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Education at Kesher

Ongoing Classes and Programs

Sunday Morning Bagels and Parsha
Sundays, 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM at Kesher Israel (Social Hall)

Sunday Morning Bagels and Parsha Following Shacharit is Back! Come for bagels....stay for Torah with Rabbi Shafner.

NEW! Nosh and Learn for Young Professionals
Tuesdays, 8:00 PM at Kesher Israel (Social Hall) starting August 22


Calling all Young Professionals! Are you curious about the weekly parsha? Itching for an after Mincha snack?
Looking for an excuse to meet up with your Kesher friends? Join us Tuesdays in the Social Hall for our new class: Nosh & Learn!

Please contact Maddie Dahl or Kennedy Lee with any questions.

Basic Judaism with Rabbi Shafner
Thursdays, 8:00pm 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 Classes

 

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: The Book of Maccabees
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 8:30 AM​​​​​​ via ZOOM  (click the link or dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 378 157 5306)

Check out this recording from class.

Daily: Join Rabbi Shafner's Whatsapp 2 minute Halacha talk

Daily words of Halacha via audio message through Whatsapp. 


 

                       Past Classes and Recordings

 

To access archived writings and classes from Rabbi Shafner visit: www.RabbiShafner.org


Rabbi Shafner's Shabbat HaGadol Derasha

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

Jewish Wisdom on Depression

Jewish Wisdom on Loneliness

When Rabbis Bless Congregants: The Great American Story of Jewish Prayer on Capitol Hill a class by C-SPAN communications director, Howard Mortman

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

Online Pirkei Avot Learning

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

DC Speed Tikkun

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.

Wed, May 8 2024 30 Nisan 5784