MCJC Educational Programs

by Mina Cohen

Torah Scroll Torah School

The MCJC offers weekly classes for children and adults in many areas of Judaica including Hebrew, Torah study, History, Jewish literature, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation. There are 20-25 children from 1st through 7th grade who attend after-school Torah School. There are two teachers and one teacher/director. There is an average of 3-4 bar/bat mitzvahs per year. A monthly family class for those preparing for Bar/Bat Mitzvah usually includes 6-10 families. This year the study was on "Our Personal Relationship to God." The theme varies each year.

Reading Group

There are 10-15 adults who attend a weekly reading group regularly. The group has studied the Bahir, some Talmud, Rabbi Nachman, Rabbi Kook, and other texts. Once or twice per year a Hebrew reading class is offered for adults, where they learn to read Hebrew in a day. This has been attended by 6-10 participants each time and is usually timed to coincide with major Jewish holidays. A basic Judaism class for beginners in various aspects of Jewish practice was offered last year and will probably be repeated next year.

Adult Bat and Bar Mitzvah Class

On alternating Wednesday evenings there is a two hour adult Bar and Bat Mitzvah class. A variety of information is presented by Rabbi Margaret Holub. Topics have included Jewish history, liturgy, literature, ritual and beginning Hebrew. The participants have ranged in age from 16 to +80. Three students, so far, have become Bnai Mitzvah. All are welcome, and the main purpose for the class is Jewish learning and fellowship.

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