Jewish Learning doesn't stop after Bar Mitzvah or even after High School graduation. This fall we are introducing four exciting programs/events which will be open to the community and also part of the Jewish LIFE series, and span the spectrum of Jewish learning; Jewish liturgy, Interfaith life, and Jewish history. Please peruse the following '08/'09 Adult Ed program descriptions and contact the synagogue offices if you would like to RSVP for any of them.


Learner's Minyan. Have you ever wondered why we recite the prayers we do every Shabbat? Do you feel a little at a loss when your fellow congregants are bending and bowing and saying "Amen"? Make your prayer experience more meaningful by joining Rabbi Susan Falk of Congregation Kehilat Shalom in a learner's service. Study the origins of our prayers, learn how they evolved through time, and discuss what they might mean to you. Discover the differences between the Reconstructionist Siddur (prayerbook) and its Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox counterparts. During each service, we will study a few of the Friday night prayers in detail, progressing through the service during the course of the year.
- Monthly on the third Friday, October through June, 7:00 PM in conjunction with Shabbat Services. (Oct 17, Nov 21, Dec 19, Jan 16, Feb 20, Mar 20, April 17, May 15, June 19)
- There is no charge for members or non-members. Feel free to join us for our Oneg Shabbat after services!
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Film night at CKS: "Watermarks", 2004, Yaron Zilberman - Director, Yonatan Israel - Producer
Saturday, November 15, 2008, 6:45 PM
Watermarks is the true story of the champion women swimmers of the legendary Jewish sports club, Hako'ach Vienna. Hako'ach ("The Strength" in Hebrew) was founded in 1909 in response to the notorious Aryan Paragraph, which forbade Austrian sports clubs from accepting Jewish athletes. Hako'ach rapidly grew into one of Europe's biggest athletic clubs, while achieving astonishing success in many diverse sports. In the 1930s Hako’ach's best-known triumphs came from its women swimmers, who dominated national competitions in Austria. After the Anschluss, which also occurred in 1938 about 6 months prior to Kristallnacht, the Nazis shut down the club, but the swimmers all managed to flee the country before the war broke out, thanks to an escape operation initiated by Hako'ach's functionaries. Sixty-five years later, director Yaron Zilberman meets the members of the swimming team in their homes around the world, and arranges for them to have a reunion in their old swimming pool in Vienna, a journey that evokes memories of youth, femininity, and strengthens lifelong bonds. Told by the swimmers, now in their eighties, Watermarks is about a group of young girls with a passion to be the best. Running time: 80 minutes. Appropriate and of interest to children approx. age 11 and up.
Discussion after movie with special guest Greta Wertheimer Stanton, original member of Hako'ach Vienna.
Joining Hako'ach along with her high school best friends, Greta Wertheimer became a diver for the club, an experience that shaped both her Jewish and feminine identities. She became Austria’s youth champion. Greta could not escape Vienna right after the Anschluss, but she supported her family until August 1939 by teaching English. She managed to immigrate to America and she saved her parents lives by arranging a visa for them to Cuba.
A professor emeritus of social work, Greta still organizes psychodrama sessions for high-school students in New Jersey on the topic of mixed marriages. Greta, who resides in our own Montgomery Township, also sings in a choir of senior citizens and is involved with the Yad Vashem museum in Jerusalem.
Adults -$10 per person, Children age 13 and under - $5. Refreshments provided
Tickets may be prepaid by mailing check to Congregation Kehilat Shalom
253 Belle Mead-Griggstown Road, Belle Mead, NJ 08502
Specify "Watermarks" and number of tickets

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Interfaith LIFE: A guided discussion of issues facing individuals, interfaith couples, parents of interfaith couples, Jews by choice, and Jews by birth who grapple with the meaning of Judaism and Jewish observance. This two-part class will be supplemented with in-home Shabbat dinners hosted by families who celebrate Shabbat on a regular basis. For those who are in an interfaith relationship, it is suggested that couples come together, but the class is open to all adults.

- December 7 and March 1, 9:30 - 11:00 AM at CKS
-CKS Members -$10 for the series, Non-members -$18 for the series. Fee includes bagel cafe at each session.

Session 1 - Seeing Judaism Through Different Lenses: Panel Discussion - December 7
A group of CKS congregants and leaders who come from different paths to share their stories followed by open discussion. Moderated by Rabbi Susan Falk.

Session 2 - Contemporary Judaism – Are We All Jews by Choice? - March 1. As Judaism has moved through the millennia from its roots as a people of ancient Israel, through the Diaspora and into a post-modern secular world, how have we all, in a sense, become Jews by choice? What implications does that have for Jewish practice and the incorporation of "non-Jews" into it, especially in the most liberal branches of Judaism? Led by Rabbi Susan Falk.

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Leading a Service - From Lighting Shabbat Candles to Adon Olam! You're already a serious congregant and participate in services. Make that connection stronger and learn to lead the congregation or take charge of certain parts of the service. In four intense sessions, you will have the knowledge and understanding you need to lead services prayerfully and dynamically. Note in order to take this class you must be fairly familiar with the traditional Hebrew prayers and/or be a fairly regular service participant in any Jewish denomination. Post-b’nei mitzvah students are also welcome to attend. A CD of the prayers in various melodies will be handed out at the beginning of this course. Led by Rabbi Susan Falk.

- Sunday mornings, 9:30 - 11:00 AM at CKS on November 2, January 11, February 1, and May 3
- CKS Members -$18 for the series, Non-members -$36 for the series. Fee includes bagel café at each session

Session 1: Friday Night Shabbat Service - The Basics (Nov. 2)
Study the structure and outline of the Friday night service; discuss the elements of Jewish prayer and what prayer means to you.

Session 2: Making it Meaningful (Jan. 11)
Learn to use the Siddur and outside resources to craft a meaningful service; explore the role of music in the service.

Session 3: Leading the Torah Discussion (Feb. 1)
Understand the cycle of parshiot; learn how to lead an effective Torah discussion; identify the elements of a good d’var Torah.

Session 4: Mourning and Shivah (May 3)
Review Jewish customs and traditions regarding death and mourning; learn how to conduct a meaningful shivah service and be a comforting presence in a house of mourning.

You want your children to learn Hebrew, so why shouldn't you learn it yourself? Especially when you can pick up a lot in just two mornings just in time for high holy days. This is a great experience and will give you a taste of the full beginner's and intermediate Hebrew class which will most likely be offered in the winter. Taking this class will:
- Improve your ability to help your child with Hebrew.
- Improve your ability follow along in the prayerbook at services.
- Appreciate the native tongue of our ancestors and the roots of biblical concepts.
- Learn the language of modern day Israel.
- Set a great example for your child.
- Get to know other temple members.


Note this class is sponsored and supported by the National Jewish Outreach Program's "Read Hebrew America" program. It is a reading refresher class that works well if you ever knew some Hebrew. We will meet 9:30 - 11:00 both days during Hebrew school. If we make good progress in Sesssion 1 we will do spend some time working on writing the Hebrew consonants and vowels in Session 2. Even if you took the pre-primer class last spring or know some Hebrew already, you will really improve your skills by taking this class.

For more information, go to www.njop.org and click on Read Hebrew America or contact Meryl Bisberg, mbisberg@comcast.net. To register, contact Robin Begochea, robin@ksnj.org Note the class is open to non-members and prospective members. There is no charge for the class or for books, so give yourself make your "New Year's" resolution and get started on your way to learning Hebrew!

From Genesis to Eco-Kashrut, Part II:
Exploring Judaism's Relationship to the Environment
Eco-Kashrut, Eco-Shabbat, and what it all means for us!

Sunday, December 2, 9:00 to 10:30 am at CKS (during first session Hebrew School)

Presented by Rabbi Falk and sponsored by the Adult Education Committee

This is a continuation of our stimulating and thought-provoking discussion that began on October 21. In this session, we will also discuss kashrut, Shabbat, and other compelling topics related to Judaism and the environment. RSVP to Robin in the office, robin@ksnj.org.
Come early for a bagel and coffee. $3.00 fee per person covers materials fee and cafe for temple members. $5 for non-members.

Join CKS for our first Adult Education Sunday morning program entitled

"From Genesis to Eco-Kashrut; Exploring Judaism's Relationship to the Environment"

Sunday, Oct. 21st, 9AM - 10:30AM at CKS (during first session religious school)

Presented by Rabbi Falk, sponsored by the CKS Adult Ed Committee

Come study and learn about Judaism's relationship to the environment through text and discussion.
RSVP to Robin Bengochea. at the temple office. Space is limited so register early.

Come early for a bagel and coffee. $3.00 fee per person covers materials fee and café.