Adult Ed

To paraphrase Jack Paar...as I was saying before I was interrupted by coronavirus...let's get back to our regularly scheduled adult ed programming, even if that means completely rethinking all of it in this new reality.

If you're spending more time at home than usual and are looking for a little taste of Judaism, or obscure pop culture references you can Google just to pass the time, you've come to the right place. I'm packing this post fuller than a Taco Town tote bag filled with vegetarian chili.

Our good friends at Seventh Art Releasing are giving us free access to short films right now. A Thousand Kisses is a wonderful 16 minute animation that brings to life the correspondence of two young lovers during the rise of the Nazis. And 70 Hester Street is an interesting 10 minute personal history of a Lower East Side synagogue that became someone's art loft for 45 years.

Tikvah is also trying to keep people engaged during this crisis by offering free access to two of their online courses that you can watch at your own pace. Declaring Israel's Independence is being taught by Dr. Martin Kramer and Sholem Aleichem's Tevye the Dairyman is being taught by the fabulous Ruth Wisse.

This sampling of podcasts are either Jewish or Jewish-adjacent which is perfect because, really, aren't we all? The inaugural episode of the beautifully crafted Heavyweight. An engagingly academic history of Appetizing. The fascinatingly complex Part One of Israel Story's exploration of walls in Jerusalem. Or learn Streetwise Hebrew for when the world is tudo bom again and we can go to Israel for falafel (lo charif, b'vakasha).

And if that's not enough, Rabbi Levinsky and I will start teaching online with the first class happening next week. Check the eNews later today for more details about classes and how to connect with us on Zoom (0-2-1-3-4).

I know we can all use a little lightness right now, but on a serious note, I hope this finds you well. Stay connected to the people you love, get some fresh air when you can, wash your hands like you're Lady Macbeth. If you need to talk or have questions about Judaism, or can't figure out the pop culture references and it's bugging you more than being stuck at home with your family, just reach out. I'm here for you, and I'm always happy to see your name on an email, on my caller ID, a certified cashier's check, a candygram...unless you're that pesky landshark.