and Recordings
A Window on Old Washington: Rabbi Silverstone's High Holidays-taught by Rabbi Shafner - Session 3
A Medrashic Understanding of Selichot: A Pre-Selichot Shiur by Rabbi Shafner
A Window on Old Washington: Rabbi Silverstone's High Holidays-taught by Rabbi Shafner - Session 2
A Window on Old Washington: Rabbi Silverstone's High Holidays-taught by Rabbi Shafner - Session 1
Yom HaShoah Program: The Story of My Father Who Ran for His Life! with Isaac and Asher Gendelman
Rabbi Shafner's class on women writing a Megilah
"The Origins of Modern Orthodoxy": with Dr. Marc B. Shapiro
"Hassidic Texts of Passionate Pluralism" with Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger
Finding Strong Arms: Jewish Disabled Life During COVID-19 with Disabilities Activist Sheryl Grossman
"Esther, Yosef, and Daniel: Heroes of the Diaspora" with former Kesher Intern Zissy Turner
The Four Special Shabbatot in History and Halacha
"Does the Torah Forbid Lying?" with Mindy Schwartz Zolty
Finding Light in Dark Times: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’s Legacy in Our Lives
Rabbi Shafner's Shabbat Shuva Drasha: Existential Approaches to Teshuva.
Exploring Ursula K. LeGuin's Earthsea for the Season of Teshuva with Rabbi Dan Margulies
A Fourth Regal? Finding Joy in the Season of Teshuva with Rabbinic Intern Hody Nemes
Rabbi Shafner's Shofar Class
Voices of Kesher with Professor Jeremy Rabkin
Sunday, May 17th at 8:00 PM. To listen to a recording of this lecture click HERE and enter the code: 2T&K8@pk
Voices of Kesher: Professor Charles (Chip) Manekin
Sunday, May 24th at 8:00 PM
Mystical Views of Shavuot with Rabbi Shafner: To listen to a recording of this lecture click HERE
Kesher Kids: Build Up to Har Sinai!
Voices of Kesher: Professor Rachel Manekin
Sunday, June 7th : To listen click HERE and enter the password: 2a#5J2Fy
Kashrut: Its Philosophy, Laws, and Practical Application
Changing the Past: Teshuvah and the High Holidays
From the Talmud to Today: A Topical Introduction to Jewish Literacy, Halacha and History
Sponsored by the Dr. H. Harold Gelfand Memorial Institute of Adult Education
The Dr. H. Harold Gelfand Memorial Institute of Adult Education at Kesher Israel Congregation
The Institute was established in 1989 to provide Jewish adult education activities within the Kesher Israel community, as well as throughout the Washington, DC, area. The Institute thrives, offering a variety of courses during the year and a Shabbat Dinner & Drash and Lunch & Learn lecture series.
Since the establishment of the Institute, its activities have been supported by a combination of private donations, grants, and general synagogue revenues.
Donations to support education activities are encouraged and can be made online.
Mon, January 24 2022
22 Shevat 5782
New to DC or Visiting?
If you're new to the community, visit our Moving to DC page!
Check out our Visitors page if you are visiting Washington, DC!
Interning in DC? We'd love to welcome you, please fill out this form and tell us about yourselves!
Upcoming Shabbat Times
Office Hours
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Stay informed with our weekly email updates by signing up below.
Find current and previous Shabbat & Holiday Announcement Pages here.
| Join Our Email List |
Today's Calendar