Adult Jewish Education

Beit Midrash

Omaha is blessed with a Jewish community whose members have deep affection for each other and for their spiritual leaders, regardless of which congregation they happen to belong to. Embracing our desire to be together and learn together, this exciting Beit Midrash (house of study) gives all of Jewish Omaha the opportunity to engage in spirited and challenging cross-denominational study with local rabbis and cantors.
Omaha Beit Midrash has also become a popular learning platform for Jews in different locations throughout the country thanks to the use of Zoom. The 2021-2022 sessions welcomed 242 registrants with an average of 36 participants every week. As we work our way through the challenges of the pandemic, this year’s series will encourage increased in-person participation while maintaining the convenience and availability of Zoom.
Sessions: Wednesdays, 7:00 -8:00 p.m. Nov. 9 – May 17 with breaks for holidays and other programming.

Sessions will be Hybrid: Join us in-person in the Wiesman Reception Room in the Staenberg Omaha JCC OR via Zoom. In-person participants are also asked to register.

Drop in for one session, or become a regular attendee – everyone is welcome. Registering allows you to participate in any or all sessions.

Register Today

 

Miss any of the previous sessions? Find them on YouTube here.

Make sure to like, comment and subscribe!

For more information on how this series was formed, read the Jewish Press article.

Contact Mark Kirchhoff for more details (402) 334-6463 or mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org.

Exploring Judaism

 

Shalom!
Shalom is a wonderful Hebrew word that means hello, goodbye, AND peace. With all three of these definitions we welcome you and are pleased to introduce you to the “Exploring Judaism” class we offer through the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

In this class you are encouraged to ask your questions, learn multiple perspectives, and discover what is meaningful to you in Judaism. We’ll explore Jewish holidays and life-cycle ceremonies, beliefs, values, prayer, Jewish texts, Israel and the American Jewish experience.

Exploring Judaism includes a panel discussion with the community’s rabbis and clergy who will each provide a perspective on Judaism through the lens of their respective congregations. An opportunity to view the mikvah located in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is also a part of the class.

This 12-session course is wonderfully suited for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, individuals considering conversion, spiritual seekers and anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Jewish life, no matter faith tradition, cultural background or religious upbringing.

 

The instructor for the course is Scott Littky, an experienced Jewish education instructor. He began his career in Jewish education in 1985 as a religious school teacher. From 1988 through 1997 he served the then Bureau of Jewish Education of Omaha as a Community Teacher. He taught at the Friedel Jewish Academy as well as afternoon religious school programs. Scott served 17 years as a Director of Education, first at Beth El Synagogue in Omaha, Nebraska followed by positions in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Alexandria, Virginia. In 2014 he returned to Omaha and was the Program Director at Temple Israel. Scott is currently the Executive Director for the Institute for Holocaust Education. He has been teaching Exploring Judaism since 2015.

 

Updated information will be provided on this page, The Jewish Press and JFO E-News. If you have questions about these classes, would like help in accessing the Jewish Press, or would like to receive the JFO E-News, contact Mark Kirchhoff at mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org or call (402) 334-6463.

 

 

 

Eye on Israel

Eye on Israel is an on-going program that has been embraced by the Omaha Jewish community. The program is a presentation/discussion format traditionally led by the Community Shaliach or Shlicah. Each month the program focuses on the most current news topics in Israel and a selective educational and/or entertaining topic. These hour-long sessions are held on the first Monday of every month beginning at 12:00 p.m.

Most recently Rabbi Yoni Dryer, Assistant Rabbi at Beth Israel Synagogue, has been leading  Eye on Israel. Because of the COVID restrictions, these sessions have been conducted virtually. As our new shlicah, Sivan Cohen, begins her shlichut in mid-August, she will begin leading Eye on Israel in September. Rabbi Yoni’s final session will be on August 2.

Sivan will hold her first session on the second Monday of September, September 13, due to the Labor Day holiday on September 6. Starting time will be the standard 12 pm and will be held in the Wiesman Family Reception Room.

Eye on Israel sessions are open to the public free of charge.

REGISTER HERE

The zoom link obtained with your registration will be the only link required for any session.